Your Day in Women’s Basketball, July 28: Fever’s Lauren Cox tested positive for coronavirus
The first-round pick hopes to return soon to uplift struggling Fever
Fever first-round pick Lauren Cox confirmed the suspicions on Monday: earlier this year she tested positive for the coronavirus. The rookie arrived at the Florida bubble on Thursday, and while her return time is unknown, the Fever certainly hope she hits the court ASAP.
At Baylor, Cox was able to score at will and she has the chance to be one of the Fever’s best all-around players for this season.
Indiana arrived in the bubble later than other teams due to two positive tests on the squad, and that late start showed up on Saturday in the team’s blowout loss to the Mystics. Here’s to hoping the return of Cox and All-Star Erica Wheeler (who has yet to arrive) make the Fever competitive in 2020.
Anything can happen in this wacky season, but the Fever will need plenty to swing their way if they wish to make the playoffs for the first time since Tamika Catchings’ retirement in 2016.
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The young squad will get at least one rookie back this week, though, as second-round pick Kathleen Doyle returns from an ankle sprain that kept her out of the opener. Doyle was known for her passing prowess at the University of Iowa and has a chance to show out on the offensive end of the floor.
Despite the Wings’ loss on Sunday, the team strutted out a talented trio of rookies that could each make a difference this season.
This year’s No. 2 pick, Satou Sabally, is projected to have the largest impact for the Wings this season. Sabally plays with a fluidity you don’t often find at the wing position but will have to be more aggressive as the season progresses if she wants to carry the Wings to a playoff berth.
Bella Alarie, the No. 5. overall pick, didn’t have much playing time on Sunday, but look for head coach Brian Agler to slowly incorporate her into the rotation. It’s rare for a pick that high to get limited playing time. Dallas’s standout rookie in the loss actually ended up being the team’s No. 7 pick, Ty Harris, who dropped 13 points.
The rookie of the weekend, though, was Chennedy Carter, who scored 18 points for Atlanta in its win over Dallas. Of course head coach Nicki Collen, in classic coach-speak, said there are still areas where Carter must improve.
“18 and 8 is pretty good for a rookie in her first game,” Collen said. “I still think shot selection is something that she’s going to get better at. … The three wasn’t very smooth today for her, so just kind of [a] learning [experience].”
Want to overreact to the Minnesota Lynx’s win over the Sun? Want to react rationally? Don’t know how to feel about the team’s outside shooting, draft pick, or turnover rate? The Next’s Katie Davidson has you covered.