Lynx Select Napheesa Collier 6th Overall

With the sixth overall pick in the WNBA draft, the Lynx have selected Napheesa Collier from the University of Connecticut. Collier is a power forward with a strong inside game who averaged 20 and 11 this season and was a first team All-American.

Collier was expected to go earlier in the draft, but there were a couple of surprises earlier, particularly Collier’s college teammate Katie Lou Samuelson going fourth, which reveals how much the WNBA now values shooting.

Collier is a tremendous prospect and it’s a surprise that she was available here. But one thing it doesn’t help is their three point shooting. She isn’t a distance shooter. She does just about everything else very well however, and should be ready to help just about right away.

We’ll have more soon....

Here is a highlight video:

Collier was fantastically efficient with the Huskies and developed significantly as a defender and a ball handler/facilitator over her career. Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of Rebekkah Brunson, there are likely to be plenty of minutes available to her at the power forward spot with the Lynx.

With the 16th pick: Jessica Shepard of Notre Dame. A 6’4” forward who can score and rebound. Not a perimeter shooter, but played a major role (17-10) for one of the best teams in the country.

With the 18th pick: Natisha Hiedeman, 5’9” guard from Marquette. Aggressive scorer. Shot 39% on 238 three point attempts this season. Almost as many steals as turnovers.

With the 20th pick: Ceirra Dillard, guard from Buffalo. Straight scorer. 25 a night as a senior.

We’ll see if they keep all these players. I would doubt it.

UPDATE: Lynx have traded 18th pick Natisha Heideman to the Connecticut Sun for guard Lexie Brown. Brown was a first round pick last year by the Sun, but never could break into the lineup. She was a star at Duke.

I think this is a good trade. She should be able to play.