2018 WNBA Draft Diary: Pick-by-pick updates, analysis, news

By Ben Dull | Apr 12, 2018

NEW YORK - APRIL 13: WNBA President Lisa Borders and WNBA Legend Dawn Staley poses for a photo during the 2017 WNBA Draft on April 13, 2017 at the Samsung 837 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 30: Azura Stevens /

Everybody knew Azura Stevens would shake up the first round of the WNBA Draft once she declared early, but where was she going to land? We now have an answer.

Not only are the Wings welcoming Liz Cambage back to the WNBA, they’ve managed to add a versatile 6’6 forward to learn from her and potentially play alongside her.

Stevens will certainly be in a good position to learn her way and play off of Dallas’ stars. Skylar Diggins-Smith was a First Team All-WNBA selection in 2017, and Allisha Gray was the rookie of the year.

Known more as a face-up forward before transferring to UConn from Duke, Stevens shot just 17.6% from three on a relatively low volume. With Diggins-Smith, Cambage and Gray there to command the attention of the defense, Stevens will likely get to step into plenty of open looks to build up her confidence. Forwards Glory Johnson and Kayla Thornton began to stretch out beyond the arc last season for head coach Fred Williams. Stevens will likely find her self open for similar looks.

Stevens could see plenty of floor time early on for the Wings. Veteran center Courtney Paris signed with the Seattle Storm as an unrestricted free agent this offseason, and stretch forward Theresa Plaisance will miss most if not all of the upcoming season as she recovers from a torn ACL.

Our own Arielle Chambers spoke with Stevens at the draft:

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