So many ACL injuries among those players.This report has Paige #1 and Azzi #5 as 2025 WNBA Mock Draft.
after this past draft that's an awfully weak draft class with only one proven star and several possible stars coming back from serious injuries......Not surprisingly (even for Sabreena who frequently undersells UConn), Paige is #1.
She has Azi at #10, and Aubrey at #22. Like the sentence below about Azi's gravitational pull
"Fudd’s potential is mostly theoretical at this point, given how little she has played over the last two years. But the outlines of a star shooting guard remain. Fudd has outstanding mechanics and is disciplined with her fouls and turnovers. At worst, she’s a spot-up shooting specialist, but at best, she can also create her own shot and bend the defense with her shooting gravity. Nevertheless, we still need to see a healthy season from Fudd before using a high draft pick on her."
"Griffin is one of the most impactful wing defenders in college basketball. She doesn’t really score in the run of play; her buckets mainly come in transition or on second chances. But she makes life absolutely miserable for opponents."
after this past draft that's an awfully weak draft class with only one proven star and several possible stars coming back from serious injuries......
Agree completely!!!I'd take Rivers from State over most of the 12 players listed.
Very interesting. I agree the injuries make this class really hard to assess. But I think the talent is pretty comparable. I think the order is a bit weird and I think some names are missing. I think the Athletic did a much better job imo but even then I think the list will look vastly different in January. The fun thing about college imo is the development, like what if some players take another step? Like what if Aziaha James and Sania Rivers take another step. Or even Reigan Richardson from duke. And then Olivia Miles and Azzi are better than the pre-injury sophomore season version of themselves.after this past draft that's an awfully weak draft class with only one proven star and several possible stars coming back from serious injuries......
She's very athletic but she's a lousy three-point shooter and if she can't improve on that it's going to be tough to make it at the pro levelI'd take Rivers from State over most of the 12 players listed.
Well, they all have 1 full year. I expect most to work hard and improve their game. It's a little early to say, "awfully weak". It would be better to revisit the draft class a year from now.after this past draft that's an awfully weak draft class with only one proven star and several possible stars coming back from serious injuries......
@triaddukefanShe's very athletic but she's a lousy three-point shooter and if she can't improve on that it's going to be tough to make it at the pro level
Gosh, don't they traditionally get the #1 spot? (It's been awhile since this last happened.)I wonder where in the draft the expansion team will pick at.
I correct myself:I’m not sure but I was thinking the fourth spot
Yes, to all of it. And it is really hard for me to see Iriafen going anywhere but ND. That would be the wise choice for her, I think. But what do I know?- I think it's fair and prudent to see how Fudd, Griffin, Harmon and Miles come back from their knee injuries. If they make solid progress this year, it bodes well for the following years in the pro's. Good luck to them all.
- Looking at forwards, I'll be interested to see where Iriafen lands in college next season and how playing in that system helps/hinders her. Westbeld has improved her footwork and rebounding working with Carlos Knox, who was brought in by Ivey specifically to help with skill development. Will be interesting to see how that progresses.
- Not surprisingly, while I'm admittedly biased on Sonia Citron, I think Merchant got it right: At 6'1", she can play wing or the #2 and rebounds/plays defense well, while shooting from all three levels.
- With Strong coming into Storrs, will Pagie move out of the #4 and to off-guard? Or point?
Do you think Geno even remembers how to manage a team with 13-15 healthy players? When was the last time he had such a wonderful problem?Yes, to all of it. And it is really hard for me to see Iriafen going anywhere but ND. That would be the wise choice for her, I think. But what do I know?
I'm biased against Soni, for the usual reasons, but I love her game. One of my favorite players. She looks like the prototype big guard practically built for the W.
As for Paige and Sarah, it will be very interesting to see how that lineup settles once March rolls around. If all goes well, Geno may have to run a longer rotation than he normally does.
She's very athletic but she's a lousy three-point shooter and if she can't improve on that it's going to be tough to make it at the pro level
@triaddukefan
Rivers may be one of the best athletes in that class, but I don't think she's going to achieve her full potential until Wes Moore (or someone) moves her off the point and let's her play off the ball. While she's adept at running downhill, she's not really a lead guard and I think the effort takes away from her developing other aspects of her game...like expanding her jump shot.
When and if that happens, she can be a weapon....
Why not let Zoe Brooks take over and I believe they're bringing in a talented freshman...Jones?
Miles, Citron and Brooks......all NJ girls that got away from UConn........a real shame........I'd take my chance on a 6'1 supremely athletic, smooth, all around player who has remained healthy over a smaller player with torn-up knees.
Yes, they do need to let Brooks start and move off of the ball. While Rivers isn't an ideal lead guard, she is more than capable as a secondary ball handler and distributor. I think Moore is a smart enough coach to make that move next season. Yes, they have a 5'7 highly ranked PG coming in.
Miles, Citron and Brooks......all NJ girls that got away from UConn........a real shame........
Rutgers should be keeping some of the better NJ players in the state and attract NY players too but the school's coaching situation has been a mess.......perhaps better days are ahead...........not betting on it.........More of a shame that they got away from Rutgers, but that's for another thread
Citron's actually from Eastchester, NY (in Westchester), but I get the point!Miles, Citron and Brooks......all NJ girls that got away from UConn........a real shame........