Your Day in Women’s Basketball, November 18: Seattle has an abundance of riches
By James Hyman
Seattle free agent review, how role players stood out
For WNBA players, there are no days off. Which means for fans and analysts there is always new information to dive into to.
The reigning champion Seattle Storm were led by household names Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart, who deserve all the praise they get and more. But it’s time to acknowledge the role players who do the dirty work without the respect.
Epiphany Prince had the accolades, she’s an all-star, an all-WNBA athlete, and a journeyed 11-year career. The only thing she was missing was a championship. Despite missing games in the wubble regular season, Prince stepped up when Seattle needed her most.
The veteran guard scored 11 points of the bench in a definitive Game 1 performance in the finals against her former team. Seattle may be unable to afford Prince next season, which means she may fall into the lap of another contender in 2021
Alongside Prince in the Storm’s second unit backcourt is Sami Whitcomb. Known primarily for her shooting ability, Whitcomb was forced to step into a larger role handling the ball when Bird got hurt.
She didn’t just hold her own, but excelled with expanded responsibility. Whitcomb was unable to showcase her talents in the Finals after leaving the team to be with her wife for the birth of their child, but a strong regular season has opened up the possibility of a free-agent pay-day in her 5th year.
Next up is Alysha Clark, who has graduated from role player to all-around juggernaut. Defense was never a question, where Clark was a unanimous first team all-defensive player, her second selection in as may years.
It was the offensive side of the ball where Clark really improved, Her points and assists were up despite a number of ball-dominant weapons on the team. While she is also a free agent, Seattle will certainly make sure to retain her services this off-season.
Across the country in Tar Heel county, North Carolina and head coach Courtney Banghart just secured a serious class of 2021 haul. In her second year at the helm, UNC have recruited four top-20 players, good for the second best class in all of college basketball.
They covered all of their bases, getting hometown forward Teonni Key, backcourt duo Kayla McPherson and Morasha Wiggins, and wing Destiny Adams. It will take time and growing pains, but the future of the North Carolina program may the brightest in the country.