Lynx Players Reflect On Their Draft Nights

The 2020 WNBA Draft may be one of the most highly-anticipated drafts this league has ever offered given how the 2019-20 NCAA women’s basketball season ended abruptly and how live sports remain on hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the countdown to the draft winds down, our Kyle Ratke interviewed Lynx players via Instagram Live and asked them about their own draft days and how the virtual 2020 draft will compare.

Rachel Banham Has Enjoyed Her Journey But Always Wanted To Return To Minnesota

Banham was selected by the Connecticut Sun with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft.

First three picks of the 2016 draft: 1. Breanna Stewart (University of Connecticut) – Seattle Storm 2. Moriah Jefferson (University of Connecticut) – San Antonio Stars 3. Morgan Tuck (University of Connecticut) – Connecticut Sun

“It’s crazy. (Being drafted is) like the best feeling in the world because for most of us, this has been our dream since we were kids. That’s something that it was for me. To actually have it happen was so, so cool. It’s probably my favorite basketball memory. It was just a really good time, and I made really good friends at the draft. I’m still friends with all of those girls, so it was really cool to connect that way. But it’s definitely one of the coolest experiences you could ever go through.”

“Going into the draft, I knew I was going to go pretty high so I knew I wasn’t going to land with the Lynx. But I knew regardless I’m blessed and I’m so lucky to be a part of this league; it’s such a tough league to get into. So I didn’t care where I ended up. Of course, I wanted to be in Minnesota at some point in my career, but I was lucky to play anywhere.”

“Connecticut was amazing for my first four seasons. I think for most girls, they want to end up back at their hometown because you want to be around your fans that you played for, your family and just (be able) to grow the game in where you came from. I’ve grown up here, went to the University of Minnesota — I’m truly a Minnesota girl. It was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to end up back here at any point in my career.”

Lexie Brown Reflects On Her Own Draft Night And What The 2020 Draft Class Will Miss

Brown was selected by the Connecticut Sun with the ninth overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft.

First three picks of the 2018 draft: 1. A’ja Wilson (South Carolina) – Las Vegas Aces 2. Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio State) – Indiana Fever 3. Diamond DeShields (Tennessee) – Chicago Sky

“Draft night, definitely just my whole family being there. That was great. That whole weekend, it was just an amazing experience.

“My heart definitely goes out to the juniors and seniors who not only got their season cut short but a lot of them won’t be able to experience that amazing moment getting called up on the stage and being around other players that you’ve played against, looked up to, competed against and stuff like that. You can’t really put that moment into words. It’s one of those ‘you have to be there’ type things. I just feel so bad for this group. So many of the most important experiences that you work your whole life for just ripped away.

“Of course, this situation is super unfortunate and life is much bigger than basketball, and I’m so grateful for all of the people who are working their butts off trying to get this country back in order. Life goes on, but I think that moving forward it’s just going to make them stronger, make them appreciate the game even more, make us appreciate the game even more. I think we are all just ready to get back to normal life.”

Napheesa Collier On Landing In Minnesota

Collier was selected by the Minnesota Lynx with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft.

First three picks of the 2019 draft: 1. Jackie Young (Notre Dame) – Las Vegas Aces 2. Asia Durr (Louisville) – New York Liberty 3. Teaira McCowan (Mississippi State) – Indiana Fever

“That was one of the best nights. We were there for two or three days and we had a bunch of meetings and seminars about what to expect when you get to the league, and there were some girls from the league who came and talked to us so that was really cool.

“It was just really cool because we were all talking before and none of us knew where we were going. A lot of the years you kind of know who the No. 1 pick will be at least and kind of know where people are going to fall. We all had no idea so it was just really crazy. I mean, every pick was a surprise because we had no idea where anyone was going.

“I was just really thankful that I got with Minnesota because I played with Coach Reeve the year before so I already knew that I really liked her. I obviously knew about their winning program, so I just really thought it’d be a great fit. I was super lucky to be picked by them.”

‘It’s Disappointing:’ Syliva Fowles On End of 2019-20 NCAA Season And Virtual Draft

Fowles was selected by the Chicago Sky with the second overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft.

First three picks of the 2008 draft: 1. Candace Parker (Tennessee) – Los Angeles Sparks 2. Fowles (LSU) – Chicago Sky 3. Candice Wiggins (Stanford) – Minnesota Lynx

“It’s something you look forward to especially as a senior so it’s kind of unfortunate for these seniors this year; they don’t get to fully witness draft day. But just the whole preparation part of getting up early in the morning, getting your hair and makeup done, mingling with people and making jokes. But just soaking it all up and putting it into perspective like your whole four years of what it was like to get to that point.”

“It’s disappointing. (The NCAA Tournament) is pretty much their platform for them to showcase their talent. Like you said, for those juniors and seniors, those ones who’re not looking to go back and continue their career throughout college, it’s pretty much their platform to show, ‘This is what I have, and this is my last go-around to showcase what I got also to be with my teammates and our fans and things like that.’ So, it kind of sucks for them. I really feel bad for them that they don’t have that outlet right now.”

Karima Christmas-Kelly On What Draft Night Can Be Like For a Second-Round Pick

Christmas-Kelly (Christmas at the time) was selected by the Washington Mystics with the 23rd overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft.

First three picks of the 2011 draft: 1. Maya Moore (Connecticut) – Minnesota Lynx 2. Liz Cambage (Australia) – Tulsa Shock 3. Courtney Vandersloot (Gonzaga) – Chicago Sky

“I think I probably have one of the most bizarre stories of draft day. I actually was at the gym working out. Me and my former teammate Crystal Thomas at Duke we were in the gym like, ‘Whatever happens at the draft happens.’ We were at the point where if we get drafted, yay, if we don’t, we’re going to work our way. So we really didn’t know that we got drafted until we saw it on TV.

“I finally got back to my phone and saw all the missed calls from the GM and the head coach who was Trudi Lacey in Washington at the time. So I’m like, ‘Oh, I really got drafted.’ My parents were calling and none of them could … But we were in the gym, so at least it was a good reason. It was a fun time just letting it soak in and realizing how quick that turnaround is. You have to leave school, come to training camp, come back for graduation and all that. It’s a whole whirlwind.

“It was definitely a great experience, but yeah, we were on the court working out.”

Jessica Shepard On Dropping To The Lynx In The 2019 Draft

Sheppard was selected by the Minnesota Lynx with the 16th overall pick in the 2019 draft.

First three picks of the 2019 draft: 1. Jackie Young (Notre Dame) – Las Vegas Aces 2. Asia Durr (Louisville) – New York Liberty 3. Teaira McCowan (Mississippi State) – Indiana Fever

“I was at home, watching with my family. My grandparents had come over and a group of friends, so that was pretty fun just to be surrounded by all of them who had been there kind of every step of the way for me.

“I didn’t think I was going to fall to 16. Obviously, Coach Reeve and I had talked and she said, ‘If you’re there, we’re going to take ya.’ But it was kind of like those picks leading up to it, I was just kind of hoping they didn’t take me.

“Obviously being in Minneapolis, it’s close to home for me, and Coach Reeve and I had the opportunity at USA Basketball to get to know each other a little bit. She kept in touch throughout the college season, which meant a lot to me as a player. That’s just kind of how she is as a coach.

“Draft night was definitely a dream come true, and it was just very surreal.”

The 2020 WNBA Draft will be aired on ESPN at 6 p.m. CT on Friday, April 17.