The WNBA has officially gone international. With 7 players who did not attend an NCAA institution in 2021 selected in the draft, the league appears to be branching out from the traditional blue blood American programs and adding some global flair. That figure doesn’t take into account another two players, Arella Guirantes and Ivana Raca who were also born outside the US but were enrolled in Div 1 programs this past year bringing the total to 9. Which means when all was said and done on draft night, 25% of the players selected over the 3 rounds were born outside of the United States. An encouraging figure when it comes time to analyze the growth of the game.
With the league set to kick off their 25th season, players used their platform on draft night to talk about health equity and the importance of vaccinations. The draft was once more held remotely due to COVID, with the Dallas Wings holding both the 1st and 2nd overall selections to kickstart their rebuild efforts. They immediately went with some of the biggest talent available, selecting in state product Charli Collier from Texas 1st overall, and then fellow 6’5” Center Awak Kuier from Finland at number 2. The Wings now boast one of the largest and youngest front courts in the league. One that they can build around for years to come.
For those unfamiliar with Kuier, she’s been dunking since the age of 15, with multiple in game slams already to her credit. But more importantly, she possesses the skill set that scouts drool over. She’s tall, can shoot the 3, has great footwork in the post, and has a tremendous handle for a player her size. She’s the real deal. Don’t be surprised if Candace Parker throws a few of her dunking highlights in Shaq’s face the next time the two are on the same set together.
Here’s how the rest of the draft broke down:
First round
1.Dallas Wings: Charli Collier, Texas, 6-5, Center
2. Dallas Wings: Awak Kuier, Finland, 6-5, Center
3. Atlanta Dream: Aari McDonald, Arizona, 5-6, Guard
4. Indiana Fever: Kysre Gondrezick, West Virginia, 5-9, Guard
5. Dallas Wings: Chelsea Dungee, Arkansas, 5-11, Guard
6. New York Liberty: Michaela Onyenwere, UCLA, 6-0, Forward
7. Los Angeles Sparks: Jasmine Walker, Alabama, 6-3, Forward
8. Chicago Sky: Shyla Heal, Australia, 5-6, Guard
9. Minnesota Lynx: Rennia Davis, Tennessee, 6-2, Guard/Forward
10. Los Angeles Sparks: Stephanie Watts, North Carolina, 5-11, Guard
11. Indiana Fever: Aaliyah Wilson, Texas A&M, 5-11, Guard
12. Las Vegas Aces: Iliana Rupert, France, 6-4, Center
Second Round
1. Dallas Wings: Dana Evans, Louisville, 5-6, Guard
2. Las Vegas Aces: Destiny Slocum, Arkansas, 5-7, Guard
3. Atlanta Dream: Raquel Carrera, Spain, 6-3, Forward/Center
4. Chicago Sky: Natasha Mack, Oklahoma State, 6-4, Center
5. New York Liberty: Didi Richards, Baylor, 6-1, Guard
6. Seattle Storm: Kiana Williams, Stanford, 5-9, Guard
7. Indiana Fever: Unique Thompson, Auburn, 6-3, Forward
8. Connecticut Sun: DiJonai Carrington, Baylor, 5-11, Guard
9. Connecticut Sun: Micaela Kelly, Central Michigan, 5-6, Guard
10. Los Angeles Sparks: Arella Guirantes, Rutgers, 5-11, Guard
11. Seattle Storm: N’dea Jones, Texas A&M, 6-2, Forward
12. Indiana Fever: Trinity Baptiste, Arizona, 6-0, Forward
Third Round
1. New York Liberty: Valerie Higgins, Pacific, 6-1, Forward
2. Indiana Fever: Chelsey Perry, UT-Martin, 6-2, Forward
3. Atlanta Dream: Lindsey Pulliam, Northwestern, 5-10, Guard
4. Los Angeles Sparks: Ivana Raca, Wake Forest, 6-2, Forward
5. New York Liberty: Marine Fauthoux, France, 5-9, Guard
6. Connecticut Sun: Aleah Goodman, Oregon State, 5-9, Guard
7. Indiana Fever: Florencia Chagas, Argentina, 5-10, Guard
8. Phoenix Mercury: Ciera Johnson, Texas A&M, 6-4, Center
9. Indiana Fever: Maya Caldwell, Georgia, 5-11, Guard/Forward
10. Los Angeles Sparks: Aina Ayuso, Spain, 5-9, Guard
11. Seattle Storm: Natalie Kucowski, Lafayette, 6-3, Forward
12. Las Vegas Aces: Kionna Jeter, Towson, 5-8, Guard
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @dynessports