Tag: lauren cox

WNBA Virtual Draft Recap — A Honest Review

wnba draft, wnba, women's basketball
~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

The WNBA Draft took place tonight on ESPN. It was held virtually, due in part to the global pandemic and taking social distancing seriously. It was going to be an experiment for other sports leagues to see if they could also pull it off. Pulling this off was not going to be easy because of technological glitches, different WiFi structures, delays, etc.

The virtual WNBA Draft actually started off really well. They had a great introduction, honoured Gigi Bryant, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester in a nice tribute, had great studio integration with Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco and Sue Bird had intelligent insight into certain players. She would make a fantastic head coach or TV analyst, she’d be great at both. It is absolutely normal for the #1 pick to have a ton of TV air time and to take up around the first 15 minutes of draft coverage. Sabrina Ionescu does deserve that coverage. She shined in college, she deserves that spotlight.

As a matter of fact, the first couple of picks were just fine. It’s when they got to the 4th pick in Chennedy Carter, and she did not have a proper microphone. The TV viewer can hear the conversation echo back and forth between her and Holly Rowe which is not great. By the way, Chennedy Carter is going to be a fantastic WNBA player. She’s going to be electric. Moving onto the 6th pick in Mikiah Herbert Harrigan in which they did not even interview her. I don’t even think ESPN realized that they missed her interview completely. I know that they acknowledged that that the 8th pick Ruthy Hebard was having some technical delays in terms of TV interview but that’s it. They never circled back.

I think ESPN’s coverage of the WNBA first round was actually pretty good. Minor problems. The issues that arose happened right around the 13th pick. We got the announcements from the commissioner on picks 13, 14, and 15 but after that, we just got them on the bottom of our screens. No offense, but when it is on TV commercials, that is when people look away, or reply to texts, emails, etc. No one is looking at the bottom of their TV screens.

On a personal level, when I am trying to tweet about certain players and how they fit or don’t fit on that team, another bunch of players would crop up. I barely had time to process it and then they never even bothered to say that was the end of Round 2. Or that the final round had started. I can’t even imagine what it was like for the players. They were robbed of their moment and the draft was swiftly finished at 8:45 pm. Not even 9 pm. We barely got acknowledgement of some of the second and third round picks. I should note, that some of the third round picks fell and can probably make a WNBA roster.

Overall, it was a mess. A hot mess. I’m so tired of women’s basketball and this is professional women’s basketball being treated like this. ESPN could have given the draft another hour. They should have slowed down their picks. Talked about a few of the second round and third round picks. They should have interviewed some more players. This was the perfect opportunity to bring in more WNBA fans as the sports world has essentially shut down and more eyes were on this draft than ever before. But, nope. That did not happen. ESPN let the WNBA down. They did them a disservice. I was severely disappointed and I know that I am not the only one.

I would say, I hope for a better WNBA Draft next year, but I think that’s hoping for too much. I think they will deliver a great first round but let us down again for the second and third rounds. Maybe one day, we will have a dedicated women’s sports channel that will get it right and deliver us the stories all of us want. Maybe one day

2020 WNBA Mock Draft Version 3.0

megan walker, connecticut, 2020 wnba draft
~ Aneela Khan ~ 1 Comment

We are now in March and normally around this time, the NCAA Tournament would be kicking off. Unfortunately due to the corona virus spreading across the world, the tournament was cancelled. It was for good reasons, although I, like many others were crushed since the NCAA tourney brings so many good memories and great performances. It also allows seniors to raise their stock and for the WNBA general managers to see what certain players are made of.

It also makes junior Megan Walker’s decision to join the draft early somewhat intriguing because there is still no word on whether or not the WNBA season will be cancelled and how they will deal with the draft which is happening in less than a month

I debated on whether or not to publish this latest version of the WNBA Mock Draft, but I thought my subscribers deserved a treat since I am not releasing it on Twitter and Instagram, so if you are viewing this post, it means you are viewing my blog and for that, I appreciate it. If you would like to view past versions (Version 1.0 and Version 2.0) you may do so here for Version 1.0 and here for Version 2.0. Thanks for your continued support!

ROUND ONE

  1. New York  Liberty- Sabrina Ionescu
  2. Dallas Wings – Satou Sabally
  3. Indiana Fever – Chennedy Carter**
  4. Atlanta Dream – Lauren Cox
  5. Dallas Wings – Megan Walker
  6. Minnesota Lynx – Tyasha Harris
  7. Dallas Wings – Ruthy Hebard
  8. Chicago Sky – Beatrice Mompremier
  9. Dallas Wings – Kiah Gillespie
  10. Phoenix – Mikiah Herbert Harrigan
  11. Seattle Storm -Crystal Dangerfield
  12. Washington –  Bella Alarie

ROUND TWO

  1. New York Liberty – Te’a Cooper
  2. Indiana Fever – Joyner Holmes
  3. Dallas Wings – Kathleen Doyle
  4. Minnesota Lynx – Nicki Ekhomu
  5. Atlanta Dream – Kaila Charles
  6. Phoenix Mercury – Mikayla Pivec
  7. Seattle Storm – Nausia Woolfolk
  8. Los Angeles Sparks – Haley Gorecki
  9. Dallas Wings – Leaonna Odom
  10. Los Angeles Sparks – Japreece Dean
  11. Connecticut Sun – Stephanie Jones
  12. Washington Mystics – Jocelyn Willoughby

ROUND THREE

  1. Atlanta Dream – Sara Rhine
  2. New York Liberty – Ciara Duffy
  3. Atlanta Dream – Becca Hittner
  4. Indiana Fever – Taryn McCutcheon
  5. Phoenix Mercury – Ja’Tavia Tapley
  6. Chicago Sky – Reili Richardson
  7. Seattle Storm – Katie Campbell
  8. Chicago Sky – Kylee Shook
  9. Las Vegas Aces – Jazmine Jones
  10. Los Angeles – Nadia Fingall
  11. Connecticut – Jordan Danberry
  12. Washington – Juicy Landrum

2020 WNBA Mock Draft Version 2.0

Satou Sabally is a top 2 pick after she declared early for the 2020 WNBA Draft held in April.
~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

It has been one month since the first version was published and much has changed in the world of women’s college basketball as well in the WNBA. WNBA Free Agency shook up a large majority of WNBA rosters and many draft picks were traded. I will have two more versions of this 2020 WNBA Mock Draft which will be released monthly. One in March which will be released sometime during the NCAA Tournament and the final WNBA Mock Draft which will come out one week before the WNBA Draft held in April.

Dallas has the most WNBA draft picks this year so they will have a lot of tough decisions to make moving forward. Some players have played their way into the 2020 WNBA Mock Draft such as Duke’s Haley Gorecki and Leaonna Odom. Some have played their way off this mock draft. Of the draft eligible juniors, I included just one this time as Satou Sabally has already declared for the draft and the other possible early junior (Aarion McDonald) may not declare early. Some players have moved up and down since the previous month due to the team’s needs changing as well as their play on the court.

For the potential draftees, making the roster for this year could prove to be very tough as spots are very limited due to all the new signings as well as contract extensions. Some teams may only carry 11 players. It may take some of these potential draftees two to three years to make the roster, if they still desire to play in the WNBA some day.

ROUND ONE

  1. Sabrina Ionescu – PG – Oregon  – New York Liberty

Another month, the top pick is still Sabrina Ionescu from Oregon. The New York Liberty need some good news after rumors of Tina Charles potentially moving on came to be during WNBA Free Agency. Sabrina Ionescu can provide that new spark. Most importantly, she can provide leadership and give the Liberty a possible new franchise corner stone. She recently became the first women or men’s college basketball player to reach 2000 points, 1000 assists and 1000 rebounds in their career and I don’t think she is done yet.

2.  Satou Sabally – SF – Oregon – Dallas Wings

Unofficially last month, I included Satou Sabally in my first version of the 2020 WNBA Mock Draft. I had her originally going fourth overall to the Atlanta Dream, but Sabally has been on a tear since then. Her declaring early had to do with some financial situation in her family but it still a great move because the Dallas Wings can now take her and help the Wings elevate their franchise a little bit after a lot of veterans left during WNBA Free Agency. She is just scratching the surface of her potential and between her and Cox, I think the Wings should lean towards Satou Sabally.

3. Lauren Cox – PF/C – Baylor – Indiana Fever

With the declaration of Satou Sabally declaring early, this opens up the spot for Indiana to grab Lauren Cox. Cox would normally be a top 2 pick in this draft, but she slides now down to the 3rd spot. The Fever could use her as a starter and help facilitate their offense as Cox is an excellent passer offensively. The Fever can do so much with what Lauren Cox brings to the table, that they should not pass on her if they are given the chance. She’s still a very good and talented player.

4.  Beatrice Mompremier – PF/C – Miami – Atlanta Dream

Last month, I had Satou Sabally as the #4 pick overall. In that past month, as I have stated before above, Sabally has increased her stock. Not only that, the next best available player is draft eligible junior Chennedy Carter. But the Atlanta Dream don’t need Carter anymore. They have acquired Courtney Williams in free agency and still have some talented guards on their roster. There is no space for Carter. However, there is still some space for fowards and centers and the best player available for that position is Beatrice Mompremier. She recently just got back to playing form as she was injured a large majority of the year. She will be in top shape come draft time and the Dream could use her off the bench to help develop her game slowly so she can get improve and get better.

5. Ruthy Hebard – PF – Oregon – Dallas Wings

Last month, this pick belonged to the Phoenix Mercury but it now belongs to the Dallas Wings. The Dallas Wings already had pick #2 and have already a loaded roster. Some are on training camp contracts and the Wings have talented guards already on their roster so putting Chennedy Carter on this team does not make any sense either. The Wings should take Ruthy Hebard with their fifth pick but she will be in tough competition to make the final roster as she will be in competition with four other power forwards/centers trying to make the team.

6. Chennedy Carter** – SG – Texas A&M – Minnesota Lynx

Chennedy Carter has not declared yet for the draft, but if she does, she now falls down two spots from last month. Not because of her talent, but because of the WNBA teams reshuffling their rosters during WNBA Free Agency. The Minnesota Lynx just recently acquired Rachel Banham from Connecticut in a sign and trade but Carter still play well on this team. She can help give Minnesota Lynx another star besides Napheesa Collier and Sylvia Fowles.

  • 7. Te’a Cooper – SG – Baylor – Dallas Wings
  • 8. Tyasha Harris – PG – South Carolina – Chicago Sky
  • 9. Kiah Gillespie – SF – Florida State – Dallas Wings
  • 10. Crystal Dangerfield – PG – Connecticut – Phoenix Mercury
  • 11. Kaila Charles – SG – Maryland – Seattle Storm
  • 12. Bella Alarie – SF – Princeton – Washington Mystics

ROUND TWO

  1. Kathleen Doyle – New York Liberty
  2. Jocelyn Willoughby – Minnesota Lynx
  3. Mikayla Pivec – Dallas Wings
  4. Mikiah Herbert Harrigan – Indiana Fever
  5. Joyner Holmes – Atlanta Dream
  6. Haley Gorecki – Phoenix Mercury
  7. Nicki Ekhomu – Seattle Storm
  8. Sara Rhine – Los Angeles Sparks
  9. Becca Hittner – Dallas Wings
  10. Japreece Dean – Los Angeles Sparks
  11. Stephanie Jones – Connecticut Sun
  12. Brittany Brewer – Washington Mystics

ROUND THREE

  1. Nausia Woolfolk – Atlanta Dream
  2. Ciara Duffy – New York Liberty
  3. Leaonna Odom – Atlanta Dream
  4. Taryn McCutcheon – Indiana Fever
  5. Ja’Tavia Tapley – Phoenix Mercury
  6. Reili Richardson – Chicago Sky
  7. Katie Campbell – Seattle Storm
  8. Kylee Shook – Chicago Sky
  9. Jazmine Jones – Las Vegas Aces
  10. Nadia Fingall – Los Angeles Sparks
  11. Jordan Danberry – Connecticut Sun
  12. Juicy Landrum – Washington Mystics

2020 WNBA Mock Draft Version 1.0

lauren cox baylor university dallas wings.
~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

The 2020 WNBA season is on thanks to a new WNBA CBA. This means that it is time to start thinking about the upcoming season and free agency. This also means that the WNBA Draft is now three months away and it is now time to start preparing the WNBA Mock Drafts.

This 2020 WNBA Draft senior class is not as deep as last year’s senior class, therefore I added some possible juniors who could declare for this year’s draft in April. I will have three more versions of this mock draft which will be updated monthly. The final WNBA Mock Draft will be posted about a week or some days before the actual WNBA Draft takes place.

I have also included several WNBA Mock Drafts other outlets have posted so that if you haven’t read them yet or want to compare the mock drafts you may do so.

ROUND ONE

  1. Sabrina Ionescu – PG – Oregon – New York Liberty

The New York Liberty are entering into a new phase of rebuilding with a new ownership group and a new coach. What better way for the Liberty to start fresh with a #1 pick and select the best player from this class. Sabrina Ionescu has turned heads in women’s college basketball and will look to help the Liberty in May. Sabrina Ionescu is a smart player and she is a leader when she is on the floor.

2. Lauren Cox – F/C – Baylor – Dallas Wings

Lauren Cox is a steady forward who was instrumental in Baylor’s run to the championship last season and will look to help the Baylor Lady Bears defend their title come March/April. Lauren Cox can shoot from three, she can defend inside and she does not need to play a ton of minutes for the Dallas Wings. She can help the Wings with her interior defence and passing ability. Not only that, she’s a local player. That always helps with ticket sales!

3. Chennedy Carter** – PG/SG – Texas A&M – Indiana Fever

The Indiana Fever are also trying to rebuild and Chennedy Carter (one of the first possible early junior players) can help immediately. Her game is meant for the pro level. She can shoot, she can score and she can provide the Indiana Fever with some highlight reels. More than that, she can help invigorate the Fever and bring them back to prominence.

4. Satou Sabally** – SF/PF – Oregon – Atlanta Dream

The Atlanta Dream did not have a great season last year and will look to rebound again this season and could use some help on their front line. Satou Sabally (the second junior player who could possibly declare early) can give the Atlanta Dream size, shooting ability as well as the ability to switch onto defenders. She is a versatile small forward who gets better every year.

5. Te’a Cooper – SG – Baylor – Phoenix Mercury

Te’a Cooper has risen quite a bit and has proved herself with Baylor so far this year. She’s shown an ability to score and provide a bit of leadership as well. She can help the Phoenix Mercury’s bench and provide them a lift when the starters need a break.

  • 6. Beatrice Mompremier – Miami – Minnesota Lynx
  • 7. Aari McDonald** – Arizona – Seattle Storm
  • 8. Ruthy Hebard – Oregon –  Chicago Sky
  • 9. Tynice Martin – West Virginia – Dallas Wings
  • 10. Crystal Dangerfield – Connecticut – Connecticut Sun
  • 11. Joyner Holmes – Texas – Connecticut Sun
  • 12.  Bella Alarie – Princeton –  Washington Mystics

ROUND TWO

  1. Mikayla Pivec – Atlanta Dream
  2. Kathleen Doyle – Minnesota Lynx
  3. Mikiah Herbert Harrigan – Dallas Wings
  4. Kaila Charles – Indiana Fever
  5. Tyasha Harris – Phoenix Mercury
  6. Ae’Rianna Harris – Phoenix Mercury
  7. Nausia Woolfolk – Seattle Storm
  8. Sara Rhine – Los Angeles Sparks
  9. Becca Hittner – Dallas Wings
  10. Japreece Dean – Los Angeles Sparks
  11. Kiah Gillespie – Connecticut Sun
  12. Taryn McCutcheon – Washington Mystics

ROUND THREE

  1. Jordan Danberry – Atlanta Dream
  2. Ciara Duffy – New York Liberty
  3. Kylee Shook – Atlanta Dream
  4. Nicki Ekhomu – Indiana Fever
  5. Ja’Tavia Tapley – Phoenix Mercury
  6. Katie Campbell – Chicago Sky
  7. Kat Tudor – Seattle Storm
  8. Stephanie Jones – Chicago Sky
  9. Jazmine Jones – Las Vegas Aces
  10. Nadia Fingall – Los Angeles Sparks
  11. Dominique Oden – Connecticut Sun
  12. Brittany Brewer – Washington Mystics

Women’s College Basketball Player Rankings – Class by Class! Week 12

~ Aneela Khan ~ Leave a comment

As the women’s college basketball season rolls on in conference play, new teams and new faces are beginning to emerge. This is now Week 12 of the women’s college basketball rankings and this was an eye opening week. There are a couple of teams making noise such as Utah and Purdue who have quietly put together a solid conference record so far in their respective conferences. Keep an eye out for those teams in March. Also, North Carolina is starting to make noise as they upset Notre Dame. This could be interesting. As you can see, the results are reflected in this week’s rankings and goes to show that the traditional basketball power teams can be taken down.

Listed below are the top 36 seniors, the top 27 juniors, the top 18 sophomores and the top 9 freshmen for the week of Jan 21st to Jan 27th. If you would like to view last week’s rankings, you may do so here. If you have questions or are a new reader to these rankings, check out the FAQ page.

SENIORS

  1. Paris Kea – North Carolina
  2. Megan Gustafson – Iowa
  3. Kalani Brown – Baylor
  4. Napheesa Collier – Connecticut
  5. Katie Lou Samuelson – Connecticut
  6. Asia Durr – Louisville
  7. Naomi Davenport – West Virginia
  8. Jessica Shepard – Notre Dame
  9. Arike Ogunbowale – Notre Dame
  10. Natisha Hiedeman – Marquette
  11. Megan Huff – Utah
  12. Jordan Moore – TCU
  13. Anriel Howard – Mississippi State
  14. Erika Davenport – Marquette
  15. Jenna Allen – Michigan State
  16. Brianna Turner – Notre Dame
  17. Alanna Smith – Stanford
  18. Kristine Anigwe – California
  19. Japreece Dean – UCLA
  20. Emese Hof – Miami
  21. Pallas Kunaiyi-Akpanah – Northwestern
  22. Amy Okonkwo – TCU
  23. Kiara Leslie – NC State
  24. Sam Fuehring – Louisville
  25. Jatarie White – Texas
  26. Malica Monk – Arkansas
  27. Stasha Carey – Rutgers
  28. Jordan Danberry – Mississippi State
  29. Ella Awobajo – Hartford
  30. Savannah Smith – Northern Colorado
  31. Destinee Walker – Radford
  32. Mackenzie Taylor – Wright State
  33. Morgan Bertsch – UC Davis
  34. Aryn McClure – Quinnipiac
  35. Kaitlyn Slagus – Bucknell
  36. Jenny Roy – Belmont

JUNIORS

  1. Lauren Cox – Baylor
  2. Sabrina Ionescu – Oregon
  3. Ruthy Hebard – Oregon
  4. Stephanie Jones – Maryland
  5. Stephanie Watts – North Carolina
  6. Mikayla Pivec – Oregon State
  7. Kiana Moore – Utah
  8. Chante Stonewall – DePaul
  9. Sug Sutton – Texas
  10. Tyasha Harris – South Carolina
  11. Taryn McCutcheon – Michigan State
  12. Beatrice Mompremier – Miami
  13. Tynice Martin – West Virginia
  14. Mary Gedaka – Villanova
  15. Alexis Tolefree – Arkansas
  16. Juicy Landrum – Baylor
  17. Kathleen Doyle – Iowa
  18. Peyton Williams – Kansas State
  19. Mikiah Herbert Harrigan – South Carolina
  20. Haley Gorecki – Duke
  21. Becca Hittner – Drake
  22. Kamiah Smalls – James Madison
  23. Tagyn Larson – South Dakota State
  24. Keri Jewett – Giles – FGCU
  25. C’coriea Fay – North Carolina A&T
  26. Brittany Rose – Southern
  27. Kayla Robinson – Troy

SOPHOMORES

  1. Chennedy Carter – Texas A&M
  2. Janelle Bailey – North Carolina
  3. Satou Sabally – Oregon
  4. Destiny Slocum – Oregon State
  5. Aari McDonald – Arizona
  6. Mykea Gray – Miami
  7. Kayla Wells – Texas A&M
  8. Megan Walker – Connecticut
  9. Michaela Onyenwere – UCLA
  10. Eleah Parker – Pennsylvania
  11. Kristin Scott – Iowa State
  12. Jaelynn Penn – Indiana
  13. Karissa McLaughlin – Purdue
  14. Erica Johnson – Ohio
  15. Nancy Mulkey – Rice
  16. Chloe Lamb – South Dakota
  17. Shannon Titus – Mercer
  18. Honoka Ikematsu – Robert Morris

FRESHMEN

  1. Taylor Mikesell – Maryland
  2. Elissa Cunane – NC State
  3. Jayla Everett – New Mexico
  4. Shaylee Gonzales – BYU
  5. Elizabeth Balogun – Georgia Tech
  6. Cate Reese – Arizona
  7. Christyn Williams – Connecticut
  8. LeeAnne Wirth – Gonzaga
  9. Sydney Manning – Missouri State