2014 WNBA Draft Prospect List
Listed in order of who will be a good professional player, not by draft order. Each player has a few bullet point on their skills set and why they will be good picks and professionals in the WNBA.
1. Odyssey Sims:
Tenacious on-ball defender who can guard both guard position, best prepared in 2 man, can score and defend from 2 perimeter positions, going to be a terrific pro
2. Chiney Oguwmike:
Long, athletic, offensive rebounder, can score 1on1 on block, excellent in the pinch and better earlier than sister in the pinch, runs floor ahead of the ball, not good yet with trail 3 but will be a more balanced offensive player over time
3. Kayla McBride:
Can shoot it, create own shot, strong to rim off the bounce, smart, finisher in transition, strong core for working off screening action, beautiful stroke with the athleticism to get open
4. Alyssa Thomas:
Versatile yet needs most work on range and handle in top 5, the most powerful player in the game when defensive rebounds because of her finishing ability at other rim, has managed 2man and ready, but defending 2man issue, will have to guard 3-4, highly athletic, great attitude and will work to be a great pro
5. Stephanie Dolson:
6’5 pass and handle, score on block left and right, runs floor well compared to other 5s in wnba, can defend in a more physical style in pros than college, can shoot trail 3 and will take more trail 3s in W.
6. Markeisha Gatling:
Surprised to have her here but trust more than Howard due to strength, will become a bigger Erlana Larkins over time, will work and upside may be best in the draft besides Schimmel, strong, plays game low to high, seals and posts deep, runs, can defend with size, great hands, work ethic will need to be challenged at first but will be a good pro over time
7. Natasha Howard
Long, athletic, not demanding or as confident as should be in calling for ball on the block, runs best of all post players in draft, will defend and rebound; in space and the way game is officiated with the 3 second rule on defense, she will score in 1on1, think her Bball IQ is better than being advertised and will work her butt off to be a great pro
8. Bria Hartley
Senior numbers better than soph or junior which speaks to improvement, play 1 or 2, score from 3 pt line to rim, can defend 1 or 2, can score and handle in transition, solid not flashy game, if surrounded by same talent in W as in college will succeed
9. Shoni Schimmel:
Most upside in draft due to scoring/shooting ability yet hasn’t transformed her body into a pro yet, so if gets in better shape, will be an excellent steal in draft. Fearless on offense, razzle of the W will excite her and fans, coaching her will require some patience for her love for the flair of the game but in the right situation, could be a solid contributor on a roster.
10. Meighan Simmons
Some will worry about offensive discipline but I don’t at this level because your job/W2 at risk; explosive, speed, ball quicks, she has it. . .self-discipline to work, good teammate, will be good on ball defender 1 or 2s, 2000+ pts in college at Tenn is impressive
Next picks from teams patient til 2015 but for Pro potential, worth drafting if in position to take a chance and/or wait:
11. Natalie Achonwa:
Athletic, international toughness, handle, passer, scorer from low block, smart and will handle a high level scouting report, trail 3 potential in W,
12. Chelsea Gray
Chancy if can come back from injuries and have quality of life, might be a blessing that injury will allow her to heal body, go overseas, get some reps in a different style of play, big guard, good defender at top of defense but can defend shooter off 4 or 5 screens in one possession? Shooting improved over career, reads 2 man well now and emerging
Next 3 players are similar and offer same questions on the defensive end. We know they can score: Which one of these 3 will be the better pro?
13. Jordan Hooper
Size and three point shooting ability from perimeter, good footwork for shooter with 6’2 frame, offensively a 3, defensively a 4,
14. Tricia Liston
Big guard, shooter with range, 4 year improvement off the bounce vs small and quick: or big and slow defenders, smart defender, run her to the corners in horns/transition and space the floor, quick trigger
15. Maggie Lucas
Better overall offensive player than given credit because has evolved game for W, good at free throw line, works off screening action, quick trigger, need to get stronger to shake off quicker defenders
3 steals of the draft:
16. Ty Marshall
Mid range jumper that is a killer, scored over 2000 pts in college with only making 20 3s and 61 ft%. . mid range. . . similar to Hightower in size and athleticism, strong defender, pro body for a guard, not a 3 pt threat but excellent off the bounce. . . young Zellous. . .
17. Tiffany Bias
Point guard that defends and can run a team, love her work ethic and desire to be good, will develop quickly in pro style which is not what played in college, good decision maker in transition
18. Asia Taylor
6’1, long and athletic, 3 pt range, guards multiple players from 1-4, toughness, pro ready body, 3 pt range excellent
Bottom of the draft can get a good player because you can get a specialist to fill a void:
19. Kody Burke
Investment in future,6’3 frame, 3 pt range, trail 3, excellent student of game and hard worker, worth the investment in developing and holding her rights as she will continue to trend upwards
20. Keena Mays, SMU
Can play 2 man, shoot 3, undersized but tough, transferred from Kansas to SMU, under radar, small but good ball quicks, sees floor in transition and can play 1or2.
21. Aysa Bussie
Tough on inside, shot blocker and post player that can run, if this was NBA and she was 7 footer, would go higher because of value on bigs that run, set screens, defend post and because the NBA has more skilled players that can score
22. Aaron Ellenberg
Shooter, small, will have to be able to play 1and2 in pros, not as many scoring points in W as needed, could be good “get” if needed back up combo
23. Ebony Rowe
Undersized scorer like a Willingham, tough on glass, limited face up but potential, defends 3-5, athletic around rim,
24. DaNesha Stallworth
Tough in the paint, limited range to 3pt line, excellent strength in traffic to play thru contact, defends 3-5 and will defend 2 man game if switch, trap, hedge, ice, under, over necessary. . .only 6 ways to defend a ball screen. . .
25. Jamerria Faulkner
Led nation in assist, quick and up tempo, emerging 3 pt range consistently, can make decisions quickly
26. Kayla Thornton
6’1, long and athletic, witnessed transformation from soft to playing tough like her body would lead you to believe, pro body, score from rim to 3pt line, improved each year
That’s the first and second rounds of the draft. Other players draft potential in third round? How many 3rd round picks make a roster?
Dara Taylor, Samarie Walker, Christina Foggie, Jasmine Lister, Jaterra Bond, Kirby Burkholder, Haley Peters, Bria Kulas, Hamsen, Jessica Kuster not familiar with international players
Listed in order of who will be a good professional player, not by draft order. Each player has a few bullet point on their skills set and why they will be good picks and professionals in the WNBA.
1. Odyssey Sims:
Tenacious on-ball defender who can guard both guard position, best prepared in 2 man, can score and defend from 2 perimeter positions, going to be a terrific pro
2. Chiney Oguwmike:
Long, athletic, offensive rebounder, can score 1on1 on block, excellent in the pinch and better earlier than sister in the pinch, runs floor ahead of the ball, not good yet with trail 3 but will be a more balanced offensive player over time
3. Kayla McBride:
Can shoot it, create own shot, strong to rim off the bounce, smart, finisher in transition, strong core for working off screening action, beautiful stroke with the athleticism to get open
4. Alyssa Thomas:
Versatile yet needs most work on range and handle in top 5, the most powerful player in the game when defensive rebounds because of her finishing ability at other rim, has managed 2man and ready, but defending 2man issue, will have to guard 3-4, highly athletic, great attitude and will work to be a great pro
5. Stephanie Dolson:
6’5 pass and handle, score on block left and right, runs floor well compared to other 5s in wnba, can defend in a more physical style in pros than college, can shoot trail 3 and will take more trail 3s in W.
6. Markeisha Gatling:
Surprised to have her here but trust more than Howard due to strength, will become a bigger Erlana Larkins over time, will work and upside may be best in the draft besides Schimmel, strong, plays game low to high, seals and posts deep, runs, can defend with size, great hands, work ethic will need to be challenged at first but will be a good pro over time
7. Natasha Howard
Long, athletic, not demanding or as confident as should be in calling for ball on the block, runs best of all post players in draft, will defend and rebound; in space and the way game is officiated with the 3 second rule on defense, she will score in 1on1, think her Bball IQ is better than being advertised and will work her butt off to be a great pro
8. Bria Hartley
Senior numbers better than soph or junior which speaks to improvement, play 1 or 2, score from 3 pt line to rim, can defend 1 or 2, can score and handle in transition, solid not flashy game, if surrounded by same talent in W as in college will succeed
9. Shoni Schimmel:
Most upside in draft due to scoring/shooting ability yet hasn’t transformed her body into a pro yet, so if gets in better shape, will be an excellent steal in draft. Fearless on offense, razzle of the W will excite her and fans, coaching her will require some patience for her love for the flair of the game but in the right situation, could be a solid contributor on a roster.
10. Meighan Simmons
Some will worry about offensive discipline but I don’t at this level because your job/W2 at risk; explosive, speed, ball quicks, she has it. . .self-discipline to work, good teammate, will be good on ball defender 1 or 2s, 2000+ pts in college at Tenn is impressive
Next picks from teams patient til 2015 but for Pro potential, worth drafting if in position to take a chance and/or wait:
11. Natalie Achonwa:
Athletic, international toughness, handle, passer, scorer from low block, smart and will handle a high level scouting report, trail 3 potential in W,
12. Chelsea Gray
Chancy if can come back from injuries and have quality of life, might be a blessing that injury will allow her to heal body, go overseas, get some reps in a different style of play, big guard, good defender at top of defense but can defend shooter off 4 or 5 screens in one possession? Shooting improved over career, reads 2 man well now and emerging
Next 3 players are similar and offer same questions on the defensive end. We know they can score: Which one of these 3 will be the better pro?
13. Jordan Hooper
Size and three point shooting ability from perimeter, good footwork for shooter with 6’2 frame, offensively a 3, defensively a 4,
14. Tricia Liston
Big guard, shooter with range, 4 year improvement off the bounce vs small and quick: or big and slow defenders, smart defender, run her to the corners in horns/transition and space the floor, quick trigger
15. Maggie Lucas
Better overall offensive player than given credit because has evolved game for W, good at free throw line, works off screening action, quick trigger, need to get stronger to shake off quicker defenders
3 steals of the draft:
16. Ty Marshall
Mid range jumper that is a killer, scored over 2000 pts in college with only making 20 3s and 61 ft%. . mid range. . . similar to Hightower in size and athleticism, strong defender, pro body for a guard, not a 3 pt threat but excellent off the bounce. . . young Zellous. . .
17. Tiffany Bias
Point guard that defends and can run a team, love her work ethic and desire to be good, will develop quickly in pro style which is not what played in college, good decision maker in transition
18. Asia Taylor
6’1, long and athletic, 3 pt range, guards multiple players from 1-4, toughness, pro ready body, 3 pt range excellent
Bottom of the draft can get a good player because you can get a specialist to fill a void:
19. Kody Burke
Investment in future,6’3 frame, 3 pt range, trail 3, excellent student of game and hard worker, worth the investment in developing and holding her rights as she will continue to trend upwards
20. Keena Mays, SMU
Can play 2 man, shoot 3, undersized but tough, transferred from Kansas to SMU, under radar, small but good ball quicks, sees floor in transition and can play 1or2.
21. Aysa Bussie
Tough on inside, shot blocker and post player that can run, if this was NBA and she was 7 footer, would go higher because of value on bigs that run, set screens, defend post and because the NBA has more skilled players that can score
22. Aaron Ellenberg
Shooter, small, will have to be able to play 1and2 in pros, not as many scoring points in W as needed, could be good “get” if needed back up combo
23. Ebony Rowe
Undersized scorer like a Willingham, tough on glass, limited face up but potential, defends 3-5, athletic around rim,
24. DaNesha Stallworth
Tough in the paint, limited range to 3pt line, excellent strength in traffic to play thru contact, defends 3-5 and will defend 2 man game if switch, trap, hedge, ice, under, over necessary. . .only 6 ways to defend a ball screen. . .
25. Jamerria Faulkner
Led nation in assist, quick and up tempo, emerging 3 pt range consistently, can make decisions quickly
26. Kayla Thornton
6’1, long and athletic, witnessed transformation from soft to playing tough like her body would lead you to believe, pro body, score from rim to 3pt line, improved each year
That’s the first and second rounds of the draft. Other players draft potential in third round? How many 3rd round picks make a roster?
Dara Taylor, Samarie Walker, Christina Foggie, Jasmine Lister, Jaterra Bond, Kirby Burkholder, Haley Peters, Bria Kulas, Hamsen, Jessica Kuster not familiar with international players