After the second week of action, some new names are appearing...

Rank - Name (Team) - Last Week's Rank
  1. Courtney Paris (Oklahoma) - 27
  2. Marshae Dotson (Florida) - NR
  3. Star Allen (Ohio State) - 10
  4. Rachel Allison (Baylor) - 1
  5. Ashley Paris (Oklahoma) - NR
  6. Megan Skouby (Iowa) - NR
  7. Danielle Gant (Texas A&M) - 13
  8. Shalee Lehning (Kansas State) - NR
  9. Julianne Viani (Marist) - 18
10. DeWanna Bonner (Auburn) - NR
11. Rachel Porath (UW Green Bay) - 1
12. Jessica Bobbitt (Belmont) - 20
13. Angel McCoughtry (Louisville) - 16
14. Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue) - 5
15. Robyn Fairbanks (Utah Valley State) - NR
16. Ashley Walker (California) - 11
17. Jernisha Cann (IUPUI) - 23
18. Kristi Smith (Iowa) - NR
19. Renee Montgomery (UCONN) - 15
20. Chandrea Jones (Syracuse) - 4
21. Candyce Bingham (Louisville) - NR
22. Jhasmin Player (Baylor) - 20
23. LaCoya Terry (East Carolina) - NR
24. Aisha Mohammed (Virginia) - NR
25. Shantia Grace (South Florida) - NR

HM: Morgan Warburton (Utah), Megan Frazee (Liberty), Rashanda McCants (North Carolina), Amber Jackson (North Texas), Demetress Adams (South Carolina).

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 5:37 PM CST

Updated: Monday, 24 November 2008 5:38 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Sha' Brooks, a 5'7" guard from Florida, has been named this week's WNBA Draft Net Prospect of the Week. Brooks' Gators had to wins over the week over Jacksonville and #22/21 Florida State. In Florida's upset of then top 25 ranked FSU, Brooks posted a season high 24 points, dishing out 2 assists and shooting 7-15 from the field. For the week, Brooks averaged 20 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, while shooting 48% from the field.

Also considered: Julianne Viani (Marist), Tiffany Green (Old Dominion), Candyce Bingham (Louisville), Ashley Walker (California).

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 12:26 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Camille LeNoir, infamously nicknamed Camille LeClutch by your's truly, is in her final season in Southern Cal, and Head Coach Mark Trahk couldn't be sadder. LeNoir, a mainstay for the Trojans, has had a fantastic career. After missing her true junior season to a broken hip, LeNoir came back as brilliant as ever. After a big victory last season over a very good Colorado team, all Trahk could say was "Camille is back." LeNoir is known as a very strong offensive player, even at her small size. One of her most memorable moments as a Trojan had to be her jumper with 8.1 seconds to go to upset then #2 Stanford. But don't underestimate her on the defensive end. She is capable of defending well, too. A sarcastic Mark Trahk, after a game, proclaimed "Camille played defense today! Defense! I'm amazed!"This year, no one is really talking about the Trojans, but LeNoir could get them talking. She'll need to have a good senior campaign in order to raise her draft stock. It should be easy for her though, as she will be a key part of the Trojan offense this year.
                            

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 12:35 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Well, Christina Aguilera said it, so it must be true. It keeps gettin' better. Here are the top Small Forwards from the Class of 2009.

DeWanna Bonner (Auburn)
This SEC Player of the Year pick should finally be in her element in her fourth and final year. The SEC is a young conference and Bonner is now the experienced one. This is a woman who can shoot, steal, rebound and block shots all over the place - and at 6'4"! Her size makes her stand out at this position and should help her in the WNBA. Look for Bonner to do big things.

Marissa Coleman (Maryland)
Next to the word 'smooth,' Webster's should really place a nice photo of Marissa Coleman. Coleman brings together both skill and size to be the perfect package for any WNBA team. She may be one of the more underrated shooters in the draft. She's also one of the more versatile prospects. She can go inside and out. This kid is a no brainer come lottery time.

Rashanda McCants (North Carolina)
When you draft a Tar Heel, you know what you're getting. You're getting someone who can score off the bounce, defend most positions and do it well, and someone who can play the game fast and will not have to take a lot of time to adapt to the WNBA game. McCants brings all of that table. She may have some growing to do with her perimeter shooting, but this girl should be a gem.

Angel McCoughtry (Louisville)
Jeff Walz may have to end up stealing Geno's infamous line because, quite frankly, he has Angel and you don't. She come on the scene and no one will forget her name. Being the offensive juggernaut that she is, McCoughtry is usually unstoppable at the offensive end. Though, it's he defensive abilities that spark comparisons to Sheryl Swoopes. McCoughtry is not a one demensional player. She plays all demensions and plays them well.

Christina Wirth (Vanderbilt)
Coming out of High School, Wirth was a McDonald's All-American who most people thought would help further build the Vanderbilt program. I think it's fitting that in her final season, the Commodores have a chance to win their first SEC title ever. Like her counterparts, this is a prospect who brings both size and skill. She's got a good body for the pros and can stretch defenses. She can go inside as well, though, as she has done many times for her team. She's under the radar a bit, but not for long.

HM: Lyndra Littles (Virginia), Lindsay Schrader (Notre Dame), Jhasmin Player (Baylor), Danielle Gant (Texas A&M), Dominique Duck (Western Kentucky).

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 12:01 AM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Let's take a look at the best shooting/combo guards in this year's class... 

Krystal Ellis (Marquette)
Ellis is a main star in the Big East. This slashing, on-the-ball shooting guard can put up major scoring numbers. She can carry a team offensively and has shown on-court leadership abilities. Marquette should be in the contention for an NCAA birth this year and Ellis will help them do just that.

Takia Starks (Texas A&M)
Starks, an undersized, athletic two-guard, has shown can score in the halfcourt and open court. With her relatively quick release on shot, she almost negates being undersized. She's one of the best athletes in one of the nations better conferences. She's just amazing. Deanna Nolan. Think Deanna Nolan.

Shavonte Zellous (Pittsburgh)
Before last season, everyone was talking about Marcedes Walker. Marcedes, Marcedes, Marcedes. Well, now this is Zellous' year. She has quickly shown deftness in the mid-range game (an art that few guards in the last three draft classes have shown). She's another great athlete in this class.

Emily Fox (Minnesota)
Lindsay Whalen who? Just kidding. Minnesota’s current leading scorer has shown the ability to carry a team offensively. Fox is a true leader for a young Golden Gopher team a year ago that made the NCAA Tournament. The Gophers, along with Fox, will only continue to grow and she herself should grow some as well.

Mandy Morales (Montana)
Not many follow the Grizzly Bear athletics in Montana, but this combo has shown the ability to hit the outrange shot with regularity. She may need to bulk up a bit, but this is a real gem in the world of mid major hoops. Look out for her. Leilani did it, and so can Mandy.

 HM: Morgan Warburton (Utah), Sade Logan (Robert Morris), Tenae Davis-Cain (Florida State), Abby Waner (Duke), Amber Bland (NC A&T).

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 5:18 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Last year, Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton was primed for a fantastic senior campaign. She had played on a Purdue squad in 2007 that had advanced far into the NCAA's and had rebounded from struggles. She also had a freshman year that no one say coming, including herself. Katie Gearlds, former Boilermaker and current member of the WNBA's Seattle Storm, said that "Lindsay, she's a stud. She's 6-foot-2, playing the perimeter. She can probably dunk it, but she doesn't try." However, that was cut short when Wisdom-Hylton tore her ACL playing for Team USA in the Under 21 World Championships. She then redshirted. Wisdom-Hylton has put the past behind her and is pumped to finish out her career the way she started it. And believe me, no one has forgotten about Wisdom-Hylton. Lisa Stone, head coach of Wisconsin, notes that "Watching (Lindsay) on the bench and knowing how much that helped her is frightening how good she can be, she was like a coach last year." Indeed, last year sitting out could help Purdue, as they are picked to finish first in the Big Ten. Still, Wisdom-Hylton and her fellow Boilermakers hope to surprise people. Mary Murphy, an analyst for the Big Ten Network, is quick to note that "WNBA coaches are just salivating over her (because) she can pass, she's unselfish, she has a great work ethic, she understands defense and she has a great grasp of the game (and) once she gets her confidence, I think she's going to explode on the national scene this year."

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 12:01 AM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

It's very early in the season, but these are the top 25 player rankings after the first week of action...

  1. Rachel Porath (UW-Green Bay)
      Rachel Allison (Baylor)
  3. Tasha Harris (Boise State)
  4. Chandrea Jones (Syracuse)
  5. Kristi Little (Duquesne)
      Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton
  7. Chante Black (Duke)
  8. Briann January (Arizona State)
      Laura Kurz (Villanova)
10. Star Allen (Ohio State)
11. Ashley Walker (California)
12. Whitney Thomas (Indiana)
13. Danielle Gant (Texas A&M)
14. Shavonte Zellous (Pittsburgh)
15. Renee Montgomery (UCONN)
16. Mandy Morales (Montana)
      Angel McCoughtry (Lousiville)
18. Juliann Viani (Marist)
      Rashanda McCants (North Carolina)
20. Jhasmin Player (Baylor)
      Jessica Bobbitt (Belmont)
      Lauren Lacey (Arizona State)
23. Jernisha Cann (IUPUI)
24. Dominic Seals (Texas Tech)
25. Sybil Dosty (Arizona State)

HM: Lade Akande (Butler), Courtney Paris (Oklahoma), Dominique Duck (Western Kentucky), Erin Kerner (Quinnipiac), Traci Edwards (UW-Milwaukee)

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 5:14 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

Rachel Allison, a 6'1 forward from Baylor, has been chosen as this week's WNBA Prospect of the Week. Allison averaged 21.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and shot 53% from the field in two wins against Florida International and #2/2 Stanford. Allison tallied 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block against one of the premiere frontcourts of Kayla Pederson and Jayne Appel.

Also considered: Shalee Lehning (Kansas State), Kemie Nkele (UC-Riverside), Angel McCoughtry (Louisville), Chante Black (Duke).

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 2:19 PM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Kemie Nkele is a Cali girl from UC Riverside, looking to make it big. Nkele has been a star in the making for quite some time now. Even her youth basketball coach, Gary Elwood, said "I told (her mother), Barbara, Kemie was going to be big time." The Highlanders made the NCAA tournament just two years ago, but after Kemie Nkele went out for the season with a knee injury, they struggled. UCR didn't make the tournament in 2008 and had their first losing season under John Margaritis. This year, Kemie is back and she says "It still lights a fire in us." This could be a big year for Nkele. She's always been known as a stellar offensive player, but her ability to change games defensively is one of her better attributes. Last year, Nkele had to sit and watch her team struggle, and she's definitely itching to get back on the court.

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 10:43 AM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (1) | Permalink

I know what you're thinking. "So, who is this Robyn Fairbanks? I mean, I saw her on your preseason list yesterday, but who is she? Oh, and where is Utah Valley State?" Well, let's get to know Robyn Fairbanks.

 Fairbanks is a senior at Utah Valley State, located in Orem, Utah. The university is not a part of any conference, as they stand as an 'Independent.' Fairbanks is a two-time Independent Player of the Year, going for her third straight in her final season. She was also named an honorable mention AP All-American during her junior season, while averaging  23.8 points per game(4th in the nation), 57.9 percent from the field (12th in the nation) and 9.7 rebounds per game. UVSC Head Coach Kathy Nixon has sad that "She has done something great and special every game that she's played here and you don't see that very often at any level in athletics." Fairbanks, along with her male counterpart Ryan Toolson, uses her power and grace to lead the Wolverines on the court. Robyn Fairbanks is a force to be reckoned with and someone people should begin to notice. Maybe a winning season can help that? Fairbanks thinks that "We've got to find other things to play for besides the postseason. We want a 20-win season. We've got to come out strong and stay strong." With her leadership and poise, anything is possible.

Photo courtesy of uvureview.com

Posted by wnbadraftnet at 11:30 AM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 11 November 2008 11:31 AM CST

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink