The Indiana Fever came into the WNBA Draft with four top ten picks and seven overall throughout the 3 round affair. Following a disappointing 2021 season where they went 6-26 and finished in last place overall, the Fever look to reboot their team with a massive influx of young talent.
Here’s who Indiana brought in to help right the ship at the 2022 WNBA Draft:
NaLyssa Smith, Forward, Baylor (1st Rd., 2nd Overall)
The debate heading into the draft was whether Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard or Baylor’s NaLyssa Smith would go number one overall. With Howard off the board to Atlanta, the decision was relatively straightforward for Indiana.
Smith averaged 22.1 points and 11.5 rebounds for Baylor this past season. She runs the court well and will be a significant presence in the paint for the Fever. If she improves her three-point shot, Smith could be in line for multiple All-Star appearances as a threat to score at all three levels. Smith is someone the Fever will look to build their franchise around for years to come.
Emily Engstler, Forward, Louisville (1st Rd., 4th Overall)
With the worst point differential, and second worst defense in terms of opponents points per game in the league last year, defense was a priority for the Fever on draft night. Which is why their choice to draft Engstler wasn’t much of a surprise.
The 6’1” forward can guard multiple positions and was named to the All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Defensive Team in her senior year. On offense, she can shoot well from the outside and doesn’t need to be ball dominant to score. Engstler is also a good rebounder grabbing 9.4 rebounds per game in 2021-22.
Lexie Hull, Guard, Stanford (1st Rd., 6th Overall)
This was a bit of a surprise pick as many people had her projected as a second round selection. However, Lin Dunn was looking for defense, and Hull was a Pac-12 All-Defensive Team player last season.
Hull is also an outstanding three-point shooter, so she gives the Fever a reliable three and D player. She averaged 12.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 40.8 from the field and 39.3% from three-point land at Stanford.
Queen Egbo, Center, Baylor (1st Rd., 10th Overall)
The Fever elected to reunite front court teammates Egbo and Smith as they’re clearly banking on their collegiate chemistry translating to the professional ranks this season.
Egbo averaged 11 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game and will improve the Fever’s depth along their front line. Egbo is a physical player and can be counted on to provide good defense in the paint, which the Fever desperately need. Although still raw, Egbo has upside on the offensive end and should provide some stability for what’s likely to be an extremely young Fever team this season.
Destanni Henderson, Guard, South Carolina (2nd Rd., 20th Overall)
Henderson was touted as a potential top 10 first-round draft pick, so it was surprising she slipped into the second round. With that in mind, Henderson could wind up being the steal of the draft if she’s able to adjust to the pace of play in the WNBA quickly.
She can shoot the basketball from the outside, registering a 39% success rate from beyond the arc last year. Henderson is a good ball-handler, and although she’s small, she isn’t scared to take it to the basket and score inside. The point guard can also pick up players in full-court defense and tire the opposing team’s point guard with ball pressure. A fiery competitor, Henderson could help turn around the culture in Indiana in a hurry.
Ameshya Williams-Holliday, Center, Jackson State (3rd Rd., 25th Overall)
Williams-Holliday made history being the first player drafted from an HBCU college. She was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year three times and the conference Player of the Year in her final season at JSU. She was also the HBCU National Player of the Year. Williams-Holliday averaged 19.2 points and 11.4 rebounds as she helped lead Jackson State to the NCAA tournament.
Ali Patberg, Guard, Indiana (3rd Rd., 34th Overall)
Sticking in state with their final selection on draft night, the Fever went with Ali Patberg out of Indiana University. Patberg can shoot from the outside and get to the basket, but her essential quality is her leadership ability. The 5’11” guard averaged 12.3 points per game while shooting 42.6 from the field and 33.6 from three, and figures to be a fan favourite right out of the gate.
-LaMarr Fields
Twitter: @raiderway83