2013 WNBA Draft: Washington Mystics select Tayler Hill fourth overall

Hill enjoyed a successful career at Ohio State where she was a two time All-Big Ten first team and three time defensive team selection. She scored 2,015 points, in her career, along with 509 rebounds and 240 steals. The Buckeyes made three NCAA tournament appearances during her tenure including a 2011 tournament run where the Buckeyes made the Sweet 16.

On the Mystics, Hill will be a guard who should be earning starter level minutes right away and should be a more efficient scorer from the perimeter than Matee Ajavon who played most of the Mystics' minutes at the shooting guard position in 2012. Should point guard Ivory Latta be as good as advertised she could help Hill become even more efficient at scoring.

Obviously, this draft at least in the eye of the media is about the "Big Three" of Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner, Chicago Sky forward Elena Delle Donne, and Tulsa Shock guard Skylar Diggins. However, our very own Nate Parham has firmly believed that she could very well be a "plus one" type player in this Draft Class who could be a fourth player to see over the coming seasons, even this one.

There are some who believe that the Mystics should have picked a post player, such as Kelsey Bone or Tianna Hawkins. However, considering previous moves to acquire post players with much of their prime ahead of them such as Kia Vaughn and Quanitra Hollingsworth, along with the decision to retain Crystal Langhorne, at least as of the time of this post definitely showed the team's preference to acquire a guard with the pick.

There are also some who believe that Kelly Faris could have also been an option with this pick along with Hill, including myself. While Kelly brings a stellar work ethic and strong defense, her lack of a scoring mentality may have been why General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault ultimately went for Hill.

In addition, Coach Thibault indicated in previous interviews that drafting a low post player would all but guarantee that they would be back ups to Langhorne and Vaughn. Between the lines of his interviews, drafting Hawkins or Bone would be a "draft and stash" move especially if they don't get to play much and that wouldn't be in the best long term interest of the Mystics.

All in all, Tayler is the right selection for the Washington Mystics with their first round pick. With her addition to the team, she also becomes one of the first major pieces of a new young core for the Mystics as they look to build a future contender in the nation's capital.

Welcome to DC, Tayler!!