As in all drafts, there were surprises -- but overall, the carefully choreographed WNBA draft went pretty much as expected.
The biggest surprise was the selection of Duquesne's Korie Hlede as the number four pick by Detroit. Hlede put up great numbers throughout her collegiate career, but not many expected her to wind up in the top half of the first round. Cindy Blodgett also went higher than some thought she would, going to Cleveland on the sixth pick.
Hlede, though, was just one of five Europeans chosen in the first round, with 7-2 Margo Dydek of Poland going to Utah on the first pick and Ticha Penicheiro landing in Sacramento on the second. Six-eight Maria Stepanova went to Phoenix with the eighth pick and Polina Tzekova, who had a fine year in France, was the last pick of the round, by defending champion Houston.
Seven other overseas players were chosen in the four-round draft, in favor of better known America collegiate players -- some of whom were expected to be picked fairly high. Perhaps the most surprising omission was Katrina Price of Stephen F. Austin, who didn't get a nibble in the 40-player draft, though she will have a chance to try out for Houston in early May. (Each WNBA team will hold a local tryout before training camp begins in mid-May.)
Others missing in action were Nani Cockett (Hawaii), Anna DeForge (Nebraska), Brittany Ezell (Alabama), Alisha Hill (Howard), Leslie Johnson (Western Kentucky_, Julie Krommenhoek (Utah) and Mimi McKinney (Virginia).
Kristin Folkl and Nykesha Sales were not picked due to their injuries.
A team-by-team look at the draft:
Utah: The 7-2 Dydek only blocked two shots a game for Pool Getafe in Spain last year, but she can also shoot threes. The front line of Dydek, Wendy Palmer and Elena Baranova will be imposing, especially with Baranova at the three. The Starzz went for Olympia Scott (Stanford) and LaTonya Johnson, another post player in the second round, which was surprising considering the sorry state of the team's backcourt last year. Fourth round pick Tricia Bader, a '96 Boise State grad, can't be expected to run a show that never got in gear last season.
Sacramento: Ticha Penicheiro filled a huge hole for the Monarchs, who can now slide Ruthie Bolton-Holifield to the two. Either Tangela Smith (Iowa) and Quacy Barnes (Indiana) will have to take over at the five, and intriguing Adia Barnes (Arizona) might prove to be a Latasha Byears-style player, who makes it work inside despite lack of size.
Washington: Rita Williams (Connecticut) was the most important pick, because the Mystic has no backcourt at all. Angela Hamblin (Iowa) is going to have trouble at the two in the pros, but Washington will be strong up front with Murriel Page (Florida) joining Heidi Burge down low. (Heather Burge, by the way, was not drafted.)
Detroit: Korie Hlede? Nancy Lieberman-Cline reached here, because Hlede might well have been available in the second round. By the same token, though, Detroit picked up Rachel Sporn in the second round, and the Australian should be an effective WNBA post. Two other foreigners -- Gergana Branzova (Hungary by way of FIU) and Sandy Brondello (Australia via the German pro league) -- will help, but unless Hlede is a big-time scorer, the Shock lacks firepower.
Los Angeles: The Sparks had to be smiling when Detroit let Allison Feaster slide. Feaster has a gorgeous stroke, and if she can hit the open three consistently, L.A. will be tough to beat. And speaking of shooting, Rehema Stephens, the third round pick, will definitely do that. Stephens is the prototypical no-conscience gunner, and bombed out of the ABL after missing too many shots and never passing the ball. If she calms down and takes good shots, though, she could help. Second-round pick Octavia Blue (Miami) and fourth round selection Erica Kienast (UC Santa Barbara '92) add depth up front.
Cleveland: Cindy Blodgett earned her reputation as a scorer, but the Rockers need her to play point. In the NBA, it's been hard for undersized two guards to make the transition to point guard, but if Blodgett can make it work, the Rockers will be in great shape. The rest of their picks were a little less comprehensible. Tanja Kostic couldn't make it in the ABL, and Tammye Jenkins (Georgia '91) and Suzie McConnell Serio (Penn State '88) are unknown quantities.
Charlotte: Tracy Reid is a good pick from a marketing standpoint, but is she big enough to play the three? Nikki McCray made the adjustment, and there's no doubt Reid is a great athlete. Still, she's far from a sure thing. Christy Smith (Arkansas) will challenge Nicole Levesque at point and Pollyanna Johns (Michigan) will help on the block. Sonia Chase (Maryland) will replace Penny Moore as Andrea Stinson's backup.
Phoenix: Dying for shooters, and with one of the best centers in the league, the Mercury took 6-8 Russian Maria Stepanova. Jennifer Gillom already owns the block, so the pick is an odd one -- but if Stepanova is the real deal, having two serious options down low makes sense (especially with Haizia Zheng in L.A.). The other three Phoenix choices were relative unknowns: Andrea Kuklova of Slovakia, Brandy Reed of Southern Mississippi and Karen Wilkins of Howard (91). I saw Reed as a high school player, though, and she has unlimited talent. Grade problems and injuries kept her from reaching her potential in college, but if the 6-1 three puts it all together, she could be a great pickup.
New York: Alicia Thompson (Texas Tech) is a good choice for the Liberty, which doesn't need a starter. Thompson has to learn an outside game in the pros, and coming off the bench should ease the pressure of the transition. Nadine Domond (Iowa) was a bit of a surprise, but all she needs to do is come in for 10 minutes a game and give Teresa Weatherspoon a rest. Albena Branzova (FIU 95) is another foreign star, but the selection of an injured Vanessa Nygaard (Stanford) in the fourth round was a stunner when Katrina Price was still on the board.
Houston: Six-four Polina Tzekova will give the Comets another offensive option, as starting center Wanda Guyton got most of her points on the offensive glass. Nyree Roberts (Old Dominion) needs work, but she'll provide post depth this year. The last two Houston picks -- forward Amaya Valdemoro of Spain and 6-5 Monica Lamb-Lattin (USC '87) -- are typical late, low-round picks. Van Chancellor is just hoping to get something.
4/29/98
