A new class of athletes has made the jump to professionals! Last night, the WNBA held their draft virtually like last year due to the pandemic. With the first pick, the Dallas Wings selected 6’5″ junior from the University of Texas, Charli Collier. In her last season at Texas, Collier averaged 19 points per game and over 11 rebounds per game. She is a versatile big who can bang on the inside and hit outside shots. She looks ready to compete against the league’s best bigs.
NBA superstar Kevin Durant reached out to the number one pick before the draft. He wanted a jersey from his fellow Texas alumni. Collier wears number 35 because of Durant. Durant played one season at the University of Texas in 2006. Collier’s college career has come a long way since starting just one game her freshman season. However, by the next season, she was already averaging a double-double and a first-team all-Big 12 center.
The Wings also had the second and fifth pick in the draft. Second pick Awak Kuier from Finland and Chelsea Dungee from Arkansas will join Collier and Dallas stars Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally. Collier and Kuier add much-needed size to this Wings team. The Wings had a clear goal and executed perfectly. When these two develop chemistry, watch out. Collier and Kuier could be a lethal frontcourt that can rebound and spread the floor. Adding Dungee takes the pressure off of shooter Ogunbowale.
The Wings finished 8-14 last season so there is a lot of room for growth. Dallas welcomes a new head coach this season, former player Vicky Johnson. It’s a young Wings team, but one with a lot of potential to make noise.
