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Breaking down the 2009 WNBA Draft
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Here is a breakdown of each team’s selections:
Atlanta Dream: The Dream selected Angel McCoughtry as the number 1 overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft. She may not be the best outside scorer, but she brings versatility and high energy to the game. With most of its scoring gone with the departure of Betty Lennox, the Dream drafted Jessica Morrow from Baylor, who is known to pull the trigger from behind the arc, along with Shalee Lehning from Kansas State.
Chicago Sky: The Sky were in need of a point guard and picked up Kristi Toliver from Maryland who not only distributes the ball well, but can score profusely from the outside. Texas A&M guard Danielle Gant brings another scorer to Chicago’s roster. Adding some defense to its repertoire, the Sky selected Jennifer Risper. She can defend any position on the court, and at 5-9 she can surprisingly get to the rim against larger opponents.
Connecticut Sun: Connecticut selected 6-5 center Shante Black from Duke to bolster its inside game, along with 6-1 forward Lyndra Littles from Virginia, and Alba Torrens, a forward/center who played for Real Club Celta Indepo. Head coach Mike Thibault continually does an exceptional job building rosters, especially last year after losing half his starters.
Detroit Shock: After winning three championships in 6 years it may be hard to find room to improve. With a healthy Cheryl Ford plus Taj McWilliams-Franklin the Shock is looking to maintain its dynasty. Detroit picked up 5-10 guard Shavonte Zeallous from Pittsburgh, center Britany Miller and 5-11 guard Tanae Davis-Cain from Florida State. The Shock, who already established themselves inside the paint, drafted two outside shooters in Zeallous and Davis-Cain which may allow for Katie Smith and Deanna Nolan to occasionally sip water from the bench.
Indiana Fever: Arizona State’s Briann January can pick up the Fever’s slack offensively with her ability to dribble drive and create shots inside the paint. She is also a savvy defender. The Fever selected Christina Wirth from Vanderbilt, who is a sharp shooter from the outside, and 6-4 center Danielle Campbell who can learn the ropes from veterans Yolanda Griffith and Tammy Sutton-Brown.
Los Angeles Sparks: The Sparks really need a point guard. They traded away Temeka Johnson to Phoenix and are left with sophomore point guard Shannon Bobbitt. Let me reiterate. The Sparks really need a point guard. Why have all those great post players if there is nobody to run the offense? Betty Lennox is still available, and hopefully the Sparks will work a trade in the future. Forward Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue), forward Ashley Paris (Oklahoma), and Britney Jordan (Texas A&M-Commerce) are talented players, but aren’t exactly what Los Angeles needs.
Minnesota Lynx: The Lynx are getting younger by the nanosecond. Unfortunately you can’t draft veteran experience, but Minnesota came pretty close by selecting versatile point guard Renee Montgomery. The Lynx, who are perpetually terrible every year, should eventually draft enough talent to make the playoffs. There was a bit of a surprise was the selection of Quanitra Hollingsworth from VCU. Hollingsworth is only 20 years old, but she can dominate inside and rebound. Sensing a need for some post players after trading away Nicole Ohlde and Vanessa Hayden, the Lynx drafted 6-1 forward Rashanda McCants from North Carolina. Maybe drafting 5-9 guard Emily Fox from Minnesota will make up for passing over Janel McCarville in the Charlotte Sting dispersal draft.
New York Liberty: Rebounding was definitely lacking for the Liberty last season. Kia Vaughn is a great selection and not just because she is a New York native. Vaughn stock went up in the latter part of the season when she began dominating inside the paint. New York has so many shooters that a distributer would be a suitable addition. The Liberty found one in 5-10 guard Abby Waner. Even though she has been a ‘slump’ for her last 2 years at Duke (or maybe her shooting ability in the first two years was just an aberration) Waner brings her floor leadership to the Liberty.
Phoenix Mercury: The Mercury needs to make improvements on the defensive end of the court. DeWanna Bonner from Auburn can play inside and run the floor which is an important component in the Mercury design. The big question is can her 130 lb frame handle the WNBA or will she be thrown around like a rag doll by the larger players. The Mercury’s other selections were 5-7 guard Sha Brooks from Florida and 6-4 center Jessica Adair from George Washington.
Sacramento Monarchs: After losing their leader and rebounder Yolanda Griffith through free agency last season, the Monarchs may be able to pick up where they left off with the acquisition of Courtney Paris. Sacramento looks to improve the depth of its backcourt with the selection of Whitney Boddie, a 5-9 guard from Auburn, and Morgan Warburton from Utah. Because point guard Ticha Penicheiro can’t play forever.
San Antonio Silver Stars: How about another outside scorer besides Becky Hammon and a post player who doesn’t mind getting down and dirty inside? The Silver Stars selected guard/forward Megan Frazee with their 14th pick, 6-4 forward Sonja Petrovic, from Serbia, and 6-1 forward Candyce Bingham.
Seattle Storm: Seattle can’t wait forever to find out whether Lauren Jackson is staying or leaving. The Storm drafted 6-1 forward/center Ashley Walker from California, who is a strong post player that can run the floor. The Storm also drafted Mara Freshour, a 6-1 guard from Florida State.
Washington Mystics: What doesn’t the Washington Mystics need? This team has been underachieving for as far back as I can remember. Adding Marissa Coleman to the lineup brings versatility, as she can play both the guard and forward position. Being from Maryland, Coleman may help sell a couple more season tickets as well. The Mystics also drafted Camille LeNoir from Southern California and a couple obscure players: forward/center Jelena Milovanovic from Serbia and Josephine Owino from Union.
More About:
WNBA ·
Detroit Shock ·
Indiana Fever ·
L.A. Sparks ·
Seattle Storm ·
New York Liberty ·
Connecticut Sun ·
San Antonio Silver Stars ·
Katie Smith ·
Deanna Nolan ·
Atlanta Dream ·
Chicago Sky ·
Phoenix Mercury ·
Minnesota Lynx ·
Courtney Paris
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