WNBA Draft Features Local Prospects
by Donetta (Ms Ballin D) Donetta
The 2022 WNBA Draft is returning with in-person prospects in attendance, after two years of hosting draft day virtually due to Covid-19 concerns. The draft is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST, Monday April 11th from New York City, and will air live on the ESPN network.The draft will consist of three rounds, with 12 picks per round for a total of 36 players being selected out of 108 players entered.
Unlike the NBA, the WNBA doesn’t allow players the “one-and-done” opportunity to leave school early after their freshman season. Most women college players are not eligible to declare for the WNBA Draft until they have finished at least four years of school or turn 22 years old in the same calendar year of the draft. International players that attend college outside the United States are eligible to declare if they turn 20 years old during the calendar year of the draft.
The Washington Mystics won the draft lottery and were expected to have the first overall pick. However, in a surprise move one week before the draft, the Atlanta Dream acquired the number one pick in a trade with the Mystics. Washington will now have the third overall pick in the first round, and the 14th pick in the second round, with the rights to exchange with the Spark’s first round pick in next year’s draft.
Now that the College season is officially over, several players that were participating in the Elite 8 and Final Four have become late entries into the draft, adding to the suspense of where players will end up. One of those players is Las Vegas native, Sam Thomas of University of Arizona. Thomas just completed her final season with the Wildcats, averaging nine points, four rebounds and two steals per game. Sam may not be known as an offensive stat stuffer; however, she is a defensive beast and all of her opponents felt her swarming pressure. A three-time Pac-12 All-Defensive team selectee, Thomas was only one of two Pac-12 players to rank within the top 15 in steals and blocks.
After a solid college career at the University of Tennessee, former Liberty High School standout Rae Burrell has also declared for the draft. Burrell’s draft stock rose after she returned from a knee injury sustained early in the season, forcing her to miss 12 games. She averaged 16 points, five rebounds and three assists during the Lady Vols tournament run and was selected to the Wichita Region All-Tournament Team. Burrell scored a total of 1,131 points during her four-year career with the Tennessee Lady Vols, which ranks her as the 36th all-time leading scorer in program history. She was one of 12 draft prospects invited to attend the draft in person in New York City, which could be a great indicator that her name will be called on draft night.
Several mock drafts predict Burrell to be the number seven overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the first round, however, her hometown fans would love for the Las Vegas Aces to take her with their 11th overall pick in the first round.
Best of luck to Sam and Rae, Las Vegas is proud of you!
