Looking Ahead at WNBA’s 20th Year: new president Lisa Borders, Diana Taurasi returns, and it’s the last season for 10-time WNBA all-star Tamika Catchings

Last week was a historic week for the world of sports. The Golden State Warriors set the best record in NBA history, Kobe Bryant dropped 60 points in his final career game and the 20th WNBA Draft took place at the Mohegan Sun Arena for the third consecutive year. Thirty-six of the nation’s best women collegiate athletes were selected into the WNBA on Thursday night. For the first time in the history of the WNBA Draft, the top three selections all came from the same school. The Huskies from the University of Connecticut took the top three spots and dominated the first round of the draft just like they dominated the NCCA Championship earlier this year.

As expected, Breanna Stewart was selected first overall by the Seattle Storm, this is the second year that the Storm has had the number one pick. Expectations are set high for the 6’4 forward, she is a 4-time NCAA champion, 3-time player of the year and she is the only player to be named the NCAA Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player four years in a row. The Storm has not won a championship since 2010, hopefully, Stewart can keep her championship streak going at the professional level. The No.2 pick went to the San Antonio Stars, who selected Texas native, Moriah Jefferson. The Huskie also has 4 championship titles under her belt and was named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Jefferson set a school record with a total of 659 career assist not to mention she is a 46% 3-point-shooter. Her versatility on the court is just what the Stars need this season.

It was a big night for the Connecticut Sun, who went home with two consecutive first round picks. Coming in at No.3 was Morgan Tuck from UConn. Aside from becoming a champion for the fourth time in her career, Tuck finished her final year with an assist-turnover ratio of 2.1/1, which was the second-best in the league. The No.4 selection, also for the Connecticut Sun, was Rachel Banham from the University of Minnesota. She is most remembered for her 60-point game earlier in the season, a performance that was recognized and duplicated by NBA star Kobe Bryant. Banham was named the 2016 BIG 10 player of the year and has set the all-time scoring record with 3,093 career points. The Dallas Wings, formerly known as the Tulsa Shock had the No.5 pick and they selected Aerial Powers from Michigan State. Powers is a 3-time first team All-American and set a school record with 47 career double-doubles.

The Los Angeles Sparks selected Jonquel Jones of George Washington as the No.6 overall draft pick, Jones is the only player to average a double-double for 3 consecutive seasons. At No.7, the Washington Mystics selected Kahleah Cooper of Rutgers University. Cooper sits at No.3 on Rutgers all-time scoring list behind, Cappie Pondexter and Sue Wicks. Courtney Williams of the University of Southern Florida was selected 8th overall by the Phoneix Mercury. The Indiana Fever selected Tiffany Mitchell as the 9th overall pick. Mitchell played for the University of Southern California and led her team with 85 assists this season. The 10th overall selection went to the Chicago Sky who picked Imani Boyette. Boyette played for Texas State and was named the BIG 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year. Boyette is the daughter of WNBA legend Pamela McGee, they are the first mother-daughter duo to have played for the league. The Atlanta Dream selected Bria Holmes of West Virginia 11th overall. The New York Liberty wrapped up the first round selecting Adut Bulgak 12th overall. Bulgak is a 6’4 center out of Florida State and was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2015.

Fans have a lot to look forward to this season as Diana Taurasi will make her return to the Phoenix Mercury, newly acquired WNBA president Lisa Borders will participate in her first active season and most importantly this will be the last season for 10-time WNBA all-star Tamika Catchings. The WNBA’s historic 20th anniversary season will kick off on May 14th.

The New York Liberty secured a first place berth in the Eastern Conference after a 3-game winning streak. The ladies of New York hosted two back-to-back games against the San Antonio Stars (84-68) and the Connecticut Sun (64-57). They finished on top in Phoenix after a close game against the Mercury (75-73). They are currently the first team to reach 10 wins in the Eastern Conference and in the process turning in their best season performance since 2001.

On July 15th, the Liberty put on a show for a crowd of 18,617 people at Madison Square Garden for “Camp Day.” This was a special game for Brooklyn native Epiphany Prince because it was her first time playing on her hometown court with her new team. Prince was able to help the Liberty defeat the San Antonio Stars by contributing 13 points and 4 assists.

Epiphanny Prince helps the New York Liberty defeat the San Antonio Stars

After a tough game on the road against Atlanta, forward/guard Essence Carson fell out of the Liberty's starting line-up. Carson started 12 games this season but her inability to put points on the board during the team's defeat against the Dream landed her on the bench for the games following the team’s fifth loss of the season. However being on the bench did not stop Carson from helping her team bring on another victory. Carson led the Liberty in points, scoring a season high of 16 points off the bench against San Antonio.

Essence Carson comes off the bench to help the New york Liberty to victory

To bring home another win, the Liberty had no choice but to carry on their momentum into the following night’s game against the Connecticut Sun. The team struggled a great deal in the first two quarters. New York was down by as much as 8 points in the second quarter, a clutch 3-point goal by hometown hero Epiphany Price, followed by a mega block made by rookie Kiah Stokes prevented the Sun from taking a double-digit lead over the Liberty. Upon entering the second half, New York was down by five points (33-28), but within the first three minutes of the 3rd quarter, the Liberty were able to turn their five-point deficit into a 3-point lead.

Liberty's Kiah Stokes blocks shot of Sun's Kelsey Bones

The third quarter was the holding place for New York’s biggest plays. All-Star, Tina Charles scored 9 of her 22 points, veteran Swin Cash showed that she still has game after she nailed a 3-point field goal with less than five minutes remaining in the quarter. Cash’s three-pointer changed the momentum of the game; the Liberty intensified their defense and continued to dominate Connecticut's offense throughout the fourth quarter. After making five out of her eight blocks in the third quarter, Kiah Stokes sealed the deal on completing her franchise record once she swatted away Connecticut's, Kelsey Bones attempted layup with 4:24 remaining in the game. By this point in the game, the energy in the world’s most famous arena was through the roof. The Liberty kept their defense tight making it difficult for the Sun to take another lead for the remainder of the game. New York solidified yet another home win and their first place position in the Eastern Conference standings.

New York will attempt to continue their winning streak on the road for the next four games as they take on the West Coast. They will return home on August 2nd for the Liberty’s annual Ring of Honor induction. Six-time All-Star and current San Antonio Spurs assistant coach, Becky Hammon will be presented with the honor this year. Tip-off is scheduled for 3pm.

In-studio Report About 2015 WNBA Draft with Naomi Grey

What’s The 411Sports correspondent, Naomi Grey, came to the studio to talk with What’s The 411Sports hosts Glenn Gilliam and Greg Alcala about the 2015 WNBA Draft.

In the video, Naomi gives us the “411” on the first five players selected in the draft; and the New York Liberty’s draft selections. Naomi also engaged in conversation with Glenn and Greg regarding what the WNBA and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver can do to give the WNBA more visibility.

In case you were wondering, the top five picks in the 2015 WNBA Draft were:

1. Notre Dame’s shooting guard, Jewell Loyd selected No.1 by The Seattle Storm

2. Minnesota Golden Gopher’s Amanda Zahui B. selected by Tulsa Shock

3. UConn’s Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis selected by the Seattle Storm

4. Duke’s center/forward Elizabeth Williams selected by the Connecticut Sun

5. Middle Tennessee State University center Cheyenne Parker selected by Chicago Sky

Oddly enough, the Daily News Journal reported that Parker was dismissed from her MTSU team in late February for repeated violations of athletic department policy.

Parker served a five-game suspension for an undisclosed violation of athletic department policy to begin this season. That suspension included both of the Lady Raiders' preseason games and the first three games of the regular season.

I guess the Chicago Sky were unfazed by Parker's athletic department policy violations, or her skills trump the violations. We'll get to the bottom of this later.

For more information about the WNBA Draft, read Naomi Grey’s detailed article about the 2015 WNBA Draft.