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The Women's National Basketball Association held their annual draft yesterday and I was there.
Really. I was sitting in the draft room. I have proof.
That is a picture of me with Megan Hueter from Women Talk Sports in the room where the top 15 prospects and the ESPN commentators were.
It was one of the most amazing things I have ever done. I'm not just saying that either. I have sung in front of thousands of people, I have given birth to twins, I was in the stands at Tampa Stadium when Barry Sanders rushed for 237 yards, and this was special. Not only were these ladies some of the most amazing athletes I have ever had the presence of meeting but they were also young women who were embarking on their professional career.
For those of you that are unfamiliar with a draft it is when all the teams from a professional sports organization get together and select (in a predetermined order) players from a list of eligible atheletes for their club.
The draft room consisted of the ESPN crew which including Nancy Lieberman, Rebecca Lobo, Pat Ward and Carolyn Peck. There were 15 prospective draftees and their immediate families, a hand full of coaches, WNBA President Donna Orender, some WNBA and NBA staff, a few contest winners and less than 100 other spectators.
I wish I could better convey the intimacy of the event.
Donna Orender, the President of the WNBA took time to talk to me. She
is not only one of the most powerful women in professional sports, but she is also a mother of 11 year old twins. As a bonus she was very engaging and she has a great sense of humor.
I got to personally speak to almost every player and since I was there to live tweet the event I even got to spend some time talking twitter with Kristi Toliver. Kristi played ball at Maryland and she was drafted third overall by The Chicago Sun.
The WNBA is a huge proponent of social media (as is the NBA) and Kristi, Marissa Coleman, Ashley and Courtney Paris as well as others spent time tweeting about the draft but that is another post all together.
Now, just because it was an intimate setting, I don't want you to think that there wasn't drama. We all wondered if the Minnesota Lynx with three of the first 15 picks would draft both of the Paris twins (they didn't) and it was a complete surprise (to me at least) when the Atlanta Dream selected Angel McCoughtry first overall.
I really thought that Atlanta would go with Renee Montgomery. I think I even mention that in Megan's video.
There was more suspense. Oklahoma forward, Ashley Paris sat in the draft room until the 22nd pick. I can't speak for everyone but I had spoken to her agent, Lindsay Kagawa, the night before and she thought that Ashley would be selected in the top 10. Lindsay and I agreed it would be very cool of the twins were both playing in the twin cities. Think of the marketing opportunities!
Alas, none of the teams asked me what I thought about their rosters before they drafted. Then again, that is probably why they are still in business.
Needless to say, being there live was a phenomenal experience and I am grateful to the WNBA for allowing me to be part of it.
But enough about me. Let's hear more about the draft!
Lyndsey D'Arcangelo recaps the top 10 picks.
Women's Sports Nation posted the selections from all three rounds in their entirety.
Michelle Voepel gives her thoughts on each of the 13 picks in the first round.
Rebecca must have been sitting right behind me.
Contributing Editor Sarah also blogs at Sarah and the Goon Squad and Draft Day Suit.
