Each year, the WNBA holds a Draft to select new players. The draft draws players drawn from a pool of talented women's basketball players. 1997 saw the first WNBA Draft. Today, there are almost 60 teams. There are many categories that the draft takes into consideration, such as overall strength, speed and athleticism. There is also the possibility to get a new superstar for your team.
Shakira Austin
The Lakers are expected this season to be a major contender and Austin will provide them with depth at the center position. Austin is well-suited to play multiple positions and can be trusted with veteran depth and players. Austin excels outside of the basket and will enjoy Delle Donne's presence. She has great defensive instincts and will face the WNBA’s toughest defense.
Washington Mystics selected Shakira Austin as the No. The WNBA Draft's No. 3 pick. She is the sixth Ole Miss graduate to be drafted by the WNBA. Austin played for the Ole Miss Golden Eagles for two seasons, earning first-team All-SEC honors and helping the team reach its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2007.
Mya Hollingshed
Mya Hollingshed served as a Pre-Woden Award Watch List member this year. However, despite her impressive statistics, she had never played basketball during her childhood. She comes from a family of athletes. Her grandfather was drafted second by the Washington Bullets 1978. Her father played basketball in Grambling. Hollingshed enjoyed soccer her senior year and junior year, but her mother thought it was too competitive.
The Las Vegas Aces offered her a position as a player on the wing, but she refused. They didn't want to take a risk on her being available at No. 11. Hollingshed will not be overlooked, but she still has a chance. Regardless, it's likely that her WNBA career will begin in the future.
Nyara Sabally
The New York Liberty selected big man Nyara Sabally in the fifth round of the WNBA draft on Monday. Unfortunately, Sabally will not play this season because of a knee injury. Sika Konge was also selected by team. She was also the No. 29 pick after she had surgery in March on her right leg. Sabally was a top choice because of her size. But her knee issues have made it a risky selection.
Apart from being the fifth overall draft pick, Sabally is also the sister of Oregon's star Satou Sabally who plays for Dallas Wings. While she hasn't yet made it to the WNBA she was a standout for her Ducks team. She and her sister were drafted together in 2020, becoming the first sisters to make the first round since Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike in the 2008 draft. Sabally may prove as great as her sister.