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The WNBA season is months away, but it's never too early to start thinking about the 2008 WNBA Draft. Hyped as the most anticipated draft in women's professional basketball history, the 2008 WNBA Draft will have it's fair share of big names and even bigger games. In this blog, we hope to shed a little light on some of the better prospects at each position or skill and look to keep up-to-date on their progress as they conclude their collegiate careers.
These are the high-flying, speed-racing, jaw-dropping, unreal players we like to call The Athletes. Catch 'em if you can...- Khadijah Whittington(NC State): As one of the most athletic players ever to play in the ACC, Whittington led the ACC in rebounds a season ago and is on constant “dunk watch” in Raleigh. No one in college basketball works harder than this undersized PF.
- - Morenike Atunrase(Texas A&M): How athletic is Atunrase? Well, she’s only Texas A&M’s all-time leader in blocked shots…at 5-10! It’s all about length and timing, folks.
- - Olayinka Sanni(West Virginia): Despite being undersized in the post, this Nigerian national team member battles relentlessly on the boards. Additionally, Sanni can score inside against anyone in the Big East.
- - Ketia Swanier(Uconn): You don’t realize just how fast Swanier is until she’s driving the lane and passing off to an open teammate—all before you have the chance to turn around and regain your bearings.
- - Lindsay Pluimer(UCLA): Not many players attack the boards aggressively and then get up and down the court at 6-4 like Pluimer. That’s what makes her one of the more versatile players in the Pac-10.
Have you seen her? Probably not. This group consists of five women that may not play for Tennessee, Connecticut, or even any team in a major conference, but they are good in their own right. These are the queens of the Mid Majors.
TJ Jordan(Old Dominion) – She’s a fearless competitor on the offensive end, displaying an ability to carry a team on her back. Jordan has made her name as a markswoman. If you leave her open from three, she will make you pay. -Amber Holt(Middle Tennessee St.) – As evidenced by her standout play against Maryland in her first Division I game, Holt showed the nation that she can score in a variety of ways. As one of the most talented forwards in her class, Holt will look to increase her offensive output to offset the loss of Chrissy Givens. -Dionne Marsh(New Mexico) – Marsh, an undersized power forward with rebounding prowess, is as fierce a competitor as one will find at her size. Whenever you go up against her, expect physical play. That's all she knows.-Crystal Kelly(Western Kentucky) – Perhaps the best player in the nation you’ve never seen, Kelly ranked in the top three in the nation in points per game and rebounds. No other player dominates her conference like Kelly dominates the Sun Belt. -Adrianne Ross(Texas Christian) – After leading the Horned Frogs to yet another NCAA Tournament appearance, the All-American candidate returns to lead her squad back further in the NCAAs this season. It won’t be easy, but this explosive combo guard carried TCU on her back last season and will look to do the same in 2007-08.
Think twice when you take it up against her. She may send your shot into the second row. No autographs, please.- Lauren Ervin(Arkansas): In her first Division 1 season, Ervin was the second-leading shot blocker in the SEC in 2006-07 behind Candace Parker.
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- Vaida Sipaviciute(Syracuse): Sipavicuite does all the dirty work inside for the Orange, as evidenced by her team-leading two blocks per game.
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- LaToya Pringle(North Carolina): Very lean athlete who makes up for her lack of girth inside with length and timing.
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- Jackie McFarland(Colorado): Versatile player whose presence on defense nearly matches her efficiency on offense with her abilities to anticipate her opponents’ offensive tendencies.
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- Sarah Elliott(Kentucky): A giant inside for the Wildcats at 6-6, Elliott makes slashers pay for their overpenetration.
She may talk the talk, but she doesn't walk the walk. The list below is a list of the overrated players in the women's game. They aren't bad by any means, but they've yet to live up to their hype.
- Jolene Anderson(Wisconsin): Anderson never saw a shot she didn’t like. Speaking of taking shots, is there anything else that Anderson is capable of doing even marginally well (especially since she’s not that great at the one skill she’s supposed to excel at)?
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- Nicky Anosike(Tennessee): If she put up similar career numbers (7.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg) at any other school, no one would be calling Nicky Anosike a pro prospect. And yes, she was a McDonald's All-American.
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- Chardé Houston(Connecticut): Talk about not living up to tremendous pre-college expectations. There were talks that Houston would be the “next big thing” at UConn, following in the footsteps of fellow Cali prep great Diana Taurasi. Guess it wasn’t meant to be. Oh well. She’ll still have a good senior season—just not the kind UConn fans continue to hope for.
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- Laura Harper(Maryland): This may seem unfair placement since she was injured for much of her freshman year, but when you struggle to make simple post moves despite being a 6-4 All-America candidate, you’re probably a tad bit overrated.
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- Erneisha Bailey(Texas): Bailey seemed destined for a great college career after experiencing success on the AAU circuit (Philly Belles), but that potential has yet to materialize.
These are the high-flying, speed-racing, jaw-dropping, unreal players we like to call The Athletes. Catch 'em if you can...
