WNBA Draft News

[Wbbfan1]

Countdown to the WNBA Draft: Countdown to WNBA Draft 2016 - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA


Similar to the Recruiting thread, let's put on articles in this thread.

 

[UcMiami]

Hm ... 4 Uconn #1 picks (soon to be five) and 2 TN #1s, and two Stanford #1s, and all the others are one-offs I think or foreign.

 

[DesertFox]

Double chick on image to enlarge it.

The above listing of #1s is more complete (as it includes 2014 & 2015 picks) but it surprisingly indicates first WNBA picks ever in 1997. If this chart is correct, the Tennessee would have 3 #1 picks. Can anyone shed some light on this? I am certainly enough to remember both Dena Head and Tina Thompson, but for some reason don't recall there should be a confusion over this.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Rating the players: April | 2016 | Women's Basketball Weekly

Scroll down to see the 1st 10 players

Read each Team's Draft Preview and other Draft news Here:

News Archive - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA

 

[MilfordHusky]

If Jewell and Amanda had stayed in college, Kaleena would have been the #1 pick last year. Stewie still would have been #1 this year.

 

[Charliebball]

Need help with the WNBA draft............I know very little about the WNBA salary structure. What kind of money can a superstar player coming into the league like Stewie expect to make as a rookie? How much does an "average" player make in the league? From what I understand, the European women's leagues pay better then the WNBA. Is there competition for players between the US and Europe? For some reason I thought that the leagues played at different times of the year....is that correct?

 

[kat0189]

Need help with the WNBA draft..I know very little about the WNBA salary structure. What kind of money can a superstar player coming into the league like Stewie expect to make as a rookie? How much does an "average" player make in the league? From what I understand, the European women's leagues pay better then the WNBA. Is there competition for players between the US and Europe? For some reason I thought that the leagues played at different times of the year....is that correct?

Oh, this is adorable. A WBB newbie! :-P

Just quickly off the top of my head: WNBA rookies maybe $40k for a season (just 30 games or so over the summer?). Veterans can make about $100k max, IIRC. Stewie's WNBA income will never be much (if at all?) different than that of peers with sizable less production. Overseas: very complicated. Definitely seems to be a big drop off from the big names Parker, Griner, Taurusi, etc., who I believe make about $1 million for a season overseas. Stewart seems likely to wind up in these elite group. My hunch is that some players "borderline" or "bench warmer" WNBA players, even if they've still remained permanent fixtures on one roster or another in the league for years, might expect like...$75k for a season overseas? I sort of always had the impression that there's a drop off but I read somewhere of a "WNBA All-Star" (but not "USA Olympic Team") caliber player getting about $400k for a season overseas.

Unfortunately, another thing is that the lower a WBB is making, it's also more likely she have more delays and, well, just drama in making sure they get fully and properly/fairly paid. Basically, I doubt Parker has to nag to get the paychecks stipulated in her $1mil salary bracket contract while some of the $75k bracket women have to even basically fight/demand at times to get their paychecks—not unusual to read about a WBB player basically boycotting or sitting out of games because she's not getting paid on time or as agreed upon.

 

[Charliebball]

Thanks for that information........sounds like a complicated situation for your run of the mill draft choice.......a bit depressing in comparison to their male counterparts........I guess unless you area star player you have to develop some outside income from bball camps etc. to make a comfortable living in the sport.........

 

[Dillon77]

In the information-sharing spirit, here's a link to Excelle Sports. Howard Megdal is now on his 9th version of this and will probably have one more.
Here's the link, but I've cut and pasted his first round predictions: WNBA Mock Draft Monday, Version 9.0 - Excelle Sports

1) Seattle Breanna Stewart, C, Connecticut
2) San Antonio Moriah Jefferson, PG, Connecticut
3) Connecticut Morgan Tuck, F, Connecticut
4) Connecticut from Atlanta Rachel Banham, G, Minnesota
5) Dallas Aerial Powers, F, Michigan State
6) Los Angeles Imani Boyette, C, Texas
7) Washington Courtney Williams, G, South Florida
8) Phoenix Jonquel Jones, C, George Washington
9) Indiana Tiffany Mitchell, SG, South Carolina
10) Chicago Adut Bulgak, F/C, Florida State
11) Atlanta (from Minnesota) Ruth Hamblin, C, Oregon State
12) New York Temi Fagbenle, C, USC

 

[UcMiami]

The overseas pay as Kat0189 says can be very sketchy - leagues and teams have folded mid-season, players have had to threaten withholding services to get overdue checks and in some cases have just left the teams, injured players have been cut adrift with no pay, etc. A player like Kaili who starred in a pretty low level Greek league for a number of years was probably being paid in the 50-100K range, Gardler played a few years in a low level Scandinavian league and was probably making less. There was one Uconn player who played in Ireland for part of a year trying to get back to health I believe. A lot of the overseas leagues are not dissimilar to semi-pro leagues in this country - subsistence living for a chance to continue playing. And I think a lot of players (Gardler for example) see it as a fun experience after college and before the 'real world' closes in and they have to get down to an actual career plan.
Very few players are making really serious money, and no one is likely to make more in their career than some male stars make in their rookie deals. Bird and Taurasi hit the peak period of WBB foreign pay, Taurasi may now in fact be making less than her top pay a few years out of college when there was a competition between a few fabulously wealthy Russians to see who could build the best team. The asians have gotten seriously involved in the market for USA players, offer generally shorter seasons with fewer post season tournaments, but I think also a little less money than the Europeans. But the players also get actual breaks because of the shorter seasons rather than going from European tournament to WNBA training camp, and WNBA tournament to European season.

On Edit - Bird with I believe a Israeli passport and Taurasi with an Italian one were highly sought after because they did not count against various league restrictions on 'non-european' players per team - it raised their market value significantly.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Mock Draft: MyWSports

Non Season Ticket Holders of CT Sun can attend Draft by donating a Can of food for the Food Drive.

 

[UcMiami]

Mock Draft: MyWSports

Non Season Ticket Holders of CT Sun can attend Draft by donating a Can of food for the Food Drive.

Best one I have seen with the projected fits in parentheses. Would love for the Sun to figure a pick and a player trade to move up for Moriah, but think it isn't going to work that way.

 

[JoePgh]

In the information-sharing spirit, here's a link to Excelle Sports. Howard Megdal is now on his 9th version of this and will probably have one more.
Here's the link, but I've cut and pasted his first round predictions: WNBA Mock Draft Monday, Version 9.0 - Excelle Sports

1) Seattle Breanna Stewart, C, Connecticut
2) San Antonio Moriah Jefferson, PG, Connecticut
3) Connecticut Morgan Tuck, , Connecticut
4) Connecticut from Atlanta Rachel Banham, G, Minnesota
5) Dallas Aerial Powers, , Michigan State
6) Los Angeles Imani Boyette, C, Texas
7) Washington Courtney Williams, G, South Florida
8) Phoenix Jonquel Jones, C, George Washington
9) Indiana Tiffany Mitchell, SG, South Carolina
10) Chicago Adut Bulgak, /C, Florida State
11) Atlanta (from Minnesota) Ruth Hamblin, C, Oregon State
12) New York Temi Fagbenle, C, USC

I expressed in another thread my opinion that the Connecticut Sun should not make a bet on the health of Morgan's knee by drafting her with one of their two high picks. I don't think they need a slow guard like Banham either. I would hope that they would go after Jonquel Jones if San Antonio does not take her, and possibly Powers or Courtney Williams with the other pick.

If San Antonio does take J. Jones, which I think is quite possible since their long-term need is in the interior (just like the Sun), then the Sun should of course take Moriah and then the next best big available: Bulgak / Hamblin / Fagbenle. (Not Boyette -- like Morgan, she is too hobbled to play a full WNBA schedule. She couldn't stay on the court for more than about 5 minutes at a time against UConn in the Elite 8.) I am not sure Hamblin will ever have the mobility to play effectively in the WNBA, however.

 

[nd2tty]

In the information-sharing spirit, here's a link to Excelle Sports. Howard Megdal is now on his 9th version of this and will probably have one more.
Here's the link, but I've cut and pasted his first round predictions: WNBA Mock Draft Monday, Version 9.0 - Excelle Sports

1) Seattle Breanna Stewart, C, Connecticut
2) San Antonio Moriah Jefferson, PG, Connecticut
3) Connecticut Morgan Tuck, , Connecticut
4) Connecticut from Atlanta Rachel Banham, G, Minnesota
5) Dallas Aerial Powers, , Michigan State
6) Los Angeles Imani Boyette, C, Texas
7) Washington Courtney Williams, G, South Florida
8) Phoenix Jonquel Jones, C, George Washington
9) Indiana Tiffany Mitchell, SG, South Carolina
10) Chicago Adut Bulgak, /C, Florida State
11) Atlanta (from Minnesota) Ruth Hamblin, C, Oregon State
12) New York Temi Fagbenle, C, USC

I would be shocked if Courtney Williams and Courtney Walker from Texas A&M don't get taken somewhere in the first three rounds. Seems like a rather large oversight, no?

 

[Wbbfan1]

Rachael Banham who some Mock Drafts have the Ct Sun taking: Countdown to WNBA Draft 2016: Rachel Banham | Good Scorer will the fact her team under achieved drop her in the draft.

Seattle Storm: Déjà Vu In Seattle: 14 Years Later, Storm Poised for Another Rapid Rebuild - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA

Mock Draft Have Mo and Morgan going to Ct Sun: My DraftSite - 2016 WNBA Mock Draft - Dusty61 - DraftSite.com

 

[Wbbfan1]

Profiles on 50 Draft Eligible Players. Provided by WNBA: WNBA Draft 2016: Prospect Profiles - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA

 

[Blakeon18]

Does Army's Kelsey Minato get drafted? I say 'yes' in the second round.

 

[iamcbs]

Thanks for that information...sounds like a complicated situation for your run of the mill draft choice..a bit depressing in comparison to their male counterparts...I guess unless you area star player you have to develop some outside income from bball camps etc. to make a comfortable living in the sport....

If you look at the revenue generated by the NBA as opposed to the WNBA, then it gets a lot less depressing. The NBA completely subsidizes the WNBA, as it is a money losing operation. How much more money should they invest into it? It would be wonderful if the WNBA were a self-supporting operation and generated any revenue at all, then the players could be paid better. In Europe and Asia the teams are owned by corporations or individuals that don't mind subsidizing the sport. That's why DT3's Russian owner paid her $1.5 million not to play in the WNBA last season.

 

[MilfordHusky]

I'll be excited if Courtney Williams of USF comes to DC. Coach Mike is a good judge of talent. I expect Washington to make a good pick.

 

[DaddyChoc]

The overseas pay as Kat0189 says can be very sketchy - leagues and teams have folded mid-season, players have had to threaten withholding services to get overdue checks and in some cases have just left the teams, injured players have been cut adrift with no pay, etc. A player like Kaili who starred in a pretty low level Greek league for a number of years was probably being paid in the 50-100K range, Gardler played a few years in a low level Scandinavian league and was probably making less. There was one Uconn player who played in Ireland for part of a year trying to get back to health I believe. A lot of the overseas leagues are not dissimilar to semi-pro leagues in this country - subsistence living for a chance to continue playing. And I think a lot of players (Gardler for example) see it as a fun experience after college and before the 'real world' closes in and they have to get down to an actual career plan.
Very few players are making really serious money, and no one is likely to make more in their career than some male stars make in their rookie deals. Bird and Taurasi hit the peak period of WBB foreign pay, Taurasi may now in fact be making less than her top pay a few years out of college when there was a competition between a few fabulously wealthy Russians to see who could build the best team. The asians have gotten seriously involved in the market for USA players, offer generally shorter seasons with fewer post season tournaments, but I think also a little less money than the Europeans. But the players also get actual breaks because of the shorter seasons rather than going from European tournament to WNBA training camp, and WNBA tournament to European season.

On Edit - Bird with I believe a Israeli passport and Taurasi with an Italian one were highly sought after because they did not count against various league restrictions on 'non-european' players per team - it raised their market value significantly.

How about Maya... in China?

 

[Wbbfan1]

Mock Draft: 2016 WNBA Mock Draft - Today's Fastbreak

Why would the Ct Sun draft Morgan 4th. Take her 3rd or not at all

 

[UcMiami]

How about Maya... in China?

Not sure what the question is.
I assume Maya is making big money in China, but would not be surprised to learn that she might actually be making a little less in China than she could earn for one of the powerhouse European teams. And if that is the case, I think she is making a wise choice - she gets at least a month off every year it seems which allows for a level of physical recovery and recharge that Diana who is still playing in Europe and will not get back to the states until just before or just after WNBA training camps open will or has gotten for most of her career. The failed drug snafu was I believe her first months long break from competitive basketball since the start of her senior year in 2003. And this past year's missing of the WNBA season was only her second. That is not 'healthy'.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Meet the 12 Invitees Meet the 12 Players Who Will Be Attending WNBA Draft 2016 - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA

 

[VAMike23]

How about Maya... in China?

IIRC, Maya pulls down somewhere in the neighborhood of $800K - $900K per season on her current Shanxi contract.

Others like DT and CP3 make more on their Euro squads but they also arrive earlier in the season and leave later than Maya does. (Obviously last season was different for DT since she stayed home) Maya typically takes a couple of months off in the fall before going over and she also rests a few weeks before heading to camp with the Lynx. Several of her teammates like S. Augustus basically drive straight from the airport to training camp in the spring....!

 

[Kaizen]

Mechelle Voepel, espnW.com has:
1. Seattle: Breanna Stewart, UConn, 6-4, F/C
2. San Antonio: Moriah Jefferson, UConn, 5-7, G
3. Connecticut: Morgan Tuck, UConn, 6-2, F
4. Connecticut: Rachel Banham, Minnesota, 5-9, G
5. Dallas: Aerial Powers, Michigan State, 6-0, F

UConn trio leads way in mock draft