Her level of play in the WNBA, whether complementary or star is basically already set. Her playing one more year of college ball is not going to make that much difference. If she sticks on a team throughout her first year, it will do much more to develop her game than spending another year in college. As I stated before because players today spend so much time developing their games starting even prior to high school, by the time they get to college there isn't much of a developmental ceiling left. All things considered, she made the best decision for herself by entering the draft.
The landscape, that is WBB, has been changing drastically during the last decade. Players do not necessarily place the same value on college programs as developmental ladders as the once did.
Teams aren't drafting Walker for 1 year. So it's irrelevant that she doesn't show much in year 1. It's the perception of what she can become if she is drafted 1 or 2 vs 6 or 8 etc. The number 1 or 2 pick that is a wing has shown to be a great scorer in college going forward is going to get more wiggle room to show that she is a future star. All rookies are trying to fit in but for a player for example being picked number 1 or 2 -- they will undoubtedly be given more wiggle room.
And as I've stated before I think she would've benefited from staying another year. It's a huge question if she is a star or complimentary player. Staying another year and showing she is best or 2nd best player in wcbb would mean she has improved along with showing a team/coach that she has potential dominant skills. For example a coach is less likely to want Meg to work on her weaknesses during games unless they see her as a star. So, for example, I think we know Meg struggles when she tries to shoot jump shots off the dribble. If she is drafted by Minny -- she isn't going to get that opportunity as much next year. She's at best the 4th option behind Sims, Fowler, and Collier. Minny is trying to win. They aren't going to let Walker take a lot of shots unless early on she hits a lot. And if Maya comes back the following year-- she's entrenched as a 4th option for a while. Her growth as star will be stunted.
And it's relative how the WCBB is "evolving" vs the pros. Meg would have a better chance being an eventual non-complimentary player if she stayed another year. In college she would be able to freely work on her weaknesses during games while still showing she is among the best couple of players in WCBB. Now that she is going in the WNBA-- as the 4th option for the foreseeable future if Minny takes her-- she'll become a better complimentary player but she'll be stuck in that complimentary role. Not saying she won't become a a star top-tier option
eventually-- just that it will be harder doing so vs if she stayed and became the player many of us think she could.
And she better have the right coach and team which will encourage her to be a star vs the coach/team philosophy that wants her to be a role player. Right now if chosen by Minny - the coach is going to probably have team options of Fowles, Sims, and Collier as top options. And the return of Maya the following year more-than-likely. Skills of being a star vs role playing are much different. She is probably closing the door for many years as to being a star player and accepting being a role player because of this decision. She'll improve as a role player but imo her progress toward being a star player.
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