List Of UConn Huskies In The WNBA Draft
Each WNBA franchise seeks to add new players through their respective annual draft. The WNBA uses a draft lottery to determine the order of selection for the first picks of the draft; the teams that did not make the playoffs the previous year are eligible to participate. After the first picks are decided, the remaining teams select in reverse order of their win–loss record. The WNBA requires that players be at least 22 years old during the calendar year of the applicable seasons, have either graduated from a four-year university or have completed their intercollegiate basketball eligibility, or have played at least two seasons for another professional basketball league.
In addition to the 45 draftees, two UConn women's basketball players—Rebecca Lobo in 1997 and Nykesha Sales in 1999—were allocated to specific teams during the initial formation of the WNBA. Lobo was assigned to the New York Liberty and is considered one of the WNBA's first players. Sales was the first player for the expansion Orlando Miracle; the team would later relocate and become the Connecticut Sun.
UConn women's basketball alumni have had a significant impact on the WNBA. Six players—Taurasi, Charles, Moore, Stewart, Napheesa Collier, and Crystal Dangerfield—were named WNBA Rookie of the Year, and the first four named players were later named WNBA Most Valuable Player (MVP). Several other UConn alumni have been named to All-WNBA teams or selected as WNBA All-Stars on multiple occasions. Ten UConn players have been named to the All-Rookie Team, including five of the school's six Rookies of the Year (Taurasi's rookie season predated the 2005 establishment of the All-Rookie Team). Fourteen Huskies alumni have been part of WNBA championship teams, and three have been named WNBA Finals MVP: Maya Moore in 2013, Diana Taurasi in 2009 and 2014 and Breanna Stewart in 2018 and 2020. The current all-time leader of assists in the WNBA is Sue Bird (drafted 1st in 2002) and the current all-time scoring leader is Diana Taurasi (drafted first in 2004).
Player selection
Allocations
Year | Player name | Position | WNBA team | Notes | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1997 | Rebecca Lobo | F/C | New York Liberty | All-WNBA Second Team (1997) All-Star (1999) Hall of Fame (2017) |
|
1999 | Nykesha Sales | G/F | Orlando Miracle | All-WNBA Second Team (2004) All-Star (1999–2006) |
Regular draft
Year | Rnd | Pick | Overall | Player name | Position | WNBA team | Notes | Refs |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1998 | 2 | 3 | 13 | Rita Williams | G | Washington Mystics | All-Star (2001) | |
1999 | 3 | 12 | 36 | Kara Wolters | C | Houston Comets | WNBA champion (1999) | |
1999 | 4 | 12 | 48 | Jennifer Rizzotti | G | Houston Comets | WNBA champion (1999, 2000) | |
2000 | 2 | 15 | 31 | Paige Sauer | C | Los Angeles Sparks | — | |
2001 | 1 | 7 | 7 | Svetlana Abrosimova | F | Minnesota Lynx | WNBA champion (2010) | |
2001 | 1 | 14 | 14 | Kelly Schumacher | F/C | Indiana Fever | WNBA champion (2007, 2008) | |
2001 | 3 | 8 | 40 | Shea Ralph | G | Utah Starzz | ||
2002 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Sue Bird | G | Seattle Storm | WNBA champion (2004, 2010, 2018, 2020) WNBA All-Decade Team (2006) WNBA Top 20@20 (2016) The W25 (2021) All-WNBA First Team (2002–05, 2016, 2018) All-WNBA Second Team (2008, 2010, 2011) All-Star (2002–03, 2005–07, 2009, 2011, 2014–15, 2017–18, 2021–22) |
|
2002 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Swin Cash | F | Detroit Shock | WNBA champion (2003, 2006, 2010) WNBA Top 20@20 (2016) The W25 (2021) All-WNBA Second Team (2003, 2004) All-Star (2003, 2005, 2009, 2011) |
|
2002 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Asjha Jones | F | Washington Mystics | WNBA champion (2015) All-WNBA Second Team (2008) All-Star (2007, 2009) |
|
2002 | 1 | 6 | 6 | Tamika Williams | F | Minnesota Lynx | — | |
2004 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Diana Taurasi | G | Phoenix Mercury | WNBA champion (2007, 2009, 2014) MVP (2009) WNBA Top 20@20 (2016) The W25 (2021) Rookie of the Year (2004) All-WNBA First Team (2004, 2006–11, 2013–14, 2018) All-WNBA Second Team (2005, 2016–17, 2020) All-Star (2005–07, 2009, 2011, 2013–14, 2017–18, 2021) |
|
2005 | 2 | 11 | 24 | Jessica Moore | C | Charlotte Sting | — | |
2005 | 2 | 12 | 25 | Ashley Battle | F | Seattle Storm | — | |
2006 | 1 | 11 | 11 | Barbara Turner | G | Seattle Storm | — | |
2006 | 2 | 1 | 15 | Ann Strother | G | Houston Comets | — | |
2006 | 2 | 8 | 22 | Willnett Crockett | F | Los Angeles Sparks | — | |
2008 | 1 | 12 | 12 | Ketia Swanier | G | Connecticut Sun | WNBA champion (2009) | |
2008 | 3 | 2 | 30 | Charde Houston | F | Minnesota Lynx | WNBA champion (2011) All-Star (2009) |
|
2009 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Renee Montgomery | G | Minnesota Lynx | WNBA champion (2015, 2017) All-Star (2011) All-Rookie Team (2009) |
|
2010 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Tina Charles | C | Connecticut Sun | MVP (2012) The W25 (2021) Rookie of the Year (2010) All-WNBA First Team (2011, 2012, 2015–17) All-WNBA Second Team (2010, 2013–14, 2021) All-Star (2011, 2013–15, 2017–19, 2021) |
|
2010 | 3 | 1 | 27 | Kalana Greene | G | New York Liberty | WNBA champion (2015) All-Rookie Team (2010) |
|
2011 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Maya Moore | F | Minnesota Lynx | WNBA champion (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017) MVP (2014) WNBA Top 20@20 (2016) The W25 (2021) Rookie of the Year (2011) All-WNBA First Team (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017) All-WNBA Second Team (2012, 2018) All-Star (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018) WNBA Finals MVP (2013) All-Star Game MVP (2015, 2017, 2018) |
|
2012 | 2 | 2 | 14 | Tiffany Hayes | G | Atlanta Dream | All-WNBA First Team (2018) All-Rookie Team (2012) All-Star (2017) |
|
2013 | 1 | 11 | 11 | Kelly Faris | G | Connecticut Sun | — | |
2014 | 1 | 6 | 6 | Stefanie Dolson | F | Washington Mystics | All-Star (2015, 2017) | |
2014 | 1 | 7 | 7 | Bria Hartley | G | Seattle Storm | All-Rookie Team (2014) | |
2015 | 1 | 3 | 3 | Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis | F | Seattle Storm | WNBA Champion (2018) | |
2015 | 1 | 11 | 11 | Kiah Stokes | C | New York Liberty | WNBA Champion (2022, 2023)
All-Rookie Team (2015) |
|
2016 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Breanna Stewart | F / C | Seattle Storm | WNBA Champion (2018, 2020) MVP (2018, 2023) The W25 (2021) Rookie of the Year (2016) All-WNBA First Team (2018, 2020–23) All-WNBA Second Team (2016) All-Rookie Team (2016) All-Star (2017–18, 2021–23) WNBA Finals MVP (2018, 2020) |
|
2016 | 1 | 2 | 2 | Moriah Jefferson | G | San Antonio Stars | All-Rookie Team (2016) | |
2016 | 1 | 3 | 3 | Morgan Tuck | F | Connecticut Sun | WNBA Champion (2020) | |
2017 | 3 | 2 | 26 | Saniya Chong | G | Dallas Wings | — | |
2018 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Gabby Williams | F | Chicago Sky | — | |
2018 | 1 | 6 | 6 | Azurá Stevens | F | Dallas Wings | All-Rookie Team (2018) | |
2018 | 1 | 10 | 10 | Kia Nurse | G | New York Liberty | All-Star (2019) | |
2019 | 1 | 4 | 4 | Katie Lou Samuelson | G-F | Chicago Sky | — | |
2019 | 1 | 6 | 6 | Napheesa Collier | F | Minnesota Lynx | Rookie of the Year (2019) All-Star (2019, 2021, 2023) All-WNBA First Team (2023) All-WNBA Second Team (2020) |
|
2020 | 1 | 9 | 9 | Megan Walker | G | New York Liberty | — | |
2020 | 2 | 4 | 16 | Crystal Dangerfield | PG | Minnesota Lynx | Rookie of the Year (2020) | |
2022 | 2 | 2 | 14 | Christyn Williams | SG | Washington Mystics | ||
2022 | 2 | 7 | 19 | Olivia Nelson-Ododa | C | Los Angeles Sparks | ||
2022 | 2 | 9 | 21 | Evina Westbrook | PG | Seattle Storm | ||
2023 | 1 | 5 | 5 | Lou Lopez Sénéchal | SG/SF | Dallas Wings | ||
2023 | 2 | 4 | 16 | Dorka Juhász | F | Minnesota Lynx | All-Rookie Team (2023) | |
2024 | 1 | 6 | 6 | Aaliyah Edwards | F | Washington Mystics | ||
2024 | 2 | 2 | 14 | Nika Mühl | PG | Seattle Storm |
Notes
- ^ This is the team that drafted the player, not the player's most recent team.
- ^ Despite being drafted, Shea Ralph never played in the WNBA. After suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee in February 2002—the third ACL tear in her left knee and her fifth ACL tear overall—she opted to retire from playing and start a coaching career.
References
- General
- "All-Time WNBA Draft List". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- "WNBA - WNBA Most Valuable Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- "WNBA - WNBA Rookie of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- "WNBA - WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- "WNBA - WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year Award Winners". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- "WNBA - WNBA Most Improved Player Award Winners". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- "WNBA - WNBA All-WNBA Teams". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- "WNBA - WNBA All-Rookie Teams". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- "WNBA - WNBA All-Defensive Teams". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved January 14, 2017.
- "WNBA Top 20@20 Presented By Verizon Unveiled" (Press release). WNBA Enterprises, LLC. June 21, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
- Specific
- ^ "Atlanta Dream Win Top Pick in 2009 WNBA Draft". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. December 9, 2008. Archived from the original on December 11, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ "Hoops 101: Reneé Brown". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on August 14, 2010. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Rebecca Lobo Player Info". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on May 2, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ Rose, Shannon (September 16, 1998). "Sales Now On Board". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ Riley, Lori (January 23, 2003). "Sales' Wnba Team Coming To State". Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Nykesha Sales Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on 2012-01-27. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ "Rebecca Lobo WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ Jacobs, Jeff (April 2, 2017). "Jeff Jacobs: UConn Legend Rebecca Lobo Gets Call For The Basketball Hall". The Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
- ^ "Nykesha Sales WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Rita Williams Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on April 9, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ "Rita Williams WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 23, 2011. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Kara Wolters Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on 2012-10-12. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ "Kara Wolters WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved February 6, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Jennifer Rizzotti Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on 2011-06-04. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "Jennifer Rizzotti WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on July 5, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Paige Sauer Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on 2014-10-09. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "Paige Sauer WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Svetlana Abrosimova Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "Svetlana Abrosimova WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on January 6, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Kelly Schumacher Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on 2012-10-15. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "Kelly Schumacher WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ Goldberg, Jeff (August 2, 2002). "City Schools Hiring Ralph". Hartford Courant. Tribune Corporation. Archived from the original on August 6, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Sue Bird Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on 2012-04-28. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "Sue Bird WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "WNBA Continues Celebration Of Landmark 25th Season, Names Greatest Players In League History, "The W25"" (Press release). WNBA. September 5, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Swin Cash Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on January 16, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "Swin Cash WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Asjha Jones Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "Asjha Jones WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on February 26, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Tamika Williams Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "Tamika Raymond WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on May 15, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Diana Taurasi Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on November 21, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Diana Taurasi WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Jessica Moore Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on April 14, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Jessica Moore WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Ashley Battle Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Ashley Battle WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Barbara Turner Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on February 11, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Barbara Turner WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Ann Strother Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on January 9, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Ann Strother WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Willnett Crockett Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on August 13, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Willnett Crockett WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 17, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Ketia Swanier Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on November 21, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Ketia Swanier WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on March 4, 2013. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Charde Houston Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on January 18, 2012. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Charde Houston WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Renee Montgomery Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on May 25, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Renee Montgomery WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Tina Charles Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on May 16, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Tina Charles WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Kalana Greene Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Kalana Greene WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "WNBA.com: Maya Moore Playerfile". WNBA.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on August 3, 2011. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Maya Moore WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2012.
- ^ "Draft Board". WNBA. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
- ^ "Draft Board". WNBA. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
- ^ "WNBA Draft Board 2014". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved September 2, 2014.
- ^ "2015 WNBA Draft Board". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
- ^ "2016 WNBA Draft Board". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved January 13, 2017.
- ^ "Breanna Stewart WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "Moriah Jefferson WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
- ^ "Morgan Tuck WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
- ^ Fuller, Jim (April 13, 2017). "Maryland's Brionna Jones taken by Sun; UConn's Saniya Chong goes to Dallas". New Haven Register. Journal Register Company. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 14, 2017.
- ^ "2018 WNBA Draft Board". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ "Kia Nurse WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 17, 2019.
- ^ "2019 WNBA Draft Board". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ "Minnesota's Napheesa Collier Named 2019 WNBA Rookie of the Year". wnba.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. September 16, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2019.
- ^ "Napheesa Collier WNBA Statistics". Basketball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "2020 WNBA Draft Board". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ "Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield Headlines 2020 WNBA All-Rookie Team". wnba.com. WNBA Enterprises, LLC. September 27, 2020. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
- ^ "2022 WNBA Draft Board". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "2023 WNBA Draft Board". WNBA Enterprises, LLC. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "Indiana Fever's Aliyah Boston Named 2023 Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year" (Press release). WNBA. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
- ^ "2024 WNBA Draft Board - WNBA". www.wnba.com. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
External links
- UConn Huskies official website
- WNBA official website