Mock 2020 WNBA Draft Crystal 3rd Pick

[Wbbfan1]

2020 WNBA Mock Draft: Sabrina Ionescu leads the way

I spoke to a half-dozen WNBA talent evaluators about the event we'll all be obsessing over come next April: the 2020 WNBA Draft. Here's the first big board.

highposthoops.com

Unless injured, there won't be any player that overcomes Sabrina Ionescu as the 1st pick in next years WNBA draft. Sabrina would have been this years Number 1 Pick if she had declared. Probably will be the same for most College Awards next year.

 

[HopJim]

Shows how even in a potentially off year for UConn, starters still projected to be top picks. Crystal's play will determine her pick #. Forecast anywhere from top 5 to top 12, with her size influencing a lot. Many big guards in pros.

 

[eebmg]

On the last page, underclassmen who may jump are listed (I assume they are
eligible?)

Carter should jump ASAP.

Chennedy Carter
Satou Sabally
Destiny Slocum
Aarion McDonald
Chelsea Dungee
Vivian Gray
Erin Boley
Evina Westbrook
Stephanie Watts
Kristin Scott
Nancy Mulkey

 

[bbsamjj]

Ionescu and Cox should be WNBA ready to go from game 1. Everyone else seems like a huge question mark.

 

[oldude]

The 2020 draft is not nearly as deep as this year. With that said, Crystal was the 2nd best pg in the nation this year and will most likely retain that rank again next year. While her size will be an issue at the next level, particularly on defense, the fact that teams are much more likely to spread the floor on offense in the W will be a significant benefit for Crystal by giving her more room to operate.

 

[Reypl21]

On the last page, underclassmen who may jump are listed (I assume they are
eligible?)

Carter should jump ASAP.

Chennedy Carter
Satou Sabally
Destiny Slocum
Aarion McDonald
Chelsea Dungee
Vivian Gray
Erin Boley
Evina Westbrook
Stephanie Watts
Kristin Scott
Nancy Mulkey

They don't list Walker as someone who can jump. I think she can if she really wanted to

 

[Vowelguy]

They don't list Walker as someone who can jump. I think she can if she really wanted to

 

[bballnut90]

The 2020 draft is not nearly as deep as this year. With that said, Crystal was the 2nd best pg in the nation this year and will most likely retain that rank again next year. While her size will be an issue at the next level, particularly on defense, the fact that teams are much more likely to spread the floor on offense in the W will be a significant benefit for Crystal by giving her more room to operate.

This draft is weak, but Dangerfield at 3 would be a major surprise if it pans out that way. She is a solid player but has an uphill battle to be a top WNBA prospect. By WNBA standards, she's undersized, an average shooter and is not very effective driving the lane/creating for others. This year she shot 43% from the floor and 35% from deep. Those aren't bad, but they aren't great and she struggled big time against the best competition (shot 21-72 from the floor and 11-36 from deep in 5 games against Elite 8 teams). I think she needs to prove a lot her senior year to be in consideration as a lotto pick.

 

[Vowelguy]

I think she needs to prove a lot her senior year to be in consideration as a lotto pick.

What about if she wants to be a keno pick?

 

[meyers7]

2020 WNBA Mock Draft: Sabrina Ionescu leads the way

I spoke to a half-dozen WNBA talent evaluators about the event we'll all be obsessing over come next April: the 2020 WNBA Draft. Here's the first big board.

highposthoops.com

Unless injured, there won't be any player that overcomes Sabrina Ionescu as the 1st pick in next years WNBA draft. Sabrina would have been this years Number 1 Pick if she had declared. Probably will be the same for most College Awards next year.

Even if she was injured, I would think most teams would take her anyway.

 

[ucbart]

If Satou goes next year, she is #2 behind Ionescu. I think she will be one of the top 5 players in the country next season.

 

[sivad40]

On the last page, underclassmen who may jump are listed (I assume they are
eligible?)

Carter should jump ASAP.

Chennedy Carter
Satou Sabally
Destiny Slocum
Aarion McDonald
Chelsea Dungee
Vivian Gray
Erin Boley
Evina Westbrook
Stephanie Watts
Kristin Scott
Nancy Mulkey

Watts is going to be a 5th Senior next season.

 

[Shades]

If Satou goes next year, she is #2 behind Ionescu. I think she will be one of the top 5 players in the country next season.

Why would she bail on her sister? Ionescu didn’t leave early. It would surprise me if Sabally left early.

 

[Bigboote]

If Satou goes next year, she is #2 behind Ionescu. I think she will be one of the top 5 players in the country next season.

I would be surprised if she supplanted Cox (unless Cox's injury is worse than advertised), but I'd agree with #3.

I'm also surprised Hebard is as low as 10. I haven't seen her much; she may be that low for the same reason Gustafson was this year. Good size, good footwork, gaudy numbers, but a real specialist.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Some WNBA teams may end up concerned about Cox's diabetes as she's missed games or played limited minutes because of her health.

 

[baggerbob]

Some WNBA teams may end up concerned about Cox's diabetes as she's missed games or played limited minutes because of her health.

EDD has Lyme disease, and it didn't make a difference. Cox isn't in the class of EDD, but in a weak draft, go with the best player.

 

[Shades]

Some WNBA teams may end up concerned about Cox's diabetes as she's missed games or played limited minutes because of her health.

Her insulin pump seems very effective, so I’m not buying into this notion.

Junior season games/minutes

 

[MSGRET]

Love Crystal Dangerfield, but she has not led UConn to 3 straight Final Fours, Saniya led us during Crystal Dangerfield's freshman season.

 

[ucbart]

Why would she bail on her sister? Ionescu didn’t leave early. It would surprise me if Sabally left early.

I said IF. She is eligible and I simply stated that she should be pick #2. Don’t you dare put words in my mouth. Thanks.

 

[MilfordHusky]

A year or more ago, Geno said he looked at USA Basketball in terms of the next PGs and didn't see any coming up who were better than Crystal.

 

[Shades]

I said IF. She is eligible and I simply stated that she should be pick #2. Don’t you dare put words in my mouth. Thanks.

I wasn’t trying to put words into your mouth. I was debating the merits of her coming out since you brought it up as a possibility.

 

[bballnut90]

I said IF. She is eligible and I simply stated that she should be pick #2. Don’t you dare put words in my mouth. Thanks.

Cox>>Sabally. Cox could contend for #1 over Ionescu with a big year depending on team need. She's like another Dolson offensively with her ability to pass and facilitate from the high post and a poor man's Griner defensively with her length and ability to close out. Probably the best defensive center to come through since Brittney. Very unique player.

Sabally looks like a solid bet for #1 in 2020, although Carter could give her a run.

 

[Reypl21]

Cox>>Sabally. Cox could contend for #1 over Ionescu with a big year depending on team need. She's like another Dolson offensively with her ability to pass and facilitate from the high post and a poor man's Griner defensively with her length and ability to close out. Probably the best defensive center to come through since Brittney. Very unique player.

Sabally looks like a solid bet for #1 in 2020, although Carter could give her a run.

Completely agree. I don't see what the people who say Sabally might move in front of Cox are seeing. Stats might point in Sabally's direction, but Cox is a winner and provides so much to her team. If she didn't get injured, they would have won the NC game by double digits. She completely negated Shepard.

Of course, a lot can happen between this year and next. If all goes well for the two of them... Give me Cox every time

 

[SimpleDawg]

Cox is my favorite. Should go #1. She should even go #1 of the 2019 draft too. That might even be putting her more favorably over McCowan.

But the rest of that draft is.... light. I'd take the top 15 of WNBA of 2019 over the rest, but I guess that could change. We got a whole season left to play. Oh right, I forgot Ionescu's in this draft, but still... she'd still be #2 after Cox.

...

 

[nwhoopfan]

Cox vs. Sabally is totally apples and oranges. To me Sabally is still fairly raw and just starting to figure out how good she can be. I think Cox is about what she's going to be at this point. Depends on what you want. I think Sabally projects as a wing as a pro and Cox a post. Cox is certainly a better interior defender and passer. Sabally is a better perimeter shooter by miles (128 made 3's 40% in 2 years vs. 35 made 3's 33% in 3 years for Cox). Sabally is quicker and more athletic and better on the drive. I truly believe Sabally has more upside than Cox does. Rare combination of length, athleticism and skill set.

 

[Shades]

Cox has size, versatility, and what WNBA coaches really crave, defensive prowess. The more of this a college player has, usually the easier transition to the WNBA.

Baylor’s Lauren Cox repeated as Defensive Player of the Year after winning the award last season. The junior from Flower Mound, Texas, led the league with 72 blocked shots through 29 games played. She became just the third player since the award began in 2006 to become a two-time recipient, joining Oklahoma’s Courtney Paris (2006-08) and BU’s Brittney Griner (2010-13).

2018-19 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Women's Basketball Awards Announced

Five student-athletes from five different programs took home individual awards headlining the 2018-19 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Women's Basketball Awards.

www.big12sports.com

So between Ionescu and Cox for #1 in 2020, it may come down to what you need worse, a guard or a forward.

#1 in 2020
IND: Dupree is getting old - Cox
NYL: They could use everything - Ionescu
CHI: Definitely could use a PF - Cox
DAL: Less sure about their post situation - Cox
LVA: Just picked up Young. Wilson and Cox would be intriguing duo.

 

[eebmg]

Cox has size, versatility, and what WNBA coaches really crave, defensive prowess. The more of this a college player has, usually the easier transition to the WNBA.

2018-19 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Women's Basketball Awards Announced

Five student-athletes from five different programs took home individual awards headlining the 2018-19 Phillips 66 All-Big 12 Women's Basketball Awards.

www.big12sports.com

So between Ionescu and Cox for #1 in 2020, it may come down to what you need worse, a guard or a forward.

#1 in 2020
IND: Dupree is getting old - Cox
NYL: They could use everything - Ionescu
CHI: Definitely could use a PF - Cox
DAL: Less sure about their post situation - Cox
LVA: Just picked up Young. Wilson and Cox would be intriguing duo.

Outside of best fit, in the depressed WNBA marketplace, you need to consider fan attraction and I think Ionescu is the type of player that can help the bottom line.

 

[lanieer]

Seriously this is just one very small person that did this list. Fansided has 30,000 twitter followers. They are not the leading edge of women’s basketball. Too early to tell who the seniors that will step up. Crystal has to prove her worth in big games before we coronate her.

 

[eebmg]

Voeple ranks top 12 seniors which is close to mimicking a draft. Puts Crystal #3 as well

Women's college basketball: Top 12 seniors for 2019-20

3. Crystal Dangerfield, UConn, 5-5 guard
2018-19 stats: 13.4 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 5.9 APG

With Katie Lou Samuelson and Napheesa Collier gone, Dangerfield will be the senior leader for a team that must develop a new identity. She has risen to challenges before in her career, and she'll likely do the same this time.

 

[jonson]

Cox vs. Sabally is totally apples and oranges. To me Sabally is still fairly raw and just starting to figure out how good she can be. I think Cox is about what she's going to be at this point. Depends on what you want. I think Sabally projects as a wing as a pro and Cox a post. Cox is certainly a better interior defender and passer. Sabally is a better perimeter shooter by miles (128 made 3's 40% in 2 years vs. 35 made 3's 33% in 3 years for Cox). Sabally is quicker and more athletic and better on the drive. I truly believe Sabally has more upside than Cox does. Rare combination of length, athleticism and skill set.

I completely agree. Sabally is far from a finished product at this point, whereas Cox seems to me very close to being WNBA ready, if not so already. Given her intelligence, humility, and work ethic, I have no doubt that Sabally will be a far better player than she is now--and she is very good-- in a year (or two). And I'm fairly certain it will be the latter since I think she will want to spend two years in Eugene playing with her sister. (Theirs is a very tight knit family.).