The 2024 WNBA Draft has formally concluded, leaving the newly minted rookie class going through a troublesome highway forward.
Solely 144 roster slots can be found all through the league’s 12 groups, the explanation why the gamers are generally known as the “144.” And Monday’s draft picks are set to affix a big group of established gamers competing for those self same roster spots, from seasoned veterans to younger athletes decided to show their worth on the courtroom.
Final 12 months, simply 15 of the league’s 36 draftees made it onto their drafting crew’s opening-day squad.
In actuality, there are oftentimes fewer than 144 spots out there, as not each crew maxes out their roster. Per the league’s CBA, every crew roster should keep a minimal normal of 11 gamers, however these lists can embrace gamers out with accidents or on different types of depart. Gamers may also be assigned to short-term hardship contracts, one thing waived gamers have to be ready for at any level through the season.
Earlier this week, Laeticia Amihere — a 2022 nationwide champion with South Carolina who at the moment performs for the Atlanta Dream — took to TikTok to supply some perception into the WNBA coaching camp course of.
“You possibly can both get drafted on Draft Night time, or you may get signed by a crew,” she mentioned. “As soon as that occurs, you go to coaching camp actually like two weeks later… Principally everyone’s received to check out. There’s 12 roster spots, and there is like 18 folks on the on the trial.”
@laeticiaamihere Replying to @dantavius.washington #wnba #draft ♬ unique sound – Laeticia Amihere
Amihere additionally had an essential level to make: Getting reduce doesn’t signify a participant’s talents.
“For those who get reduce after coaching camp, that doesn’t imply you are not good,” she mentioned. “That doesn’t imply that participant sucks, do not cease supporting that participant. Actually, there’s so many causes anyone can get reduce.”
“For those who guys take a look at the perfect gamers within the league, most of them have bounced round groups,” she added. “And I promise you it’s not a foul factor, it is simply how the league is.”
Issues, nevertheless steadily, are altering. With Golden State’s WNBA crew scheduled to launch in time for the 2025 season, league growth is simply across the nook. On Monday, Commissioner Cathy Engelbert introduced that the league is aiming to develop to 16 groups by 2028. However by then, it could be too little too late for the era of expertise rising from an more and more aggressive NCAA system.
