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The Indiana Fever earned their second consecutive No.1 pick, while the Sparks, Mercury and Storm get their respective 2024 WNBA Draft orders.
Congratulations to the @IndianaFever for winning the No.1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft Lottery presented by @StateFarm
— WNBA (@WNBA) December 10, 2023
Check out the remaining order for the first round here: https://t.co/nYxWWNRw3v pic.twitter.com/vkVpVFbyYE
No. 1 pick: Indiana Fever
No. 1 secured.
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) December 10, 2023
For the second-straight year, we will have the first pick in the @WNBA Draft! pic.twitter.com/vyq3qB1KzH
The Indiana Fever officially hold the No. 1 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, and have the possibility of drafting basketball phenomenon Caitlin Clark. While Clark is eligible for this year's draft, she also has another year of eligibility, with the option of returning to Iowa. In a 30 minute special presented by ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, the WNBA Draft order is set for Apr. 15.
With a 44 % chance of landing the first pick, Aliyah Boston was present to represent the Indiana Fever organization on Sunday afternoon. The former No.1 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, Boston was named WNBA Rookie of the year in her first season with Indiana. She briefly expressed her excitement of possibly adding another rookie star to play along side her at the podium.
"I think it is just going to be another talented player that we can use to help build us to be back to the franchise [Fever] was at, so I am super excited for this upcoming draft," Boston told Carolyn Peck. "Talking to them, I think that's going to be important because I had great vets that talked to me."
Boston also implied the importance of helping her new teammate achieve her goals. Paying it forward, the former South Carolina Gamecock strives to be a leader, and focuses on discipline. While Connecticut Sun Stephanie White was in attendance for the Lottery, the last time the Fever advanced to the playoffs was in 2016. You want to know what's ironic? White was the head coach of Indiana, coaching Tamika Catchings. With one WNBA Championship won by the Fever in 2015, this young team has the chance to compete again.
No. 2 pick: Los Angeles Sparks
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) December 10, 2023
Top 2!
The Sparks have earned the 2nd pick of the 2024 @WNBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/mjAPtIsTKV
With only an 18 % chance of securing the No. 1 Pick, the Los Angeles Sparks secured the No.2 pick in this years upcoming draft. Represented by Head Coach Curt Miller, the Sparks are in an excellent position to add a young star next to Jordin Canada, Zia Cooke, and Nneka Ogwumike. Coming off a 17-23 2023 win/loss record, the Sparks have a ?30-46 cumulative record over two seasons. While UConn's Paige Bueckers and Stanford's Cameron Brink have been linked to the No. 2 pick, it's unclear who the Sparks will take. One of the most iconic franchises in WNBA History, Los Angles has three WNBA Championships, although they haven't been to the postseason since the 2020 season.
Coach Miller touched upon what's needed for the Sparks to compete once again in the league. "Dynamic players available in this upcoming draft," said Miller. "But, excited about adding an impactful player in the locker room, as much as on the court. High character, someone that's coachable, and wants to learn from these great veterans in the locker room."
No. 3 pick: Phoenix Mercury
We have received the third pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) December 10, 2023pic.twitter.com/YOH3RU9KWL
Represented by Mercury and Suns Owner, Mat Ishbia, along with daughter Jaime , Phoenix had a 28 % chance of landing the first overall pick. While they hoped for the first slot, the Mercury will certainly have the opportunity to draft a dynamic player at three. After finishing 9-31, Phoenix will look to bounce back behind Brittney Griner and Diana Taurasi. One of the most successful franchises in WNBA history, they have three total WNBA Championships. With one of the best attendance records in the league, the Mercury reached 10 consecutive playoff appearances before falling short last season.
On Sunday afternoon, Ishbia noted Griner and Taurasi have been vital to the teams success. Phoenix selected Griner as the No. 1 overall pick in 2013, and Taurasi as the first pick in 2004. Together, they won an WNBA title in 2014.
"They're real excited, we are real excited," said Ishbia prior to the Draft Lottery. "BG [Griner] has been a big part of our success, along with Diana [Taurasi]."
Much like the Sparks, the Mercury won't know who will land in their land until certain players will decide they will ultimately declare for the WNBA Draft, or return to their respective collegiate teams.
No.4 pick: Seattle Storm
Lottery complete
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) December 11, 2023Our 2024 #WNBA Draft picks are set
#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/LSU3bsFx3E
The Seattle Storm had the lowest odds at 10 % to land the first pick, and secured the No. 4 pick in this years WNBA Draft. Represented by Head Coach Noelle Quinn, the Storm finished 11-29 last season, and are in complete rebuild mode post Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart era. Led by guard Jewell Loyd, Seattle has four WNBA Championships, most recently in 2018 and 2020. While they had 7 consecutive playoff runs, the Storm missed out completely in the 2022-2023 season.
Former No. 1 overall pick selected by the Storm in 2015, Loyd averaged career highs in points (24.7), and rebounds (4.7). Seattle could use a guard to compliment Loyd in the backcourt, as she accounted for 31 % of the total offense. Even at the four slot, the Storm will have several options.
The 2024 WNBA Draft will take place on Apr. 15. The Draft Lottery was based off team's cumulative record over the past two seasons.
Stay tuned for more WNBA Draft related articles.?Click here
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter at Ballislife, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch and TikTok. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut/NYC area with her Cat and Dog. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the?University?of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in business administration.
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— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 29, 2023
Seattle Storm finally ended their ten- game losing streak, with a win over the Chicago Sky, 83-74 on the road. The Storms last win came against the Phoenix Mercury, 97-74 on June 24th, which is more than one month ago. In that tough stretch, 70 percent of the games played, were against winning teams, such as the New York Liberty [three times], Las Vegas Aces, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics, and Connecticut Sun. After the victory, Seattle moves to 5-19, 3-8 away, and remain in last place.
Ezi Magbegor Shines
Ezi Magbegor, 23, had an impressive game for Seattle. In 32 minutes, Magbegor scored 17 points (7-16), grabbed 9 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 steals, and dished out 5 assists. The Seattle Center was able to use the pick and roll and had toughness in the paint. We saw Ezi utilize screens, and movement, in order to create the mismatch with Williams and Copper down below. In the second half, we saw incredible ball movement from Magbegor to the open player. Overall, Magbegor was the defensive anchor, created high and low screens, and was often found wide open in the paint.
The duo of @ezimagbegor and @gabbywilliams15 get the job done on the road as the Storm beat the Sky and end a 10-game losing streak
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 29, 2023
Magbegor17 PTS, 9 REB, 5 AST
Williams
Key Players
The Storm had three players with points in double figures, in addition to Magbegor— Jewell Loyd (15), Sami Whitcomb (12), and Gabby Williams (17). Seattle did not impress from the three, only hitting 7-26 from downtown. In a relatively low scoring affair, the Storm shot 42 percent from the field, outrebounded the Sky, 46-26, and had 24 second chance points. With the help of Magbegor and Williams, Seattle outscored Chicago in the Paint by 10 points, and all five of their starters were positive on the court. The Storm held the Sky to 41 percent field goal, 68 free-throw, and 25 percent three-point percentage. Similarly, Seattle played tough defense in the previous game against New York, and held the Liberty to 40 percent field goal, and 28.6 percent three-point percentage.
Seattle commanded an 18-point lead, which was cut to seven, by the Chicago Sky. Jewell Loyd, an MVP candidate, had 15 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Loyd was coming off a 32-point performance, against the Liberty, and got help from several teammates on Friday. Sami Whitcomb, back after a two-year stint with New York, had her first career double-double (12 points 10 rebounds), and Gabby Williams, with 17 points and six rebounds.
A @jewellloyd jumper to give the @seattlestorm a 12-PT lead in the 3Q and Mama Loyd with the approval
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 29, 2023@iontv pic.twitter.com/u3M3qoHeyi
First career double-double for @SamBam32!
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) July 29, 2023pic.twitter.com/hkh7yBI7i7
After the departure of Breanna Stewart, to New York, and Sue Bird, to retirement, the Storm are left with four players from their championship team—Jewell Loyd, Ezi Magbegor, Mercedes Russell, and Sami Whitcomb (back after two years with the Liberty). Seattle may be in last place and have the worst field goal percentage in the WNBA (40.1), however, they rank 6th in three-point percentage (34.6), and second in three-point attempts (610). Where Seattle struggles has been on the defensive end. Though they held opponents to 82 points and under in five straight games, they allow on average 85 points scored a game, and a league high 36 rebounds.
Seattle Storm's Upcoming Schedule
The second half of the 2023 WNBA has begun, in which the Seattle Storm have 16 games left to play, nine of which are on the road. There is some good news for the Storm, only five of their opponents have winning records in the upcoming games. After a tough ten game stretch, perhaps Seattle will get a chance to move up in the standings.
Betting Trends
The Seattle Storm stand at 5-19, and their chance to win the 2023 WNBA Championship is +50,000 [Draft Kings Sportsbook]. Here are some interesting betting trends:
Seattle Storm Stats:
- 4-1 ATS in the last 5 games.
- 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games.
- O/U record is 1-4 in the last 5 games.
- O/U record is 4-6 in the last 10 games.
- Averaging 84 points in the last 2 games.
- Held opponents to 80 points in the last 2 games.
Seattle is 13-10-1 against the spread (ATS), and 12-12-0 in totals (Over/Under). In the last ten games, the Storm covered against very good teams, such as the New York Liberty (+15) (+15.5), Las Vegas Aces (+16.5), and the Atlanta Dream (+14.5). Jewell Loyd has been one of my favorite player prop picks this season, along with Seattle covering some of the larger spreads.
The Seattle Storm (5-19, 3-8 Away), will take on the Indiana Fever (6-18, 1-7 Home) on the road, Sunday July 30th, at 4 PM EST. The matchup will air on ESPN3.
Stay tuned for more WNBA and betting related articles. Click here for more WNBA betting strategies.
Sara Jane is a full-time Sportswriter at BallisLife, Journalist, and Sports Content Creator on Twitch. She has a focus on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane currently resides in Connecticut with her Cat and Dog. She is a Boston Celtics, Boston Bruins, New York Yankees, and New York Giants fan. SJ has her undergraduate degree from the University of Connecticut in Economics.
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