Big 12 WNBA Prospects

[Bball Girl]

http://www.wnba.com/draft2009/prospects_school.html

Morrow, Jessica
Player, Jhasmin
Gipson, Marlies
Lehning, Shalee
Paris, Ashley
Paris, Courtney
Gant, Danielle
Micheaux, La Toya
Starks, Takia
Seals, Dominic

[Bball Girl]

2009 WNBA Draft in Secaucus, N.J.
First round: 3pm ET, ESPN2
Later rounds: 4pm ET, ESPNU, NBA TV

http://www.wnba.com/draft2009/

[CowgirlsFreak]

I have recently heard a lot of WNBA draft talk. How many people think Ashley will go before Courtney? Who do you think the #1 overall pick will be?

[swok34]

Courtney will go before Ashley. Courtney is listed as the #1 center and Ashley is listed as the #2 PF behind Cal's Ashley Walker. I've seen some Mocks that show them both going to Minnesota.

[Jimi]

Courtney will go before Ashley. Courtney is listed as the #1 center and Ashley is listed as the #2 PF behind Cal's Ashley Walker. I've seen some Mocks that show them both going to Minnesota.

I certainly hope they don't. Coach Z would not have a clue what to do with them. I am pleased that Nicole Ohlde is out of there. Of course there is no sure thing that another team would be better. I like the fans and the owner in Minny but Zierden had me scratching my head with his coaching many times. And I am not limiting that to his use of Nicole. The Lynx have a lot of talent but often no discernable offense (or defense) and downright confusing substitution patterns.

I suppose I have already said more than I should. I would just rather see our B-12 players somewhere else.

[Bball Girl]

Depending on the needs of team, I think the #1 pick with either be Montgomery or Coleman followed by either Angel or Courtney. I believe Ashley will go in round 1 but not before Courtney.

I also think anyone else looking for a PG will snap up Shalee ASAP. I was excited to see Marlies listed and Dominic - she will have to toughen up big time to make it in the WNBA. There are so many good players at her position.

[Jimi]

With the loss of the Houston Comets and the reduction of rosters from 13 to 11 it will be hard to earn a roster spot in the WNBA this year. On the other hand the WNBA has a hard salary cap and non-starting vets will have a tough task in keeping a roster spot. It could be that some rookies will be favored over vets because the rookie salaries will be less than the veteran minimums.

Some assume that anyone past the first round of the draft will not stick this year. Others say that the salary cap issues will mean 20 to 30 draftees will make it on to a team. In any case its not going to be easy to make a WNBA roster for any player this year.

[swok34]

I've never been a fan of the Washington Mystics because some of the fans used to really dog Stacey Dales and I've seen some projecting Courtney there. I think they have new coach or management or something though.

I try every year to follow the WNBA and usually don't make it very long into the season. I do better if an OU player is on a team, so I'm waiting to see what teams I'm following. Think I may try to get to a game this year, as well.

I think CP and AP land on different teams, and I think it will be a tough transition for them not being together. In their freshmen and sophomore years, it seemed as though AP was a stabilizing factor for CP. We almost thought they might try to play together in Europe or wherever they play in the offseason.

[Dale8R]

Let's do the math

14X13=182

13X11=143

182-143=39

That's 39 fewer jobs than last season. In other words, it is the equivalent of dropping three teams, or if you use the 11 player roster as a standard, then you're talking over 3 1/2 teams worth of players being let go or in the case of the rookies, not even getting the chance to make a roster.

That's some serious downsizing. Lots of players will be going home and won't ever be back. That will undoubtedly include some of our favorites. I can think of several right now who will almost certainly be casualties. :(

[Jimi]

Let's do the math

14X13=182

13X11=143

182-143=39

That's 39 fewer jobs than last season. In other words, it is the equivalent of dropping three teams, or if you use the 11 player roster as a standard, then you're talking over 3 1/2 teams worth of players being let go or in the case of the rookies, not even getting the chance to make a roster.

That's some serious downsizing. Lots of players will be going home and won't ever be back. That will undoubtedly include some of our favorites. I can think of several right now who will almost certainly be casualties. :(
You are quite right sad to say.

[hookem]

From speaking to a couple of Texas players regarding this large reduction in WNBA roster spots, the prevailing theory is that most players who wish to play professionally will eschew the WNBA entirely, move overseas, and take summers off. They believe the WNBA will cease to exist in the next two years. :(

[ChipperF1]

"that most players who wish to play professionally will eschew the WNBA entirely, move overseas, and take summers off. They believe the WNBA will cease to exist in the next two years.

They've been saying that since the WNBA was born, and its still here.

The Houston Comets being folded was not a good situation for the league. Somebody could have stepped in and bought that team. I don't like the reduction in rosters to 11. I think you need that 12th or 13th player, especially if injuries set in. Franchise contraction alone would improve the quality of play. The addition of the roster reduction bends too far in the other direction.

Over the next four years you are going to see a greater concentration of talent coming into the pro game at a level unseen in the history of the game. The WNBA will truly become a Premiership. The best of the best, hopefully the salaries of the top player will fall in line into that.

Now some may wish to go overseas and that fine, however the facts are a lot of overseas opportunity can get rather shady. I know a number of player who went overseas and still have to haggle over getting paid for their services. Also consider that FIBA is clamping down on what defines citizenship for a national league and than a number of national league are looking at tighter rules regarding foreign player participation, the overseas route to the better league will be much more limited to the top players only. Players who could work their way into the top tier with some seasoning are going to find themselves more and more on the outside looking in.

THE ODDS ON BIG 12 PROSPECTS

Morrow, Jessica -- Solid defensive player. Can shoot. A strong Big 12 tourney helped her. She could go in the third round or dip into the second. 6-1

Player, Jhasmin -- Free Agent Signing. Her injury and her conditioning make her suspect. 20-1

Gipson, Marlies -- Has servicable height. That's about it. 45-1

Lehning, Shalee -- Kara Lawson clone. Not the quickest. Not the best shooter, but she will work her way onto a ballclub. She has the pro player mentality. 5-1

Paris, Ashley -- Don't be surprised if she's in the first round, but second is a better bet. She plays a position that the league is short of. Scoring power forward. 3-1

Paris, Courtney -- Courtney may fall a little in the first round...and that would actually be a good thing. Be a backup for a year. Get adjusted to the game and then in her 2nd and 3rd year blossom. 3-1

Gant, Danielle -- If you can play defense in this game, you will always find work. 4-1

Micheaux, La Toya -- She'll get drafted, but she could use a year or two in Europe or Australia. She too raw to help a WNBA team right now. 15-1

Starks, Takia -- Could be a draft day still just like Gant could be. If you can play defense, you will always find work. 4-1

Seals, Dominic -- A hidden gem, could work into the third or fourth round...But she is a definite Free Agent Steal. 10-1

[36Cord810]

From speaking to a couple of Texas players regarding this large reduction in WNBA roster spots, the prevailing theory is that most players who wish to play professionally will eschew the WNBA entirely, move overseas, and take summers off. They believe the WNBA will cease to exist in the next two years. :(

It really depends upon how long the economy stays bad. Major advertisers have cut back on buying TV spots and most of these are advertisers who prop up the entire sport's industry. In general ratings are down for almost all sports offerings on cable. Cable television is scrambling because viewers are economizing by cutting out premium viewing packages (many are even dumping cable). If this continues through all of 2009, you might well see several pro sports leagues follow arena football in the sunset. My guess is the WNBA would be one of the first. So the Texas ladies are likely being realistic. It so, this is another sad commentary on the times.

[ChipperF1]

"you might well see several pro sports leagues follow arena football in the sunset.

Arena Football isn't dead. What the league is doing is a perestroika. Their leadership saw a storm coming in late 2008 and proactively took 2009 to rebuild. AFL2 teams are still functioning and functioning and the AFL still will have a national television deal when it relaunches with ESPN in 2010. Arena Football has always had a very smart business model. People have been shoveling dirt on it since it began..Yet each year it got stronger and stronger. Its the best niche sports entertainment out there in my opinion.

The WNBA may contract a little more, but things have to keep getting significantly worse for it to completely die. The advantages the league has is for starters, it has a television partners in ESPN and NBATV that aren't going anywhere anytime soon even in the current economic climate that we are in.
Also, the WNBA teams that remain are mostly in sound ownership hands. For the most part you have a great deal of stability, possibly the best in the league's history. We may a lose a couple more teams, but overall you have a strong base.

Its true that advertising revenues are down, but we are finding a lot of niche businesses and industry are taking advantage in a limited way because the prices are down. You will not see as many title sponsors but the number of smaller sponsors are increasing in some areas. Smaller committments to be sure, but they are getting in.

The key for the WNBA this season is a return to getting the base audience for this game to buy tickets and watch. Too much of the WNBA marketing plan has been trying to gain a mass appeal among the greater "mainstream" sports fan audience. That's wasn't happening when times are good, but it certainly isn't going to happen when Mr. Big Sports Fan is cutting back buying tickets to what he consider a "real sport".
One good thing I'm seeing, at least among the two WNBA teams I live near is that ticket prices are dropping and special deals are expanding. Do that and work on strengthening your core audience and this league will weather these economic times.

It going to be a bumpy ride, but sports has been here before the difference is the industry has lot more as it disposal than it did at previous downturns.

[36Cord810]

You make some very valid points, but even with the TV contracts, arena football took a vacation. And this was a sport that played in front of some pretty large crowds. Supposedly that vacation is for a year, but I am not sure, in the current economic climate, it will actually regain its footing and come back. Like anything else, when you go away for a while, people find other things to support.

I am fully expecting some pro soccer leagues and the like to fold up. I think we will see cut backs in auto racing. The pro leagues that will suffer the most are those who are supported by the blue collar and middle class fans. Those are the folks who will be cutting back on spending. If you are "country club" sport, you will likely be able to ride it out with few changes at all.

Even in good times the WBNA has suffered. Support has not grown, few cable networks are carrying the games now. There are many more systems with Lifetime, which used to carry the WNBA, than the NBA network, which is a premium offering. What will keep it going is support from the NBA. As long as that happens, the league will go on. But some owners are not very enthusiastic about continuing the marriage between the two leagues.

[ChipperF1]

"few cable networks are carrying the games now. There are many more systems with Lifetime, which used to carry the WNBA, than the NBA network, which is a premium offering.

Every WNBA team has a local television package, plus the WNBA has a multiyear national television package with ESPN and ABC. There will be 4-6 games a week nationally on ESPN plus a package of 10 games that will be shown on ABC including the WNBA All-Star Game and the WNBA Finals. The market reach of ESPN and ABC are worth a 100 of Lifetime's deal which was nixed more because of what Lifetime couldn't bring to the table than what the WNBA couldn't.

"I am fully expecting some pro soccer leagues and the like to fold up.

The Women's Pro League? Yes. Major League Soccer? Not likely. Too much support and too much riding on that league.
Motorsports has already seen the cutting back, but one thing that auto racing across the board has done is be proactive long before this crisis. Racing series were effecting cost-cutting measures a good 5 years ago and that planning is why for the most part you still have solid car counts in NASCAR and the IRL. And again, the tracks are responding by lowering the ticket prices. Gary Gearhead may still attend a race, he will be attending fewer of them though.

We are going to see some change in the sports order in the years ahead, and actually that's not a bad thing to me. Sports was getting a little too out of control and little too Hollywood. This crisis could be a needed tonic to get the focus back on the games more and the show less.

[36Cord810]

I hope you are right. My thinking comes from watching the business dry up in my own world (publishing, far few contracts being issues right now) and several of my friends who are in advertising. Even local broadcasts of NBA games in LA are having issues finding advertising (hence a lot of Sham Wow commercials). Mavericks ratings have tanked in Dallas on Fox (story in the FWST last month). I see an entire restructuring of the deck taking place over the next few years. And I see several players being left on the sideline.

[36Cord810]

I hope I am flat out wrong. I really do. So don't take it as an attack on anyone on this board or the WNBA. It is just as I travel the country I am seeing a lot of folks who can't afford to buy an luxury items and a lost of media outlets (print and TV) that are barely hanging on.

[ChipperF1]

"hope you are right. My thinking comes from watching the business dry up in my own world (publishing, far few contracts being issues right now) and several of my friends who are in advertising.

I'm right there with you. The sponsorship deal we are seeing right now are more one-off hit-and-quit deals. This is the worst economic climate we've seen since I was in third grade. I see it at work and in my household.

"I see an entire restructuring of the deck taking place over the next few years. And I see several players being left on the sideline.

But that is also sport just about every year. Players come and go, that's the cruel fact of life in sport. The WNBA is no exception.
We also have to be somewhat realistic about the kids we enjoy seeing in the college games. Most of them are going to turn pro in something other than sports and is that so bad?

[36Cord810]

Excellent post Chipper!

[Jimi]

I think we will see cut backs in auto racing.
The local weekend racer and their tracks and associations may see reductions in car counts and race dates but by and large they have been more dependent on the budgets of the racers themselves rather than the fans. My brother has built modified midgets for years and sold racing parts & supplies. Promoters and manufacturers and parts suppliers can make a little money from racing. Racers don't. Weekend racers as a general rule get only a small part of their funds from the "gate" or purses paid by the tracks. Most of their funds come out of their own pockets and small time sponsors who tend to be as much fans as marketers. Some of them will go away when they lose jobs etc. and associations and tracks do come and go.

The big racing series such as Nascar's top leagues will be affected as much by the upheaval in the auto industry as advertisers and the gate. Revenue and support will be down and already is. That having been said, big time racing is always going to spend almost all the cubic dollars that are available. That means that when revenues are good spending goes up as each team tries to compete with the others in crews, parts, testing, engineering and etc. If the bucks slow down the teams will adjust, given a little time, and 20 million dollar racing teams will be 10 million and so forth. There will still be plenty of owners and teams to race and TV will still find an audience. The IRL & Indycar unintentionally did almost everything possible to kill open wheel racing in this country and it still has found a way to survive. Nascar is no where near as stupid. Do not look for them to go away. They will, as you said, "cut back' and adjust.

I see that as what the WNBA is doing now. I think they are keeping the model viable and are fairly well positioned for the long haul. The NBA owners who don't care about the WNBA don't have teams. The losses of owners on WNBA teams are so small compared to the NBA team expenses that they are not in any meaningful way significant. As long as NBA owners such as Roger Griffith want to, they can support the WNBA. The economy may cause adjustments but is not likely to kill the league. The dent in the NBA's ego would be greater than the dent to their pocketbooks. Add to that the NBA wanted control of women's professional basketball in this country and wrested it away from another league. If they were to let the WNBA die someone else would start a new league and the NBA will have lost control of it. They do not want that.

Women's sports are in a long slow climb. Unless there is a TOTAL breakdown of the economy, and I mean severe depression, women's sports are not going to fade to black. In the future there will be money to be made in women's basketball and the NBA wants to be in a position to make it. And maybe equally important, they don't want anyone else to.

[Bball Girl]

1st pick - Angel McCoughtry - Atlanta
(can NOT believe Atlanta did not take Renee Montgomery)

2nd pick - Marissa Coleman - Washington


3rd pick - Kristi Tolliver - Chicago (great Jia will have a great PG to play with)

4th - Renee Montgomery - Minnesota

5th - DeWanna Bonner - Phoenix

6th - Briann January - Indiana

7th - Courtney Paris - Sacramento (cool!)

8th - Kia Vaughn - New York

9th Quanitra Hollingsworth - Minnesota

10th Chante Black - Connecticut

11th Shavonte Zellous - Detroit (excellent)

12th Ashley Walker - Seattle

got to get back to work - let someone else continue

[Jimi]

So far I am pleased. The Monarchs are a good spot for Courtney.

[Scamp]

Danielle Gant to the Chicago Sky in the second round. :)

[ChipperF1]

Courtney Paris gets to play with Kara Lawson
Ashley Paris gets to play with Candice Parker and Lisa Leslie..

Those two get all the fun stuff :)

[Scamp]

Atlanta Dream | Shalee Lehning | Kansas State

[Scamp]

Atlanta Dream | Jessica Morrow | Baylor :D

P.S. WNBA.com: Jennifer Risper did not attend Baylor. She is an Auburn Tiger.

[wildcatfan]

I thought Risper was from Vanderbilt?

[CowgirlsFreak]

It is going to be VERY hard for Ashley to make the LA roster. She is talented, and deserves a spot on a team. But LA is pretty loaded, especially if Candace Parker makes is back for the season.

[Jimi]

I thought Risper was from Vanderbilt?
Thats why Kim Mulkey did not give her any playing time.

[jcarter]

I thought Risper was from Vanderbilt?yes I know I saw her play in person three years in a row at Vandy.

[Scamp]

Jennifer Risper played for Vanderbilt. My bad. I knew that. :oo

Isn't it always that way? Point out someone else's mistake and then make another one yourself. :p

[Scamp]

WNBA Draft Day photos and portraits. :cool:

http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?contractUrl=2&language=en-US&family=editorial&p=WNBA%20DRAFT&assetType=image&ebd=2009-04-08&src=quick#

[Bball Girl]

No Takia Starks???

I was thrilled to see Atlanta take Shalee - they need a PG badly.

[Cyclones Rule]

Wow. Courtney falls all the way to the 7th pick overall. I think a few teams might regret doing that.

[Tiff-B12]

We are going to see some change in the sports order in the years ahead, and actually that's not a bad thing to me. Sports was getting a little too out of control and little too Hollywood. This crisis could be a needed tonic to get the focus back on the games more and the show less.

Interesting post... however, I am NOT seeing the cutbacks in any sport at the moment...NOT in the way that it should be... WHY.... well my opnion (and YES it is just MY opnion here) is that companies like ESPN and all your other BIG networks have paid sports to BE a 'Hollywood'...

And JUST like those Hollywood Greats, sports has and will continue to PAY them to be just that! it is a vicious cycle... and one that we the Fans - feed into. Within my caeer I have met Many Sports Stars and the 'frenzy' that surrounds them if they are near the public is Yes 'Hollywood', BUT lets keep it real too... These are STARS that our kids and even ourselves look up too, that we wish to emulate. Does this mean that they should be paid millions in some cases for their job - NO.... not in my opnion.... it is a job just like any other, the difference is, is that their 'talent' puts them in a public arena.

This crisis being a 'needed tonic'!!!! well that is a harsh statement to make if your one of the millions now out of work in this country!!! I figure your speaking of sports needing this downturn? and I agree that ALL sports (and yes I am a lover of most, including those gas guzzling auto sports!!) could do with getting 'back to basics' and remembering WHY they are there in the first place! BUT PLEASE spare a thought for those who have already and are still in fear of losing their jobs. Here in NY I see someone EVERY day at the moment in just that position :( as the song says "keep a little love in your heart" :)

[swok34]

Wow. Courtney falls all the way to the 7th pick overall. I think a few teams might regret doing that.

I agree, but it turned out perfectly for Courtney. Sacramento is 35 minutes from her Dad's house; he leaned over yesterday and told her he would be at all her games. I read an article yesterday that said that CP had dropped 10 pounds. She is finished with her classes and only has graduation left. I wouldn't be surprised if she went on out to Sacto and worked on her conditioning for the next 5 weeks or so. I know she plans on working on conditioning, but didn't say where.

There was an opportunity that Sacto would also take Ashley, but didn't. Will be interested to see how she fares without Courtney, I think she will blossom, but may not be on the team she needs to be on. LA will be tough for a frontcourt player. Many yesterday alluded that no one needs to get comfortable with where they are just yet.

[carolann]

I look forward to seeing Courtney Paris in Sacramento. I agree that looks like a good fit for her. Courtney has made a lot of new fans lately with her gracious manner, her humility, her eloquence and an apparent loving heart. More fans around the nation have seen what Oklahoma already knew. I'll be able to root for her much more consistently now!

I'm loving the Renee Montgomery to Minnesota pick. Minnesota is putting together an impressive looking roster with lots of players who are fun to watch. They started strong last year and then fell off. They could be a fun team to watch.

I'm confused about New York. Trades coming?

Sigh. San Antonio roster is not looking so good.

[swok34]

"I'm done with school," Paris said. "Now, I have nothing to do but get ready to play. I'm heading to California to train. I really have to concentrate on my fitness. I know that's been a huge question with me. But I'm ready to prove people wrong."

http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1770068.html