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.)
Marie Gulich
Round 1, Pick 12 – Phoenix Mercury
Age: 24 – Height: 6’5 – Position: Center
2017-18 stats at Oregon State:
Gulich opens the season as the likely backup to Brittney Griner after generating a great deal of buzz for herself with her outstanding performance in this year’s NCAA Tournament.
Answers she provides
- Experience in a system built around her talling up and defending without fouling
- Solid repertoire of low block moves
- Capable midrange shooter
Questions looking forward
- How she stacks up against bigger, more physical centers
- Defending out in space
- How she adds the most value on offense in a half court setting
Path to playing time
The Mercury have shown a great deal of faith in Gulich already, evident in their roster moves ahead of the start of the regular season — Griner doesn’t need to rest much, but they trust the rookie to give them some quality minutes right away.
One thing to watch right now
Will she be able to separate herself with her rim runs and handle now playing at a faster pace? Gulich opened a lot of eyes in the second round of the NCAAs against eventual second round pick Mercedes Russell and the Lady Vols with how smooth she looked getting up and down the floor, even using her dribble to push the ball up after a defensive rebound.
Preseason highlights
Here she can be seen running dribble handoffs, hitting the offensive glass, finding open shooters, getting to the basket and knocking down a few midrange jumpers:
And here are two clips of Gulich affecting plays at the rim by getting into position to and using her length to disrupt:
Preseason stat line: 14 points (7-12 FG), eight rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks and seven turnovers in 37 minutes.