WNBA: Five Teams to Watch this Season

From the draft to the start of the season, it’s a quick turnaround for the new athletes in the WNBA. For some veteran players, they are still playing overseas. Team rosters have to be trimmed to just twelve players by May 5th with the season starting just days later. With just a few short weeks remaining before the season begins, here is a look at five teams you should watch.

Chicago Sky

First, we have to talk about the reigning champs. The Sky are looking to become the first team to repeat as WNBA champions since the 2001-2002 LA Sparks did it. Chicago kicked off training camp with more players than usual. Normally still playing overseas in Russia, Allie Quigley, Courtney Vandersloot, and new member Emma Meesseman were all able to leave early and attend training camp due to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Vandersloot is coming back from a plantar fascia injury and has used the time to rest. Despite the injury, she played in every game in the WNBA Finals.

The Sky are also welcoming back Candace Parker and Finals MVP Kahleah Copper who played central roles in last year’s incredible playoff run. Interestingly they did not have any picks in this year’s draft, having used them in a three-team trade for Julie Allemand. So while not much has changed in Chicago, not much was needed for the Sky to be a title favorite.

Indiana Fever

The Fever had seven picks, including four first-round picks in the draft, giving them the ability to completely rebuild this roster after finishing at the bottom of the league last season. Unfortunately, this does not guarantee success for Indiana which has cut its first-round picks from the last two drafts. GM Lin Dunn wanted young, energetic players and that’s exactly what Indiana got on draft night.

Stanford’s Lexie Hull who was considered the biggest surprise pick in the draft had this to say about the team, “I think that’s what I’m super excited about. The rookies we have coming in, everyone loves to win and hates to lose.”

Baylor teammate NaLyssa Smith and Queen Egbo are reunited and will be Indiana’s new frontcourt. New NCAA champion and fan-favorite Destanni Henderson will also be reunited with fellow former Gamecock Tiffany Mitchell who is one of just three players who was on the Fever’s roster last season. Henderson recalls watching Mitchell practicing when she was a young recruit and being impressed. The feeling is mutual as Mitchell has stepped up as a mentor for Henderson.

Atlanta Dream

There is a lot to be excited and hopeful for with this young and talented Atlanta team. There is new leadership under owner former WNBA star Renee Montgomery and head coach Tanisha Wright. The team knew who they wanted on draft night and moved up in order to secure SEC player of the year Rhyne Howard from Kentucky. Wright could be a great mentor for Howard in her rookie year as Atlanta will expect her to have an immediate impact after losing its top two scorers in the offseason.

They will pair Howard with last year’s pick Aari McDonald. McDonald’s first season was full of distractions with three head coaches in one season, but despite all of that she still finished as the rookie leader in both assists and steals. While the team is young, they do have a veteran presence with the addition of Erica Wheeler. Wheeler who is currently playing in Poland finished last season with a personal best 13.6 points per game. Expectations are still low for this fast-paced Atlanta team, but they could be fun to watch this season.

Las Vegas Aces

Under new head coach Becky Hammon, the Aces are looking to create a new modern identity. After losing center Liz Cambage in the offseason, it was clear they wanted to get young talent in the draft. Despite finishing with the second-best record in the league and the other four starters returning, the Aces decided to make a bold move.

Las Vegas chose to make a last-minute deal with Minnesota to acquire their two first-round picks. With the first pick, the team went after Mya Hollingshed. Hollingshed was the only Pac-12 player to lead her team in scoring, rebounding, and three-point shooting making her exactly what Las Vegas needs.

The team picked up Kalani Brown after her dominating performance in the Athletes Unlimited league, but unfortunately Brown suffered a torn meniscus which has the potential to cause her to miss the entire season. Based on that, the team decided to waive Brown meaning they are all in on Hollingshed being a dominant big on the court to complement A’ja Wilson. The offense runs through Wilson and pointguard Chelsea Gray. With reigning Sixth Woman of the Year Kelsey Plum and two-time Sixth Woman of the Year winner Dearica Hamby, this team has some great pieces that could gel together and make some noise in the league.

Los Angeles Sparks

The Sparks were already a team to watch after their big moves this offseason in acquiring four-time All Star Liz Cambage and Chennedy Carter after a disappointing season. Last season was the first season the Sparks have missed the playoffs since 2011. This team really needed help on the offensive end after being the lowest-scoring team in the leage last season.

Nneka Ogwumike has been the team’s best player since Candace Parker left for Chicago and has emerged as true team leader. After missing the first half of last season due to injuries, you can expect Ogwumike to come out energized and ready to ball out. The team chose Rae Burrell with their top pick. She battled a knee injury during her final season with Tennessee, but if she can remain healthy she will instantly help this team on the wing. Big West Player of the Year Amy Atwell put up 29 points and 13 rebound against Baylor so she she will shine in the bright lights of Los Angeles.