The Indiana Fever earned their second consecutive No.1 decide, whereas the Sparks, Mercury and Storm get their respective 2024 WNBA Draft orders.
Congratulations to the @IndianaFever for successful the No.1 decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft Lottery offered by @StateFarm 👏
Take a look at the remaining order for the primary spherical right here: https://t.co/nYxWWNRw3v pic.twitter.com/vkVpVFbyYE
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 10, 2023
No. 1 decide: Indiana Fever
No. 1 secured. 🔒
For the second-straight yr, we could have the primary decide within the @WNBA Draft! pic.twitter.com/vyq3qB1KzH
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) December 10, 2023
The Indiana Fever formally maintain the No. 1 decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft, and have the potential for drafting basketball phenomenon Caitlin Clark. Whereas Clark is eligible for this yr’s draft, she additionally has one other yr of eligibility, with the choice of returning to Iowa. In a 30 minute particular offered by ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, the WNBA Draft order is ready for Apr. 15.
With a 44 % probability of touchdown the primary decide, Aliyah Boston was current to characterize the Indiana Fever group on Sunday afternoon. The previous No.1 decide within the 2023 WNBA Draft, Boston was named WNBA Rookie of the yr in her first season with Indiana. She briefly expressed her pleasure of probably including one other rookie star to play alongside aspect her on the podium.
“I feel it’s simply going to be one other gifted participant that we are able to use to assist construct us to be again to the franchise [Fever] was at, so I’m tremendous excited for this upcoming draft,” Boston instructed Carolyn Peck. “Speaking to them, I feel that is going to be essential as a result of I had nice vets that talked to me.”
Boston additionally implied the significance of serving to her new teammate obtain her objectives. Paying it ahead, the previous South Carolina Gamecock strives to be a pacesetter, and focuses on self-discipline. Whereas Connecticut Solar Stephanie White was in attendance for the Lottery, the final time the Fever superior to the playoffs was in 2016. You wish to know what’s ironic? White was the top coach of Indiana, teaching Tamika Catchings. With one WNBA Championship gained by the Fever in 2015, this younger workforce has the possibility to compete once more.
No. 2 decide: Los Angeles Sparks
🗣️High 2!
The Sparks have earned the 2nd decide of the 2024 @WNBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/mjAPtIsTKV
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) December 10, 2023
With solely an 18 % probability of securing the No. 1 Decide, the Los Angeles Sparks secured the No.2 decide on this years upcoming draft. Represented by Head Coach Curt Miller, the Sparks are in a wonderful place so as to add a younger star subsequent to Jordin Canada, Zia Cooke, and Nneka Ogwumike. Coming off a 17-23 2023 win/loss document, the Sparks have a 30-46 cumulative document over two seasons. Whereas UConn’s Paige Bueckers and Stanford’s Cameron Brink have been linked to the No. 2 decide, it is unclear who the Sparks will take. One of the vital iconic franchises in WNBA Historical past, Los Angles has three WNBA Championships, though they have not been to the postseason because the 2020 season.
Coach Miller touched upon what’s wanted for the Sparks to compete as soon as once more within the league. “Dynamic gamers accessible on this upcoming draft,” stated Miller. “However, enthusiastic about including an impactful participant within the locker room, as a lot as on the courtroom. Excessive character, somebody that is coachable, and desires to study from these nice veterans within the locker room.”
No. 3 decide: Phoenix Mercury
Now we have acquired the third decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft 🌵 pic.twitter.com/YOH3RU9KWL
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) December 10, 2023
Represented by Mercury and Suns Proprietor, Mat Ishbia, together with daughter Jaime , Phoenix had a 28 % probability of touchdown the primary total decide. Whereas they hoped for the primary slot, the Mercury will definitely have the chance to draft a dynamic participant at three. After ending 9-31, Phoenix will look to bounce again behind Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. One of the vital profitable franchises in WNBA historical past, they’ve three complete WNBA Championships. With the most effective attendance data within the league, the Mercury reached 10 consecutive playoff appearances earlier than falling brief final season.
On Sunday afternoon, Ishbia famous Griner and Taurasi have been important to the groups success. Phoenix chosen Griner because the No. 1 total decide in 2013, and Taurasi as the primary decide in 2004. Collectively, they gained an WNBA title in 2014.
“They’re actual excited, we’re actual excited,” stated Ishbia previous to the Draft Lottery. “BG [Griner] has been an enormous a part of our success, together with Diana [Taurasi].”
Very like the Sparks, the Mercury will not know who will land of their land till sure gamers will resolve they’ll finally declare for the WNBA Draft, or return to their respective collegiate groups.
No.4 decide: Seattle Storm
Lottery full ✅ Our 2024 #WNBA Draft picks are set 🗳️⛈️#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/LSU3bsFx3E
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) December 11, 2023
The Seattle Storm had the bottom odds at 10 % to land the primary decide, and secured the No. 4 decide on this years WNBA Draft. Represented by Head Coach Noelle Quinn, the Storm completed 11-29 final season, and are in full rebuild mode submit Sue Fowl and Breanna Stewart period. Led by guard Jewell Loyd, Seattle has 4 WNBA Championships, most not too long ago in 2018 and 2020. Whereas that they had 7 consecutive playoff runs, the Storm missed out utterly within the 2022-2023 season.
Former No. 1 total decide chosen by the Storm in 2015, Loyd averaged profession highs in factors (24.7), and rebounds (4.7). Seattle may use a guard to go with Loyd within the backcourt, as she accounted for 31 % of the whole offense. Even on the 4 slot, the Storm could have a number of choices.
The 2024 WNBA Draft will happen on Apr. 15. The Draft Lottery was primarily based off workforce’s cumulative document over the previous two seasons.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports activities Content material Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a deal with the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at present resides in Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
