The already-deep pool of talent available for WNBA teams in next month’s WNBA Draft just got even more impressive with the decision by Gonzaga forward Jill Barta to forego her final year of eligibility and enter the 2018 WNBA Draft.
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Barta, Gonzaga’s leading scorer and rebounder, will graduate in May, and said she plans to return home to Montana to pursue a career in special education.
“We’ll look at (professional options) but as far as right now I want to see what teaching options are open in Montana,” Barta told the Gonzaga Bulletin. “I want to come back and enjoy life.”
Some WNBA teams may delay her teaching pursuit, though the move came as a surprise to several WNBA talent evaluators.
Still, the 6’3 Barta sports an impressive inside-outside game, shooting 38.1 percent from three, along with a solid 20.4 defensive rebounding percentage, per HerHoopStats.
Her skills helped Gonzaga reach the NCAA tournament, made her the West Coast Conference player of the year and Most Outstanding Player in this year’s conference tournament, before Gonzaga fell to Stanford in the first round.
Jill Barta told us in January that this was her last season at Gonzaga. The school asked us to hold off on reporting it, but here's some context on Jill wrapping up her college career. pic.twitter.com/FImMuJtZQy
— Slim Kimmel (@SlimKimmel) March 22, 2018
One WNBA talent evaluator expressed a belief that Barta will get drafted, but interest in her could increase as other front offices take another look at her in the wake of this news.
For Gonzaga coach Lisa Fortier, the decision leaves the program in a retooling situation a year ahead of schedule.
“Jill has been a big part of our program and has made tremendous growth on and off the court in her four years here,” Fortier said in a press release. “While we wish she was putting on a Gonzaga uniform next season, we support Jill in her desire to follow her dreams. She will have her degree in hand, and we are thankful for her dedication to the program. She’s a great Zag.”
Barta will learn her draft fate on April 12, when the WNBA selections are made in New York.