Mock Draft

Boy that is what this is and it is a mock. First Off Collier and Jess are
better then the post they have going before them.

...These past few weeks I have watched a lot of basketball and seen just
about everyone in the first 2 rounds...Jess is quicker, faster and stronger
then Smith from Stanford...I also think she is better then the Post from
California.

...When it comes to the draft. Arike can be her own worst nightmare. She out
times plays out of control, dribbles when she should pass, and can be
hot and cold. At the same time she can be a nightmare to prepare for. She
can be very unpredictable and she is so fast and quick.

...I also think Bri has first round talent. Remember D. Peters. Well teams
would be getting I think quicker post in Bri. Plus she has not had 4 full
years injury free to iron out her offensive skills. Keep in mind 2 of her
years she spent recovering and getting back in playing shape from injuries.

...Marina is not a 3rd round guard. She is above average outside shooter.
Dribbles and passes exceptionally well. And her defense is above
average. Plus she has a very strong mental part of her game that is
second to none. Very underrated.

...Finally, there is my favorite. Jackie. If she is looking for an old
boyfriend, I will volunteer. One part they rank her number 5. Then they say
she is the best. Then why we she not go higher. I need to add I hope
she decides to come back for her final year. Not for just us fans, but
for herself. If teams are impressed with her now. Wait until they see her
as the go to main attack player. She has skills that can not be taught.
She does everything on a court that you need 4 other players for. She is
smart, fast, strong, aggressive, shooter, great passer, great rebounder,
exceptional on defense, a total team player. Very seldom if ever plays
out of control. The one area she could use her final year for is her
leadership. Everything else she has and no one close. By the way if you
have not figured it out. I would take her over Ionescu. That is just me.

Thanks...

SEG/Chief

Disagree regarding JY and this is why she should come back.

The 4 women who are ahead of Jackie on this mock draft bring lots of skills each like Jackie, but more importantly they are CLEARLY the alpha & leader on their team. They always are willing to take the big shots and take responsibility when the game is on the line. They inspire their teammates to play better. If you combined Jackie and Arike, that would be the #1 pick for this or any WNBA draft.

That said Jackie can be #1 (even over Sabrina) if she stays one more year when she must be the alpha for ND to win. She has been a victim of the talent around her, but I am sure coaches understand she is the utmost "servant of the game" which makes her coachable and special. Still that asset has had her deferring to her teammates especially with Arike on the team, but also the other seniors. Next year everyone will know this is Jackie's team...so stay. I also like MPG's 3 reasons for her to stay. If ND wins the ACC next year and makes a long run in the NCAA, Jackie will appropriately be given the credit as team leader.

Also here's specifically why the other 4 are ahead of her and how this recent year helped them. Asia Durr's stock rose since she played this year without Hines-Allen and the team and her still excelled. McCowan played this year without 1st team AA Vivians and they seem just as good and maybe better. Anigwe had a 30/30 which hasn't happened in 16 years. She is really the only elite talent on that Cal team that beat Stanford and has been competitive in a tough PAC12 conference. Sabrina is a triple double machine, breaking all the NCAA records-men or women, and has been the primary reason Oregon is now a national power for only their 3rd year ever.

One other quibble I have with your post is that as much as I love Jess, Alanna Smith is more talented, quicker, and has a deadly 3 point shot. She is Stanford's best player by far and can play multiple positions. She's a slam dunk first round WNBA pick. Jess is a great passer, scorer,and strong under the basket. She might sneak in the first round, butI can't quibble with the 13 women who are in front of her in this mock draft.

My Second Take

Well maybe not. I agree with most everything in your post. You just say it better than I did.

...I agree JY has a good chance of being number 1 with or without competing
with Sabrina. But she still needs to take the bull by the horns and charge
on.

...She is very quiet and leads by example. Nothing wrong with that. However,
with the team being so young next year. She will need to be a little
more outgoing. I know she can do it. She is a natural.

...The only point I disagree on but that is what makes the boards so
interesting and fun, and that is Jess.

...Maybe I look at thinks differently than you. I am not just looking at her
skills on the court. But also her heart and drive to win. Granted, I have
not seen Smith play as much as I have Jess. I also maybe off when I say
Jess seems to be a little ahead of Smith in the conditioning.

...Again, these points are from my perspective.

...Heck, I was never the best BB on the court. In fact, the darn turtle was
always picked over me. I even tried to blind fold him before the practice.
Did not work.

...However, I have played a lot of sports and have watched a lot of sports.
Have come to be neutral but pretty good judge in an athlete.

...What I despise the most is an athlete that has all the talent in the world.
But fails to use it. Likes the short cuts and also loafs.

...As an example. If you remember Dick Allen from the old Phillies. 1964
rookie of the year. He had the talent to be the next great player with
the Phillies. He had one problem. He liked the horses and owned one. When
the team had a game he was at the races. Well everyone knew it including
the fans. Of course the fans let him know it by not just booing but
throwing glass bottles at him. He had to wear a helmet in the OF.

...Point is. He wasted his talent in Phillie and they had to trade him.

...The players ahead of ours deserve their honor. They are outstanding
players important to their teams success. I just believe in our players
also. Got to stick up for them. Plus I wanted to put a little story in
there.

...My kids run and hide when I start a sentence off with the words, "That
Reminds Me"... They know a long story is coming. Can not help myself. God
give me a mouth for a reason other than eating.

SEG/Chief

FYI, better "than", not then. *

Thanks me and Grammar not always on first name basis *