11. Connecticut Sun select Crystal Dangerfield, 5’5 G, Connecticut
After falling one game short of the title, Curt Miller is going to face some difficult questions this offseason, packing a lot of salaries into an unforgiving cap (CBA may change this, of course). And there’s going to be pressure to cut corners where he can. There’s also going to be a ton of interest in Layshia Clarendon, a backup point guard in Connecticut with a ridiculous resume for such a role, between her USA Basketball tenure, All Star campaign and elite playmaking profile. Teams in need of a point guard are going to come for her in free agency, and Miller could save salary space by letting her go elsewhere, then drafting Dangerfield, a good bet to come in and contribute at both ends right away. Dangerfield’s limitless range and underrated defensive skill (masked by her height) mean she is capable of picking up some minutes while Jasmine Thomas rests. Thomas is also a perfect mentor for Dangerfield, while the folks selling tickets aren’t going to mind another UConn player to highlight, either. Dangerfield is hitting more than 40 percent of her threes, her steals are up, and her quickness more than compensates for her stature.