2007 Point Guard Prospects
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One of the biggest surprises of last April's Draft was slip-sliding point guards. Combo guard Cappie Pondexter went second overall to Phoenix and nearly won Rookie of the Year and the Minnesota Lynx took Shona Thorburn with the seventh pick, but UCLA product Nikki Blue slipped into the second round and two highly-touted point guards, Megan Duffy and Erin Grant, lasted all the way until the third round. Grant was unable to make the Storm's roster, but Duffy stuck in Minnesota and ended up playing more than Thorburn (limited by an ankle injury) - 31 games, 12.5 minutes per game.
This year's class looks much more star-studded. Lindsey Harding and Ivory Latta have been Tobacco Road rivals for four years, and now they are vying to be the top point guard selected next month. Latta is the more explosive scorer, but Harding is an excellent defender who has keyed Duke's 30-1 season. Up to three other point guards could be selected in the first round.
Storm Outlook: The starting point guard position is filled for the foreseeable future by one 
Sue Bird, but the Storm has an opening behind Bird. 
Anne Donovan could look to address it in the Draft.
| LINDSEY HARDING |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 5-8
College: Duke
The skinny: Harding's standout senior season earned her the ultimate honor earlier this week when she was selected to participate in training camp with the U.S. Senior Women's National Team (coached by Donovan) in Italy next month. Harding has been the engine behind Duke's season, providing leadership, a steady hand at the point and outstanding defense. A two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Harding figures to be a standout at that end of the floor. She has improved her shooting to the point where opposing defenses have to respect her beyond the arc, opening up the floor.
| IVORY LATTA |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 5-6
College: North Carolina
The skinny: All eyes are always on Latta - as much for her high-energy personality as for her ability on the floor. Latta has led the Tar Heels attack since setting foot on the campus at North Carolina, her style of play fitting in perfectly with Sylvia Hatchell's desire to constantly attack. Latta had a brilliant junior season that earned her Player of the Year awards from several parties, as well as the Nancy Lieberman Award, presented annually to the NCAA's top point guard. Latta is excellent at getting to the basket, where she usually looks for her own offense as opposed to setting up teammates.
| LYNDSEY MEDDERS |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 5-9
College: Iowa State
The skinny: Washington Husky fans got a good look at Medders last weekend as she and her Iowa State team picked apart the Husky defense in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Medders has left plenty of victims in her wake on her way to becoming the Cyclones' all-time assists leader (she's fourth in Big XII history). Medders is excellent at getting to the paint and finding her teammates, though she is not a great finisher (shooting just 35% on two-point attempts as a senior). Medders does have three-point range, but more athletic defenders may cause problems for Medders.
| CHRISSY GIVENS |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 5-11
College: Middle Tennessee State
The skinny: Givens led the Blue Raiders to 27 straight wins before their season came to a surprising end Monday at the hands of a Cinderella Marist squad. Givens emerged out of Sun Belt obscurity as a junior, averaging 21.5 points per game. She was even better as a senior, posting 22.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals per game. Givens earned the prestigious honor of being named ESPN the Magazine's Academic All-American of the Year, an honor previously accorded to players including Ruth Riley and Stacey Dales. Givens has proven herself in matchups against tougher competition and is ready for the WNBA.
| DEE DAVIS |
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WNBA.com profileThe measurements: 5-7
College: Vanderbilt
The skinny: A mighty mite, Davis is as quick as anyone this side of Latta. Like Medders, she's more of a set-up point guard than a scoring type, peaking at 13.3 points per game as a sophomore (when Vanderbilt won two games at Hec Edmunson Pavilion to advance to the Sweet Sixteen). Davis handed out 6.8 assists per game as a junior and 5.5 per game as a senior. At this level, Davis' size and lack of three-point range will work against her, but Davis has shown the heart to overcome those weaknesses.
| OTHER POINT GUARD PROSPECTS |
Kiera Hardy, Nebraska - A repeat choice for First Team All-Big XII, Hardy is a shooting guard in a point guard's body.Renee Taylor, Miami - The ACC's leading scorer at 18.8 ppg, Taylor would become the WNBA's shortest player at 5-2 if she sticks.Stephanie Raymond, Northern Illinois - MAC Player of the year can score and pass.