The WNBA holds a draft every year to select new players for their teams. Drafts draw players from a talented pool of women's hockey players. The first WNBA Draft was held in 1997. Today there are 60 teams. The draft is made up of a number of categories, including overall strength as well as speed and athleticism. The draft also gives teams the opportunity to pick up a new star.
Shakira Austin
Expect the Lakers to be a serious contender this season, and Austin's selection will help them add depth at their center position. Austin will be able guard many positions and will fit well with the veteran depth and veterans. Austin excels outside of the basket and will enjoy Delle Donne's presence. She is also a skilled defender, but the WNBA will put her to the test on both ends of the court.
Washington Mystics chose Shakira Texas with the No. The WNBA Draft's No. 3 pick. She is the sixth Ole Miss graduate to be drafted by the WNBA. Austin played for the Ole Miss Golden Eagles for two seasons, earning first-team All-SEC honors and helping the team reach its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2007.
Mya Hollingshed
Mya Hollingshed was on the Pre-Woden Award Watch List, but despite her impressive stats, she has never played basketball. Her family includes athletes. Her grandfather, who was drafted by the Washington Bullets in the second round in 1978, played basketball at Grambling. Hollingshed was a soccer player in her senior and junior years. However, her mother found the sport too competitive.
The Las Vegas Aces offered her a position as a player on the wing, but she refused. They didn't want her to be unavailable at No. 11 or later. Nevertheless, Hollingshed isn't likely to get passed up, and she'll still have a shot. However, it is likely that Hollingshed will be a WNBA player in the future.
Nyara Sabally
On Monday, Nyara Sabally, a big man from New York was selected by the New York Liberty in the fifth round. Sabally is unable to play due to a knee injury. The team also selected Sika Kone, the No. She was also the No. 29 pick after she had surgery in March on her right leg. Sabally was a popular pick due to her size. However, her knee problems have made her a risky choice.
Not only was she the fifth overall pick but Sabally is also the sister to Oregon star Satou, who plays with the Dallas Wings. She has been a standout player for the Ducks, even though she has not yet entered the WNBA. She was drafted along with her sister in 2020, becoming the first siblings to reach the first round since Chiney & Nneka Ogwumike (2008 draft). Sabally may prove to be as good as her sister.