Be interesting to see what Caitlin Clark does. Probably making better coin staying in college from what I understand.

How much does she make in college? I didn't know they get paid there. and how much would she make in WNBA? Not as much?

College gets N.I.L. payments from what I understand.

I don't really buy that theory.
I can see how it could make sense for someone who is a big deal in college but unlikely to be a star at WNBA level, but Clark is on the trajectory to earn a max WNBA salary, potentially even bigger bucks overseas (if she wants them), and there's no reason why her endorsements as a pro would need to bring in any less for her than her current NIL deals.
There are other perfectly good reasons to stay in college another year of course. I just doubt it would be the more financially lucrative option for her.

Will she wait to decide who gets the number 1 pick before nominating for the draft? Apparently Golden State have a team next year, so maybe wants to be the face of that franchise? Otherwise, goes to Indiania probably and thats a small market.

She can wait until just a few days before the draft before making her decision, so yes if she decides that for example Indianapolis is not for her then she can factor that in.

Indiana basketball a small market ? basketball is huge there

Indy is consistently at the bottom end of WNBA attendances, in a league where 8 out of 12 teams make the playoffs the Fever have managed to fail 7 seasons in a row, financially the franchise has been a perennial struggler, and Indianapolis as a city is not generally considered a primo destination for its weather or attractions or culture or anything for most people.
Not exactly top spot on the list for people wanting to maximise their marketability I'd wager - especially not when LA is one of the other possibilities.

But hey, maybe she's loving Iowa and wants to keep those same rural vibes going for her pro career. Indy would be a good fit in that case. Depends what she is after. It's also a team in need of a hero. She could be the player to help lift them back to relevance again. That might be appealing for her, who knows.

The speculation can go up a notch once we actually know the draft order on Monday.

It's nice for her that she has the option when it comes to declaring. That is something most players don't traditionally get. One of the few silver linings of Covid.

1. Indiana
2. LA
3. Phoenix
4. Seattle

Rest of round 1 atm:
5. Dallas
6. Washington
7. Minnesota
8. Atlanta
9. Dallas
10. Connecticut
11. NY
12. LA

I'm tipping Borlase to NY Liberty at #11

Seems like a good fit, Sandy as coach who has already spoken glowingly of her talent. Also, their team is loaded so no pressure to make the move for another 1-2 years where she can develop in Australia.

I dunno about that one, Sandy probably after a pg.

CVS isn't getting any younger so yeah I think she probably is too. Although in the past she has been more of a trader than a drafter when it comes to her main needs.

But there's so much free agency water (and college performances water, and draft nominations water) to go under the bridge before the draft, so it's hard to make any kind of quality guesses at the moment about who picks who.

borlase currently at 12 to LA

It's obviously still way too early to be accurate, but I find them interesting to track so here's a collection of recent 1st round mocks that Todd Roman (@TBRBWAY on Twitter) has recently compiled:

Good to see 3 from down under, Borlase not making any top 12 currently is wild.

We will definitely see 3 Aussies get drafted and 1 kiwi. If Shelley continues playing well, she'll make it too.

I agree that Shelley is on track as well. 4 aussies would be a great result.

Even the day before the draft the draft order predictions for foreign players can be very random. So 5 months out I wouldn't read too much into them at all. (The predictions for the US players still have more fluctuations to come as well, I'm sure)
Foreigners also always get marked downward due to being less reliable with showing up / having national team commitments, and that is fair enough.

I know it's more prestigious to be drafted higher up, but I'm never bothered when an aussie gets picked "too low", as long as they still get picked. I actually kinda like it. Less pressure, and it's nice for the team when their selection "overachieves" even though we knew all along what the player was capable of.

ESPN's latest mock draft has 3 aussies in the 1st round


1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark | Iowa | point guard | 6-foot-0 | senior
2. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink | Stanford | power forward | 6-foot-4 | senior
3. Phoenix Mercury: Paige Bueckers | UConn | point guard | 6-foot-0 | junior
4. Seattle Storm: Kamilla Cardoso | South Carolina | center | 6-foot-7 | senior
5. Dallas Wings: Rickea Jackson | Tennessee | power forward | 6-foot-2 | senior
6. Washington Mystics: Aaliyah Edwards | UConn | power forward | 6-foot-3 | senior
7. Minnesota Lynx: Alissa Pili | Utah | power forward | 6-foot-2 | senior
8. Atlanta Dream: Angel Reese | LSU | power forward | 6-foot-3 | senior
9. Dallas Wings: Georgia Amoore | Virginia Tech | point guard | 5-foot-6 | senior
10. Connecticut Sun: Nyadiew Puoch | Australia | small forward | 6-foot-3
11. New York Liberty: Charisma Osborne | UCLA | shooting guard | 5-foot-9 | senior
12. Los Angeles Sparks: Isobel Borlase | Australia | shooting guard | 5-foot-11



Link

Noticed Washington GM Thibault at the Flyers game last week, sitting on the baseline, checking out Puoch?

Most likely. He loves a scouting trip down under.

Free agency is underway.

First move involving an aussie is a cool one. Fleur McIntyre -> Phoenix Mercury.

We have US execs flying down under to watch Puoch, and yet she is languishing on the bench. Not sure what the go is their between Puoch and Chambers.

It's not good for Puoch, the club or the league.

Chambers as a development coach= not good. Myself and others have said numerous times that Puoch and Loughridge would be better off going somewhere else and not staying home. Look what happened to Reid's career when she left.

that is a good draft year - some talent there

^ Yes - potentially a strong draft class, though the Covid option to stay in college still applies so it remains to be seen how many eligible players actually end up nominating

Re. Puoch, I guess the silver lining is that she'd be a draft-and-stash player either way, but yes this WNBL season has probably hurt her draft position. Not that position really means a huge amount anyway in the WNBA.

"Not good for Puoch, the club, or the league."

Did anyone stop and think that maybe it's not a coincidence that Southside have started winning and playing much better since Puoch got benched and slashed her minutes.

Being long and athletic doesn’t always equal being good. Perhaps she should earn her minutes, she doesn’t play any defence, she’s a below average shooter and she can’t go left if her life depended on it. Huge upside don’t get me wrong, but she’s got a long, long way to go.

Agree that she has been overhyped and I hope it doesn't impact her draft/stash/camp experience. Hopefully the scouts have got look at players who could be worthy of a training camp contract if interested (Atwell? Can’t forget she made a roster last year) and also a prospect for the future (Jayda Clark is certainly holding her own as a true rookie in limited minutes).

Alanna Smith to Minnesota on a 2 year deal.

And a couple of clubs (Liberty and Mystics) in talks with Didi Richards apparently (might explain her jump in WNBL form over the past few weeks?!).

Amoore finding some form again. 2 good games in a row from her.

Watched Amoore turn Georgia Woolley inside out about 20 times in their game against Syracuse , way to fast for her .

I don't think she is WNBA ( maybe get drafted and stashed or drafted and cut) but has to be nearly the best prospect coming back for WNBL next year. Would be a great fit in a team like Perth.

She's a star college senior projected to be picked in the 1st round by most, so I doubt anyone is drafting her to stash her away.

Will she stick? Her size is against her for sure. 1st round picks don't tend to get cut in year 1 though so hopefully she is drafted early and gets every chance to succeed.

And yeah I agree her game suits the Lynx style perfectly. Make that happen, Ryan!

Amoore unlikely to be stashed but Puoch almost definitely will be. As others have said too raw.

Georgia having a great season, Australia now has a decent stock of point guards. Reid, Amoore, Melbourne, Wallace - all can play the 1 and offer something different. Going to be interesting how things all shape up around LA28.

I think Smith will be a good fit on the Lynx, pleased she signed there, any news on what Allen is doing?

I chuckled seeing this bit of transaction news:

"Dec 11

The Minnesota Lynx renounced their rights to Kelsey Griffin."

LV have said goodbye & thank you to Cayla George


A flurry of non-Aussie transactions happening, the biggest so far being Diggins-Smith signing with Seattle

https://www.wnba.com/players/transactions

Diggins-Smith to Seattle is huge! Great signing

Bec Allen to Phoenix (for Mo Jefferson), and apparently Mercury are a preferred destination for Delle Donne as well.
That makes for a lot of veterans with higher than average injury risk that Phoenix will be relying on.

Yes, Phoenix will be a flip of the coin on whether they have injury issues, roster looks good on paper but Delle Donne and Taurasi miss multiple games every year.
I love the addition of Cloud, arguably the best two way player in the league.

PG - Cloud
SG - Taurasi
SF - Allen
PF - Delle Donne
C - Griner

3 elite defensive players in Cloud, Allen and Griner

Any rumours on if another WNBA will recruit Cayla George since the Aces have let her go? I hope so! Also suprised they did not re-sign her after her finals performance, was outstanding.

At 34 years old I'd be very surprised if anyone was interested in signing her.

Amy Atwell has signed a training camp contract with Phoenix :)

Hope Atwell can keep on her feet at the WNBA Trials , has become the biggest offensive flopper this season.

If you're referring to her not keeping her feet on tightly contested 3 point attempts, some would call it flopping, others would call it avoiding injury by not landing on the feet of over zealous defenders who take away her landing space.

Bueckers made it official today that she's returning to UConn next season.

Trying to be #1

New ESPN mock


1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark
2. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink
3. Chicago Sky: Rickea Jackson
4. Los Angeles Sparks: Kamilla Cardoso
5. Dallas Wings: Aaliyah Edwards
6. Washington Mystics: Angel Reese
7. Minnesota Lynx: Nyadiew Puoch
8. Chicago Sky: Alissa Pili
9. Dallas Wings: Georgia Amoore
10. Connecticut Sun: Jacy Sheldon
11. New York Liberty: Charisma Osborne
12. Atlanta Dream: Elizabeth Kitley

Amoore's season just keeps getting better, she should have a lot of attention towards her next month. Really curious how she'll eventually work out at pro level. Something like Steph Reid hustle with Whitcomb like shooting.

At Jaz Shelley's Nebraska they're currently embroiled in a coach/ex-player scandal. Big yikes there.

https://journalstar.com/sports/huskers/womens-basketball/former-nebraska-womens-basketball-player-accuses-ex-coach-of-grooming-her-into-sexual-relationship/article_44239351-929d-5abc-8cfe-019a78d07679.html

https://www.beyondwomenssports.com/wnba-mock-draft-2-0-before-the-madness/

This mock lists
Puoch - 9
Borlase - 13
Amoore - 17
Shelley - 19
Loughridge - 29

That'd be quite the draft for Aussies

On the NBL1 Central podcast they mentioned Ally Wilson has a training camp position with a WNBA side.

A couple more recent mock drafts

WINSIDR: (2 people making picks)
1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark / Caitlin Clark
2. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink / Cameron Brink
3. Chicago Sky: Rickea Jackson / Rickea Jackson
4. Los Angeles Sparks: Kamilla Cardoso, Alissa Pili
5. Dallas Wings: Jacy Sheldon / Alissa Pili
6. Washington Mystics: Georgia Amoore / Aaliyah Edwards
7. Minnesota Lynx: Taiyanna Jackson / Aaliyah Edwards
8. Chicago Sky: Jacy Sheldon / Kamilla Cardoso
9. Dallas Wings: Georgia Amoore / Charisma Osborne
10. Connecticut Sun: Angel Reese / Angel Reese
11. New York Liberty: Elizabeth Kitley / Elizabeth Kitley
12. Atlanta Dream: Taiyanna Jackson / Charisma Osborne

https://winsidr.com/2024/03/2024-wnba-mock-draft-2-0/



THE ATHLETIC:
1. Caitlin Clark
2. Cameron Brink
3. Rickea Jackson
4. Kamilla Cardoso
5. Georgia Amoore
6. Leila Lacan
7. Aaliyah Edwards
8. Angel Reese
9. Jacy Sheldon
10. Alissa Pili
11. Nyadiew Puoch
12. Charisma Osborne

https://theathletic.com/5353663/2024/03/20/wnba-mock-draft-angel-reese-caitlin-clark-ncaa-tournament/

The draft is less than three weeks away, taking place April 15 in Brooklyn, N.Y., just eight days after the national championship. In anticipation of the event, eight WNBA general managers shared their candid opinions about the upcoming draft class with The Athletic before the NCAA Tournament. They were granted anonymity to allow them to speak openly.

Georgia Amoore
5-foot-6 guard
Virginia Tech
18.8 points per game (ppg), 6.8 assists per game (apg), 33.5 3-pt field goal percentage (3-pt fg%), 85.9 free-throw percentage (ft%)

• "I think most people will be willing to take on Amoore because she has a clear position of a one. Worst-case scenario, they may be able to turn her into a backup one, and being able to cement that position isn't anything small in this league. A backup one who can stretch the floor is a nice piece to add to your team. She may be the safest pick of all of (Jacy Sheldon, Jaylyn Sherrod and Hailey Van Lith)."

• “Amoore’s question is size. The question is can she do some of the same things offensively in college that she would need to do in the pros? Because length bothers her on some of her pick-and-rolls. I think she knows how to run a team extremely well.”

• “She’s got that ability that I think the highest-level point guards have, where they know not just who needs the ball, it’s how to manipulate the defense to get them the ball in their best situations to be successful, and the best timing.”

Isobel Borlase
5-11 guard
Adelaide Lightning (WNBL, Australia)
15.6 ppg, 4.7 rebounds per game (rpg), 2.5 apg, 1.8 steals per game (spg)

• “Borlase has a game that’s suited for Australia. I don’t know if it translates to our game.”

• “I think she does a really good job creating for herself. She can score in some ways that show that she has what I call the international maturity. You can tell that she’s been playing professional basketball. ... From what I’ve seen, I think that she could easily be in the first round.”

Nyadiew Puoch
6-3 forward
Southside Flyers (WNBL)
6.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.0 apg, 18.3 mpg

"She's probably a year away from really having an impact in the W, but obviously she’s a talent teams are going to be looking to grab depending on how their roster looks now, and what it looks like in the future. I think she’s more of a four-three at her size, her length, her skill set, she can kind of do a little bit of everything. Her thing is going to be getting experience and getting stronger.

Amoore enters transfer portal

https://sports.yahoo.com/virginia-tech-guard-georgia-amoore-enters-transfer-portal-after-four-seasons-214353677.html

New Mock out via ESPN.

1-Clark
2-Brink
3-Jackson
4-Cardoso(Brazil)
5-Edwards(Canada)
6-Sheldon
7-Reese
8-Borlase(Australia)
9-Pili
10-Fair
11-Osborne
12-Puoch(Australia)

Fair drop for Puoch. Not sure if it's the pressure/distraction of the upcoming draft or something else, but she had a pretty underwhelming WNBL campaign and didn't look close to WNBA calibre in her NBL1 season opener tonight.

Nah, disagree. She's always been a draft and stash move, so where she lands in these mocks is just an indicator of how much interest there is from teams. I think it's a good sign for both players they're still seen as first rounders.

On the NZ side, Leger-Walker was a predicted selection even with her injury but is going back to college. Charlotte Whittaker (Colorado) has also nominated (very low chance).

Amoore -> Kentucky is official

^ Also following them to UK are Clara Strack, and (aussie) Amelia Hassett

Silva next

I don't think it's a good choice but she'll do well. Risk of injury with any sport but shouldn't do her draft chances any harm. 2025 looks just as strong as this year and is the last extra year for college players (covid was how long ago now? wow).

Hassett to a top conference shows you how poor the scouting is in Australia. Could not even make the second stage jnr n.t camps.
Bigs are much needed in the Australia system and yet another player in 6'6 Davis who got passed over in wa is set to join a high level D1 program and has been lost to the kiwis.

Some recent mock drafts I came across


CBS

1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark - G Iowa
2. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink – C, Stanford
3. Chicago Sky: Rickea Jackson – F, Tennessee
4. Los Angeles Sparks: Kamilla Cardoso – C, South Carolina
5. Dallas Wings: Jacy Sheldon – G, Ohio State
6. Washington Mystics: Aaliyah Edwards – F, UConn
7. Minnesota Lynx: Angel Reese – C, LSU
8. Chicago Sky: Nyadiew Puoch – F, Australia
9. Dallas Wings: Isobel Borlase – G, Australia
10. Connecticut Sun: Alissa Pili – F, Utah
11. New York Liberty: Charisma Osborne – G, UCLA
12. Atlanta Dream: Nika Muhl – G, UConn


The Sporting News

1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark, Iowa
2. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink, Stanford
3. Chicago Sky (from Phoenix): Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
4. Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle): Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
5. Dallas Wings (from Chicago): Aaliyah Edwards, Connecticut
6. Washington Mystics: Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State
7. Minnesota Lynx: Angel Reese, LSU
8. Chicago Sky (from Atlanta, via Los Angeles): Nyadiew Puoch, Southside Flyers (Australia)
9. Dallas Wings: Isobel Borlase, Adelaide Lightning (Australia)
10. Connecticut Sun: Alissa Pili, Utah
11. New York Liberty: Charisma Osborne, UCLA
12. Atlanta Dream (from Las Vegas, via Los Angeles): Leïla Lacan, Angers (France)


Tankathon

1 IND Caitlin Clark
2 LA Cameron Brink
3 CHI Rickea Jackson
4 LA Kamilla Cardoso
5 DAL Aaliyah Edwards
6 WSH Angel Reese
7 MIN Jacy Sheldon
8 CHI Alissa Pili
9 DAL Charisma Osborne
10 CON Nyadiew Puoch
11 NY Elizabeth Kitley
12 ATL Taiyanna Jackson

thanks Luuuc, not long to wait now

https://www.beyondwomenssports.com/wnba-mock-draft-3-0-final-edition/#google_vignette

Puoch at 6 to Washington Mystics
Borlase at 11 to NY Liberty

Feel like it should be the reverse. Shelley also listen at 21. Likely the only one to go straight to a training camp, though if Brondello does draft Borlase may increase her chances given she was in the Brazil Opals already.

So much variation- the latest one on ESPN has Borlase at 7 (1 ahead of Angel Reese) and Puoch at 13 (1st pick of second round), and Shelley at 17.

https://www.espn.com.au/wnba/story/_/id/39912308/wnba-mock-draft-2024-clark-iowa-angel-reese-kamilla-cardoso

Yeah I think it's quite an open draft and the "draft n stash" players have a role in that, it's all about a team weighing up the now vs future. Mock drafts are now in the "itk" week where people have talked to teams more so have better goss of what theyre doing. I think top 2 are locks obviously, 3 and 4 it just depends on order and really it's Dallas at 5 that will make things interesting, they'll shape the rest of draft.

15 to attend the lottery.

Clark
Brink
Jackson
Cardoso
Reese
Davis
Edwards
Fair
Kitley
Muhl
Osborne
Pili
Sheldon
Taylor
Puoch ... <

WNBA.com 2024 Draft Page

it's a very good draft year - wouldn't be surprised if no aussies get drafted and wouldn't be surprised if 2 or 3 do - I'm starting to doubt if we will have any first rounders

Mate, Borlase and Puoch are locks. Puoch is invited to their show which is basically all the top talent. Shelley close to a 2/3rd Rd lock as it comes too.

It's not the draft that's the challenge, it's making the final roster from training camp.

Shelley drafted but unlikely to play a wnba game.
Borlase and Puoch picked 7 to 15. then probably both stashed, or just 1.

Not alot of room on current rosters to push established players out.

Exactly.
Only 12 teams in the league (thank goodness expansion is about to start) with only 11 or 12 players per team, just doesn't leave room for a heap of new blood.
And even when people talk about strong vs weak draft classes, that is typically only referring to the first round.

It's pretty nicely set up for Sandy to pick an aussie

Puoch is selected at #12 by Atlanta

Borlase is selected at #20 - also by Atlanta

Jaz Shelley taken at #29 by Phoenix

Now the work begins...

Would not surprise is none of the three play in the WNBA this season, but are gearing towards 2025 and beyond.

Caitlin Clark - so classy, stylish and well presented - whoever her advisor / manager is - great work. Brink - wow, just wow. So many stylish players - just lifted the bar on drafts - well spoken - definitely on teh up.

Some odd picks I reckon, too early.

Leite 9
Lacan 10
Maxwell 13
Martinez 17
Martin 18
Truong 21


Some steals later in the draft imo

Borlase 20
Pueyo 22
Kitley 24
Correa 27

Yeah I was surprised Kitley fell so far.
For many teams, her being unavailable this year would be a plus rather than a minus (as evidenced by all the other stash type picks that were made).

Kitley was waaaay too low. Steal IMO.

People saying no drafted Aussie will play this season.

Also, 2025 draft Amoore slipped to second round.

Shelley could be one of those players a victim of not enough teams in the league. Attend training camp and then getting cut.

Did teams get put off by the medical of Borlase? Weird how she dropped so far. To my knowledge, she's not even playing NBL1 and placing an emphasis on letting her back injury heal, something she has managed over the past 12 months.

The earliest she will be in the league is 2025, maybe 2026 and at 19 this is a smart decision.

Hope Puoch does the same but she may attend training camp considering she attended the draft in person.

Kitley - great get for Aces.
Let her rehab and then learn from Wilson. Nice option coming off the bench in 20025

No Leger-walker picked up, injury cost her no doubt.


Amoore next year.
Might be a while before we see another Australian drafted.

Best chance probably
Clark (05)(2025), maybe Woolley(02), both late 3rd.
Shiels(06)(2026), needs to massively improve on defense.
(07)(2027)-depends on wnbl or ncaa pathway. Somfais stock I think will go down, Halls up.

Atlanta currently

Canada / Durr / Villa*
Gray / Powers / Borlase*
Howard / Jones / Puoch*
Coffey / Amihere / Hillmon / Cave*
Charles / Parker / Cubaj*

*unlikely

Leger-Walker is in the transfer portal, she didn't nominate for the draft.

I think the draft worked out okay for the Aussies. Atlanta stashing all their picks, gives us another year of Puoch and Borlase here. The former definitely needs the game time opportunity and the latter time to heal?

Agreed. It worked out well.
And while the chances of pick #29 ending up on a roster are generally infinitesimal, the one team it might just happen with is Phoenix.

The next important step is getting Puoch to a WNBL team that will actually help her career instead of stifling it.

Not gonna be on the team this year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZnzgHLd4Ns

Way-too-early 2025 mock

https://theathletic.com/5421511/2024/04/17/paige-bueckers-uconn-2025-wnba-draft-big-board/

1. Paige Bueckers | 5-11 guard | Connecticut
2. Kiki Iriafen | 6-3 forward | Stanford (transfer portal)
3. Sonia Citron | 6-1 guard | Notre Dame
4. Georgia Amoore | 5-6 guard | Kentucky
5. Ayoka Lee | 6-6 center | Kansas State
6. Maddy Westbeld | 6-3 forward | Notre Dame
7. Aneesah Morrow | 6-1 forward | LSU
8. Olivia Miles | 5-10 guard | Notre Dame*
9. Te-Hina Paopao | 5-9 guard | South Carolina
10. Azzi Fudd | 5-11 guard | UConn*
11. Serena Sundell | 6-1 guard | Kansas State
12. Rayah Marshall | 6-4 forward/center | USC
13. Emily Ryan | 5-11 guard | Iowa State
14. Charlisse Leger-Walker | 5-10 guard | (Washington State) transfer portal
15. Aicha Coulibaly | 6-0 guard | Texas A&M
16. Gianna Kneepkens | 5-11 guard | Utah*
17. Rori Harmon | 5-6 guard | Texas
18. Raven Johnson | 5-8 guard | South Carolina*
19. Shyanne Sellers | 6-2 guard | Maryland
20. Saniya Rivers | 6-1 guard | NC State
21. Alyssa Ustby | 6-1 forward | North Carolina
22. Aubrey Griffin | 6-1 forward | Connecticut
23. Aaliyah Nye | 6-0 guard | Alabama
24. Madison Scott | 6-1 forward | Ole Miss

Another has Amoore as a late 2nd Rd pick (24)

https://www.beyondwomenssports.com/2025-wnba-mock-draft-the-way-too-early-edition/

24 is way too low for Amoore.

Candace Parker has announced her retirement
https://www.instagram.com/p/C6UEFJ8xWcW/

Pre-season has tipped off. #22's first attempt is up and it's in.

Her second one nearly had me out of my seat!

really entertaining game all round. Not surprised by Clarke, but was a little surprised by how well Jacy Sheldon is doing, wasn't expecting that.

Better than I expected for a first up preseason game.
I'm a sucker for a Euro in the W so I have enjoyed Uzun's work, but yeah good to see Sheldon looking relatively comfortable at this level.
CC sitting with 4 fouls in the 3rd quarter was a good welcome to the WNBA moment. 2 ast to 5 t/o is also an early reminder that it takes 2 people to create an assist. A good pass is only half of the equation. Meanwhile it only takes one person to drop a long 3 ;)

I was a bit worried Wallace might get waived given her run of injuries and their glut of guards, but I'm less worried after seeing her out there today. Seemed to be moving pretty well and I think she should be a good fit alongside Clark, Wheezy, and Mitchell.

Atwell & Shelley both logged ~ 14 minutes in today's preseason loss to Seattle.

For Seattle, Melbourne DNP - concussion protocols. Ezi's 17 minutes included 3 blocks.

Looks like it was a share-the-minutes-around type of game for both teams, with loads of players seeing court time.

How did they look Luuuc? Out of their depth or no?

Luuuc - does Nika Muhl push Jade Melbourne further down the Seattle guard rotation?

Lloyd
Diggins-Smith
Vivians
Muhl
Whitcomb

Melbourne

Yeah, for sure. Seattle's backcourt situation was already looking crammed even before Muhl entered the equation.
There are going to be a number of guards competing for the scraps of Loyd & Diggins-Smith.
To add to their roster dilemmas they also have a tight salary cap situation to navigate as well. Thay might cost a guard a spot, but either way it's hard to see Melbourne's minutes going up this season.
She's still 21 of course so that's really no big deal. Just challenging for us as fans to stay patient!

How did they look Luuuc? Out of their depth or no?

While the WNBL is imploding, the WNBA is going from strength to strength.
The other day the commissioner put charter flights on the agenda for this season, and now it looks like they're also getting a 2nd expansion team - Toronto - who will join in 2026.

Toronto awarded WNBA expansion team to begin play in 2026

Wallace safe with a contract extension.

Mercury's fringe group got some late minutes in today's game. Shelley's were exclusively at the 2 guard spot, and unfortunately she didn't do much with them. Not looking good for her.

Atwell's 15 minutes produced 8 pts including 2/5 3P. I feel like she's still a chance.

Think atwell might just make it. Shelley doubtful.
The other young guards are very raw, might need another year.


Sutton
Cloud
Taurasi
0-1 of Williams or Hearn or Osborne or Shelley
1 or 2 of Atwell or Harrigan
Copper
Cunningham
Allen
1 or 2 of Muraketete or Mack or Bertsch or Hollingshead
Griner

Jade Melbourne traded from Seattle to Washington.
Probably not a bad thing development-wise as going from a 'win now' team where minutes would've been limited to a younger/rebuilding team where they will be more likely to let her play through mistakes.

Back with sykes.

Love this trade for Melbourne

Atwell and Shelley waived , interesting to see if they come back for WNBL or head to Europe for the $$$$.

Atwell and Shelley both waived by Phoenix.

Jade Melbourne traded to Washington

Love this trade for Melbourne

I was expecting Jade to be comfortably safe but I guess they want to get more minutes into Muhl, at least she landed somewhere decent. To be expected with Shelley and Atwell, but still a brutal part of the season. Selfishly want them back here but better for career to land in Europe.

Mühl has the commercial value and the D which jade did not bring. Even if Mühl is used very little it's a seattle win.
Still got Diggins-Smith, Loyd, Whitcomb so they still have depth.

There'd still have been a spot for her. Its Kiana Williams that most likely takes that last guard spot at Seattle now.

Opening day rosters to be set tomorrow (US time)

How come Muhl has commercial value?

"How come Muhl has commercial value?"

Because she played at UCONN and may people people believe that she is the re incarnation of Sue Bird.

And she is very good as well.

Opening night rosters are locked in

Indiana: Wallace
Los Angeles: Talbot
Minnesota: Smith
Phoenix: Allen
Seattle: Magbegor, Whitcomb
Washington: Melbourne

-13/36 draftees made a 2024 opening day #WNBA roster.
-10 draftees are having their rights retained by the team that drafted them.
-13 draftees were waived

via Women's Hoops Network

Alanna Smith great first game for her new team. 22 pts (8/15 inc. 3/5 3P), 8 boards, 2 assists & 4 blocks in the win.

Solid games also from Magbegor (as always) & Bec Allen starting for Phoenix and playing a few of her 33 minutes backing up the 5 spot with Griner out injured.

Smith better in a wnba uniform than for the opals. Was all over Ezi today.

1 year contract extension for Ezi at the max possible amount, taking her through to the end of next season, which is when the current CBA expires. Things are going to get very interesting in the league at that point in time.

The Caitlin Clark effect showing no signs of slowing down.

Mystics moved their home game vs Indiana from their usual (4.2k capacity) stadium to a bigger one, and the result was > 20k in attendance.
Largest WNBA crowd in > 15 years.

CC put up 30 (and 8 boards, 6 assists, 4 steals) in a narrow win.
Huge night for the league.
Cam Brink also had her first WNBA double-double today.

Ezi 14p 15r 5a 3b as Seattle took down the Aces.

Bec Allen returned from concussion to help the Mercury knock off the Lynx (Smith again played well - she's having a great season - but struggled a bit with fouls in this game)

Glad we're still getting good CC news after all the bs last week. Just let them all play and focus on the basketball.

Smith being the second best Aussie in the WNBA is huge growth post WC 22 omission. I think looking at it for the Opals, it could set them up for a few years of both being flexible enough to play and start at the 4/5. Probably need a decent big as backup, Scherf or Aukoso probably.

Should be the end of Jackson, Tolo, George, Madgen, Whitcomb post Olympics. 2026 is next WC...
Agree that Aokuso and/or Scherf are the likely replacement bigs, coming off the bench for 10 minutes.


Going forward, 2025 locks probably
Melbourne PG
Swain SG/PG
Wallace SG/PG
Borlase SG
Talbot SF/SG
Allen SF/PF
Smith C/PF
Magbegor C/PF
Aokuso C
Scherf C

Whoever shines from…
Reid
Amoore
Heal
Rocci
Hall
Shelley
Deas
Goodchild
Clark
Nicholson
Atwell
Shiels
Potter
Sharp
Bibby
Maley
Kunek
Horvat
Blicavs
Puoch
Froling
Bourne
Somfai
Garbin
Mckay
Juffermans
Someone else?

I would add Brazel into that list. 6ft PG, smart, great skills, defends and shoots the p#$% out of it.

WNBA averages
Points / Rebounds / Assists

Magbegor 14-9-2 - also league leader in blocks, 3pg.
Smith 13-5-3
Allen 6-4-1
Wallace 6-3-2
Whitcomb 5-2-2
Melbourne 5-2-1
Talbot 1-1-2

Sun's season has started really well. They're forcing themselves into the conversation when everyone said it was still a two horse race. Aces slow start but still expect them to reach the final, yeah? Also enjoying the Lynx this season, really good vibes (and I'll always enjoying Williams lighting it up on a team I follow).

Melbourne was great today, probably solidifies her spot in the opals doing it infront of Sandy.

"Melbourne was great today, probably solidifies her spot in the opals doing it infront of Sandy."

Thanks for coming ==== > Heal , Rocci , Reid , Amoore


Trip to Japan for shits and giggles , team is picked , was months ago the only contentious issue was if Jackson would go and would BA pay for her kids to travel on their Dollar .

From 30 secs in, Sandy was very impressed...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzjNDFZOJDE


Team now probably

Whitcomb / Wallace / Melbourne
Borlase / Madgen
Allen / Talbot
Magbegor / George / Smith
Tolo / Jackson

Madgen probably a wasted spot along with George looking at the others world rosters.


USA not as strong as it could be.
Clark > Ionescu
Ogbunmawale > Taurasi
Hamby a pf over plum a pg.
Rest is good.

Some Jade Melbourne love:

21-year-old Jade Melbourne is a quick study for Washington Mystics

Cameron Brink tears ACL - Cameron was really getting it done and was like a supermodel in the media - appeared to be really handling the transition to professional basketball well. Looks like it's all on hold for 12 months now.

Means she also misses out on going to the Olympics, as she was in the 3x3 team (Rhyne Howard also in doubt for the team as she sustained an ankle injury the other day). All going to plan I expect she'll be in the actual Team USA squad by next Olympics.

Some good outputs from Jade Melbounre, Alanna Smith and Bec Allen of late. Then add in all the WNBA players who have played at least a season in Aus and it makes for excellent watching!

Remiss of me to not acknowledge Steog Takbits stat line for today! All the Aussies playing well in front of sandy!

Yeah, LA has barely let Talbot play all season, and out of nowhere she gets 30 minutes, 11 pts @ 80%, 8 boards, 7 assists, 2 steals, and goes +12 in a losing effort.
The playing-in-front-of-Brondello effect is going very well for the other aussies so far this season.

Talbot is really finding her groove now. 2 excellent games in a row. Great timing for Paris.

Doesn't look right when she goes from wnba SF to opals SG.
Good rebounder, defender, spot shooter.
Ball handling sub par, not much of a driving or mid range game.

She looked very right to me being our best player and a member of the tournament All Star 5 at the last World Cup

Caitlin Clark notches up her first WNBA triple-double - and the first ever by a rookie in the WNBA - as Indy defeat first-placed NY.

Puoch to Caps!

makes sense to me

Goriss > Atlanta < Puoch

It was going to happen, needed more minutes.

A sharp learning curve for Puoch and much needed.
Gorris will be good for her and so will the Canberra opportunity. A lot of growth to happen.

There have been, IMO, two WNBA all star games that were worth a damn. Today was one of them.

USA = not best 12

I'm sure the USA will go on to win gold, but that's nonetheless pretty embarrassing for USAB.

Early power rankings have

1 USA
2 France
3 Belgium
4 Japan
5 Australia
6 Spain
7 Serbia
8 Canada
9 Germany
10 China
11 Puerto Rico
12 Nigeria

I'm sure the USA will go on to win gold, but that's nonetheless pretty embarrassing for USAB.

Johannes?

https://www.espn.com.au/wnba/story/_/id/40484035/wnba-2024-awards-tracker-mvp-rookie-year-coach-all-league-first-team

Ezi getting some love in the awards, in contention for DPOY and 2nd All-WNBA. Having a great season.

Same can't be said for the Las Vegas Olympic Hangovers, no matter how much A'ja scores.

Minnesota and Connecticut making what was thought to be a two horse race going into the season, very interesting indeed. Playoffs hould be great.

The Phoenix Mercury have signed Australian guard Amy Atwell to a seven-day contract. Welcome back to The Valley, Amy!

Good luck, Amy!

Season has been really good this season, playoffs should be fun.

With so little news in the last month, I was hoping that Phoenix were quietly plotting a comeback for the playoffs for Bec Allen, but evidently not :(
 

@PhoenixMercury
INJURY UPDATE:
Mercury forward Rebecca Allen underwent successful surgery to address a lingering back injury this week. Allen, who will begin her rehabilitation process next week, is expected to make a full recovery. She will miss the entire postseason.

Kinda hope PB doesn't end up at LA, it's felt pre-destined all season.

Looking forward to finals. All in on Minnesota, but also hope Seattle can do well. Liberty and Aces in same half is incredible.

Yeah, Minnesota are looking a great chance atm.

Ezi will miss game 1
:(

The Storm have not given a timeline for Magbegor's return.

Great game.
NY edges LV. 2-0 up

Sounds like the other semi was a great game to watch as well. Looking forward to checking both of them out.
And glad to see Minny evening up the series. That matchup is worthy of going to 5.

Both series going to at least 4 games! So Smith may not be "elite" at WNBA playoff level but damn does she come up with important defensive plays and is serviceable getting points too. Her rise as our 2nd best Opal behind Ezi is just damn impressive (if we ever get back a fit 100% Allen she may challenge for that spot).

Homer, but I really enjoy this Lynx side when Phee and Williams are balling out too, but they get production from everywhere. Reeves is a genius.

I've been loving the Lynx as well. Foul trouble hurt Smith yesterday (kind of her own doing, because her 2nd one was incredibly dumb) but she still had a big impact, and that 3 near the end was pretty much the dagger. Her & Williams are the very fun & effective combo that have made the Lynx extra watchable for me. Collier of course is awesome and the season she's had would have been MVP-level most years.

Aces got their mojo back yesterday at home so that series just got interesting as well.

Looks like NY have got this series wrapped up with 3 mins to go. Glad it's not LV in the final again.

I'm happy with a change from Vegas as well.
And the other series is going to a game 5, which should be a beauty.

Liberty vs Lynx Final

Lynx getting slaughtered in the 1st 1/4.

Amazing game sir far- bring on OT!

Lynx will be spewing if they lose as it sure looked like it was out of bounds of Stewie's foot on the replay.

Awesome Game 1, Full of drama. Great fightback by the Lynx.

Oh wow, last I saw was NY up 9 with ~ 5 min left. Look forward to catching that one.
Weak effort by ESPN not to show it live

What did they show instead?

wow the standard of the title play offs is just fantastic. Courtney Williams just superb. Very high standard and great to watch.

Great series shaping up

Liberty too deep, will the Lynx be able to last 4-5 games?

courtney williams has just been something else - sensational. The games have been so physical - neither team is backing down. Agree with your depth comment Weedy.

Another cracking game!

Smith surely questionable for game 4- she could barely get up and down the court when she subbed back on in the second half.

Smith's injury definitely concerning.

This series has been awesome. I really hope that it goes to 5, but have a feeling New York are going to close it out in 4 now. They've got better balance all over the court where as the Lynx are relying a lot on Collier (and at times others) doing something special rather than getting finding shots.

Does look like NY now has the advantage with a deeper team. Another close game with Stewart silencing the haters.

the Lynx are relying a lot on Collier (and at times others) doing something special rather than getting finding shots.

Tight once again.

It's the series that just keeps on giving!

Great series - Lynx got it done in another epic game, 2-2.

quality of the games are second to none - some aching bodies for sure - they are playing hard

This has been incredible. A game 5 decider is only right.

Smith started out this game looking ginger and blowing easy layups, and ended it draining threes and coming up with clutch defensive plays. Trademark toughness on display today.

Sandy not happy in the presser.

I can understand why. Reeve was unhappy after last game and it seemed to make a difference in the calls today, so having her own whinge seems wise.
Realistically the way these 2 teams are playing is right on the edge. The refs are really "letting them play" so the softer ones do stand out a bit. But overall they're done a pretty good job I think.

After the trauma of watching the trash that Jackies and Kings served up last night it was wonderful to watch another sensational game of basketball today. What a fantastic series.