Could a Spanish player be the number 1 pick in the WNBA draft? Yes, it is a possibility. Awa Fam, Valencia Basket’s center, is high on the predictions and with performances like the one she put in this week against Fenerbahce she is attracting attention in the United States, where many franchises already have her name on their list. She could be the first foreigner to be chosen with the number 1 pick in 25 years. In 2001, the legendary Australian player Lauren Jackson achieved this feat.
ESPN considers Fam “the top international prospect in this draft”. For now, it places her in fourth place, but says that “her potential is high. She could reach number one by the time of the draft”. Among her main rivals is another ‘Spaniard’, Lauren Betts, a UCLA player who was born in Vitoria, where her father, Andy Betts, an illustrious ACB player, played.
In CBS’s predictions, the 19-year-old, 1.92m-tall center is also very high up. The Top 5 seems to be her natural place in the future selection of rookies, which will take place in April. There is still a long way to go, but she looks set to be the highest-ranked Spaniard, surpassing her teammate Raquel Carrera, who was selected by the Atlanta Dream in 15th place in 2021.
Since I was little, I’ve always said that my dream is to get to the WNBA and I’ll do everything I can to try to get there
Unlike other young Spanish players, Fam (Santa Pola, 2006) has shown interest in playing in the WNBA at some point. “Since I was a child I have always said that my dream is to reach the WNBA and I will do everything possible to try to get there,” she said in a recent interview with MARCA.
Return to Valencia before flying to the NCAA
In the summer, she turned down offers from major NCAA programs, delaying a move to the United States that looks set to happen in the future. The center decided to return to Valencia Basket, the team where she was formed and which loaned her last season to Lointek Gernika. Now she has returned home to show her full potential and dazzle the American franchises.
Images of her last performance in the Women’s Euroleague have reached the United States. In the overtime defeat against Fenerbahce (72-75), she scored 17 points (7/11 from the field with 2/2 from three-point range), seven rebounds and three steals in 33 minutes on court. She did this without having yet turned 20 years old and against one of the great favorites for the continental title, which also has numerous players with a past in the WNBA. “It was the first big test of the season for Fam… and she passed it with flying colors,” CBS said.
He is the top international prospect in this draft. His potential is high. He could reach number one by the time of the draft
With good moves in the low post, with the ability to play the pick and roll, with speed to go out on the fast break, even with a good hand from three-point range and defensive ability thanks to her powerful physique, Fam has a very complete repertoire that makes her a very attractive player for any franchise.
The center is already a regular in the senior national team with Spain. In this summer’s Eurobasket, she played in her first international tournament, helping the team to win a silver medal that was very close to being gold if it were not for a few bad last minutes. Fam averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists for a PIR of 10.5 in 23.5 minutes.
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