With suspense gone and excitement ahead, the 2024 WNBA season is projected to be one of the biggest ever seen. The Las Vegas Aces are on the verge of a three-peat, Caitlin-mania has officially hit the league level and some of the most exciting names from college basketball are on their WNBA squadrons and ready to make their presence felt on the big stage.
Throughout the league’s history, players picked beyond the first round most always have been question marks, with a large portion getting cut before the official start of the season rolls around. But with the progression of the game and the talent level of this incoming class, we may be in for some revisions to that history, especially for a team like the Aces.
Las Vegas had an amazing night, acquiring some valuable talent in the second and third rounds. Here’s an assessment of the Aces’ selections and what the newest members of the team can offer:
No. 16: Dyaisha Fair (Syracuse)
Grade: B+
Dyaisha Fair had a solid run as a collegiate scoring star. In five seasons of college basketball, three at Buffalo and two at Syracuse, she averaged 22.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game and finished third on the NCAA Division I women’s basketball all-time scoring list, despite usually being the smallest player on the floor. The Aces were looking for backup guard depth and they landed a player to match their heart and grit.
Although Fair comes into the W tied for the shortest player in the league at 5-foot-5, her heart and confidence easily will be some of the biggest on the hardwood. Physical attributes may limit her game at the pro level, but she definitely will give the defending champs some excellent scoring and playmaking.
No. 18: Kate Martin (Iowa)
Grade: C
Kate Martin is coming off of her fifth year for the Hawkeyes, falling just one win short of an illustrious NCAA title. Martin wrapped her career averaging 8.0 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, while notching totals of 13.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in her senior season playing alongside the draft’s No. 1 selection, Caitlin Clark.
I believe Martin possesses a valuable ability to score, especially behind the 3-point line, but I am not sure if this was the best available pick on the board at No. 18. It will be interesting to see how Vegas utilizes her moving forward.
No. 24: Elizabeth Kitley (Virginia Tech)
Grade: A
Elizabeth Kitley was No. 1 on my Aces draft board, so for the team to have landed her at pick No. 24 is an absolute steal, the only risk being her recovery from injury. If she recovers to full strength and returns as the same player she was, then this could easily be the steal of the draft. Kitley averaged a near double-double in each of her five seasons at Virginia Tech, with her best play being this season before tearing her ACL, averaging 22.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
Her recovery time will allow her an up-close opportunity to absorb the league, while also giving her time to prep and condition with this world-class organization before she officially hits the hardwood. Standing at 6-foot-6, she could be an absolute threat with A’ja Wilson down low for the foreseeable future.
No. 36: Angel Jackson (Jackson State)
Grade: C+
Angel Jackson began her collegiate career at USC before transferring and finishing her five seasons of college ball with Jackson State, averaging 8.1 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. As a senior, she totaled 10 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. At 6-foot-6, Jackson has a very natural feel for the game and can be a tough matchup in the post, with a soft touch around the rim and the ability to knock down a few long-range shots when left free. It will be interesting to see the impact she could make throughout training camp, especially with Kitley set to miss this season due to her ACL recovery, and if she can make the final roster in May.