2016 WNBA draft explained

2016 WNBA draft
Sport:Basketball
Date:April 14, 2016
Location:Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut
Network:ESPN2 (first round)
ESPNU (second and third rounds)
League:WNBA
First:Breanna Stewart
Seattle Storm
Prev:2015
Next:2017

The 2016 WNBA draft is the league's draft for the 2016 WNBA season. It was held on April 14 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.[1]

The draft was most notable for Connecticut producing the top three picks, with #1 pick Breanna Stewart followed by Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck.[2] This is the first time in history that the top three draft picks came from the same school.[3]

Draft lottery

The lottery selection to determine the order of the top four picks in the 2016 draft occurred on September 24, 2015. The winner of the lottery, the Seattle Storm, picked first, marking the first pick for the Storm for the second straight year.[4]

Lottery chances

This is the third time that the lottery was won by the team that had the highest odds. The lottery odds were based on combined records from the 2014 and 2015 WNBA season. Seattle Storm, the worst two-year record, was guaranteed with at least the third pick.

Draft selections

Round 1

width=30Pickwidth=333Playerwidth=200Nationalitywidth=383Teamwidth=333School / club team
1Breanna Stewart +Seattle StormConnecticut
2Moriah JeffersonSan Antonio StarsConnecticut
3Morgan TuckConnecticut SunConnecticut
4Rachel BanhamConnecticut SunMinnesota
5Aerial PowersDallas WingsMichigan State
6Jonquel Jones +Connecticut Sun from Los Angeles SparksGeorge Washington
7Kahleah Copper +Washington MysticsRutgers
8Courtney Williams +Phoenix MercurySouth Florida
9Indiana FeverSouth Carolina
10Imani BoyetteChicago SkyTexas
11Bria HolmesAtlanta DreamWest Virginia
12Adut BulgakNew York LibertyFlorida State

Round 2

width=30Pickwidth=333Playerwidth=200Nationalitywidth=383Teamwidth=333School / club team
13Rachel HollivayAtlanta DreamRutgers
14Jazmon Gwathmey
Minnesota Lynx (then traded to San Antonio)[5] James Madison
15Whitney KnightLos Angeles Sparks from Connecticut SunFlorida Gulf Coast
16Courtney WalkerAtlanta DreamTexas A&M
17Jamie WeisnerConnecticut Sun from Los Angeles SparksOregon State
18Ruth HamblinDallas WingsOregon State
19Lia GaldeiraWashington MysticsWashington State
20Jillian AlleynePhoenix MercuryOregon
21Brene MoseleyIndiana FeverMaryland
22Bashaara GravesMinnesota LynxTennessee
23Brianna ButlerLos Angeles Sparks from Connecticut SunSyracuse
24Ameryst AlstonNew York LibertyOhio State

Third round

width=30Pickwidth=333Playerwidth=200Nationalitywidth=383Teamwidth=333School / club team
25Brittney MartinSan Antonio StarsOklahoma State
26Lexi Eaton RydalchSeattle StormBYU
27Aliyyah HandfordConnecticut SunSt. John's
28Niya JohnsonAtlanta DreamBaylor
29Talia WaltonLos Angeles SparksWashington
30Shakena RichardsonDallas WingsSeton Hall
31Danaejah GrantWashington MysticsSt. John's
32Nirra FieldsPhoenix MercuryUCLA
33Julie AllemandIndiana FeverCastors Braine (Belgium)
34Jordan JonesChicago SkyTexas A&M
35Temi FagbenleMinnesota LynxUSC
36Shacobia BarbeeNew York LibertyGeorgia

Notable prospects

On September 24, 2015, WNBA.com posted notable prospects for the draft. The list included:[6]

The WNBA also selected twelve players to be in attendance at the draft. Those twelve were:[7]

  1. Rachel Banham, Minnesota
  2. Imani Boyette, Texas
  3. Kahleah Copper, Rutgers
  4. Moriah Jefferson, Connecticut
  5. Jonquel Jones, George Washington
  6. Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina
  7. Aerial Powers, Michigan State
  8. Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
  9. Morgan Tuck, Connecticut
  10. Courtney Walker, Texas A&M
  11. Talia Walton, Washington
  12. Courtney Williams, South Florida

Of those 12 players, 10 were picked in the 1st round. Only Courtney Walker and Talia Walton were picked later.

See also

Notes and References

  1. WNBA Draft 2016 Presented by State Farm to Be Held on April 14 . WNBA . February 22, 2016 . February 29, 2016.
  2. News: Breanna Stewart top pick in WNBA, leading 1-2-3 UConn sweep . . April 14, 2016 . April 14, 2016.
  3. Web site: Stewart leads 1-2-3 UConn sweep at WNBA draft. ESPN.com. April 14, 2016 . 2016-04-15.
  4. http://www.wnba.com/news/seattle-storm-wins-top-pick-for-2016-wnba-draft-presented-by-state-farm/ Seattle Storm Wins Top Pick For 2016 WNBA Draft Presented By State Farm - WNBA
  5. Web site: Lynx Acquire WNBA All-Star Jia Perkins From San Antonio - Minnesota Lynx. Minnesota Lynx. en-US. 2016-04-15.
  6. http://www.wnba.com/news/notable-prospects-in-the-2016-wnba-draft/ Notable Prospects in the 2016 WNBA Draft
  7. Web site: Meet the 12 Players Attending WNBA Draft 2016 - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. en-US. 2016-04-15.