Emily Engstler entered the 2022 WNBA Draft as an athletic, versatile forward and defensive menace. The only question was how it would all translate to the pro game and what she would need to thrive in the W.Â
Engstler was selected fourth overall by the Indiana Fever, landing with an Indiana team that didn’t have much proven talent outside of Kelsey Mitchell, and finished the season with a 5-31 record. Nevertheless, Engstler put together a relatively quiet rookie season and was waived before the 2023 season.Â
She only played a handful of games for the Minnesota Lynx on a hardship contract. In 2024, Engstler played her way onto the Washington Mystics’ roster and had her best season yet, averaging 6.2 points, 4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 14.5 minutes per game. However, her role and production shrank last season, as the Mystics focused more on other young talent.Â
Engstler was, unsurprisingly, available in this year’s expansion draft and was selected by the Portland Fire. After 11 games, it’s already clear that the Fire figured out what the Fever and Mystics couldn’t: How to unlock Engstler. She is playing her best basketball yet.Â
Emily Engstler is thriving in Portland
After a 100-84 win over the Fever, Megan Gustafson said in an emotional postgame moment that she was thriving in Portland because she had never felt as respected and wanted before. Engstler seems to be in a very similar situation.Â
She had always been an afterthought, never a priority, at her previous stops despite entering the league as a lottery pick. Now, she is a starter, plays over 20 minutes per game, and has a coaching staff that trusts her like no other before.Â
Engstler is averaging career highs all across the board with 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.3 blocks. She scored in double-digits in six of her eleven games and leads the league in total blocks with 25. A’ja Wilson, the only other player to tally at least 20, is next with 23. Engstler also ranks fifth in total steals. If she can keep up this kind of production for the whole season and the Fire keep winning, she should finish the season with some defensive honors.Â
Fire head coach Alex Sarama puts Engstler in positions to score and is allowing her the freedom to take full advantage of her athleticism on defense.Â
Engstler is an obvious candidate for the Most Improved Player award this season and a big part of the Fire’s surprising success.
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