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2019 WNBA Draft: Best fits for potential early entry candidates

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 27: Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the Oregon Ducks shoots a jumper against the Washington Huskies at the Alaska Airlines Arena on January 27, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 27: Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the Oregon Ducks shoots a jumper against the Washington Huskies at the Alaska Airlines Arena on January 27, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
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COLLEGE PARK, MD – MARCH 17: West Virginia Mountaineers guard Tynice Martin (5) grabs a pass during a Div. 1 NCAA Women’s basketball 1st. round game between Elon and West Virginia on March 17, 2017, at Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. West Virginia defeated Elon 75-62. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – MARCH 17: West Virginia Mountaineers guard Tynice Martin (5) grabs a pass during a Div. 1 NCAA Women’s basketball 1st. round game between Elon and West Virginia on March 17, 2017, at Xfinity Center in College Park, Maryland. West Virginia defeated Elon 75-62. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tynice Martin, 5’10” guard, West Virginia

2018-19 stats: 36.1 minutes, 17.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.7 steals per game; 37.9% shooting and 38.5% on 3-pointers

Biggest strength: Stealing the ball without fouling. Both this season and last season, Martin is accomplishing the rare feat of averaging more steals than fouls per game. This season, her 1.7 steals per game and 2.5% foul rate each rank in at least the 91st percentile of all Division I players. And despite averaging more minutes than 98% of players nationally, she has not fouled out of a game this season.

Best WNBA fit: Phoenix. The Mercury ranked last in the WNBA in steals last season (224) while committing the third-most fouls in the league (703). Also, DeWanna Bonner played the most minutes of any player in the league last season; she, Britney Griner, and Diana Taurasi all averaged over 30 minutes per game. Martin won’t spell the 6’8” Griner, of course, but she could add depth, defense, and toughness in the backcourt for a team that looks like one of the best bets to win the 2019 WNBA title.

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