Evina -WNBA?

[Gus Mahler]

While I agree that this is a relatively weak draft, there is another factor in the opposite direction. There are very very few roster spots that are really open in the WNBA this year. Last year it was easier to get one of those roster spots because many players sat out for health reasons or didn't want to play in the bubble.

This year you have the players from last year plus the players returning who sat out, and the draftees. I followed WNBA free agency closely and some teams do not have room to sign their first round draft picks. Dallas for example has already done a buyout and trade to free up spots, and still doesn't have room for the 5th and 7th pick. They also have #1 and #2. The new union contract has also resulted in a reduced number of WNBA spots.

With the new caps, many WNBA teams are saying rather than have a 12th player, they would rather spend that money on upgrading one of the first 11. Because of a weak draft, the bubble last year, and the new contract, there probably will be more first round picks waived than in most years, and more teams carrying just 11.

Appreciate the info.

 

[oldude]

"History of injuries" is an exaggeration. Evina has never missed an NCAA game due to injury.

True, but had she been granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA, like some transfers, Evina would have sat out most, if not all of last season after undergoing a second successive knee operation.

We also know from Geno that Evina was not 100% this season. Geno did a good job managing her minutes throughout the season to keep Evina in the lineup. To her credit Evina was then able to play 37+ mpg in the NCAA Tournament.

I’m sure Evina will make the best choice for her. She knows better than anyone else how well her body held up this season and whether or not it’s better to jump to the pros sooner, in a relatively weak draft, or return to UConn for another season.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I'm encouraged that Christyn said postgame that everyone will be back.

Also liked her candor when she said she didn't like the (last) question.

 

[pvdoggy]

Listen to me no one from UConn is going to the WNBA this season. Nobody. They will all be back.

You expect me to trust you now after I put all my money on Uconn when you said they will go 175-0.

 

[CocoHusky]

True, but had she been granted immediate eligibility by the NCAA, like some transfers, Evina would have sat out most, if not all of last season after undergoing a second successive knee operation.

What has been reported is that Evina had a first surgery immediately upon her arrival from TN along with Crystal Dangerfield. Both players were deemed ready to play by the start of fall official practices. Evina was ready to go and would have deferred the second surgery until after the season. Since the NCAA did not rule Evina eligible she elected to have the second surgery in January instead of waiting until April. Evina also stayed over the summer at UCONN to rehab so as to be ready for the start of this current season. Evina has never missed a game at UCONN nor at TN.

 

[CocoHusky]

I'm encouraged that Christyn said postgame that everyone will be back.

Also liked her candor when she said she didn't like the (last) question.

What was that last question?

 

[bballnut90]

Unless E is a top 8pick she should stay, any lower and she could get cut, and this is a weak draft. Next year’s draft isn’t very strong, unless any of the 2019 kids who are stars declare early, E has a better chance of going in the top 8 next year. Howard, Cunane, Smith, Austin, and Hillmon will likely be the 1st 5 player taken, Westbrook could go as high as 6th next season if she shows some consistent scoring, better defensive, and better decisions with the ball, and she could also be named an All American, and add a national championship.

Westbrook likely plays fewer minutes and takes on a smaller role with the emergence of the freshmen. She'll be sharing minutes with Fudd, Ducharme, and Makurat and as a result I dont see her usage or production increasing. She definitely isn't playing 30.7 minutes per game next year. I dont see her being in the mix for AA honors either with Bueckers/Williams returning and all of the roster depth.

Next year's draft also appears to be deeper and stronger. Westbrook has the frame and skills to be a solid pro but lacks consistency and production. Of the players mentioned, I'd also expect her to go behind C. Williams, Queen Egbo, Ashley Joens, Destanni Henderson, Rae Burrell, Jessika Carter and Sedona Price. ONO too is a better prospect IMO if she can hit score against decent teams. She has a better shot of going in the 1st round this year. Realistically I don't think she's lasting in the league for more than a handful of seasons but if she wants to make a roster and get her foot in the door, her best bet is this year IMO.

 

[HuskylnSC]

I would not hand Nelson-Ododa a starting spot. Doesn’t deserve one. Hasn’t played as a post needs to. Is always a minus in every big game. The only thing we can count on from Olivia is that she will blow layups.

Here he is! Your Troll of the Week winner by unanimous consent., @MuchoDogYears Congratulations Mr. or Mrs or Miss or Ms MuchoDogYears for your series of ill-informed yet combative posts.

 

[HuskylnSC]

Unless E is a top 8pick she should stay, any lower and she could get cut, and this is a weak draft. Next year’s draft isn’t very strong, unless any of the 2019 kids who are stars declare early, E has a better chance of going in the top 8 next year. Howard, Cunane, Smith, Austin, and Hillmon will likely be the 1st 5 player taken, Westbrook could go as high as 6th next season if she shows some consistent scoring, better defensive, and better decisions with the ball, and she could also be named an All American, and add a national championship.

To paraphrase Cheryl Reeve Minnesota coach, Drafting UConn players as “plug-and-play players" who are groomed for success by Auriemma’s demanding program. ESPN has her going #5 to Dallas:

5. Dallas Wings: Evina Westbrook*, PG, UConn

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
We don't know yet if Westbrook will declare for the WNBA draft, but she's eligible as a redshirt junior. After two seasons at Tennessee, she sat out a year, and is in her first season playing for UConn. She is a 6-foot point guard with good size, something that might be an asset for the Wings, and has shown a lot of leadership and maturity. In UConn's first two NCAA tournament victories -- in which they cruised over High Point and Syracuse -- she had a combined 14 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Westbrook can make a big impact on a game without big stats.

 

[pvdoggy]

What was that last question?

It's not the last question. What CW said was "I did not like that last question" during the presser to some guy from the Hartford Courant. Here is the time indexed question

 

[oldude]

What has been reported is that Evina had a first surgery immediately upon her arrival from TN along with Crystal Dangerfield. Both players were deemed ready to play by the start of fall official practices. Evina was ready to go and would have deferred the second surgery until after the season. Since the NCAA did not rule Evina eligible she elected to have the second surgery in January instead of waiting until April. Evina also stayed over the summer at UCONN to rehab so as to be ready for the start of this current season. Evina has never missed a game at UCONN nor at TN.

You already mentioned that Evina never missed a game, which I acknowledged. Evina’s first surgery was in June. According to the Hartford Courant, Evina’s second surgery took place in December. While it did take place after she was ruled ineligible, there was no mention in the article I read that indicated the surgery would have been deferred had she been eligible. Regardless, two knee surgeries in 7 months time is hardly routine.

 

[zmart]

I don't see where $65,000 is life changing money. I'm sure many UConn graduates will make that much
when they get out of school without the potential to lose it at any minute by injury.

 

[psconn]

WNBA Announces Players Who Have Opted-In for Consideration for 2021 WNBA Draft Presented By State Farm - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA

The WNBA announced today that 52 players from colleges and universities have, as of April 1, filed for inclusion as candidates for the 2021 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, scheduled for April 15 (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET).

www.wnba.com

 

[zmart]

I do realize you were being sarcastic about the "life changing money".

 

[cbraarj]

IMO Evina knee is still a problem and may need to have another MRI to check it out. She has slowed down from her Freshman year and it shows against the quicker teams. It's so stupid to have these players have to decide so quickly. I can see her as a future Coach at this level and if she decided against the WNBA and another year here with 2 years as a grad asst. would give her a big jump in that field. Good luck with what you decide for your future! It was great to watch you play this year!

 

[cbraarj]

IMO Evinas knee is still a problem and may need to have another MRI to check it out. She has slowed down from her Freshman year and it shows against the quicker teams. It's so stupid to have these players have to decide so quickly. I can see her as a future Coach at this level and if she decided against the WNBA and another year here with 2 years as a grad asst. would give her a big jump in that field. Good luck with what you decide for your future! It was great to watch you play this year!

 

[Fairfield Fan]

"History of injuries" is an exaggeration. Evina has never missed an NCAA game due to injury.

I believe that's because she used her year off to get surgery and rehab her injured knee. Had she been granted immediate transfer status, she might have had to miss games. Coach Geno said that the NCAA's refusal to let her play was a blessing in disguise because it gave her time to have that needed surgery and rehab.

 

[BobbyJ]

I don't see where $65,000 is life changing money. I'm sure many UConn graduates will make that much
when they get out of school without the potential to lose it at any minute by injury.

It’s not. I was being facetious.

 

[Gus Mahler]

What was that last question?

Maybe it was the second-to-last question. something like: How disheartening was it to keep making a run at the lead only to have Arizona keep answering back. CW said something like "How would you feel?" or "How do you think it felt?" or something similar.

I felt bad for her. She was obviously upset about the loss and about fouling out on a horses- excuse for a foul call. It wasn't the worst question ever asked but it rubbed her the wrong way and I'm ok with her response. She's human and was hurting. Not sure CD will be ok with it but I hope CD cuts her some slack.

 

[Sanka541]

If Evinas knee is so bad that she maybe has a limited amount of time in basketball left, is there actually a chance that she stays for a year in order to complete further education giving her a better chance of having a really good career post WNBA?! Just trying to think about things from a different view point. But I think she does probably go in my opinion, as much as I’d love for her to stay.

 

[Stymie]

She won’t be contesting for playing time in the pros?
If she can’t claw out time at UConn, how will she get it in a Pro roster?

 

[hjoerring]

I think it would help the team and her to come back. But, I would support, equally, her wanting to turn professional. I am one of a fast diminishing few who hates this obsession with starting, playing time and "garbage time". I have admired for some time how Stanford manages to have a large contingent of players-- with a number of good players sitting, but getting playing time and contributing.
Those who have the habit of pegging their hopes on every years recruit as the one(s) to get us over the top of the top might do well to think a little clearer. Ever since Nurse and Gabby, Uconn has not have a defensive guard or small forward/wing (whatever) that can neutralised a quick and aggressive guard. These guards have single-handedly reek havoc on us and have contributed to their team winning. Arizona was a repeat of ARK. a repeat of MSU, and of course ND and Stanford. Is there a solution to this in the incoming class!! Geno promised that we will be back at the Final 4 so he may know something. But since the consensus here is that we are going to shoot the lights out then why worry about defending.
Another thing I have noticed about this version of the Uconn team is how frightfully predictable their offense had become. At times it seems as if I had the game running in slow motion. If the coaches had to scale back then it worked on lesser teams, but any good coach with a defensive minded team would exploit it.

 

[HopJim]

Unless E is a top 8pick she should stay, any lower and she could get cut, and this is a weak draft. Next year’s draft isn’t very strong, unless any of the 2019 kids who are stars declare early, E has a better chance of going in the top 8 next year. Howard, Cunane, Smith, Austin, and Hillmon will likely be the 1st 5 player taken, Westbrook could go as high as 6th next season if she shows some consistent scoring, better defensive, and better decisions with the ball, and she could also be named an All American, and add a national championship.

I'm not sure where she goes in the draft, assuming its the 1st round, makes a material difference particularly regarding the money. Only a few thousand dollars separate the top and bottom of the money scale. More important would be the team that drafts her. With the worst teams going first, sometimes being drafted by a higher performing, well coached team has benefits.

 

[CocoHusky]

It's not the last question. What CW said was "I did not like that last question" during the presser to some guy from the Hartford Courant. Here is the time indexed question

Thanks for posting this clarified a lot. CW showed annoyance with the question is my take. I love it-at least I know she cares.
Honestly I wish her teammates can express similar annoyance and actually follow through and take it out on an opponent.

 

[Cheddie]

Would love to have her back she was a steadying hand all throughout the tournament and she rebounds.

Would love to have her return for her contributions to team chemistry. Finishing baseball spring training, you read about teams keeping players (at $millions) because they're good "clubhouse presences." Evina is just that - a perfect teammate. Buying presents for everyone out of her own pocket? Just a special young woman.