A Winner�s Guide to the WNBA Fantasy Challenge

It is Finals Week on the beautiful campus of Maryville University of Saint Louis. I wanted to take a study break to give you a glance at my notes for the 2005 WNBA season.

The 2004 season was undoubtedly very special for me. I was able to beat out incredibly knowledgeable competition to win Virtual GM and earn a trip to Game 2 of the Finals in Seattle. This season looks to build on that excitement. I will retire as the last Virtual GM winner and help introduce the new Triple Threat Fantasy Challenge. More importantly, I will spend the summer in Charlotte, supporting the Sting as an intern.

Fantasy winner Beth Coppin at the 2004 WNBA Finals

The 2004 Draft Class came into the league with great potential. The presence of Diana Taurasi alone creates such high expectations. That potential quickly grew into results. Taurasi brought her winning swagger to Phoenix. Alana Beard was ready to take over the Mystics by the end of the season. Lindsay Whalen helped take the Sun to the Finals with her aggressive guard play. Nicole Ohlde had a strong debut and will benefit from a full, continuous season with the extraordinary Katie Smith. These players have finally gotten a chance to rest a bit in the off-season while their teams looked to increase their surrounding cast. I do not expect many sophomore slumps.

While lacking as many marquee names, the Class of 2005 contains notable talent. As a reminder of the league's journey, this class has dreamt of playing in the WNBA since the beginning of high school. At that time, it would have been hard to believe that trading a 7'2" player for one at 6'8" was not the most surprising off-season move. Here are three impressive rookies to watch:

Janel McCarville had to carry the Minnesota Gophers this season, leading most of their statistical categories. In the WNBA, McCarville will have the opportunity to learn from Tangela Smith and Tammy Sutton-Brown. While she will need time to adjust to the speed of the pro level, McCarville can already handle the physical post play. One of my favorite #50s from UConn has shown that rookies can do exceedingly well in Charlotte.

Kendra Wecker is an amazing athlete. Her strength and timing allow her positioning to pull down tough rebounds. Katie Feenstra's size will draw the attention of the defense in the paint, allowing Wecker to sneak in near the basket. As a Mizzou fan, I am glad that Wecker will no longer be able to take over a game for K-State.

Dionnah Jackson went to a conference rival of my high school. After taking on my beloved Marquette High School, she then had the nerve to challenge the favored UConn in the 2002 Final Four. While she always seems to be on the opposing team, I wish the best for the talented Jackson. This is certainly true as she once again learns from fellow St. Louisan Niele Ivey as they both get a fresh start in Detroit.

There is a youth movement in the league; however, do not overlook the over-24 crowd of the WNBA. Lisa Leslie has been one of the best players in the world for the past decade and still stays dedicated to improving her game and herself every year. An early exit from the 2004 Playoffs will help Leslie keep that motivation. Tamika Catchings never gives up. Although Indiana had already been bumped from making the Playoffs, Catchings sent me to Seattle with her incredible play in the Fever's last game. Before injury shortened her season, Katie Smith also had a great impact on my rise through the rankings.

Hopefully, my "expert" advice is useful. The most important thing of any WNBA fantasy game is to have fun. Try not to get so wrapped up in the statistics that you miss the excitement of basketball. Some of the best players in the WNBA may not be the best fantasy players. For example, Dawn Staley makes her entire team better with her leadership and passion, but that may not be revealed by a mere box score.

I want to be sure to wish an especially happy Mother's Day to my favorite mom, the lovely Vicki Coppin. Good luck to everyone, and see you at the Charlotte Coliseum!