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Simplesmente Rennia Davis. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3vNQ1JdBUS
— Minnesota Lynx Brasil (@lynxnobrasil) April 16, 2021
Welcome to Minnesota, @Legend_Hooper pic.twitter.com/1ZwzjDPtSY
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) April 15, 2021
Player Profile:
Age: 22.21
Height: 6’2”
Senior year statistics: 17.3 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 2.1 TOV
Shoot splits: 0.480 FG%, 0.260 3P%, 0.853 FT%
Advanced: 0.99 PPP (92nd percentile), 0.150 FTr (43rd), 0.208 3Pr (38th), 0.140 TRB% (87th), 7.0 WS (99th), 118.9 ORTG (98th), 85.9 DRTG (83rd)
Quick analysis:
I was absolutely astounded to see Rennia Davis fall to the Lynx at the 9th pick. Although I had her 7th on my big board, many mocks and experts had listed her as a top 5 talent and it’s easy to see why. Standing at an impressive 6’2”, Davis is do-it-all forward who was a winner season in, and season out. Her athleticism pops and with her wiry frame, she wreaks havoc on defense while getting into the paint at will thanks to her high motor. She has grown into a leader for a very competitive Tennessee Lady Volunteers team.
The biggest question mark for Rennia is her perimeter shooting. The 26% three point percentage her senior year is concerning, but if you look deeper at her previous numbers, there’s reason for optimism! Leading up to her final collegiate season, she was shooting a combined 32.9% from range on over 3 attempts per game. She is also a career 81.6% free throw shooter so it’s realistic to believe that her jumper could be rediscovered.
Will she be a rotation player from day 1? I think it’s absolutely possible, depending on how fast she responds to Coach Reeve in training camp. Reeve had mentioned wanting to look to the future with the 9th pick so Davis likely won’t be force fed minutes from day 1 like Crystal Dangerfield and Napheesa Collier was, but her size and defensive utility will certainly be useful. Her most natural fit on this team will at one of the forward positions, slotted behind Collier, Bridget Carleton, Damiris Dantas, and Natalie Achonwa.
As WNBA.com points out per Synergy:
She scored 1.367 points per possession on cuts to the basket, shooting an outstanding 68.5% on 60 possessions. She scored 1.216 points per possession on putbacks, converting at 63.6% on 37 opportunities. And she scored 1.183 points per possession on 71 transition possessions, with an effective field goal percentage of 60.4%.
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Additional stories:
The Athletic’s piece on Rennia Davis’ journey
WNBA.com’s 5 Things to Know about Rennia Davis
SBNation’s Swish Appeal Rennia Davis Profile
Highlights:
Potential depth chart:
PG: Crystal Dangerfield / Rachel Banham
SG: Aerial Powers / Lexie Brown
SF: Kayla McBride / Bridget Carleton
PF: Napheesa Collier / Damiris Dantas / Rennia Davis
C: Sylvia Fowles / Natalie Achonwa / Jessica Shepherd
Mark your calendars
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) April 13, 2021
The 2021 schedule is here!!! pic.twitter.com/yOaj7KgcCG
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) April 14, 2021
Coach Reeve & Rennia Davis presser notes:
Listening to playback of the post draft presser w/ Coach Reeve and she specifically mentioned 2 of their top prospects being available when it was their chance to pick at #9.
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
Rennia was their top choice. pic.twitter.com/3YBSfKcFHv
If Rennia was one of their top prospects, then who was the other? Coach Reeve didn't say by name, but she mentions here that there were some good guards on the table that she was surprised to see go in the 2nd rd.
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
My best guess is Arella Guirantes, Dana Evans, or Kiana Williams. pic.twitter.com/mV0WTjIR4B
Reeve on Rennia's defense: "We like her length. She's a legit 6'2". That versatility in matchups, you gotta have that. I talked to Bridget to play the 2, Rachel can play the 1-2."
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
"If I had to make comparisons between the 2, Rennia is a better ballhandler & rebounder. Position of strength for us is 3-4-5, so that's why I shared Bridget could play the 2... Rennia could play the SF pos. KiKi would a take some time and Rennia's a bit more rdy now."
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
"Certainly when I spoke to her, there was a genuine appreciation. A little bit like Crystal. Woudl she have like to go higher, sure. You have 2 different ways to handle it. I tell players all the time it's not what number you go, but where you go."
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
Rennia Davis on reaction to selection: "I was surprised to say the least, but grateful. Excited for this opportunity to get there and get to work. They were one of the few times I didn't get to talk to, so I was definitely surprised."
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
Rennia on her degree & racial injustices: "My degree is in Hotel Restaurant and Tourism. As far as social injustice piece, I'm big on speaking up when it's time to. Especially this past year with everything goin on. I'm really big on social justice so it's goin to be exciting."
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
Rennia on MN vets: "I'm excited. I've never been in a position where I rly been able to soak it all in and being around a group of vets, willing to teach me and help me learn. I've usually just had to be thrown in to fight, so I'm glad to just soak it all in."
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
Rennia on Coach Reeve: "It was huge for me to be able to talk to her. She seems all about business, but Minnesota was one of my fav teams growing up with Maya Moore, Seimone Augustus, winning championships. She seems like she's all about business & I like that in a coach."
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
Rennia Davis shared how she felt being selected #9 overall, playing for Coach Reeve and a HOF coaching staff, growing up a Lynx fan, and her role on the team moving forward.
— Ricky Rude-Leo (@Y0Leo) April 16, 2021
Minnesota got themselves another special rook @Legend_Hooper pic.twitter.com/fwOKntthrU