Podcast Summary: No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Episode: Where the Shift Began: Inside the 2019 WNBA Draft Class

Date: October 22, 2025
Hosts: Zena Keita, Sabreena Merchant, Ben Pickman

Overview

This episode dives deep into the 2019 WNBA Draft Class, revisiting its transformative impact on the league and the ripple effect it had both on and off the court. The discussion sets the stage for a fun "redraft" exercise, with hosts reevaluating the original draft picks based on how the players’ careers have actually developed. Prior to the redraft, the hosts also analyze current WNBA coaching moves, breaking down the values and trends shaping current hires.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. WNBA Coaching Carousel: New Trends & Hires

Timestamps: 02:23–12:58

• Alex Sarama’s Hiring by Portland Fire:
  • Portland’s new head coach comes from an NBA background, celebrated for his player development expertise and modern, “constraints-led” approach.
  • The hire signals a long-term developmental philosophy, prioritizing innovative training and patience over immediate on-court results.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Ownership, front office, the coach all have to be aware that it’s a runway. Right. And we’ve seen so many of these jobs in the WNBA where they don’t get time... I just hope everyone is very clear-eyed about what the situation could be.” — Sabreena Merchant (04:02)
• Coaching Searches Around the League:
  • Multiple coaching vacancies—including New York Liberty, Dallas Wings, Seattle Storm, Toronto—are at different stages.
  • Former players are in the mix, but NBA/G-League backgrounds are also highly valued.
  • Relationships and alignment between executives and coaches are emerging as critical factors, often outweighing years of direct coaching experience.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Right now we’re really in an era where people need to think about the alignment… that kind of relational alignment between the top basketball executive… and the head coach.” — Ben Pickman (09:32)
• Use of Search Firms:
  • Search firms help widen candidate pools and also provide plausible deniability for teams and candidates during discreet hirings.
  • Notable Quote:
    “It helps you create a broad candidate pool … but also coverage, so to speak, in case your candidate is interested… they can say, well, no, no they haven’t.” — Ben Pickman (11:48)
• Fun Moment:
  • Sandy Brondello’s real-life vacation stalling multiple coaching searches is discussed with lighthearted admiration.

2. The 2019 WNBA Draft Class: Its Transformative Impact

Timestamps: 15:33–21:02

• Why 2019 Was a Turning Point:
  • The class bridged the era of household college stars becoming immediate pros and set the groundwork for the star-studded 2024 class.
  • 2019’s rookies both benefited from and helped drive greater player empowerment, new CBA negotiations, and increased salaries.
  • Off-court impact: Podcast guests discuss how these players modernized what it meant to “be” a WNBA player—embracing personality, brand-building, and pushing league standards.
  • Notable Quote:
    “It was the first class that felt they could actually sort of modernize the experience of being a WNBA player. They had the capacity and the wherewithal and the popularity and just the ability...” — Sabreena Merchant (17:26)
• Depth and Role Distribution:
  • This class stands out for its contributors far beyond the top picks—several second- and third-rounders have had real staying power and impact.
  • Stat Highlight:
    “There are 10 players so far from the 2019 class who... have win shares over 10. That’s the most in the last 20 years.” — Ben Pickman (19:19)

3. The 2019 WNBA Redraft Exercise

Timestamps: 22:08–52:17

Setup & Approach

• Only the first round is “redrafted,” using actual on-court production and fit as the basis.
• Hosts take turns picking, snake-draft style, and analyze their choices in detail.
• The consensus is that both the talent and the depth of this class make the exercise especially difficult, reflecting how unpredictable player trajectories can be.

Round-by-Round Highlights & Debates

Picks 1-4:

• 1. Nafisa Collier — (originally 6th)
  • Justification: Proven franchise centerpiece, elite frontcourt versatility, modern “unguardable” skillset.
  • Quote: “She has proven she can be the best player on a championship-level team… has an unguardable shot.” — Ben Pickman (22:08)
• 2. Jackie Young — (originally 1st)
  • Justification: Blossomed into multi-title winner and Olympian, evolved as a playmaker and scorer.
  • Memorable: Jackie’s rookie struggles and later success under Becky Hammon highlighted as key turning points.
• 3. Arike Ogunbowale — (originally 5th)
  • Justification: Elite scorer, high-ceiling offensive engine, strong regional fit for her original franchise.
  • Quote: “I think Arike is someone you can absolutely build a team around.” — Zena Keita (27:07)
• 4. Alanna Smith — (originally 8th)
  • Choice: A late-blooming, modern big prized for defensive versatility and floor spacing; Chicago gets a player who later flourished in their system.

5-8:

• 5. Ezi Magbegor — (originally 12th)
  • Justification: Elite defender, young with long runway, more valuable in today’s mobile, versatile power-forward era.
• 6. Jess Shepard (surprise pick)
  • Stat: Fifth-highest win shares per 40 minutes in her class; shows the draft’s depth.
  • Fun Fact: “When Jess Shepard plays and gets run, she is really, really good.” — Ben Pickman (34:12)
• 7. Marina Mabrey
  • Role: Key modern combo-guard, career blossomed with more on-ball reps.
  • Story: Early career anecdotes show her as a fish out of water on a stacked Sparks squad (38:19).
• 8. Sophie Cunningham
  • Justification: Elite shooter, modern combo forward, tough mentality.
  • Anecdote: “Basically put Mizzou basketball on the map when she was in college.” — Sabreena Merchant (40:26)

9-12:

• 9. Kennedy Burke
  • Justification: Late-career leap as a floor-spacer and connector, fits well with current versatile lineups.
• 10. Bridget Carleton
  • Traits: Solid 3-and-D wing, increased role in Minnesota reveals toughness and reliability.
• 11. Natisha Hiedeman
  • Role: Undersized guard who proved her closing value in high-leverage moments with the Sun.
  • Quote: “You can put her on the court for the closing minutes of WNBA Finals and things seem to work.” — Sabreena Merchant (46:33)
• 12. Teaira McCowan — (originally 3rd)
  • Stat: Only the fourth WNBA player since 2010 to average at least 10 points and 7 rebounds through her first six seasons.
  • Debate: Would her career look different had she landed in a more modern, spaced-out offense?

Debated Omissions and Depth

• Brianna Turner: Defensive specialist whose production has tailed off but was highly touted in early years.
• Li Yueru & Han Xu: International bigs who flashed potential but have had limited impact stateside.
• Others like Kalani Brown, Katie Lou Samuelson, and more get brief mention at the close.

Memorable Quote on the Class’s Legacy:
“You feel as if there was just this really big high point in ‘19 and all this momentum… and then it kind of died… until the 2024 class, where it’s not just the number one pick that we know, it’s all these others underneath.” — Zena Keita (51:21)

Final Redraft Teams Recap (51:45)

• Ben: Nafisa Collier, Jess Shepard, Marina Mabrey, Teaira McCowan
• Sabrina: Jackie Young, Ezi Magbegor, Sophie Cunningham, Natisha Hiedeman
• Zena: Arike Ogunbowale, Alanna Smith, Kennedy Burke, Bridget Carleton

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments w/ Timestamps

• “It was the first class that felt they could actually sort of modernize the experience of being a WNBA player…” — Sabreena Merchant, 17:26
• “There are 10 players so far from the 2019 class who… have win shares over 10. That’s the most in the last 20 years.” — Ben Pickman, 19:19
• On Teaira McCowan’s statistical company: “It is four players … Brianna Stewart, Tina Charles, Nneka Ogwumike, and Teaira McCowan.” — Ben Pickman, 43:17
• On late bloomers: “I think Jess Shepard has worked her way into my heart as a versatile big… that low block, weak side is just lethal for her.” — Zena Keita, 35:14

Episode Flow & Tone

The hosts’ dynamic is lively, informed, and occasionally irreverent, moving fluidly from serious analysis to inside jokes and player stories. They maintain a balance between statistical rigor and personal anecdote—making the episode equally welcoming for stats-heads and casual fans.

In Summary

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in women’s basketball’s evolution, the nuanced discussion of talent evaluation, and the behind-the-scenes machinery of WNBA team-building. The 2019 class emerges as a modern watershed, helping to set expectations for player impact, league culture, and ongoing evolution in both coaching and management. The redraft is both entertaining and thoughtful, reflecting how the league’s priorities, style, and superstar archetype have evolved in just six years.

Key Segments & Timestamps

• Coaching Carousel/League Trends: 02:23–12:58
• 2019 Draft Class Impact: 15:33–21:02
• Redraft Analysis: 22:08–52:17
• Team Recaps & Closing Thoughts: 51:42–52:17

For more WNBA insights and community discussion, listen to future episodes of "No Offseason," follow on social media, and visit The Athletic’s women’s basketball section.