The WNBA season tipped off and half of the league played in the WNBA season opening games. The other half of the league tip off today and with that, comes the exciting debuts of Satou Sabally, Chennedy Carter, Bella Alarie and more. We continue with our rookie previews written by Blake O’Tain, Teylor Hines and myself (Aneela Khan).
We start with the 12 pm match up between the Connecticut Sun and the Minnesota Lynx. In this match up, there are 5 rookies featured, 2 from the Sun and 3 from the Lynx.
CONNECTICUT SUN
BEATRICE MOMPREMIER (20th overall pick)
Drafted by the LA Sparks, the Connecticut Sun signed her as a rookie free agent. Beatrice Mompremier was a double double machine in college for the University of Miami. She will look to help Connecticut off the bench as the Sun lost some bench players and have added some new players. It may her take some games and she may not get the minutes right away, but she is capable – Aneela Khan
KAILA CHARLES (23rd overall pick)
After a very underwhelming senior season Charles slipped down to the twenty-fourth pick of the WNBA draft. Charles is a good rebounder for her height. She is excellent at driving to the basket, and shooting in the mid range. Charles impact may not be immediate for this strong Connecticut team, however Charles could develop into a very meaningful role for the Sun. – Blake O’Tain
MINNESOTA LYNX
MIKIAH HERBERT HARRIGAN (6th overall pick)
Mikiah Herbert-Harrigan was a surprise pick at sixth to some, but the talent is very much there. She is a well-rounded player who score at will whether it’s off the dribble, pick-and-roll or spot up situations. At 6’2 she’ll most likely move to the small forward position, but her athleticism allows for that to not be a drastic change. It’ll be important for Herbert-Harrigan to play with her competitive ferocity on both ends in order to make noise this year and beyond for the Lynx. – Teylor Hines
CRYSTAL DANGERFIELD (16th overall pick)
Crystal Dangerfield was thought to be a first round pick but fell to the second round and Minnesota Lynx drafted her 4th (16th overall). She was a steady point guard at UCONN and is very unselfish. Her size may prevent her against bigger opponents but she can develop into a very smart point guard and help the Minnesota Lynx’s bench. She may not have spectacular stats in her rookie season but she can still be a contributor. – Aneela Khan
MEGAN HUFF (2019 WNBA Draft, 26th overall pick)
Megan Huff was drafted last year by the New York Liberty and was cut from the team following preseason action. She was signed by the Minnesota Lynx after Cecilia Zandalasini said she would opt out for personal reasons. Megan Huff is a versatile scorer and rebounder and played overseas in Latvia during the winter. She will have the chance to prove herself in the WNBA and can help out the Lynx bench. – Aneela Khan
Next up, we move to the afternoon match up (3:00 pm EST) between the Chicago Sky and the Las Vegas Aces. In this match up, there are 2 rookies featured, both from the Chicago Sky.
CHICAGO SKY
RUTHY HEBARD (8th overall pick)
Ruthy Hebard is a All-American post that was one of the most efficient scorers in the nation. Hebard’s touch around the basket and her ability to get rebounds will be needed for the Sky. With the team being down a post player, Ruthy will get the opportunity to flex her wings early and show what she can do. The anticipation centered around Ruthy is to see how the pick-and-roll works with Chicago’s guards. If that connection can be built early on then she’ll certainly be another gem within that deep rotation. – Teylor Hines
STELLA JOHNSON (31st overall pick)
Stella Johnson was drafted and waived from the Mercury prior to being signed by the Sky. Although, Johnson led the NCAA Division I in scoring her load with the Sky should be light. It’ll be tough to get minutes with such a deep roster but she’ll may see the floor with such a condensed season. – Teylor Hines
Last but not least, we move onto the final match up of the day, the Atlanta Dream versus the Dallas Wings at 5:00 pm EST. There are 6 rookies featured in this match up, 3 from the Atlanta Dream and 3 from the Dallas Wings.
ATLANTA DREAM
CHENNEDY CARTER (4th overall pick)
Carter is a feisty, shoot first point guard who the Dream will look to run the offense. With some missing roster pieces she’ll get the green light to make things happen. Carter has an insane ability to create her own shot, but it’ll be pivotal if she can show more of her facilitating skills with this team. It’s expected for Carter to be a star in this league someday and it may start just start from day one. – Teylor Hines
BRITTANY BREWER (17th overall pick)
Drafted by the Atlanta Dream, Brittany Brewer has tremendous potential. The Dream drafted her in the second round to help out the Dream bench and develop, but she will get the chance to play right away as the Dream are down two forwards (Glory Johnson and Kalani Brown) and will not be available to play at the start of the season. – Aneela Khan
JAYLYN AGNEW (24th overall pick)
Jaylyn Agnew was drafted and waived by the Mystics prior to the season. The Dream needed to fill a dire need for shooting and the fit made sense. The reigning Big East Player of the Year knocked down just over 37 percent of her three-point attempts last season. With what could be a fluid bench rotation, Agnew will be able provide a spark of scoring coming from the second unit. – Teylor Hines
DALLAS WINGS
SATOU SABALLY (2nd overall pick)
Drafted second overall, Satou Sabally comes in with very high expectations and hopes to help turn the Wings franchise around. She is a very talented forward who can score, rebound, even pass the ball. She will probably be competing with Sabrina Ionescu for Rookie of the Year honors. She can also defend and is versatile. There are many great things ahead for this rookie – Aneela Khan
BELLA ALARIE (5th overall pick)
Alarie standing 6’4 can bring lots of useful traits to this young Wings team. She has a huge wingspan which allows her to be a great rebounder and a very strong shot blocker. Bella has also shown she can launch threes from deep. This Wings team is so young, Alarie could be a starter in her debut. – Blake O’Tain
TYASHA HARRIS (7th overall pick)
Ty Harris is a pure point guard who has a great feel for the game. She’s a floor general who plays with composure that’s needed within this young team. Harris’ playmaking skills with her quickness will open up more spot up opportunities for their shooters and allow her create own shots. If her shots are falling and her assists to turnover ratio proves to be efficient, she could be a vital piece to their future. – Teylor Hines
