at #3 only behind #1 KLS & #2 Asia Durr. Arike was #10, Marina was #24,and ND xfr out Ali Patberg at #13. Seemed like a good trade, Patberg & 2016 #5 Boley (who both had to sit out a year) for Jess who became immediately eligible. Other notables recruits in that class who were drafted high for the WNBA were Collier rated at 6, Anigwe at 8, Kalani Brown at 11, Cunningham at 28, McCowan at 45, Leslie at 55, and National POY Gustafsan at #80.
It's also interesting to consider how recruiting ranking parlay into college success and WNBA draft. While 7 of the top 20 rated players from the 2015 class ended up getting drafted in the WNBA top 20 and two more top 20 players from different classes (both ND: Bri #2 in the 2014 class and Jackie #11 in the 2016 class) who went #11 & #1 respectively in the draft, the other 11 came with less recruiting fanfare and made their names in college or internationally for two of the players (Magbegor and Xu). Cunning and Mabrey were at least top 30 in their class while McCowan, Leslie, and Gustafsen were just 4 stars and moved up the draftboard.
Still the other 4 went from 3 stars to the top 20 in the WNBA draft with Alanna Smith being the biggest riser from that class making the 1st round. (#8). When the Australian came to Stanford Hoopsgurlz/ESPN really underrated her yet she earned her All American status with her 4 years at Stanford. Jackson, Heidemann, and Dillard were all 3 stars who caught the WNBA coaches eye given their college or NCAA tourney play to merit high second round picks. One thing for certain Jess was not a surprise given her recruiting ranking and stellar college performance with her two years at each school.
She put the team first - doing whatever was asked. Having two players like that (JY) allowed all of them to shine...
I know I am old, but I kept telling my kids this year to watch, enjoy and remember. The 88 FB team taught me how these special times can be fleeting.
Thanks Jessica!
Without her, no national championship a year ago.