The WNBA just
had its 17th annual lottery selection with some of the most anticipating
athletes from college to be drafted. With the names of Brittany Griner, Skylar
Diggins, Elena Delle Donne headlining the
draft. These rookies are to be the future of their respective teams and also
the faces of the WNBA. These athletes are expected to renew interest and
renovate the women's basketball game because of their skills.
Baylor center Brittney Griner was a lock for the Phoenix Mercury
with the No. 1 overall selection. Griner, who is listed at 6'8, will
immediately give Phoenix a presence in the paint that could return them to the
playoffs sooner rather than later. The Mercury last had the top pick in the
draft in 2007 when they took Lindsey Harding.
Like
Phoenix, Chicago added a budding star in Elena Delle Donne with the No. 2 pick
to an already stacked roster that just missed making the playoff last season.
The 6-foot-5 forward, who can play multiple positions was second in the nation
in scoring (26.0) and averaged 8.5 rebounds. She finished her career at
Delaware with 3,039 career points -- fifth all-time in NCAA history.
South
Bend native Skylar Diggins was selected with the 3rd overall pick in the WNBA
Draft Monday night by the Tulsa Shock. Many hoped Diggins would be
selected by the Chicago Sky with the 2nd overall pick. But the Sky are stacked
with guards and needed front court help and selected Delaware star Elena Delle
Donne at #2 instead.
The WNBA is
hoping that these 3 stars for their teams will make a mark nationally and
internationally to bring more fans than they had before. My question is if they
have the success that they anticipate and no one wins a championship, should
the three form a potential new Big 3. The Miami Heat formed a Big 3 in 2011
with Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. These 3 athletes also have the
same makeup of Miami's Big 3. When the Miami Heat formed their big 3, the news
was all over it. More and more fans wanted to watch the newly formed next big
thing either succeed or fail. ESPN played every moment of the Miami season and
analyzed it to death. The WNBA can also use this to their advantage to
highlight their other stars when playing against their own big 3.
I would think that the WNBA would take advantage of these new budding stars to help uplift the brand. Just like David Stern did with the superstars of the NBA, the WNBA will make a dream team with Griner, Diggins, and Delle Donne with other stars of the WNBA and go around the world beating everyone and promoting the WNBA brand. Good post!
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