ESPNw Releases Top 25 Under 25 in WNBA

[Dillon77]

No surprises regarding top 5:
1) Wilson
2) Collier
3) Ogunbowale
4) Atkins
5) Brionna Jones

Alum-wise, UConn had 5 in the Top 25
- UConn: Collier (2), Nurse (16) , Dangerfield (17), KLS (18), Stevens (24)
and
Notre Dame had 4
- ND: Ogunbowale (3), Young (8), Mabrey (10), Turner (12)
plus
- Oregon at 3: Ionescu (9), Sabally (11), Hebard (22)

Actually, maybe that's part of the story: three schools account for nearly half the list.

WNBA's best 25 under 25: Ranking A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and all the young stars

Who's got next when Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi eventually step away? A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Arike Ogunbowale lead the next generation of stars.

www.espn.com

 

[clbabson]

I'm such a big fan of Brionna Jones. I don't think many people gave her a shot to be a real contributor. She's worked her butt off though and turned herself into a very effective center. I love those stories!

 

[Bigboote]

I'm such a big fan of Brionna Jones. I don't think many people gave her a shot to be a real contributor. She's worked her butt off though and turned herself into a very effective center. I love those stories!

I was a doubter, and I’m glad to be proven wrong.

 

[ucbart]

I'm such a big fan of Brionna Jones. I don't think many people gave her a shot to be a real contributor. She's worked her butt off though and turned herself into a very effective center. I love those stories!

Jones is also very much the beneficiary of location, location, location. She fits in perfectly for the versatile front line that Connecticut has. I wonder what'll happen when Alyssa Thomas comes back?

 

[ucbart]

No surprises regarding top 5:
1) Wilson
2) Collier
3) Ogunbowale
4) Atkins
5) Brionna Jones

Alum-wise, UConn had 5 in the Top 25
- UConn: Collier (2), Nurse (16) , Dangerfield (17), KLS (18), Stevens (24)
and
Notre Dame had 4
- ND: Ogunbowale (3), Young (8), Mabrey (10), Turner (12)
plus
- Oregon at 3: Ionescu (9), Sabally (11), Hebard (22)

Actually, maybe that's part of the story: three schools account for nearly half the list.

WNBA's best 25 under 25: Ranking A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and all the young stars

Who's got next when Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi eventually step away? A'ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier and Arike Ogunbowale lead the next generation of stars.

www.espn.com

A'Zura needs to find a team, cough Seattle cough which she fits in with better. She has way too much talent to be this low on this list.

 

[Bald Husky]

Jones is also very much the beneficiary of location, location, location. She fits in perfectly for the versatile front line that Connecticut has. I wonder what'll happen when Alyssa Thomas comes back?

I was thinking the same thing. Bri took advantage of Jonquel opting out last year and surprised the crap out of me. With Alyssa out this year she did the same thing, and even stepped up her game. She is becoming a star, and I too don't know what will happen next year. I would hate to think that Kurt would entertain trading either of them. I guess it will be interesting, but for now, GO SUN.

 

[Dillon77]

I'll bet that many Oregon fans might be saying pretty much the same thing about Ruthy Hebard, who is listed at #22 (although they might insist on sending her to NYC to be with Sabrina).

But both of these very tall players are on the same team as Sloot, who dispenses assists at 9.3 per game.

I took a look the Chicago Sky stats sheet and found that Azura, Ruthy and Astou Ndour-Fall (when available) were/are averaging 18+ minutes per game (Stef Dolson at 20 mpg) and averaging between 7.5 and 6.7 mpg.
So James Wade is taking a group approach at center/big or is riding the one or two who are hot. And the one who aren't don't get much time because Ms. Parker is there at the other forward.

Wouldn't be surprised to see movement of Dolson, Ndour-Fall, Hebard or Stevens in the off season.

 

[EricLA]

A'Zura needs to find a team, cough Seattle cough which she fits in with better. She has way too much talent to be this low on this list.

Not sure I necessarily agree. Stevens does not WANT to be in the post, at least that was her experience at UCONN. But at 6'6", she needs to at least be viable in the post. In Seattle, she would not be a starter, but would come off the bench. She certainly doesn't have Russel's physicality in the post, and she's not nearly the player Stewie is. Can't see her replacing KLS in the starting lineup either.

She certainly could help off the bench, but given Talbot's overall production, especially lately, and Magbegor sort of having a breakout season, unless she is willing to play the 5, I'm not sure she's that useful to them.

Stevens is certainly a capable 3 point shooter, and I'll admit I've not seen enough of her this season to know what her development looks like right now. Russell is the 5. Stewie is a 4/5. Lou is a 3/4/2, Talbot is a 3, Magbegor is a 4. I don't see Stevens taking time away from those players, and if she's still unwilling to be the "5", I don't see where Seattle is a good fit for her.

 

[AYusef]

I think the doubters (me) didn't think athletically she could succeed in the WNBA. In college she was a dominate low post player. She was too strong for anyone to deal with I didnt see her having that advantage in the pros. However, she has made herself into a force. Congrats to her! she is also super likeable, I met her once just walking around the casino-mall with my daughter. She couldn't of been more pleasant.