As the WNBA Draft kicks off, attention naturally centers on top prospects like Paige Bueckers, who is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings.
But for the Indiana Fever, the night will hinge on later selections, as the team holds no first-round picks following the Sophie Cunningham trade.
Indiana Fever’s late pick may surprise fans
With picks at 19, 20, and 33, Indiana is in position to seek hidden gems, and one possible target may feel familiar to fans of Iowa basketball.
Caitlin Clark was the headliner of last year’s draft and delivered one of the most electrifying rookie seasons in league history.
Now, the Fever may look to surround their superstar with another Hawkeye, guard Lucy Olsen, a potential late-round steal who transferred to Iowa for her senior year after three standout seasons at Villanova.
Olsen has flown somewhat under the radar during the draft process, despite a strong final collegiate season in which she averaged 17.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.
Her scoring numbers are comparable to other top guard prospects, and she posted those figures without the benefit of a dominant post presence like some of her peers.
Eric Nemchock of SB Nation believes Olsen could be a smart addition at No. 33, projecting her as a late-round pick for the Fever.
“In her lone season at Iowa, Olsen led the Hawkeyes in both points and assists per game, shooting 35 percent on 3-point attempts,” Nemchock wrote.
“If she’s still around at pick No. 33, Indiana could draft her to add depth behind Caitlin Clark and Sydney Colson.”
At 5-foot-10, Olsen offers a different look than many guards in the class, preferring to operate in the midrange with polished footwork and a crafty jumper.
She finished her college career with over 2,000 points and built a reputation for her offensive creativity.
“What really stands out is that she is a true scorer,” ESPN’s Michael Voepel said.
“She has a really good scorer’s mentality, some real moxie as a scorer. And there are a lot of teams looking for people that can put the ball through the net.”
You can find out where Olsen and the other NCAA stars will land tonight at 7:30 pm ET on ESPN.
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