The Seattle Storm helped fill a big hole in the lineup Monday with the draft of Shekinna Stricklen, the Southeastern Conference’s player of the year from Tennessee, with the No. 2 pick in the WNBA draft.
A 6-2 wing, Stricklen played several positions for the Volunteers, averaging a team-high 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds a game while shooting 35 percent beyond the arc.
“She’s an extremely versatile perimeter player,” said Storm coach Brian Agler. “A natural three that can play positions one through four. Great size and length for a perimeter player.
“She’ll fit in with our veteran players and she’s somebody we can build around in the future. I educated her on our team and what she can expect with her role.”
Facing the first-half absence of Lauren Jackson, who will be training and competing with the Australian Olympic team for the Summer Games in London, the Storm need help. Earlier in the off-season, the Storm signed Ann Wauters and Tina Thompson, 37, to help fill the void.
They also traded veterans Swin Cash and Le’coe Willingham to the Chicago Sky for the No. 2 pick, the team’s highest pick since Sue Bird was taken second in 2002.
“They’re the best fans — going crazy,” Stricklen told ESPN2 upon her selection. “I can’t wait to get there.
With the No. 1 pick, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Nnemkadi Ogwunike, two-time Pac-12 Player of the year from Stanford went No. 1.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2130161 https://sportspressnw.wpengine.com/?p=2130161">2 Comments
Not the Tennessee player I would’ve drafted. Stricklen has talent, but she’s inconsistent. Glory Johnson would’ve been the better choice…very good inside player who never takes a game off mentally.
Not the Tennessee player I would’ve drafted. Stricklen has talent, but she’s inconsistent. Glory Johnson would’ve been the better choice…very good inside player who never takes a game off mentally.