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Today, we are very proud to launch our full scouting Database. Need info on WNBA prospects? Check out our draft Directory.
Also today, we debuted out first mock draft. Send us your comments and suggestions. Enjoy!
https://wnbadraftnet.tripod.com/wnbadraftnet2009/
CP3 is back on top.
Rank - Name (Team) - Last Week's Rank
1. Courtney Paris (Oklahoma) - 3
2. Ashley Walker (California) - 1
3. Angel McCoughtry (Louisville) - 2
4. Ashley Paris (Oklahoma) - 9
5. DeWanna Bonner (Auburn) - 7
6. Shalee Lehning (Kansas State) - 4
7. Danielle Gant (Texas A&M) - 5
Chante Black (Duke) - 10
9. Natasha Williams (DePaul) - NR
10. Sybil Dosty (Arizona State) - NR
11. Robyn Fairbanks (Utah Valley State) - 13
12. Marshae Dotson (Florida) - 5
13. Kristi Cirone (Illinois State) - 11
Star Allen (Ohio State) - 8
15. Marlies Gipson (Kansas State) - 11
16. Traci Edwards (Wisconsin Milwaukee) - 22
Renee Montgomery (UCONN) - 14
18. Julianne Viani (Marist) - 21
19. Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue) - 17
20. Kristi Toliver (Maryland) - 18
21. Laura Kurz (Villanova) - 26
Monique McLean (St. John's) - 15
23. Whitney Thomas (Indiana) - 19
Sha Brooks (Florida) - 15
25. Mandy Morales (Montana) - 25
HM: Marissa Coleman (Maryland), Rashanda McCants (North Carolina), Rachel Porath (Wisconson Green Bay), Shavonte Zellous (Pittsburgh), Lyndra Littles (Virginia).
Marshae Dotson, a 5'11 forward from Florida, is this week's WNBA Draft Net Prospect of the Week. Dotson's Gators enjoyed two wins this week, beating both South Carolina and Georgia. Against South Carolina, Dotson scored 19 points and pulled down 6 boards, while blocking 1 shot. She shot a perfect 8-8 from the field. For the week, Dotson averaged 19.5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, 64% from the field and 63% from the free throw line. This is Dotson's first Prospect of the Week selection.
Also Considered: Robyn Fairbanks (Utah Valley State), Ashley Walker (California), Christina Wirth (Vanderbilt), DeWanna Bonner (Auburn), Shalee Lehning (Kansas State).
Last year, the Detroit Shock did just what they wanted to do - win a WNBA title. But it was how they did it that defined their season. Through injuries and suspensions, the ladies from Motown cruised to a Finals victory, winning their 3rd title in franchise history and cementing themselves as one of the best franchise in league history. Let's look at how the Shock can build on such a season...
Built Ford Tough
Cheryl Ford has been a huge question mark the past couple seasons. She's sustained several injuries and as one of the main building blocks of the Shock team, Ford's importance is almost unexplainable. Last year, Ford got injured during a scuffle between Plenette Pierson and Candace Parker, sidelining her for the remainder of the season. For Detroit to win another title, they will need Ford to be healthy and on top of her game.
Going Postal
Since Bill Laimbeer arrived, the Shock have become one of the WNBA's most intimidating post teams in the history of the league. Last year was no different. In adding Taj McWilliams-Franklin, they add depth to a position which already included All-Stars Kara Braxton and Cheryl Ford, and Plenette Pierson. West Virginia Rookie Olayinka Sanni and UCONN alum Kelly Schumacher also were servicable in small minutes. In 2009, the Shock will still continue to be one of the toughest front courts.
Young Guns
With a strong front court, it is obvious to everyone that the Shock will most likely be selecting a guard in the first round. Elaine Powell isn't getting younger, and Sheri Sam has obviously regressed. Katie Smith and Deanna Nolan will continue to play at All-Star levels, but they could still add some youth. Look for the Shock to pursue someone like Shavonte Zellous, Krystall Ellis or Takia Starks. Zellous would be a perfect fit for the Shock, but she will probably be taken before that.
The Dishing Divas
Unless the Shock think Elaine Powell is of starting quality or that Alexis Hornbuckle could fill a void, the Shock may even look to bring in a point guard. Shalee Lehning could be interesting here. She's as strong playmaker and rebounds from the guard position like nobody else does. She seems like Laimbeer's blue collered type of player. But also look for possibly selecting Briann January or even (gasp) Kristi Toliver. Again, the point guard isn't a huge need for the Shock if they have faith in Hornbuckle and Powell, but I could see Laimbeer possibly taking a point guard.
For Maryland, Marissa Coleman was a highly touted prospect. Out of high school, maybe thought she'd be the next big thing. She seemed to be a ' Little Like Magic Johnson Was.' After winning the championship during her first year, things haven't always been easy for Coleman. And this year, things have been especially tough. She's had her senior moments but she still is committed to her goals. With losses to unranked TCU and Pittsburgh, Maryland has struggled, but Coleman isn't done winning yet. In her senior season, Coleman is seen as the main leader for the Terps. And Brenda Frese noted that "She's watched great mentors and role models the last three years. She's always taken a back seat, and now she's taking ownership of this team. She's vocal and she's got the respect of her teammates. Her leadership will be her best intangible. She's always about putting team first." With her versatility, work ethic, and leadership, look for Coleman to do big things in a WNBA arena near you.
New leader of the pack this week, and Lehning keeps rising...
Rank - Name (Team) - Last Week's Rank
1. Ashley Walker (California) - 2
2. Angel McCoughtry (Louisville) - 4
3. Courtney Paris (Oklahoma) - 1
4. Shalee Lehning (Kansas State) - 7
5. Marshae Dotson (Florida) - 14
Danielle Gant (Texas A&M) - 8
7. DeWanna Bonner (Auburn) - 5
8. Star Allen (Ohio State) - 3
9. Ashley Paris (Oklahoma) - 6
10. Chante Black (Duke) - 10
11. Marlies Gipson (Kansas State) - 12
Kristi Cirone (Illinois State) - 9
13. Robyn Fairbanks (Utah Valley State) - 11
14. Renee Montgomery (UCONN) - 13
15. Sha Brooks (Florida) - NR
Monique McLean (St Johns) - 14
17. Linsday Wisdom-Hylton (Purdue) - 26
18. Kristi Toliver (Maryland) - NR
19. Whitney Thomas (Indiana) - 20
Chandrea Jones (Syracuse) - 20
21. Julianne Viani (Marist) - NR
22. Marissa Coleman (Maryland) - 18
Traci Edwards (UW Milwaukee) - 25
24. Jernisha Cann (IUPUI) - 16
Mandy Morales (Montana) - NR
HM: Laura Kurz (Villanova), Briann January (Arizona State), Shantia Grace (South Florida), Rachel Porath (UW Green Bay), Rashanda McCants (North Carolina).
Taking this week's Prospect of the Week honors is the 6'4" senior Auburn forward, DeWanna Bonner. #6/8 Auburn went 2-0 for the week with wins over South Carolina and #19/19 Florida. In the 81-65 win over Florida, Bonner scored a game-high 29 points, while also pulling down 11 rebounds. In that very game, she shot 53% from the field, 33% from three, and 89% from the free throw line. For the week, Bonner averaged 29 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 58% field goal percentage, and 79% from the free throw line. This is Bonner's first Prospect of the Week award.
Also Considered: Angel McCoughtry (Louisville), Shalee Lehning (Kansas State), Sha Brooks (Florida), Courtney Paris (Oklahoma), Ashley Walker (California).
After signing two All-WNBA type of talents in Sheryl Swoopes and Yolanda Griffith, the Seattle Storm seemed poised for their second title. However, a first round exit against LA sent the Storm packing, and now there are things that need to be changed. Let's look at what went well for the Storm, what didn't go well, and what they could look for in the 2009 WNBA Draft.
The Jackson Five
One of the key strengths of the Seattle Storm was their experience of their starting five. Everyone in the starting five has won at least one WNBA title, and each brought their own experience to the table. But there's one problem - age. Swoopes and Griffith were servicable, but it was obvious both have regressed a bit. Adding a healthy Burse could help cover that up, but there's still another question out there - Lauren Jackson. Jackson is being courted by every team in the WNBA but the front runners seem to be Seattle, Phoenix and Connecticut. With the added age of Swoopes and Griffith, the injury prone nature of Burse, and the questionable direction of Lauren Jackson, look for the Storm to be smart in who they draft because they probably will make the squad. The Storm must look to the future before they get caught in the present.
O is the show, but d is the key
When Agler shopped Castro-Marques and Lennox around for the possiblity of bringing on Cash and Swoopes, Storm fans knew one thing would change - defense. The Storm were the best defensive team in the league last year, giving up the least amount of points (70), and we second in opponent field goal percentage (40%). Obviously adding Swoopes and Griffith made the difference, but so did Agler. Agler is a very defensive minded coach, which was not necessarily a strong suit of Ann Donovan. If one thing went well for the Storm it was their defense.
I don't want no scrubs
Let's be honest. The Storm have never been known as an overly deep team and we've discussed their aging veteran issues. Wright and Katie Gearlds give the Storm hope in the back court, but there is little to no hope in the post play area. Ashley Robinson, for some odd reason, has kept a stable job. This is a woman who has more career fouls than points (zing!). And while Shyra Ely has improved, she's still a project, and of the last-minute-blah-im-tired-of-this variety. If the Storm want to get serious, they should cut the fat and go for some youth in the post. There is more need for guards in this year's draft, it seems, so even in the third round, posts will still be available. I expect the Storm to take a chance on a big in the third round, and I'm quite sure they'll be as good, if not better, than Ashley Robinson.
Among our top ranked prospects, one of the more surprising names to appear week after week is Ohio State forward Star Allen. All is now a senior and has been apart of three Big Ten Championships. She while she has endured her fair share of ups and downs, including being academic ineligble for most of her junior year, Allen has been poised for a strong senior campaign. It hasn't been easy, though. Many wondered how Allen would return. Would she be out of shape? Would she be focused? Well, early returns say Allen returned better than ever. Marscilla Packer, a former Ohio State standout, touched on Allen's strengths by saying "Star does a lot of great things, she has guard skills that help our team out a lot." It's safe to say Allen has 'starred' in many Buckeye wins. And with the WNBA draft approach, Allen will need to continue to put on a show.
Point guard are always of need when it comes to the WNBA, and there's one that's standing out in the Little Apple. For years, Shalee Lehning has led the Wildcats both on and off the court. Kansas State head coach Deb Patterson said Shalee "is as good a player as I've ever had the opportunity to coach. Different, but as good as any I've had. Intensity beyond description and a heart as big as a planet." Lehning's game is not something you see everyday. She's a very physical player who will battle with anyone. Her ability to create plays for both herself, as well as others, is uncanny. And her ability to rebound as if she's a foot taller leads Deb Patterson to nickname Lehning as a 'throwback player.' ESPN.com even named her as one of the Top 5 point guards this season. Lehning leads her team in assists, field goal percentage and rebounds per game. Not to mention that she's already had four triple doubles and the nation's assist leader. There's an element about Shalee that intrigues people, even Texas head coach Gale Goestenkors. "She's one of the best point guards in America," Goestenkors noted, "For some reason she has been under the radar but I would put her up against any guard in the country."
