We'll have more post-2013 WNBA Draft thoughts coming at some point in the future, but for now we'll take stock of reactions from our colleagues around the SB Nation NCAA network (beginning with the non-Griner stuff).
- Brian Towle of Corn Nation was pleased to see Nebraska point guard Lindsey Moore drafted in the first round and passed on a prediction from Seattle Times reporter Jayda Evans that Moore could still end up in a Seattle Storm uniform. Read more >>>
- Sean Farrell of Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician takes a look back at the career of Kayla Alexander, noting her role in anchoring the Syracuse Orange defense and that, "With her length and athleticism, Alexander prevented opponents from scoring near the basket all season and the Orange became an improved defensive team." Read more >>>
- Greg Alan Edwards of A Sea of Blue was none too pleased that Kentucky Wildcats star A'dia Mathies was not invited to attend the draft. In response to her being drafted 10th by the Los Angeles Sparks after all he wrote, "The Matthew Mitchell style of defense and offense combined into a constant 40 minute attack is well suited for the WNBA and it's faster tempo." Read more >>>
- Norman of Rumble in the Garden wasn't even sure that St. John's seniors Nadirah McKenith and Shenneika Smith would be drafted, but was pleased to see the recognition for, "two talented athletes who were a large part of the rise of St. John's women's hoops." Read more >>>
- Nation's Georgia site Dawg Sports takes stock of where Bulldogs players Ann Marie Armstrong, Jasmine Hassell, and Jasmine James went in the draft and wonders how Andy Landers & Co. will fill their void next season. Read more >>>
- Mark C. Moore of Our Daily Bears was "somewhat surprised" that the Chicago Sky selected Elena Delle Donne over Skylar Diggins. He was not surprised that the Phoenix Mercury made "the most-obvious pick in the history of the WNBA Draft." Read more >>>
- Kris Habbas of SB Nation's Phoenix Suns site Bright Side of the Sun offers a brief summary of the Mercury's draft party and quotes coach Corey Gaines on Brittney Griner's impact: "She is going to make Diana (Taurasi) better and Diana is going to make her better. I think pick-and-roll, moving around the lane will make her, offensively, better." Read more >>>
- Venturing beyond the borders of SB Nation a bit, Kevin Danna offered some thoughts on the three Pac-12 players drafted in a Pac-12.com blog. He notes that the Indiana Fever will have a bit of a Pac-12 feel to the roster this year: Cal's Layshia Clarendon will join Arizona State's Briann January and Stanford's Jeannette Pohlen on Lin Dunn's squad. For Pac-12 fans who want to follow the conference's three rookies, Danna lists the six games in which their teams will be on TV. Read more >>>
- Also, I just have to pass this on: our friends over at Rocky Top Talk were so sure that no Tennessee Lady Vols would be drafted that they didn't pay attention, thus no reaction - Pendley was as surprised as anyone that Kamiko Williams got drafted. But since I can't recall if I ever got around to passing on their Lady Vols Postscript that summarized their season after a disappointing loss to Louisville, I'll offer a comment on Williams from him that seems fitting: "Seriously, where was this Kamiko two years ago?" Read more >>>
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Peter Woodburn of SB Nation.com has the full draft board for your reference and you can see my thoughts on each player as they were drafted in our 2013 WNBA Draft tracker storystream.
I always like to give a shout out to the other SBN sites that follow their women's teams - it makes blogging here more fun and it's always great to have more voices in the mix. But obviously, there has been plenty more written about the draft since it ended. So feel free to drop any links, delayed reactions, or surprises of your own in the comments.
For more reaction and pre-draft analysis, visit our 2013 WNBA Draft section.