Watch out for these future pros in NCAA women's tournament
The NCAA women’s basketball tournament kicks off this Wednesday, with UConn, UCLA, Texas, and South Carolina earning No. 1 seeds. For the Sky, who hold the No. 5 pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft, it’s a chance to watch some of the top prospects in the class.
Here are the Sun-Times’ players to watch, from potential No. 1 draft picks to potential fits for the Sky.
Azzi Fudd, UConn (No. 1 seed)
Unlike the last couple of years, there is no consensus No. 1 pick in the draft. But Fudd sits at the center of the debate. Some are calling her the best shooting prospect in history, after she made 44% of her 6.9 three-point attempts per game this season. If she goes No. 1, she will reunite with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers on the Wings.
Olivia Miles, TCU (No. 3 seed)
Miles will enter the pros as one of the best passers in the league. At TCU, her team revolves around her. That’s partly why TCU fell to West Virginia in the Big 12 conference championship game: Miles ran into foul trouble early. Though she might not be drafted first overall, she won’t stray far from the top slot.
Flau’jae Johnson, LSU (No. 2 seed)
Johnson made it clear at the beginning of the season: she wants to be the No. 1 pick. At her best, her athleticism and shotmaking make her one of the most electric players in the game. But she didn’t play her best this season, sometimes fading into the background amid LSU’s talented lineup. That could benefit the Sky, who are looking for a player with star potential at No. 5.
UCLA’s loaded starting five
Five Bruins, five first-round draft prospects. Center Lauren Betts (6-7) looked like the No. 1 pick during her junior season, then doubts arose about her scoring against stiffer competition. But her defense should ensure she is a lottery pick. UCLA’s next three leading scorers are on the Sky’s radar: Kiki Rice, an explosive point guard; Gabriela Jaquez, a versatile wing; and Gianna Kneepkens, a lights-out shooter.
Sarah Strong, UConn
Strong is only a sophomore, but you don’t want to miss her ascent. UConn coach Geno Auriemma has already compared her to all-time great Huskies such as Maya Moore and Breanna Stewart.
“She’s like this mist that’s everywhere,” Auriemma said. “Your eyes just keep following her everywhere she goes, every play she makes. And you don’t say anything and you wonder, how can anything be that easy? How can anything look that easy?”