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Projecting the 2017 WNBA Draft: It Starts with Kelsey Plum

By Howard Megdal

Apr 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Huskies guard Kelsey Plum (10) shoots the ball between Syracuse Orange guard Alexis Peterson (1) and forward Bria Day (55) during the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Huskies guard Kelsey Plum (10) shoots the ball between Syracuse Orange guard Alexis Peterson (1) and forward Bria Day (55) during the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 19, 2017; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Brittney Sykes (20) drives the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Napheesa Collier (24) in the second half during the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. UConn defeated Syracuse 94-64. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Storrs, CT, USA; Syracuse Orange guard Brittney Sykes (20) drives the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard/forward Napheesa Collier (24) in the second half during the second round of the women’s NCAA Tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. UConn defeated Syracuse 94-64. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

12: Brittney Sykes, G/F, Minnesota Lynx

Is there a more Cheryl Reeve player in the country than Brittney Sykes? Hard to imagine. Sykes managed to overcome multiple ACL tears early in her career, helped lead Syracuse to the national title game last year, and decided in the locker room just after the loss to Connecticut to return to the Orange this past season, dedicating herself to improving her game in the precise ways she’d need to for WNBA success. She improved from 23.1 percent from three to 39.3 percent—vital for a Lynx team that finished third in three-point attempts, but tenth in accuracy last season. Her playmaking skills developed, with an assist percentage above 20. And she rebounded extremely well for her position, grabbing 9.4 percent of available boards. Sykes understands the game like a coach. She’s a tough-minded New Jersey guard. She’d be a perfect fit in Minnesota.

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