Welcome to the 2018 Rookie Report. This initial set of posts will give a brief outlook on members of the 2018 WNBA draft class.
We will discuss the answers these players provide to their new teams along with questions that will need to be answered for them to maximize their potential as a player. We’ll close with thoughts on what will need to happen for each player to get some playing time and offer thoughts on what you should be looking forward right away as you tune in on League Pass. (Advanced stats obtained via HerHoopStats. Read their glossary here.)
Jordin Canada
Round 1, Pick 5 – Seattle Storm
Age: 22 – Height: 5’6 – Position: G
2017-18 stats at UCLA:
Canada, after lighting up the Pac-12 and adding to her game year after year, finds herself in Seattle to play alongside and learn from future Hall of Fame point guard Sue Bird.
Answers she provides
- Incredible quickness with the ball in the open floor
- Scoring ability at every level operating in pick and roll
- Shiftiness in tight spaces to find a window to finish
- A nose for pressuring the ball and getting deflections
- Instincts and resolve to get over screens and get back into the play
Questions looking forward
- Sustaining three-point shooting success from senior season
- Battling bigger guards that aim to take her down onto the block
- Adding similar value potentially playing off the ball on occasion
- Continuing to aggressively attack the basket in a condensed schedule without getting banged up
Path to playing time
Minutes will be up for grabs in the backcourt for Canada or a returning reserve guard. Her ability to get all the way to the rim and finish could add a new dynamic to help balance out Seattle’s attack.
One thing to watch right now
Who is she going to play with most often? Head coach Dan Hughes could lean on Canada to lead bench units with one of Seattle’s stars also on the floor. He could also turn to smaller lineups with Jewell Loyd, Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, Natasha Howard and Canada for several minutes each game to really get his team going offensively.