WNBA Draft Night
A select number of media were given exclusive access to the Atlanta Dream war-room during this year’s WNBA Draft. With the headquarters at the Marriott Marquis, the Dream had a VIP Draft Party for special guests and friends.
With 2 underclassmen declaring eligibility for the first time, the 2015 WNBA Draft was already one to remember. In just a week, a #1 prospect could possibly drop to #3. The Seattle Storm wasted no time in beefing up their roster. With picks 1 and 3, they chose Notre Dame’s Jewell Loyd and Minnesota’s Amanda Zahui B. That kind of quality play can impact a team immediately in those types of players.
The Chicago Sky broke the mold of expectations and with the 5th pick chose Cheyenne Parker out of Middle Tennessee State. Catching everyone off-guard, the 6’4” Forward would be a welcome addition to play alongside Delle Donne, so perhaps the Sky know something we don’t.
New York Liberty traded up to #9 pick to take San Antonio’s second 1st Rd pick. We were hoping for an exciting draft and luckily we received just that. The first 4 picks went as scripted but then 3 mid-major schools jumped in the fray and shook up the 1st Rd.
With the Dream’s options available since the draft had gone off-script, it was almost a definite that they would take Isabelle Harrison from Tennessee. When the announcement came, they opted for Samantha Logic, a point guard from Iowa. Harrison dropped in the draft rankings because of her recent ACL injury. But Christmas came early, and the already crowned champions from last year, Phoenix Mercury, landed the star (Harrison) from Tennessee. Between her and Brittney Griner, the Mercury are looking like a force to be reckoned with in the low-post.
1st Rd Picks:
- Seattle Storm Jewell Loyd
- Tulsa Shock Amanda Zahui B.
- Seattle Storm Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis
- Connecticut Sun Elizabeth Williams
- Chicago Sky Cheyenne Parker
- San Antonio Stars Dearica Hamby
- Los Angeles Sparks Crystal Bradford
- Washington Mystics Ally Malott
- New York Liberty Brittany Boyd
- Atlanta Dream Samantha Logic
- New York Liberty Kiah Stokes
- Phoenix Mercury Isabelle Harrison
We had a moment to chat with Coach Cooper after the draft about their 1st Rd choice. Here’s what he had to say about Samantha Logic:
“At the Guard position, 3-pt shooting was one of the weaker points in our game and I think we got that in Logic.”
“She brings leadership and a player that will come out and compete at another level. She can rebound, she can assist, she can get points and take a lot of pressure off Angel now.”
“You don’t pass up on great guards.”
The Dream’s other 2 choices were Ariel Massengale (Tennessee) and Lauren Okafor (James Madison University). Adding quality youth to an already amazing squad is going to bode well with the players and the fans. It’s safe to say that the drafting of Samantha was logical.
-Jon J.
Photo: Hakim Wright