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Post by BurningHammer on May 28, 2024 18:06:18 GMT
I know it's WNBA but there should be some great non-WNBA players showing up in the Olympics. So maybe you should cover them too? I like that idea. Will depend on how much I actually have time to watch. Well you probably will watch men's tournament anyway so why not a bit of women's?
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 12:23:43 GMT
WNBA All Star break starts now, so will start updating this thread today. Will go in alphabetical order of teams, so starting with one additional player for the Atlanta Dream.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 12:28:56 GMT
Allisha Gray - Atlanta Dream![](https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/583056/w640xh480_GettyImages-1506413657.jpg?ts=1688180804) Allisha Gray is a player that can do a bit of everything, with a game somewhat similar to another player in this thread - Betnijah Laney. Allisha is a lefty that can shoot from three, likes midrange turnarounds, can drive it, and is a capable playmaker. She's also one of the better defensive wings in the league and guards well on or off the ball. She's also best friends with A'ja Wilson and wears glasses which is cool.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 12:45:34 GMT
Kamilla Cardoso - Chicago Sky![](https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/631066/w640xh480_GettyImages-2151641373.jpg?ts=1717198647) The first (of several) 2024 rookie to be added to this thread, Kamilla is one of the biggest bigs in the league at 6'7 and as a result, a force inside. While she's had a slow start to her rookie campaign (thanks in part to interesting rotation decisions by the Sky and their guards inability to properly pass to someone who is 6'7), she has shown flashes of what she was capable of at South Carolina. Once she has deep post position she can score over anyone, and she has a decently developed post game for a rookie. Sometimes she'll get a step or two too deep in the paint but she is weirdly good at jumping at awkward angles to score. Her height also allows her to get offensive boards and create second shots. She's a capable passer and relatively good decision maker overall on offense. Certainly unselfish, sometimes to a fault. Defensively she's prone to some silly fouls, but again her height makes her a presence on that side of the ball. More often than not she'll have good timing when trying to block even if her positioning isn't perfect.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 12:55:41 GMT
Angel Reese - Chicago Sky![](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/starlocalmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/5d/75d68772-5280-5fea-a4d6-8b9780cf59de/66972fe36cef5.image.jpg?resize=750%2C500) What Angel doesn't have in skill she makes up for in effort. A presence rebounding the ball on both sides of the floor, solid defender, and great communicator offensively and defensively. Her offense can sometimes look competent and other times look horrifying, one would hope she'll be able to clean this up over her career. When she jumps off of two feet and keeps the ball high (rather than scooping the ball up), her ability to score around the basket is actually quite good. She has really good timing to generate steals and can read things defensively relatively well. Solid ability to screen and roll or pop (even if the shot isn't always there when she pops). Above average passer, her big-to-big connection with Kamilla has been nice from the start and will hopefully be something that develops more and more as time goes on.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 13:08:31 GMT
Chennedy Carter - Chicago Sky![](https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/starlocalmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/fb/7fb8339a-7b57-5d1f-af7d-691e17f39f9f/6690cbfc9d11f.image.jpg?resize=742%2C500) Chennedy is one of the best athletes in the WNBA. While she's a smaller guard at 5'9, she's (I think) the quickest player with the ball in her hands and gets a ton of lift under her jumper with her vertical. Her ability to just blow up a defense with her speed and ability to get to the rim is incredible. Plays with a tremendous amount of confidence in clutch minutes. Also uses that speed to move well off the ball and get good looks whether in the midrange or cutting to the basket. One of the best scoring guards in the league and a lot of fun to watch.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 13:13:47 GMT
Dijonai Carrington - Connecticut Sun![](https://www.letsengage.com/storage/talents/1637470493Screen_Shot_2021-11-20_at_8.54.33_PM.png) I've always liked Dijonai since I started watching the WNBA, mainly for non basketball reasons. Putting that aside, she's improved consistently year over year, and has become one of the best perimeter defenders in the league. She's quick, smart, moves her feet well, and often chooses to gamble at the right time to generate turnovers. Offensively she's also shown consistent improvement. Can catch and shoot from distance, move off the ball to get to the rim, and drive at an ok level. Considering her growth from year to year, one can hope this area of her game will continue to develop.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 13:23:04 GMT
Caitlin Clark - Indiana Fever![](https://www.indystar.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2024/06/16/PIND/74118095007-fever-vs-sky-musselman-42.jpg?crop=3196,1798,x0,y0&width=660&height=371&format=pjpg&auto=webp) Caitlin has shown a lot in her rookie year and is on track to live up to the hype. While her perimeter shooting hasn't immediately translated (thanks largely to the difference in defensive ability between college and the W), she's still one of the better distance shooters in the league. Her ability to get to the rim and score is something that she's carried over nicely. She's one of the best passers in the league (not decision makers) and can do a lot with the ball in her hands. This part of her game is really what has shone early in her pro career. Not a great defender, but can generate steals thanks in part to her high basketball IQ. An underrated part of her defense is her ability to block shots with really good timing, I can think of several games where I've seen her block a shooter. At the time of writing this she averages 1.5 steals and .8 blocks Whether or not you're a fan, there's no denying that Caitlin Clark is worth watching any time she's playing basketball.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 13:31:40 GMT
Aaliyah Edwards - Washington Mystics![](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6514231.1657414541!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_780/aaliyah-edwards.jpg) Another standout from the 2024 draft and a Canadian, Aaliyah Edwards is an impressive player that checks all the boxes for a big. Very smart on both sides of the ball and knows where to be at all times. Can finish around the rim at a high level whether back to the basket or face up. Capable of stepping out and shooting from midrange, nice form. Solid shot blocker, rebounds on both sides of the ball. Really good athlete with a great motor.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 13:46:08 GMT
Monique Billings - Dallas Wings![](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/EVO_Yz91YHyMMtRyqR9SCcnvZ7o=/0x477:1570x1262/fit-in/1200x600/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25473394/2153503514.jpg) Mo Billings, Mo Problems. Billings is the type of energy big that a team wants but may not necessarily always be in the rotation. She's just a player that will always do a little something that pops when you watch her. Great athlete that runs the floor well and will never get outworked or outhustled. Screens all over the place, stands her own defensively wherever she is on the court, and will finish around the rim. Cleans up rebounds on either side well.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 13:54:19 GMT
Maddy Siegrist - Dallas Wings![](https://www.nicekicks.com/files/2023/06/Maddy-Siegrist-PUMA-Hoops-release-dates-lead.jpg) Maddy is a great offensive SF that can score all around the court. While not a high volume three point shooter, she's a terrific midrange scorer that can create her own shot and catch and shoot. Can work with her back to the basket from the midrange as well. She's also good at moving off the ball, driving to the rim and finishing, and getting out in transition. Her shooting form is a little odd, hitchy, and to the right - but it works. A competent defender that knows where to be and moves well.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 14:00:43 GMT
Sydney Colson - Las Vegas Aces![](https://i.insider.com/64a5803d6075be0019c2ac9b?width=700) Syd is an end of the bench point guard and the "glue" for the Aces. When she plays, she provides a jolt off the bench with typical point guard stuff - good handle, nice passing and vision, solid decision maker, and capable shooter from various spots as well as a capable driver. Not a traffic cone on defense either. The main reason Colson has a Seal of Approval is because her twitter makes me laugh.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 14:07:20 GMT
Cameron Brink - Los Angeles Sparks![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1d/Cameron_Brink_Sparks_%28cropped%29.jpg/640px-Cameron_Brink_Sparks_%28cropped%29.jpg) Cam Brink is a player with an incredibly high ceiling. Lanky and athletic, she has all the tools to be a great defensive anchor (although her penchant for fouling seems to be guiding her more in the direction of being more of a KD-like weakside defender) and can block shots at an incredibly high level. One would assume her offense is primarily scoring right around the rim, which she does well, however she also does a great job shooting it from distance. While her shot has a ways to go, she certainly shows the blueprint for being an all-around weapon on both sides of the ball. She's a smart player in terms of where to be, even though again, those smarts don't help her constant foul trouble. Very nice passer as well.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 14:13:33 GMT
Rickea Jackson - Los Angeles Sparks![](https://www.dailynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/imageedit_5_8255241381.jpg?w=1024) Rickea gets to the rim at such a high level. She really likes to drive the ball into a pullup from close range, mostly from the left side, and it's extremely difficult to guard. She can catch and shoot and create her own shot from midrange (and a little from distance) as well. Also has a solid bag with her back to the basket. Really good athlete that runs the floor well and gets out in transition. Cannot understate how strong she is for her size and how confidently she finishes through contact. A ton of fun to watch and reminds me of Kahleah Copper.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 14:26:48 GMT
Kayla McBride - Minnesota Lynx![](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6089513.1625372909!/fileImage/httpImage/kayla-mcbride-wnba.jpg) McBride is a all star offensive guard and one of the best three point shooters in the league (it's her or Ionescu at the time of writing). Catch and shoot or off the dribble. Can also drive the ball to the rim and finish by getting past her defender or through contact. Her release is quick and smooth. Nice passer with good vision, her scoring ability draws defenders and she's good at making the right decision. Good perimeter defender as well.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 14:33:04 GMT
Alanna Smith - Minnesota Lynx![](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/06/fa6de-17193377350088-1920.jpg?w=640) Although a little bit undersized for a "center" (and she's really a forward) at 6'4 180 (she looks smaller than 6'4 to me), Alanna is a very high level post defender thanks to her intelligence and good timing. She's also capable of switching wherever and guarding out on the perimeter. Offensively she can score inside, mostly facing up, and she's a good three point shooter that helps stretch the floor.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 14:39:52 GMT
Rebecca Allen - Phoenix Mercury![](https://kixstats.com/img/games/7580_710.jpg) I liked Rebecca Allen (say "Bec Allen" in your best australian accent) on the Connecticut Sun so was more than happy when she was traded to the Mercury in the offseason. Unfortunately struggles with random injuries here and there. Allen is a really good three point shooter off the catch or dribble. Even though she's a small forward/undersized power forward, she can manage playmaking duties and is an overall really smart offensive player that makes good reads and passes. Can also get to her shot in the midrange. She can drive to the rim well but doesn't do it a whole lot. Long arms for her size, she's a very good defender on the perimeter. Definitely the sort of player that would fit into a role on any team with her all around skills.
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Post by Maniak on Jul 18, 2024 14:46:50 GMT
This concludes my additions to the list for the first half of the season. There was a handful of other players I considered adding, however did not due to them being injured, me not watching the team enough, or them not getting enough minutes (or a combination of those things). I may or may not add some more after the end of the season.
It mildly annoys me that the pictures on this page are mostly larger than the ones on the first page, but it's really hard to find medium sized images for most of these players and I'm too lazy to resize.
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