The WNBA holds a draft every year to select new players for their teams. Drafts draw players from a talented pool of women's hockey players. The first WNBA Draft was held in 1997. Today there are more than 60 teams. The draft includes a wide range of categories such as speed, overall strength and athleticism. The draft also gives teams the opportunity to pick up a new star.
Shakira Austin
The Lakers are expected as a contender in the upcoming season. Austin will be their depth at the centre position. Austin is well-suited to play multiple positions and can be trusted with veteran depth and players. Austin is a good outside player and will be able to benefit from Delle Donne. She is also a skilled defender, but the WNBA will put her to the test on both ends of the court.
Washington Mystics took Shakira Travis with the No. 3 overall pick in the WNBA Draft. She is sixth Ole Miss Product to be drafted into the WNBA. Austin was a member of the Ole Miss Golden Eagles' two-season team. She earned first-team All SEC honors, and helped the team reach the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007.
Mya Hollingshed
Mya Hollingshed is on the Pre-Woden Award Watch List. However, despite her incredible numbers, she has never played any basketball. Her family is full of athletes. Her father played basketball at Grambling and her grandfather was drafted in the second round by the Washington Bullets in 1978. Hollingshed loved soccer as a junior and senior player, but her mom felt it was too competitive.
Her Las Vegas Aces team considered her for a wing position, but she declined. They didn't want to take a risk on her being available at No. 11 or later. Hollingshed will not be overlooked, but she still has a chance. However, it is likely that Hollingshed will be a WNBA player in the future.
Nyara Sabally
Nyara Sabally was the big man selected by New York Liberty in Monday's fifth round of the WNBA Draft. Sabally was injured in the knee and cannot play this season. Sika Kone, No. 29, was also picked by the team. She was also the No. 29 pick after she had surgery in March on her right leg. Sabally was a great pick due to her large stature, but her knee problems have made them a risky option.
In addition to being drafted as the fifth overall pick, Sabally is the sister of Oregon star Satou Sabally, who plays for the Dallas Wings. While she has yet to enter the WNBA, she has been a standout for the Ducks. She was drafted along with her sister in 2020, becoming the first siblings to reach the first round since Chiney & Nneka Ogwumike (2008 draft). Sabally may prove as great as her sister.