where will our Aussies be ? Can Borlase be drafted or not yet ?

Borlase is WNBA for sure, whether she gets drafted now or not (Heal might've made them a bit wary of drafting young Aussies). she’d be best served by getting a few WNBL seasons under her belt first imo, like Magnegor did & Melbourne is doing.

Not sure if the Indiana trade is good for Wallace?

Yes, Wallace going to a guard heavy Indiana is not good. Atlanta getting an old 33/34y.o vet instead is odd.


The draft boards currently have

(00)Shelley second/third round and (03)Swain third round getting drafted 2023
(04)Borlase and (04)Puoch getting drafted 2024
2025 no Aussies

Shelley doing well stateside in a good college team

College is a far cry from the wnbl though.

Wallace will be fine at Indiana. It's no more guard heavy than the Atlanta situation where there were way too many shooting guards on that roster. Ironically, she might be kept over current Boomers teammate Tiffany Mitchell who is currently a free agent but played with Indiana last season.

As for other current Aussies in WNBA, Allen is contracted to New York and Magbegor can only negotiate with Seattle for her new WNBA contract. Talbot and Whitcomb are unrestricted free agents and can sign with whoever they like. I expect Anneli Maley to have another go at the WNBA this upcoming season.

I would love to see Scherf and Mangakahia get invites to training camp.

I don't know what year Georgia Amoore will be eligible, but she will be a decent chance of being drafted. She significantly outplayed Shelley when they played each other and has been a prominent piece in a very good team all college season.

Amoore is killing it! One to watch for sure

I would love to see Scherf and Mangakahia get invites to training camp.

Amoore is small and is a streaky shooter. She could get drafted if she has an outstanding senior season (she's draft eligible in 2024) but I don't see it TBH.

I can see Shelley not being drafted if her current form slump continues. She does have the option of coming back for a fifth COVID year though.

It would be interesting to see whether Scherf's unusual skill set for a 5 translates to the WNBA

I don't think Shelley is a dynamic enough athlete for the WNBA.

Weedy haven't you previously said Borlase will not be drafted as she is too unathletic?

'The draft boards'

I said Juffermans was not getting drafted btw.

Bec Allen reportedly being traded to Connecticut in a 3 way trade that brings former WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones to the New York Liberty.

Connecticut already has a starting small forward in Dewanna Bonner, but there may be minutes at the 2 as well as backup minutes at the 3 and 4 available to Allen.

Trade hasn't officially occurred yet but it's sounding very likely, especially since Connecticut reportedly wants to core their free agent centre Brionna Jones and the coring deadline is very close.

with WNBA drafts - it just depends who is around that year. One thing I will say is the drafts are getting tougher / more interest every year

George to the aces, surprising.

Stewart to ny, sandy getting a super team.

Talbot to Los Angeles Sparks on a 2 year deal.

Cayla George's skillset nowadays is much more suitable to the WNBA than it was in her original stint in the WNBA. Her deal with Vegas is protected which surprised me a bit. I think she'll be just fine there, backing up Wilson and Parker.

Seattle Storm roster as of 1/2

Jewell Loyd
Mercedes Russell


Dont Forget Jade Melbourne !!!!!!!!

Great news for Cayla. She's been so good this season, happy that's been recognised.

If anyone missed it, she did a great interview on the "On her game" podcast a few weeks back. Well worth a listen

Yeah, it's good that teams are still having a look down here.

Very nice situation for Cayla in LV, joining a super team.

Cayla getting under 80k, a 11th/12th man salary in wnba is more than a wnbl top earner.

Aussies in wnba

Wallace > Indiana from Atlanta
Allen > Conneticut from New York
Magbegor > Seattle
George > Las Vegas
Talbot > Los Angeles from Seattle
Whitcomb > Seattle from New York


+Rumours
Smith
Tolo
Melbourne

Sources: WNBA is investigating Las Vegas Aces for circumventing the salary cap

The Las Vegas Aces are under investigation by the WNBA for making under-the-table payment offers to both current players and free agents the team has pursued, nine league sources have told The Next.

The Las Vegas Aces did not respond to a request for comment on the investigation, nor did the WNBA.

According to those familiar with the allegations, the pattern alleged that the team followed typically involved a high-level member of the Aces instructing the agent of a potential signing — either a free agent, or an Aces player negotiating an extension — that at the conclusion of the phone call between team and agent, the agent would receive a call with an offer for a specific amount of money from a particular, pre-selected company. The work involved would be negligible, according to those familiar with the allegations.

Some wtf signings going on.

Current v last season

Magbegor - $159,650 up $90,000+
Whitcomb - $142,500 down $8,000+
Allen - $136,850 up $5,000+
Talbot - $112,000 up $40,000+
George - $74,305 dnp last season
Wallace - $64,657 up $1,000+


WTF
Candace Parker - $100,000 down $90,000+



Top earners atm
Loyd - $234,936
Ogunbuwale - $234,936

A player like cunningham getting almost 500k over 3 seasons is pretty crazy.
Was pretty meh in the wnbl.

Was very good last season in the WNBA

Sophie Cunningham was one of the best three point shooters in the WNBA last season and is a decent defender. One of the few legit 3 and D players in the league. Her contract is unsurprising.

Yeah she shot the ball well but 500k over 3 seasons... seems like alot when you look at some of the other players numbers and the salary they are on.

2022
29.5 mins per game

12.6 / 4.4 / 1.6 / 1 - ok but not great, especially for defensive specialist
87%ft - good, career 76%
40%3 - good, career 35%

Prior 3 seasons she was close to being cut

WNBA salary structures mean that good role players don't necessarily get paid significantly less than stars. When players like Aerial Powers get max contracts, Sophie Cunningham’s contract looks reasonable.

Kia Nurse’s Seattle contract is similar to Cunningham’s contract and her recent performance hasn’t come close to Cunningham’s.

But her history is a lot better, you are better going for 2/1 deals and bringing depth to the roster than spending big on 1 3nd player. Ppg means significantly more in wnba than nba,
High Scoring guards and quality bigs should get top dollar, wings not so much... plethora of wing/sf options6'0-6’2 around the world that can give you the same skillset for half the $$$. Why not pay $120k like most wings in the league and have 40k to spend on a better scoring guard.
Allen being on $140k + is ridiculous.

'Her history is a lot better' - Kia Nurse? Really? Even her all star season wasn’t that great.

There aren’t that many PLAYERS who can shoot threes at 40% and play solid defence. I don’t know where these 120k wings that can shoot threes and play D exist but the fact Bec Allen gets 140k for being a very streaky shooter indicates that the market is thin here.

Alanna Smith to Chicago.

The market is not thin at the wing spot... please… look at the list.

Current.

Stewart
Collier
Onyewere
Howard
Laney
Copper
Bonner
Clark
DeShields
Burrell
Richards
Hines-Allen
Willoughby
Samuelson
Carrington
Carleton
Williams
Coffey
Vivians
Cunningham
Nurse
Allen
Talbot


+ those coming in from college in the draft
10-12 very good ones in 2023.

Alanna Smith to Chicago.

You've named some pretty mediocre/inconsistent WNBA performers in that list, Weedy. IMO you've proven SP's point.

That's the current list, sure some are on the edge of being booted and this years draft shoukddeepen that position across the league. My issue is $$$. Half the above are on 70-90k. 140k + for common sfs is pretty steep, especially when your team struggles to score.

Weedy, the criteria was wings who shoot threes (around 40%) and play solid defence. I didn't say the market was thin for wings - I said it was thin for wings who fit that criteria.

I think Cunningham is the only player on your list who fits that criteria. There are a few other ok 3 and D wings (shoot around mid-30s from three) like Carleton and our own Steph Talbot but neither of them shoot at the volume Cunningham does and they've only really played backup minutes unlike Cunningham. Then there's Rhyne Howard who is very good of course and is better than Cunningham but she only shoots 34% from three! Also, not part of the free agent market for another 3 years. You've also included some power forwards on that list like Stewart and Hines-Allen. Most of the other wings on that list are poor or streaky outside shooters or they can't defend very well.

Granted Cunningham only has one season of being a proven outstanding three point shooter, but shooting 2.5 threes/game at 40% is really unusual in the WNBA and she would be definitely be in demand because of that.

Yeah I hope Alanna Smith can bring some of her European form to the WNBA. I see her potential role in the WNBA as being a floor spacer who can provide a bit of rim protection on defence but she needs to start hitting her threes. If she can start hitting her threes at around mid-30s %, that would make her a much more viable WNBA player.

WNBA 2023 contracted
Cayla George - Las Vegas Aces
Ezi Magbegor - Seattle Storm
Alanna Smith - Chicago Sky
Rebecca Allen - Conneticut Sun
Stephanie Talbot - Los Angeles Sparks
Kristy Wallace - Indiana Fever
Sami Whitcomb - Seattle Storm


WNBA 2023 potential contract rumours
Marianna Tolo - ?
Jade Melbourne - Seattle Storm


WNBA 2023 mock draft
Jaz Shelley 23-36 predicted
Shaneice Swain 25-36 predicted


WNBA 2023 potential training camp invite rumours
Lauren Scherf - ?
Sara Blicavs - ?
Anneli Maley - ?
Tiana Mangakahia - ?

Anneli Maley to Chicago.

Training camp, interesting to see the other forwards they bring in.
Draft is full of sfs but chicago only have late picks.

Lots of euro players opting out.

Opting out of draft or training camp?

I was looking at the list of wings for the 2023 draft and a lot of them cannot shoot threes. Many of them are sub-30% three point shooters. And if they are good shooters, they're not good defenders. Legit 3 and D wings - they're still elusive in the WNBA.

At this rate, Nyadiew Puoch is going to be in demand in next year's draft because she can defend *and* hit a three at a solid clip. Shooting should be high on her list of development priorities IMO.

Jade Melbourne to seattle

Happy to see this is official.
The timing seems good, both for her and for the depleted Storm team.

Excellent opportunity for Jade and hopefully it's the start of a long and fruitful WNBA career.

Megan Hustwaite indicated on Twitter that there could be one or two more Australians going to the WNBA. Will be interesting to see who they are.

Training camp invites I heard.

Samuelson gets another wnba shot.

Tully Bevilaqua joins the Phoenix Mercury coaching staff.

Anyone know how Bevilaqua went as a HC in the NZ WNBL last year?

Handy link: Official list of players who have renounced their college eligibility and are eligible for the WNBA Draft:
Link

Interesting to see if Amoore leaves early with the attention she's getting and the fact that VT are losing 7 or so players next season. No hope of making tournament...

Amoore seems to love the college experience, but non-US college players in the US cannot earn endorsement money because of their student visa conditions so that may affect any choices she makes about staying in college.

re: Virginia Tech's talent, I don't think Kitley has announced whether she's taking her COVID year or not. They'll be certainly losing 2 starters, at least. At least there will be more opportunities for Charlise Dunn next season.

Maybe another aussie also...

Weedy...from SA…..LS

Nup, that's an offer, years away from college.

Lots of college players opting back in, draft should be stacked next year.
Shelley should have chosen to leave, now her chances of getting drafted will be even less.
Amoore, Borlase, Puoch the other Aussies with a chance in 24.

A solid game for swain at Nike hoops summit on the 8th could see her creep into the first round of the draft on the 10th.

WNBA Draft is nothing but a marketing tool.

I think Swain is arguably the best guard in this draft. It will be interesting to see where she is picked in this draft.

They really need more teams in the WNBA, at least 4. As for the draft, agree with those already looking towards 2024, it's going to be stacked.

Getting back to 16 teams would be good I agree.
It seems like expansion is back on the agenda now, after a few years of much-needed regrouping. The league seems to have some momentum again now, and plenty of cities interested.

Great news of there's momentum there for it. The draft seems so big (three rounds) relative to the amount of teams and spots.

Yeah, the true value of the 3rd round has always been pretty questionable to me.

Latest mock draft from The Next

11. Shaneice Swain, combo guard, Canberra
Age: 20
Height: 5'9
Wingspan: 6’2
Offensive style: Secondary ball-handler
Defensive style: Chaser/low activity

Similar to: Kira Lewis Jr., pre-injuries Bria Hartley

Australia develops more WNBA players than any other country outside North America. The next generation of Aussie talent has started with Seattle’s Ezi Magbegor and Jade Melbourne, and is continuing with Shaneice Swain, a teammate of Melbourne’s on the WNBL’s UC Capitals. Swain’s combination of prodigious talent, athleticism and age places her among the legitimate prospects in this draft class.

Swain has a lot of valuable guard skills, from her downhill driving and passing chops to her spot-up shooting and ability to catch fire from deep. As a downhill driver, she can generate paint touches with or without a screen, harnessing her crafty handle, quick first step and her ability to stop-start and change speeds off the bounce. Though she tends to struggle with finishing through contact, she manages to incorporate floaters, runners and scoop lay-ups to evade defenders.

What makes Swain a particularly intriguing prospect is her flashes of secondary playmaking; she demonstrates the ability to find cutters, bigs on the short roll and make an array of live-ball reads against aggressive coverages. It’s not always green for Swain, though. She tends to force post-entries and skip passes, indicated by her high turnover rate. But she turns just 20 years old this June, so it’s likely that the passing will clean up as the game continues to slow down for her.

As a shooter, there’s a lot to like with Swain. She shot 36.2% from beyond the arc on 5.8 attempts per game this season, and ended her WNBL season with back-to-back games of 25 or more points on massing shooting volume, despite her two opponents featuring a plethora of WNBA talent. Most of her 3-pointers were spot-up jumpers on the receiving end of a mind-boggling Melbourne pass, and Swain has a fluid, one-motion release. She’ll need to clean up her landing positions, though, as her feet tend to move inward and twist, increasing the risk for ankle injuries.

Swain’s defensive game is twofold. She’s light on her feet and laterally quick with active hands, albeit often late to recognize initial actions and struggles to fully go over ball screens. She doesn’t profile as a POA stopper, which combined with her unexceptional size limits the upside on her defensive projection.

Why she’ll succeed:
Swain’s off-ball shooting remains productive, and improvements to her processing make her ability as a driver even more lethal, creating one of the more versatile and dangerous guards in the W.

Why she’ll fail:
Swain’s poor decision-making and at-rim finishing limit her offensive usage enough that her off-ball shooting and quickness can’t make up for it, and her defense doesn’t improve enough to give her a useful role.

Swain & Puoch announced themselves to a few more American scouts yesterday

Puoch's shot blocking was particularly impressive yesterday. Good to see the Aussies play well in the inaugural Nike Hoop Summit game for women.

Was not the best picked World team, looks like it was setup for the u.s to win the first one.


Possible Aussies for 2024

04 Borlase - very good chance before 24 draft
04 Puoch - yes, likely will get to go again
04 Loughridge - not a lot of pg talent worldwide 04/05, ok chance
05 Clark - possible but unlikely with others like joycte, kosu, etute, prosper* etc
05 Juffermans, unlikely to make it over Malonga and Fam

Even C.Leger-Walker has said she's planning to nominate for '24 draft. It's going to be a big one (and no roster spots to fit them all in)

WNBA.com 2023 Draft

Shaneice Swain taken at #14 by the LA Sparks

The bright lights of LA, she'll love it there.

Looks like morris with her attitude cost her some places.

Meyers, Hirsch odd picks that high.

don't know much about Hirsch from France at 12

Czinano in 3rd - that is great for LA - a bonus as her game will translate well into pro-level. Hope a WNBL team looks at her (whilst she is still establishing herself) for the off season as she would do well in the WNBL.

Tough undersized Centre, would do well in wnba.

Czinano doesn't rebound or defend well so her WNBA upside is limited but she could do well in the size deprived WNBL.

I dont want Czinano to come here simply to avoid Aussie commentators butchering her name lol. She'll have done well if she makes it past the pre-season in the WNBA though. Hopefully more than a few make it to Aussie teams next sason.

Thought Lynx had a good draft. LA for Swain seems good fit, she can spend the year here developing with little pressure similar to Melbourne.

Not that many end up making the roster.

Boston, Miller, Siegrist, Senechal, Jones, Berger, Amihere, Horston, Cooke, Morris, Beale
11 of 36 I'm guessing


Looking to next years 24 draft
Australian potentials

Amoore - 23y.o, late 2nd/early 3rd round
Shelley - 24y.o, late 3rd round/undrafted
Borlase - 20y.o, early 3rd round/late 3rd round
Puoch - 20.y.o, late 2nd/early 3rd round
Loughridge - 20y.o undrafted

If Czinano wanted to play here it would be a good place to have a pro - consolidation / establishment year. Early days for her, WNBL of good standard and probably our conditions would appeal to a first year pro player from USA - just depends what she may be looking for (and the teams involved of course).

Front court players who are slightly undersized for their position at WNBA level tend to have a pretty good track record here in the WNBL if they are the type who play hard & smart.
It's pretty hard to claw back into the WNBA once you have been tried and cut though.

The athletic has Puoch going 6th in 24 and Amoore going 11th.
I very much doubt this.

Luuuc - 2 that I can think of immediately are Kelsey Griffin and Mikaela Ruef that have done well here

The athletic has Puoch going 6th in 24 and Amoore going 11th.
I very much doubt this.

"We don't expect Shaneice to come over and play and be a part of the team in 2023," Bryant said. “But, we’re excited about the future prospect of her coming over here. We’re obviously mindful of her age and want to be smart about how we continue to invest in her future and bring her over at the right time.”

Look beyond Puoch, surely 5-6 of those go ahead of her.

No Borlase and others means they have done no international scouting.

It's a year out and they have no idea who will actually declare. Sheldon could go #1 if all the others return. It's that weird a draft. The fact NP is on their radar is a good thing.

Reckon Puoch will be the best of last seasons WNBL young trio. Her game can fill so many roles. Shame she's on Southside but likely will play next to Blicavs next season in an increased role.

If Amoore keeps shooting like she did in MM (or better) then I would expect her to be late first round, teams won't pass on that shooting. Kitley will likely go before though. CLW should be higher too.

Top 5 on mocks don't skip especially when they are guaranteed + more $$$

Yeah it's too early for a 2024 mock draft with extra COVID eligibility throwing everything up into the air. I like Puoch's game a lot but I think mid-1st round based on one game is... optimistic. Aaliyah Edwards, Jacy Sheldon and Kamilla Cardoso will all be likely considered higher picks than her, at least.

1 game vs top high school lady's. She needs a ball handling coach asap + speed up her shot.

Jade Melbourne playing a few games with the Tigers in NBL1 before heading over? Interesting.

I don't get it, too much at stake. Whitcomb also...

Puoch would be smart to get her self increased responsibility and minutes under a good developmental coach next WNBL season. Hard to see her game going to the next level if she remains on the bench of a stacked flyers team

^ I'd like to see that as well. She is ready for proper rotation minutes next season.

Cheryl Chambers did not incorporate Puoch into Southside's offence at all last season. It was frankly embarrassing IMO. She just used her as a defensive stopper and not much else. Puoch clearly has some offensive potential and yes, she should switch teams and coaches if Chambers can't offer anything more this upcoming season.

If Chambers is gifted a roster full of established all stars then it's hard to blame her for prioritising winning over developing an 18 yo.
Is that roster scenario likely to happen again at Southside?
Probably yes.
So I think the ball is in Puoch's court on this one.

I don't think excluding Puoch on offence really helped the Flyers that much TBH. Puoch was a decent spot up shooter in spite of everything (second best 3 point percentage on the team), but they never really made use of that. They never made much use of her ability to attack the rim either until the finals lol. Deferring to seniority is obviously a thing, but I think Southside could have found a better balance.

Anyway, Puoch should go elsewhere. I think Canberra and maybe Sydney (depending on who's the coach!) could be good options.

Chambers had Wallace off the bench and Reid as 12th woman who never played. Let that sink in...

Puoch to the fire would be good, her ball handling did not develop under veal at Coe as much as it should have, so skip Canberra.
unfortunately dandenong is Puoch hometown and mr jayco can afford to spend alot more.

Maybe something like...


Rocci - Conti - Loughridge
Import - Cole
Puoch - Horvat
Blicavs - ernst
Import - bishop

Cole and Bishop could start, but hard to see where Puoch can get a lot of shots on offence. Same for Townsville really, the focus is on their guards or a gun shooter ala Samuelson. Perth, Sydney, Bendigo don't really seem like good fits which leaves Adelaide and Melbourne? Canberra could just take off the scooby doo mask and go full "AIS" mode lol

Have to see how FA pans out

WNBA preseason started today. For Chicago, Alanna Smith had 6 points and 4 rebounds in 10 minutes of play. Anneli Maley was a DNP.

Can we watch these games anywhere?

Maley waived

So we're left with
Allen
George
Magbegor
Melbourne
Smith
Wallace
Whitcomb

Was always going to be a long shot for Maley.

Really good that Melbourne made it. Youngest player in league. Hopefully the likes of Smith, George and Wallace can get good minutes too.

Alanna Smith has 15 points on perfect shooting with improved defence in her Chicago Sky debut. I was impressed. Hope she can keep it up. Her three point shot has been elusive in her first four years in the WNBA.

Bec Allen looked a bit rusty against Indiana. Wallace was ok for Indiana, but I remain to be convinced that point guard is the best position for her in the WNBA.

Recent mock draft for 2024 has
Top #10 + Aussie/kiwi

Clark #1
Brink #2
Reese #3
Bueckers #4
Edwards #5
Holmes #6
Sheldon #7
Van Lith #8
Borlase #9<
Jackson #10
Puoch #11<
Amoore #14<
Leger-Walker #16<
Shelley #27<
Hollingsworth #78<
Loughridge #80<
Nnopu #96<

Very deep draft
Think Puoch will go higher than Borlase., maybe neither first round.
Anyone outside of top 20 is no guarantee to be drafted.
Think we will see minimum of 3 Aussies drafted. 4 if Shelley has a good year, Loughridge would need to have a great year at Southside to make top #36.

some talent there in that year's draft

and I'm sure some less profiled players will step up prior

WNBA games will begin broadcasting on Amazon Prime Video starting this Friday May 26.

https://tvtonight.com.au/2023/05/wnba-2023-on-prime-video.html

Let me guess - you won't be paying for it?

5 fouls in 8 minutes today for Smith
:/

Smith bounced back nicely today with her first WNBA double double - 14 pts/12 rebounds/6 assists.

Would have her over Garbin, not taking both to paris.
Doubt she plays wnbl, had such a good season in Poland.

Opals atm?
Reid
Melbourne
Whitcomb
Wallace
Talbot
Allen
Blicavs
Smith
Magbegor
George
Tolo

+1, good luck
Rocci, Mangakahia, Heal, Amoore, Shelley, Swain, Borlase, Nicholson, Madgen, Atwell, Puoch, Kunek, Bibby, Horvat, Froling, Garbin, Scherf, Bunton, Jackson.

IMO Probably go Swain atm

Mangakahia with loss of pg
Nicholson with loss of sg
Kunek with loss of sf
Garbin with loss of pf
Scherf with loss of c

I'd probably take Swain too because of her athleticism and outside shooting. I still think Blicavs is a bit iffy, but I concede she's likely to make the team because of experience and positional versatility).

Most people might say Nicholson but she has always struggled at international level for some reason.
Hard to see madgen, the captain getting dropped but she should be the first to go, even before lj,

Smith's rollercoaster of a season continues.
Today 18 points @ 100% (inc 4/4 3P), 6 boards & 3 assists in 35 minutes in a 1 point loss to NY

Against sandy too, good.

Smith played solid defence on Breanna Stewart too. This past season in Poland has done wonders for her game and confidence.

Jade starting to get some decent minutes and looks very good for a rookie
21 mins - 10 points (@60%) 5 Rebs 2 assists 1 block (!) 1 steal and another zero turnover game. Not bad at all!

Still a bit hesitant to beat her man. Whitcomb non existent.

Jade starting to get some decent minutes and looks very good for a rookie
21 mins - 10 points (@60%) 5 Rebs 2 assists 1 block (!) 1 steal and another zero turnover game. Not bad at all!

Maley back to the sky on a hardship contract.

Opals squad now looking real thin with 3 weeks to go to asia cup, top 4 to make next Olympic qualifiers.

Mangakahia retiring
Blicavs long break
Maley resigned to wnba
Madgen still appears to be injured
2 u19 WC players


Leaves just 14 players to choose from
Reid/Rocci/Heal
Nicholson/Swain
Kunek/Bibby/Atwell
Garbin/Froling/Horvat
Tolo/Scherf/Bunton

Maley now declined contract offer - personal reasons.

Also weird players getting temporary leave for eurobasket.

Samuelson oddly just cut from la.

Samuelson probably cut from L.A because she was on a hardship contract and one of their injured players is now available to play. L.A can always re-sign her and cut somebody from their regular roster. Or she could sign with another better team lol.

Samuelson already re-signed by LA


Bec Allen on fire - 22 points in 21 minutes off the bench, shooting 8/11 (6/7 3P) plus 5 boards & 2 assists, but it wasn't enough to beat the Aces, who are still undefeated.

Don't like the way Quinn is playing Melbourne, reminds me of her first wnbl season, lots of dribble on the spot, 4feet of space defense, no drives, stop, look for loyd and dish.

Not able to watch the Storm game today but is it really how Quinn is using her or are LA just exposing Melbourne's current limitations as a "point guard"?

It's Quinn, Melbourne would easily try to beat the first man in the wnbl and go for the layup or dish.

Good day for the Aussies in the WNBA - Smith, Allen and Wallace all had good games. I agree Quinn needs to let Melbourne off the leash a bit. She's had one turnover in four games which sounds good, but for a player like Jade, I think it’s a sign she’s playing too conservatively. She can make some spectacular plays off the dribble but Seattle hasn’t really given her the freedom to try that yet. Hopefully that changes.

I forgot Magbegor had a good game too and is showing more of her three pointer. A Melbourne/Wallace/Allen/Smith/Magbegor Opals lineup could be very fun.

Paris IMO atm

Wallace - Reid
Talbot - Whitcomb - Melbourne
Allen - Blicavs
Magbegor - Smith
Tolo - George

+1
Maley, Kunek, Garbin, Bibby, Swain, Scherf



Whitcomb, George and Tolo don't have long left.
Should see big changes post paris.

Watching Seattle atm I'm seeing zero evidence that there are any restraints on Jade Melbourne offensively

@Weedy
That team with Maley looks like best 12, remains to be seen what "captain" picks are selected though.

Garbin/Scherf as backups. A guard next.

I'd go Swain, maybe Puoch with breakout season as talbot, Allen and Blicavs can also play 6’2 pf.

Maley would have to do very well in upcoming internationals for me to be convinced she deserves a spot. She’s a undersized 4 trying to become a 3.

Stock

Up
Magbegor
Smith

Allen
Wallace

Down
Melbourne
Whitcomb

George getting very little to no time.

Not sure how Melbourne stock is trending down. She's 19/20 years old rookie playing in the wnba

Melbourne is literally the youngest player in the WNBA and point guard is the most challenging position for rookies. I think she's doing ok and she will be fine in the long term

Just my opinion. I'm one of a few that thought Melbourne was an opal when most said not a chance, so I’m on her side.

But..
Think she can do alot more. Her mindset is 21/22 season. Stationary dribble, Pass pass pass.
22/23 = I’ll use my speed to beat you to the rack when I’m 1v1 or I’ll get closer to the rack to make a play.

Do you think that may be the wnba style of play?

It's Quinn or her, the lanes are open...

Dojkic today clearly the preferred option after the half.

Dojkic is a way more experienced and more natural point guard / ball handler than Melbourne, so to me it's only natural that when a team has the league's leading scorer in their backcourt, it's more likely going to be Dojkic than Melbourne in the other spot.

I don't see Melbourne's stock as being down at all. This season is a major learning curve for her, and every WNBA minute she gets is a bonus. Getting 15 min even with Loyd being back in the lineup is great IMO.

FWIW, Seattle guard stat comparison so far

Boston doing very well, I was wrong about her impact pre draft. Didn't think she would bully other bigs so easily.

Good win for Dream over Liberty.

Dojkic looks to be favoured now over Melbourne.

Very impressed with Alanna Smith's and Ezi Magbegor's development this season. Magbegor is a legitimate face up threat now and if she can develop a consistent outside jumper, she's going to challenge for all-star and maybe even all-WNBA accolades eventually.

Ezi Magbegor went 4/4 from three today in Seattle's 109-193 win over Dallas. Very entertaining game. People who are complaining about the lack of basketball this time of year should tune into the WNBA, because there's some really good ball being played at the moment over there.

USA best 12 atm? Potential Olympic team...


5'8 Ogunbowale
5’10 Loyd
5’11 Mabrey
6’0 Young
6’1 Copper
6’1 Collier
6’2 Howard
6’4 Stewart
6’3 Jones
6’5 Austin
6’5 Wilson
6’8 Griner - maybe young Boston for future
More vets or more youth?


Still in Reserve
5’6 Canada
5’8 Plum
5’8 Mitchell
5’9 Mitchell
5’11 Ionescu
5’11 Gray
6’0 Gray
6’2 Thomas
6’2 Ogwumike
6’5 DellaDonne
6’5 Boston

That team needs more guards. Given recent selections, I would have Ionescu, Gray and Plum in over Ogunbowale, Mabrey and Howard. Team USA is even more loyal to their past selections than the Opals are.

SP - 193 points to Seattle ! - 302 between 2 teams - must have been quite a game.

Yes, I made a typo. I am sure people are capable of looking up the actual final score themselves.

Be careful mentioning the USWBB team, lest you summon a certain someone who makes Bloody Mary blush.

Germany will be scary in a few years.
Sabally been elite for Dallas.

Germany needs some guards. They're starting 4 posts in Eurobasket atm lol.

Yes, they need pgs and sgs but they will be 10 deep in the 3/4/5 position. most 6'3-6’5

We should trade them a guard or two for a post or two. International basketball works like that, right?

Ezi Magbegor selected as a WNBA All Star. What a great honour for her. She's having such a good season, even if Seattle aren't winning a lot.

Brilliant stuff, Ezi !!!

Just a reserve unfortunately.

Ezi is Australia's sixth WNBA All Star with the previous ones being Michele Timms, Sandy Brondello, Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and Liz Cambage. That's a pretty impressive group of players (and would make a pretty good team if they were all playing at their peaks!)

Could LJ and Liz coexist in the same universe, let alone play on the court at the same time? Hahahahaha

LJ and baby Liz played together on the 2012 Olympics team and co-existed well enough to win a bronze medal. I agree it probably would be more difficult nowadays.

Jackson will be 43 in Paris and Cambage has no friends on the team anymore.
Both should be nowhere near the opals team at this stage.
Jackson still getting injured on the regular and Cambage still a mess.

Ezi is Australia's sixth WNBA All Star with the previous ones being Michele Timms, Sandy Brondello, Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor and Liz Cambage. That's a pretty impressive group of players (and would make a pretty good team if they were all playing at their peaks!)

Don't worry, SP, I got what you meant unlike the ones taking you literally.

Agree Luuc, they've all done well. Wonder if next season they'll improve on numbers. Also what the likes of Whitcomb and George do as vets.

My only complaint with WNBA is how badly both my teams are going.

Jade Melbourne subbed in today with 2 min left in the 3rd Q (they were down by 22 at the time), and played out the rest of the game.
8 points (3/4), 1 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl, 0 t/o in her 12 minutes, and +15.

Minutes are scarce with Loyd absolutely on fire this season so it's great she took full advantage of the opportunity today.

Might be quite a while before this effort gets beaten

Sabrina Ionescu in the 3 Point Contest

Yep, amazing stuff. I hope it inspires some youngsters to go out and work on their own shot.

The annual 11:30am-on-a-weekday game hosted by the Mystics has just tipped off.

Smith has 14 boards (WNBA career high) atm, and it's only half time as Chicago is dominating Seattle. She has been locked in. Great to see.

Quality time for Melbourne, too - 11 min in the half. Had some struggles, did some good things. Valuable experience.

Jade looking like she has a bit more bulk to her upper body! Can't wait to see how this translates back into the wnbl!

Smith exits early as garbage time starts, which is a pity because her 17 boards is an equal league high this seaason. 9 points, 2 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks. Great stuff.

Kristy Wallace was clutch in the @IndianaFever's matchup versus the Dream, finishing with 20 PTS and knocking down a career-high 6 triples in the Fever victory, with three 3-pointers coming in the last 1:10 of the game

Kristy Wallace a bad, non-contact injury to her right knee :(

Fingers crossed for her

Must be real bad, she was ballin her eyes out once she left the court.

she knows what a serious knee injury is too

Probably more relevant to the WNBL 23/24 thread now, but Wallace's injury wasn't the dreaded three letter acronym and it appears she'll be ready for the upcoming WNBL season. Good news for all concerned.

Good news for Wally.

I think when you've had a reco, any knee injury you fear the worst. I had a reco at 21, and after coming back (15 months rehab) I went down on the other knee a month later. I feared the worst for sure but it was only a displaced kneecap.

Congrats to Ezi Magbegor for making the WNBA All-Defensive 2nd Team
Blocks compilation tweet
Great season for her overall, continuing to grow both sides of her game.

Congrats to Alanna Smith too for being recognised with some votes in the Most Improved award. Has been a nice 12 months for her.

Aces Cayla George feature - Part 1

NY Liberty @ LV Aces in the finals - the 2 "super teams" - tipping off in a few hours.
Potential to be an excellent series.

Very good news also that the WNBA has announced its first expansion in ages, with Golden State getting a team, and it sounds like a 2nd expansion team may also be announced soon.

Who could have predicted the 2 super teams would meet in the final...

Conneticut surprised this season.
Dallas getting better.

The rest have alot of work to do.

Brondello gets her 2nd championship I reckon. LV probably need parker healthy.

I was thinking Parker being out would tip the scales slightly in NY's favour if anything, but yikes it has not worked out that way at all so far. Aces giving the Liberty a lesson in playoff basketball.

Cant see Hammon staying much longer, she'll get a shot at coaching a men’s side if they do a clean sweep.
Team has been dominant since she become HC.
All or nothing for NY in game 3, ionescu and vandersloot have been dissapointing.

ionescu and vandersloot have been dissapointing.

Liberty way off the mark - I think they get a game back at home - but a huge turn around required to win it

Liberty lifted big time during the regular season when facing the Aces, including shocking them to end the win streak, but the latter are a far superior team.

Liberty with a huge turn around - I was confident they could get this game back.

17,000 + fans at the Barclay Centre were right behind them.

Standard of player exceptional - can see what we need to be at here with our Australian players to have another LJ, PT, KH, MT era.

The games have been so physical - the earlier ConSun v Liberty was so physical on Stewart.

Key influencer will be Gray's injury for the Aces.

Luuuc ?
A huge turn around in fortunes and Liberty may well come back from 0-2 down.
Chelsea Gray and Kiah Stokes out injured - possibly for the series. Kayla George looking like she may get minutes. Aces having Parker, Gray and Stokes out will have a challenge. If they win it will be a significant event in teh franchise history.

ACES in all sorts of problems - down by 10 at quarter time - Liberty with 17,000 behind them - have the match ups covered. Aces will struggle to keep this under 20. Aces trying combos they have rarely used all season.

Losing Gray changes everything of course. An elite finals performer. Stokes really compounds the problem. Series is turned on its head with those injuries.
Aces run a short rotation at the best of times but with Parker, Gray & Stokes out they suddenly are forced to play players who have barely seen minutes all season. Combine that with a short turnaround to game 5 and it is really bad news for the Aces.

Hate to see titles decided by injuries to this extent.

It's not over yet of course.

Credit to NY for the way they responded in game 3. It was do or die and they finally showed the required level of intensity. Jones has been impressive all series. Back to her MVP season form.

also loved Carolyn Peck's pre-game wind up talk from the media desk.

level of these players is exceptional

*most of these players

Hard to believe LV are in this still.

Liberty went back inside their shell - if they are to beat the Aces they must play like them - take the game on. I want to see the ball in Stewies and Sabrinas hands more in the front court.

LOL 20 seconds left and the broadcast loops with a glitch ...............

what a finish scenario !

Not good for sandy, losing the series with injuries to lv key players.

D wins championships and Vegas got the stops when they needed.

Hats off to Cayla, played a huge role in the win even though her shot didn't fall

That's a real gutsy win by the Aces.
And for NY there is no avoiding the word choke. They had everything in their favour and blew it.
Bad time for the official league MVP to shoot 3/17

And yes - shout out to starter and WNBA champion, Cayla George!

Stewie had an off game - yes the Libs had a perfect window of opportunity. To beat Aces you gotta play like them. Wilson one of the world's best at present. A franchise defining win against the odds for the Aces.

Aces way too good even undermanned.

A lot scrutiny will come to Sandy & her style of Coaching after that game & rightfully so I believe. 2 starters sidelined & you're playing at HOME! NYC can be an unforgivable place especially when their team chokes on their home court!

I don't know that there is too much Sandy can do when her offence generates the current league MVP that many good shots and she misses nearly all of them. I can't imagine she instructed JJ to ease off in this game either.
The backcourt - their weakness - actually held their own in this game and it was the front court that let them down.
It's not like the Aces played above themselves either. Not taking any credit from them of course. Playing at their usual level = playing at a very good level.
Not that Sandy should be above scrutiny of course. The team underperformed in that game so everything will be looked at.

ESPN 2024 MOCK

PUOCH #7
AMOORE #9
BORLASE #12

Should be

Borlase
Puoch
Amoore

Puoch should probably wait a year and develop.
Shelley is also in, late 3rd round.