Notable Prospects in the 2016 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm
With the 2016 WNBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm taking place tonight, it’s time to take a look at a few of the players that are generating the most buzz prior to their senior seasons.
Moriah Jefferson — Guard — UConn
Jefferson is a part of the UConn senior class that will be going for its fourth consecutive national title this season. While Jefferson’s teammate Breanna Stewart (see below) receives most of the hype, Jefferson is an integral part to the program’s success.
The 5-foot-7 Texas native does just about everything a team would want from a lead guard. She takes care of the ball, distibutes as well as anyone in the country and can step out and hit the three. A bit undersized, Jefferson makes up for it with her elite athleticism. As a result, she has topped 100 steals in each of her last two seasons.
Tiffany Mitchell — Guard — South Carolina
Tiffany Mitchell, Dawn Staley’s prized pupil, has played a paramount role in South Carolina’s ascent to college hoops royalty. She is a two-time SEC Player of the Year and was a finalist for all three national player of the year awards last season.
The 5-foot-9 North Carolina native is an efficient scorer that also finds other ways to affect the game. By virtue of her stellar play with South Carolina, she was selected to join the U.S. Women’s National Team when it held its training camp in Las Vegas this summer.
Breanna Stewart — Forward — UConn
The crown jewel of the 2016 draft class, Breanna Stewart is as highly touted as any prospect that has ever entered the league. Yes, her accolades at UConn and playing with the U.S. Women’s National Team put her on the same level as other UConn legends like Maya Moore and Tina Charles and other cant-miss draftees like Brittney Griner and Candace Parker.
Stewart — a 6-foot-4 forward that dominates in the paint but also has the skillset of a guard — is as versatile as they come. In fact, that versatility has prompted UConn coach Geno Auriemma to compare Stewart to none other than former NBA MVP Kevin Durant.
Bottom line: Stewart, the consensus No. 1 selection, has the ability to immediately change the fortunes of a franchise.
Other Names to Know
Jillian Alleyne — F — Oregon
Jonquel Jones — C — George Washington
Morgan Tuck — F — UConn
Courtney Williams — F — Texas A&M