WNBA—Declaring for the 2023 Draft

[pk1234]

Some names eligible to declare but didn't declare (likely using COVID year)
Aubrey Griffin
Jaylyn Sherrod
Alissa Pili
Marquesha Davis
Shaylee Gonzales
Kaylynne Truong
Brynna Maxwell
Bella Murekaitete
Endiya Rogers

I'm sure there's many I'm missing. We already knew about a bunch like Jackson

 

[bballnut90]

Anyone see any surprises on the list that didn't make an announcement about either leaving or coming back?

Aside from the big names (ex. Jones, Horston, Siegrist) it looked like mostly 5th year seniors out of eligibility.

 

[Centerstream]

Anyone see any surprises on the list that didn't make an announcement about either leaving or coming back?

I guess we now need a list for the COVID thread of senior players that didn't declare...
I really don't pay much attention to other teams, but I guess I would be more surprised by those that didn't declare.

 

[hoopsnloops32]

Some names eligible to declare but didn't declare (likely using COVID year)
Aubrey Griffin
Jaylyn Sherrod
Alissa Pili
Marquesha Davis
Shaylee Gonzales
Kaylynne Truong
Brynna Maxwell
Bella Murekaitete
Endiya Rogers

I'm sure there's many I'm missing. We already knew about a bunch like Jackson

You can add Bueckers to the list as well if you have Griffin who is a redshirt Junior.

 

[LowkeyX]

Jacy Sheldon
Haley Cavinder
Hailey Van Lith (is eligible for draft technically, has two years of eligiblilty)
Diamond Miller
Lavender Briggs
Lola Pendande

Lavender announced she’ll be back next season.

 

[TheFarmFan]

@Centerstream

Thanks - this was helpful. And dang, that's a LOT of talent that's going to go undrafted, let alone the talent that is drafted and dropped after training camp. Not sure there's a crueler gauntlet in all of pro sports than trying to make the W's opening day roster lists.

 

[ucbart]

If I were Cardoso and SC wins their second title in a row, I would leave this year. She could be a lottery pick this year, but not so much next year.

 

[Reypl21]

If I were Cardoso and SC wins their second title in a row, I would leave this year. She could be a lottery pick this year, but not so much next year.

The difference in money is not that much to go to the W a year early. She could stay at SC for 2 more seasons. I think she's staying at least one more, but who knows

 

[amb3096]

I think she meant doesn't include players through the Elite 8. The kids who lost last two nights have 48 hours after their game to declare. Big names in that group would be, who still have COVID year

Jacy Sheldon
Haley Cavinder
Hailey Van Lith (is eligible for draft technically, has two years of eligiblilty)
Diamond Miller
Lavender Briggs
Lola Pendande

Haley Cavinder already said she's using her 5th year. Of the players on this list, I predict that Miller is the only who declares for the WNBA.

 

[bovwa10]

Haley Cavinder already said she's using her 5th year. Of the players on this list, I predict that Miller is the only who declares for the WNBA.

Agreed, I’m also interested to what Sheldon decides to do

 

[Centerstream]

Thanks - this was helpful. And dang, that's a LOT of talent that's going to go undrafted, let alone the talent that is drafted and dropped after training camp. Not sure there's a crueler gauntlet in all of pro sports than trying to make the W's opening day roster lists.

Seeing that the WNBA has a opt-in clause this draft that allows eligible players to retain their COVID year eligibility, I am guessing that those players that don't get drafted can return to the school of their choice. Please note, I am guessing.

 

[cancontent]

Some names eligible to declare but didn't declare (likely using COVID year)
Aubrey Griffin
Jaylyn Sherrod
Alissa Pili
Marquesha Davis
Shaylee Gonzales
Kaylynne Truong
Brynna Maxwell
Bella Murekaitete
Endiya Rogers

I'm sure there's many I'm missing. We already knew about a bunch like Jackson

Didn't Gonzales announce she was returning as well? Think it was posted in the COVID year thread.

 

[Centerstream]

I have been searching for where it is stated by the WNBA that draft eligible players that opt-in for this year's draft do not have to renounce their remaining eligibility. I haven't found it yet.
As I read the COVID year related rules, the W adopted the opt-in feature that allowed players that had remaining eligibility due to the NCAA's COVID rules to notify the WNBA that they wish to be included in the draft (opt-in) and therefore renounce their remaining eligibility.
I think that it is a possibility that opt-in players do retain their collegiate eligibility because some posted on their draft eligible announcements that they were also entering the portal.

Afterall, this is the title of the latest draft information on the WNBA website:

NCAA Players Renounce NCAA Eligibility To Opt-In For Consideration For 2023 WNBA Draft Presented By State Farm​

 

[JellyBean]

She is going to be special in the League. I think she has that WNBA skill set and with continued improvement, in two or three years, she could be one the best players in the League.

 

[sweetspot]

Still no word on Miller?

 

[Geew1992]

 

[Geew1992]

 

[bovwa10]

No disrespect to the other players, but Miller obviously and maybe Meyers are the only ones I can see making a roster from this list

 

[pk1234]

With Diamond declaring leaves just the Final 4 players to declare.

I think Boston is a lock. Czinano, Soule, Traylor, Williams etc. will likely all declare being 5th year players

Players that could go either way:
Alexis Morris
Liz Kitley
Zia Cooke
Brea Beal
Laeticia Amihere

 

[Cockygirl]

Pretty sure Alexis morris is out of eligibility and beal said she’s leaving

 

[Geew1992]

With Diamond declaring leaves just the Final 4 players to declare.

I think Boston is a lock. Czinano, Soule, Traylor, Williams etc. will likely all declare being 5th year players

Players that could go either way:
Alexis Morris
Liz Kitley
Zia Cooke
Brea Beal
Laeticia Amihere

How many more years does Morris have? Seems like she's been in college forever

 

[pk1234]

How many more years does Morris have? Seems like she's been in college forever

She mentioned the other day she has a year, must've gotten a redshirt the year she played 7 games at Rutgers, not sure. Regardless, she's likely gone.

 

[pk1234]

Pretty sure Alexis morris is out of eligibility and beal said she’s leaving

Correct, I missed Beal saying she was definitely leaving but she did say that. Morris is likely gone too. So it's Kitley, Cooke, Amihere probably the three biggest decisions left.

 

[bovwa10]

With Diamond declaring leaves just the Final 4 players to declare.

I think Boston is a lock. Czinano, Soule, Traylor, Williams etc. will likely all declare being 5th year players

Players that could go either way:
Alexis Morris
Liz Kitley
Zia Cooke
Brea Beal
Laeticia Amihere

I’m intrigued to see what Kitley decides to do, I know she’s very close with her family but I think this season would be a great way to go out for her. It’ll be hard for VA Tech to replicate this again next year.

 

[LwrcasefaN]

Pretty sure Alexis morris is out of eligibility and beal said she’s leaving

Remember that commercial with the cat named Morris who had 9 lives?

 

[amb3096]

I’m intrigued to see what Kitley decides to do, I know she’s very close with her family but I think this season would be a great way to go out for her. It’ll be hard for VA Tech to replicate this again next year.

Kitley is not WNBA ready. VT has the potential to still be very good next year if Kitley, Gregg and King use their extra year to rejoin Amoore. They will for sure get some good pieces from the portal too after their FF run.

 

[ucbart]

The difference in money is not that much to go to the W a year early. She could stay at SC for 2 more seasons. I think she's staying at least one more, but who knows

But the overseas money she could commany by being a lottery pick is where a huge difference could be.

 

[bballnut90]

I think Cooke made a comment about this being her last SEC tournament, or something to that effect

 

[pk1234]

Kitley is not WNBA ready. VT has the potential to still be very good next year if Kitley, Gregg and King use their extra year to rejoin Amoore. They will for sure get some good pieces from the portal too after their FF run.

Agreed, I'm leaning more and more towards Kitley staying, which after a portal addition or two would put VT right back in the Final 4 mix. She just seems so close to Georgia, Coach Brooks and the rest of the team to leave without a guarantee of making a roster. But we'll see. She's the most interesting decision left, IMO.

 

[Reypl21]

But the overseas money she could commany by being a lottery pick is where a huge difference could be.

Having a dominant college season and then going into the pros is going to increase her overseas money. If it's about money, she can stay at SC and get NIL money while also getting to show her stuff as the starting center.