2016 WNBA Draft Results
- By Shorty
- Apr 15, 2016
- 3 min read
The 2016 WNBA Draft has concluded and here is my quick reaction to all three rounds.
Round 1.
No.1 - Seattle Storm - Breanna Stewart
No. 2 - San Antonio Stars - Moriah Jefferson
No. 3 - Connecticut Sun - Morgan Tuck
No. 4 - Connecticut Sun - Rachel Banham
No. 5 - Dallas Wings - Aeriel Powers
No. 6 - Los Angeles Sparks - Jonquel Jones
No. 7 - Washington Mystics - Kahleah Copper
No. 8 - Phoenix - Mercury - Courtney Williams
No. 9 - Indiana Fever - Tiffany Mitchell
No. 10 - Chicago Sky - Imani Boyette
No. 11 - Atlanta Dream - Bria Holmes
No. 12 - New York Liberty - Adut Bulgak
Reaction: The 2016 WNBA Draft kicked off with the first ever UConn trio (Stewart. Jefferson. and Tuck) to be selected 1-3. Great for Connecticut and Dallas to choose Rachel Banham and Aeriel Powers at No. 4 and No. 5 respectively. When it got to the No. 6 pick, I got to say Sparks fans were puzzled at the selection of Jonquel Jones, but the reason for her selection will be explained in the next round. Tiffany Mitchell (who Sparks fans really wanted) was the steal of the draft for the Fever at No. 9. I like Imani Boyette to Chicago and Adut Balgak (to New York) rounded out the top 12 in the first round.
Round 2
No. 13 - Atlanta Dream - Rachel Hollivay
No. 14 - Minnesota Lynx - Jazmon Gwathmey
No. 15 - Los Angeles Sparks - Whitney Knight
No. 16 - Atlanta Dream - Courtney Walker
No. 17 - Connecticut Sun - Jamie Weisner
No. 18 - Dallas Wings - Ruth Hamblin
No. 19 - Washington Mystics - Lia Galdeira
No 20 - Phoenix Mercury - Jillian Alleyne
No. 21 - Indiana Fever - Brene Mossley
No. 22 - Minnesota Lynx - Bashaara Graves
No. 23 - Los Angeles Sparks - Brianna Butler
No. 24 - New York Liberty - Ameryst Alston
Reaction: Moving on to the second round (better known as this is when ESPN doesn't care anymore round). The reason why Los Angeles made the questionable selection at No. 6 was the send it off along with their No. 17 pick to Connecticut in exchange for the rights to Chelsea Gray, No. 15, No. 23, and a future 1st round pick (2017). Talk about a bag of chips trade, it highly favored LA and the Sun wanted Jones as another post option on their roster.
There were some great picks to choose from still on the board. I thought Whitney Knight was a good option at No. 15 and Atlanta could use another guard in Courtney Walker at No. 16. A pair of Oregon St. stand-outs Jamie Weisner and Ruth Hamblin were selected by the Sun and Wings respectively. Pac12 leading rebounder Jillian Alleyne went to the Mercury. Lynx picked up Bashaara Graves, and LA picked up Syracuse 3pt specialist Brianna Butler at No. 23.
Round 3
No. 25 - San Antonio Stars - Brittney Martin
No. 26 - Seattle Storm - Lexi Eaton Rydalch
No. 27 - Connecticut Sun - Aliyyah Handford
No. 28 - Atlanta Dream - Niya Johnson
No. 29- Los Angeles Sparks - Talia Walton
No. 30 - Dallas Wings - Shekena Richardson
No. 31 - Washington Mystics - Danaejah Grant
No. 32 - Phoenix Mercury - Nirra Fields
No. 33 - Indiana Fever - Julie Allemond
No. 34 - Chicago Sky - Jordan Jones
No. 35 - Minnesota Lynx - Temi Fagbenle
No. 36 - New York Liberty - Shacobia Barbee
Reaction: Continuing on with the 3rd and final round (better known as ESPN has already given up round). I think these players have a decent shot to make a roster at No. 25 through No. 28. Sadly, Talia Walton became the last woman standing in the draft room before she was selected at No. 29 by the LA Sparks. She was exciting to watch in the NCAA tourney and I think she can get a decent look in LA. Nirra Fields was a underrated pick up out of UCLA for Phoenix. With the last pick. Shacobia Barbee was the final selection for New York to end the draft.
Trade: It was announced the Minnesota Lynx traded the rights of Jazmon Gwathmey (No. 14) to the San Antonio Stars in exchange for Jia Perkins.
Overall, I thought it was a pretty good draft and I am so ready for May 14th #WatchMeWork
Comments