The Washington Mystics were happy to take a back seat on draft night. It was a day for other teams — mainly, the New York Liberty — to have the spotlight.
The Liberty selected Oregon sensation Sabrina Ionescu with the No. 1 overall pick in Friday’s WNBA draft, with the hope that the star point guard lives up to the hype as one of the best prospects women’s basketball has seen in years.
Ionescu set the NCAA record for triple-doubles and was the first college player, male or female, to have over 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists in her career. Her stardom at Oregon caught the attention of LeBron James, Steph Curry and the late Kobe Bryant, who became something of a mentor to her.
“I’ve been working for this for my entire basketball career and super excited to see that come to fruition,” Ionescu said. “I’m very humbled and excited for the opportunity.”
Ionescu’s Oregon teammate Satou Sabally, one of three juniors to forego their last year of college eligibility and enter the draft, went second to Dallas. Baylor big Lauren Cox went third to Indiana.
They headlined the incoming class of WNBA rookies who, like everyone else, don’t yet know when and how the season will start due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The draft was altered by the pandemic too, but the decentralized, TV-only format that the NFL will soon use as well seemed to go off without any glitches.
In New York, Ionescu will join Asia Durr, Kia Nurse and two other rookies New York selected in the first round Friday. One of those picks, Megan Walker of Connecticut, received a congratulatory video message from Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant; the Liberty will begin playing in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center in 2020.
The Liberty acquired the Nos. 9 and 12 picks in a three-way trade last week that sent veteran Tina Charles, a former league MVP and two-time Olympic gold medalist, to the Mystics.
The Mystics gave up all three of their 2021 draft picks to land Charles, as well. But considering their stacked roster, that will be a concern for another day. Coach and general manager Mike Thibault said he relaxed, ate dinner and “toasted the trade” during the first round Friday.
“Most people would tell you if Tina Charles was in this draft or next year’s draft, there wouldn’t be any question about who would go first in the draft,” Thibault said. “So I feel like we came out ahead.”
The Mystics’ first pick of the night, No. 24 overall, was used on Jaylyn Agnew, a forward from Creighton who was named the 2020 Big East player of the year. Thibault and his staff coveted Agnew’s 3-point shot and ability to create space, but she is not guaranteed a roster spot.
“I’m super grateful and excited for the opportunity,” Agnew said. “I think the first thing I texted one of my assistant coaches was, ’I’m going to be in training camp with Elena Delle Donne and Tina Charles.’”
Washington added Texas point guard Alecia “Sug” Sutton with the 36th and final pick of the draft. Sutton averaged 9.9 points and 4.1 assists per game for the Longhorns and was named second-team All-Big 12.
The Connecticut Sun picked Maryland guard Kaila Charles at No. 23 overall, toward the end of the second round, which Sun coach and general manager Curt Miller felt was extremely good value for the third-team All-American.
“We had Kaila Charles on our top-10 draft board for literally the last two months, and to watch her continue to slip in the second round was almost unbelievable for us,” Miller said.
The WNBA also honored Alyssa Altobelli, Gianna Bryant and Payton Chester before the start of the draft. Engelbert announced their names as jerseys were shown on the screen with each of the three players on them. The teenagers were among the nine people who died in the helicopter accident on Jan. 26, including Kobe Bryant.
The league also announced it would introduce a Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award. It will recognize an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the visibility, perception and advancement of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels.
“Kobe was an incredible champion of women’s basketball and Gianna shared his passion and dedication to our game,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said. “The Kobe & Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award will honor their legacy and reflect Kobe’s commitment to mentoring the next generation of players, promoting the game and giving back to the community.”
This story is based in part on wire service reports.
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