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2019 WNBA Draft: Best fits for potential early entry candidates

By Jenn Hatfield

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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PALO ALTO, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Oregon State Guard Destiny Slocum (24) is defended by Stanford Forward Lacie Hull (24) during the women’s basketball game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion on February 9, 2019 in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PALO ALTO, CA – FEBRUARY 08: Oregon State Guard Destiny Slocum (24) is defended by Stanford Forward Lacie Hull (24) during the women’s basketball game between the Oregon State Beavers and the Stanford Cardinal at Maples Pavilion on February 9, 2019 in Palo Alto, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Destiny Slocum, 5’7” guard, Oregon State

2018-19 stats: 26.4 minutes, 16.9 points, 5.0 assists per game; 47.7% shooting from the field and 39.6% on 3-pointers

Biggest strength: Like Ionescu and Mangakahia, it is simply a treat to watch Slocum pass the ball. Her 5.0 assists per game this season rank 46th nationally, and her 38.5% assist rate ranks 13th, barely ahead of Ionescu. But what separates Slocum from Ionescu and Mangakahia is her approach to scoring the ball. Slocum is shooting nearly 40% on 3-pointers this season, and over 40% of her shots have come from behind the arc. She shoots the ball a lot (12.9 shot attempts per game, which ranks in the 94th percentile nationally) and from all over the court, getting 46% of her points from inside the arc and 41% from outside the arc. It’s hard not to like that kind of offensive versatility, particularly from a player who is also willing and able to find open teammates.

Best WNBA fit: Dallas. The Wings need a point guard to step in for Skylar Diggins-Smith, who will miss at least part of the 2019 season after giving birth. They also desperately need scoring: Diggins-Smith and Liz Cambage were the only two double-figure scorers for the Wings last season, and Diggins-Smith is out and Cambage has requested a trade. Even with Diggins-Smith and Cambage, the Wings only shot 44% from the field (9th in the league) and 30% from behind the arc (12th) last season, so Slocum and her three-point shooting would pair nicely at the point with dynamic guards Allisha Gray and Kayla Thornton.

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