In the latest episode of Locked On Women’s Basketball, Hunter Cruse, Em Adler and Lincoln Shafer continue their WNBA Retrospect series. This season of WNBA Retrospect focuses on players who were undervalued as pro prospects. Last week, the trio evaluated former UConn guard Tiffany Hayes, a second-round pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft. Today’s episode looks at former Maryland forward Alyssa Thomas and former Duke guard Chelsea Gray, who were picked fourth and 11th overall, respectively, in 2014.
Thomas, a 6’2 forward, could play any position for Maryland but was often on the wing. She was a three-time AP All-American and three-time ACC Player of the Year. Here’s what surprised Shafer about Thomas’ college film after watching her play for several years as a professional with a torn labrum in each shoulder:
“The thing that really kind of catches you off guard is how good her touch in the midrange is. Because we see AT [now, and] we know that she’s a demon in transition, that she is a freight train that will put you on the ground, and we think about that. But her touch is so smooth. She’s hitting these little lefty midrange pull-ups. … Also, her handle’s absurd.”
Gray, a 5’11 point guard, led the ACC in assists as a sophomore and was an AP and WBCA All-American as a junior. But an injury cut short her senior season and likely affected how high she was drafted. Here’s Shafer on what Gray showed as a collegian:
“She just is always making things happen. She is everything, everywhere, all at once, making plays. She’s so patient. That’s the difference between her freshman tape and her senior tape. As as an upperclass player, she’s like the most patient guard I’ve ever watched. She’s never playing at anyone else’s pace.”
Both players ended up going to the Connecticut Sun on draft night. Gray was drafted directly to the Sun, while Thomas was drafted by the New York Liberty before being traded. Thomas has stayed in Connecticut ever since and appeared in 317 career games, while Gray has also played for the Los Angeles Sparks and the Las Vegas Aces. Both players are among the league’s best: Thomas was one of the top WNBA MVP candidates last season, and Gray has won three WNBA championships.
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