WNBA—Declaring for the 2023 Draft

[Floridaduck]

It's true 36 players will be drafted but I suspect maybe half will be on opening day rosters.

Last season only 16 of the 36 (45%) stuck to a roster. Really a long shot for a lot of these players.

 

[UcMiami]

Last season only 16 of the 36 (45%) stuck to a roster. Really a long shot for a lot of these players.

It will be interesting, but with the WNBA instituted penalty for players playing in Europe, I suspect there might be some unexpected defections from WNBA rosters with players deciding it isn't worth the agro and just staying in Europe where they are earning more?

 

[BRS24]

Last season only 16 of the 36 (45%) stuck to a roster. Really a long shot for a lot of these players.

WNBA needs expansion, both number of teams, and roster size, or it will drive a lot of players away. The prioritization rule of players having to decide b/w the W and staying with international teams will also hurt the brand.

 

[UcMiami]

WNBA needs expansion, both number of teams, and roster size, or it will drive a lot of players away. The prioritization rule of players having to decide b/w the W and staying with international teams will also hurt the brand.

It will only start seriously hurting when the top stars stay overseas - like the palaver when DT sat out a season because her Euro team paid her to rest. Otherwise, it will likely open a few doors for draftees to stick on rosters, and it may turn into something better for the pros - forced time off from 12 month playing, whether they stay in foreign parts or stay home or alternate between the two.

Not making light of the situation, but it is a league struggling with the bottom line numbers, so saying they should spend more isn't a real option at the moment. Expanding to more cities would be great, but you need to find the investors willing to bet a lot of money on a 50/50 proposition, or the sort of 'sugar daddy' investors that make the teams go in Europe.

 

[awhom111]

I broke the final list down and had a lengthy discussion on whether Lou actually needs to or can go through the draft:

2023 WNBA Draft Declaration List Breakdown

As has been the case for the last two seasons, the WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to modifications of draft process to more clearly handle the process for players who need to declare for the draft in o…

wbasketballblog.com

 

[TheFarmFan]

I broke the final list down and had a lengthy discussion on whether Lou actually needs to or can go through the draft:

2023 WNBA Draft Declaration List Breakdown

As has been the case for the last two seasons, the WNBA and WNBPA have agreed to modifications of draft process to more clearly handle the process for players who need to declare for the draft in o…

wbasketballblog.com

Great analysis. Thanks!

 

[bbsamjj]

Caitlin’s hard to read. After her freshman year she played in the FIBA series and was the anchor of Team USA. I saw most of those games and it looked like an adult playing with kids. After proving herself against the best of D1 WCBB, including strong fast 22 year olds who’d been well seasoned at this level, she spent her downtime playing against HS kids. Admittedly, they were among the best kids in that rising class. But it had to feel a bit underwhelming to her.

When I think about decisions Caitlin might make about turning pro, I wonder about that summer. What did she take away from the experience? Would she prefer an extra year playing against less experienced opponents, or will she be eager to test herself against the most seasoned veterans?

She’s already climbed the mountain by beating SC. She may not have gotten a ring yet, she’s proved herself against the best D1 has to offer this year. I can see her being eager for another shot at an NC next year, especially since most of her team will return. But will she want two more years, even if much of that original team is gone. It’s hard to picture Iowa still being an NC contender in ‘25.

I frankly would be shocked if Clark decides to come back for a 5th year. She already has very little left to prove at the college level, and I'd think a competitor like her will want to go against the best each and every night. She also has pretty unlimited sponsorship opportunities at this point.

 

[sweetspot]

 

[bovwa10]

I'm wondering if some of these players have been told by WNBA scouts that they'll have a hard time making a roster

 

[TheFarmFan]

Purportedly Close guaranteed her $70k in NIL if she returned. Talk about pay to play...

 

[cancontent]

I'm wondering if some of these players have been told by WNBA scouts that they'll have a hard time making a roster

Possible. If true, it's a professional courtesy which I see as a good thing.

 

[DefenseBB]

Were any prominent players not drafted who declared?

 

[Bone Dog]

Were any prominent players not drafted who declared?

Czinano and Battles? Did they publicly declare?

 

[cancontent]

Czinano and Battles? Did they publicly declare?

Czinano wàs drafted by the Sparks.

 

[Bone Dog]

Czinano wàs drafted by the Sparks.

Was Myah Selland drafted? I seem to remember her name lingering undrafted toward the end.

 

[cancontent]

Was Myah Selland drafted? I seem to remember her name lingering undrafted toward the end.

Not sure off the top of my head. Sorry

 

[nwhoopfan]

Was Myah Selland drafted? I seem to remember her name lingering undrafted toward the end.

No.

I'm sure there were a number of players not drafted who probably expected to be. The one that stuck out to me is Cate Reese from Arizona. Maybe doesn't project as a WNBA player, but had a more productive college career than some of the late draft picks (like Prechtel from Stanford).

 

[maccca3232]

Were any prominent players not drafted who declared?

Below is a screenshot of P5 + Big East All-Conference players who declared but went undrafted.

Note: Declared defined as those listed by WNBA however there are players who weren't on that list who got drafted (e.g. Monika Czinano and Brittany Davis) so the list isn't definitive.

 

[Centerstream]

Below is a screenshot of P5 + Big East All-Conference players who declared but went undrafted.

Note: Declared defined as those listed by WNBA however there are players who weren't on that list who got drafted (e.g. Monika Czinano and Brittany Davis)

View attachment 87282

Do any of these players still have college eligibility?

 

[Geew1992]

Do any of these players still have college eligibility?

Even if they do, I think they lost their eligibility

 

[oldhusky]

Even if they do, I think they lost their eligibility

Correct, there was a deadline for pulling out of the draft and keeping your eligibility. Sedona Prince did that, she put her name in for the draft and the transfer portal, explored her options and then withdrew from the draft and transferred to TCU. Once that deadline to pull out passes your eligibility is gone.

 

[Centerstream]

Even if they do, I think they lost their eligibility

I thought that too but in other threads players declared but also stated that they retained their college eligibility.
I could not find anywhere on the WNBA website that stated that retaining their eligibility was possible.

 

[JDuro]

 

[JDuro]

 

[JDuro]