Rookie Rankings: May 30, 2007
Posted
May 30, 2007 -- Throughout the 2007 WNBA season, WNBA.com
will run its completely unofficial Rookie Rankings, highlighting the play of the
top five rookies to this point. Here's a look at out first installment, which
features several players who have already made impressive impacts in their young
professional careers.
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GP
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MPG
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PPG
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FG%
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3PM-A
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RPG
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APG
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SPG
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BPG
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| 3 |
25.3 |
15.0 |
.275 |
2-8 |
3.0 |
1.3 |
0.7 |
0.0 |
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Skinny: The Comets took a gamble on this high-scoring,
relatively unknown JuCo player, and she has performed beyond their
wildest expectations, averaging 15.0 points through three games,
good for third best on the team. Yes, Shields will have her rough
patches and growing pains, as she did Tuesday night against San
Antonio. But due to the inexperience in Houston's backcourt, she
will get a chance to play through the poor shooting and myriad
of turnovers that often haunt rookie guards.
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GP
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MPG
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PPG
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FG%
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3PM-A
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RPG
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APG
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SPG
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BPG
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| 5 |
29.6 |
11.4 |
.323 |
3-10 |
3.8 |
4.8 |
1.4 |
0.0
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Skinny: Minnesota knew what it was getting
when it sent All-Star Tangela Smith to Phoenix for the rights
to Harding, the top pick in the 2007 Draft. She too, has struggled
with her shooting, going 1-12 and 3-12 in consecutive games last
week, but she was one of the best players on the court against
the Sky, posting 16 points and handing out nine assists and was excellent in Tuesday's loss to the Fever. She'll
get more comfortable as the season goes on, and like Shields,
she'll play a ton of minutes for the building Lynx. She's in this
rookie race for the long haul, and don't be surprised if she supplants Shields before too long.
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GP
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MPG
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PPG
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FG%
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3PM-A
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RPG
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APG
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SPG
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BPG
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3
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28.3 |
8.3 |
.429 |
1-1 |
3.0 |
5.7 |
1.7 |
0.7 |
Skinny: It's almost unfair to put the 26-year-old
Spaniard in this list, but since she's a newcomer to the league,
she qualifies as a rookie. Announcers have called her a female
version of Spurs star Manu Ginobili, and the quick, 5-11 guard
isn't afraid to take bigger defenders to the hole and is adept
with both her right and left hands. With point guard Temeka Johnson
out through the Sparks' first three games, Marta has played provider,
averaging 5.7 assists, good for third in the league.
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GP
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MPG
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PPG
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FG%
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3PM-A
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RPG
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APG
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SPG
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BPG
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| 3 |
26.0 |
6.7 |
.238 |
0-0 |
5.3 |
3.3 |
1.3 |
0.7 |
Skinny: Along with Harding, Price was probably
the preseason front-runner for the Rookie of the Year prize. She
has performed well for the struggling Sky, but she hasn't set
the WNBA world on fire. Though she netted a career-high 11 in
Friday's win over the Lynx, she has struggled from the floor and
has appeared tentative at times. Still, Price is blessed with
remarkable athleticism, she has impressed on defense and is fun
to watch when she's able to get out and run the floor. If coach
Bo Overton can keep her confident offensively, she'll be one to
watch.
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GP
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MPG
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PPG
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FG%
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3PM-A
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RPG
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APG
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SPG
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BPG
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| 2 |
17.5 |
7.0 |
.364 |
0-0 |
3.0 |
1.0 |
0.5 |
1.5 |
Skinny: Thrust into a starting role with the
young Liberty, Davenport is slowly being worked into Pat Coyle's
offense. She has been solid on the boards and is a force in the
post on the defensive end. She isn't timid offensively, but it
often takes some time to get adjusted to the physical banging
a player her size receives in the paint in the pro game.
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Honorable Mention:
Kathrin Ress, Minnesota Lynx (4.6 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 18.6 MPG)
Noelle Quinn, Minnesota Lynx (1.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.8 APG, 18.0 MPG)
Alison Bales, Indiana Fever (4.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 1.0 BPG)
Katie Gearlds, Seattle Storm (2.0 PPG, 14.7 MPG)
