At the beginning of the 2014 women’s college basketball season there was uncertainty regarding who would be the top prospect in the 2015 WNBA Draft. The University of Tennessee’s Isabelle Harrison was one of the names in the mix of that conversation after a productive 2013-2014 season on Rocky Top.

But an ACL injury ended her senior season during Southeastern Conference play and her draft status was suddenly up in the air. Fast forward to Thursday night’s WNBA Draft at Mohegan Sun Arena and Harrison found herself a new place to call home.

The defending champion Phoenix Mercury selected Harrison with the No. 12 pick, despite knowing she will sit out the entire 2015 season rehabbing from her injury.

“I was just sitting here and thinking about all of the possibilities that could come for me,” Harrison said, “and for Phoenix to choose me and to come to that defending champion team, it says a lot.”

When Harrison, a 6-foot-3 center, returns to the court she’ll have the opportunity to go toe-to-toe with center Brittney Griner in practice, a challenge that is sure to only help as she continues to develop her game.

“I’m going to love it,” Harrison said. “I saw Brittney [Griner] playing a lot in college and I got to play against her. And just the physicality and the energy and aggressiveness that she brings to Phoenix, I’m going into it with open ears.”

She’ll have a year to learn the ropes of the WNBA game and study under the reigning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in Griner. Harrison says that’s something she’s focused on doing during her time away from the game.

“I’m going to continue to be a defensive threat on the court,” Harrison said. “I’ve always been that since I came to Tennessee, and that’s what they teach you. I also want to work on my offensive game. Just stepping out more and extending my range.”
She says she’s looking forward to her new home in Phoenix and plans to come in and do whatever is asked of her by the coaching staff.