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Eric MoodyESPN
A new wave of talent entered the WNBA on Monday night as 36 players were selected to 12 teams during the 2022 WNBA draft.
Their arrival could change the trajectory of several franchises with the new season set to tip off May 6, and from the new class of rookies are eight players with a strong chance to be immediate contributors in fantasy women’s basketball this season.
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
The Dream are in the midst of their longest playoff drought in franchise history and desperately needed playmakers with nine unrestricted free agents from 2021. This includes Courtney Williams, who led the team in PPG, APG and RPG last season. Atlanta will return only 35% of its scoring, 31% of its assists and 34% of its rebounding from last season, so Howard will have to fill the void. Howard was an elite finisher and shooter at Kentucky and led the Wildcats in points, rebounds, 3-pointers, steals and blocks during her senior season. She left Lexington ranked second in career scoring average (19.9 PPG), third in career 3-pointers made (214), third in career 3-point field goal percentage (38.1%) and eighth in steals per game (2.3). It should be easy for Howard to adjust to the pro game.
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NaLyssa Smith, Indiana Fever
Smith joins a team that has won just 12 games over the past two seasons and has a combined 40-116 record over the past five seasons. Defense has been a major problem for Indiana. Last season, the Fever were ranked last in the league in defensive rating and their net rating (offensive rating minus defensive rating) was minus-12.5. Smith’s statistical body of work at Baylor and skill set are well suited for the WNBA. She had one of the most decorated seasons in Baylor women’s basketball history and averaged 22.1 PPG with 11.5 RPG. Smith finished her senior season ranked in the top 25 in double-doubles (13),…
Source : espn
