It’s time for another episode of the Locked on Women’s Basketball podcast. This episode features host Howard Megdal, joined by Indiana Fever general manager Lin Dunn, who has made a ton of news lately, with more to come. The two discuss not only who the Fever are targeting at the top pick — you probably know — but the picks beyond Aliyah Boston, given that the Fever have seven and 13 in the 2023 WNBA Draft as well. Christie Sides, the new head coach.
Lin Dunn talks about what made coach Christie Sides the right fit for the Indiana Fever:
“So my process was very deliberate. It was very specific. I knew I wanted first and for foremost, someone with extensive WNBA experience, whether it was head coach or assistant. They knew the league, they knew the players they had been fully invested in the WNBA. And so Christie Sides was initially right at the top of my list because when I looked at her resume and saw historically, what she had done in the WNBA and what she’d done internationally.
I really had kind of forgotten about her experience in Russia. The elite players that she had coached over there with two championships. And so I was also interested in someone that had high energy. You know, these young players with a young team, there’s not a doubt about that they need someone that has a 24/7 energy, the energizer bunny that can just go with them and just keep up with their energy. And I knew it had to be someone like that.”
Lin Dunn talks about if Aliyah Boston is the number one selection:
“I think everyone has assumed and maybe rightfully so we’ll see that Aliyah Boston is the No. 1 selection, she certainly led her team to a championship last year, she shown enormous improvement. Dawn Staley has done a fantastic job working with her, Lisa, Jolette Law and Fred, they’re great coaches. And it’s been interesting to watch Aliyah grow every year. Let’s don’t forget now she could grow an extra year let’s not lose sight of that. To be honest with you, if I was Dawn Staley, I would not let her get away if there was any possible way I would talk her into leaving South Carolina with a PhD because she’s that good. And then we saw how well she did with the USA trials. And so I think she is definitely set herself up to be the potential first round draft pick.”
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