No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show

Episode: WNBA Draft Preview: Will Caitlin Clark Immediately Star for the Fever?
Release Date: April 15, 2024
Host/Authors: Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, Ben Pickman

Introduction

In this episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women's Basketball Show, hosts Zena Keita, Chantel Jennings, Sabrina Merchant, and Ben Pickman delve deep into the upcoming WNBA Draft, with a spotlight on whether Caitlin Clark will make an immediate impact for the Indiana Fever. The discussion encompasses draft logistics, key prospects, team strategies, and bold predictions for the new WNBA season.

Setting the Stage: Understanding the WNBA Draft

Sabrina Merchant kicks off the conversation by breaking down the intricacies of the WNBA Draft Lottery and its implications for the teams involved.

[07:11] Sabrina Merchant: "The WNBA draft lottery involves the four teams that missed the playoffs the prior season... Indiana won the first pick. That's why we've been talking about them and Caitlin Clark for so long since December."

The draft order was established with Indiana Fever securing the top pick, followed by Los Angeles Sparks, Chicago Sky, and Phoenix Mercury, though subsequent trades have shuffled the order, allowing Los Angeles to hold two lottery picks.

Lottery Picks Breakdown

1. Indiana Fever Selects Caitlin Clark

Caitlin Clark, a standout from the Iowa Hawkeyes, is the primary focus. The Fever's selection of Clark is seen as a strategic move to bolster their point guard position.

[12:29] Sabrina Merchant: "I think it's her ability to run the offense as a point guard like you mentioned with her passing. Indiana doesn't really have a high-quality point guard."

Ben Pickman emphasizes Clark's potential impact:

[13:11] Ben Pickman: "Some people said... they would trade their whole team for Caitlin Clark, both because of what she can do to sell tickets, but also because she's such a great piece to build around."

2. Los Angeles Sparks Pick Cameron Brink

Cameron Brink, a forward from Stanford, is projected as Los Angeles Sparks' second lottery pick. Brink is lauded for her defensive prowess and athleticism.

[16:31] Sabrina Merchant: "She's a west coast girl, you know, born and raised in Oregon, played at Stanford, coming down to LA. It all naturally makes sense."

Ben Pickman adds:

[18:32] Ben Pickman: "Cameron Brink really didn't show a lot of that [outside shooting], but she has her defensive potential, her shooting stroke, everything she can do on the court."

3. Chicago Sky Select Rekia Jackson

Rekia Jackson from Tennessee is anticipated to be selected third by the Chicago Sky, offering them a dynamic forward with scoring and rebounding capabilities.

[20:45] Ben Pickman: "Rekia Jackson... she can create off the dribble, she can score off the catch from the perimeter. She has a post game, she competes with size."

However, concerns about Jackson's consistency and an unexplained suspension during her college career are noted.

[22:15] Sabrina Merchant: "Her college career has had a little bit of some ups and downs. It hasn't been Rekia Jackson on the map consistently."

4. Los Angeles Sparks Choose Camila Cardoso

Camila Cardoso, a forward from South Carolina, is expected to be Los Angeles Sparks' fourth pick, aiming to fill gaps in their frontcourt and enhance both offense and defense.

[25:58] Ben Pickman: "She is 6 foot 7 and has strengths that she does, I think it is why she is an appealing prospect... she has a lot to learn, but she is very teachable."

Transitioning from NCAA to WNBA

The panel discusses the challenges rookies face when moving from college basketball to the professional league, highlighting the rapid turnaround from NCAA seasons to WNBA responsibilities.

[09:32] Sabrina Merchant: "They have to go from the NCAA season and turn around and go straight to the draft and then go into pre camps and all the above. What does that process look like?"

Ben Pickman references Diana Taurasi's remarks on granting rookies a "period of grace" to adjust.

[10:23] Ben Pickman: "...Diana Taurasi even talking about the reality that Caitlin Clark is going to have when she gets to the W season."

Despite the challenges, the panel expresses optimism about Clark's ability to make significant contributions, drawing parallels to previous top picks like Aaliyah Boston and Ryan Howard who excelled early in their careers.

[11:18] Sabrina Merchant: "We could definitely see Caitlin Clark come in and be among the best players in the WNBA."

Other Notable Prospects Making a Splash

Alyssa Peeley and Angel Reese

Beyond the lottery picks, Alyssa Peeley from Utah and Angel Reese from LSU are highlighted as players poised to make immediate impacts.

[30:12] Ben Pickman: "Alyssa Peeley has been playing forward on the college level... Angel Reese is a double-double machine every single night."

UConn Standouts: Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Mule

Aaliyah Edwards and Nika Mule from UConn are recognized for their exemplary performances during the NCAA tournament and their readiness for the WNBA.

[32:05] Sabrina Merchant: "Aaliyah Edwards... super high floor. Nika Mule... she defends really well... she can defend her ass off."

Team Strategies and Needs

Indiana Fever: Building Around Caitlin Clark

The Fever's acquisition of Clark is seen as a cornerstone move to elevate the team’s competitiveness, blending her playmaking with Aaliyah Boston’s presence in the center.

[35:13] Ben Pickman: "The surefire bet, I guess maybe a little honorable mention to Dallas and what they could do."

Los Angeles Sparks: Strengthening the Forward Position

With Cameron Brink filling the gaps left by departing players like Skylar Diggins-Smith and Neko Gumake, the Sparks are well-positioned to develop their newfound assets.

[36:35] Sabrina Merchant: "Los Angeles is going to be in the driver's seat to do just that [pick Cameron Brink]."

New York Liberty: Addressing Perimeter Defense

The Liberty are anticipated to bolster their perimeter defense through strategic picks, potentially selecting from defensive standouts like Nika Mule or Celeste Taylor.

[36:35] Sabrina Merchant: "There's an opportunity to get some perimeter defense at that 11 spot."

Draft and Stash Strategy

Sabrina Merchant explains the "draft and stash" concept, allowing teams to draft international players or those recovering from injuries without immediately rostering them, providing flexibility for future seasons.

[37:58] Ben Pickman: "There's, you know, there's some interesting international prospects in this draft... They can draft a player, keep their rights, and then sign them later down the line."

This strategy is particularly relevant for teams like the New York Liberty, who have limited roster spots and are looking to build depth for the future.

Bold Predictions and Surprises

Shayla Gonzalez as a First-Round Pick

Sabrina Merchant predicts that Shayla Gonzalez from Texas may outperform expectations and secure a first-round pick despite not being widely recognized.

[41:47] Sabrina Merchant: "I think Shayla Gonzalez is going to go a lot higher than people expect."

International Players Making Early Picks

Ben Pickman envisions a scenario where international talents like Naidu Poch from Australia could be selected in the first round, adding global flair to the draft.

[42:51] Ben Pickman: "If you're going for slightly more realistic bold predictions, I'll say three international players get taken in the first round."

Conclusion

As the WNBA Draft approaches, the Indiana Fever's selection of Caitlin Clark stands out as the pivotal moment that could reshape the team's fortunes and elevate the league's visibility. With numerous talented prospects and strategic team moves, the upcoming draft promises excitement and significant shifts in the WNBA landscape.

[47:05] Zena Keita: "I'm excited that the Indiana Fever will combine the Iowa Hawkeyes and the South Carolina Gamecocks fan base together. That is going to be wonderful."

Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for live updates and post-draft analyses to fully grasp the unfolding developments in women's basketball.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and expert opinions, complete with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.