AP Reporting Amanda Zahui Declaring for WNBA Draft

[Wbbfan1]

Doug Feinberg tweet

In rare move in women's basketball: @GophersWBB sophomore Amanda Zahui B. is declaring for the @WNBA Draft according to source

Article: http://www.artesianews.com/1037106/ap-source-minnesotas-zahui-b-declares-for-wnba-draft.html

 

[triaddukefan]

wow

 

[Aluminny69]

Since she's 22, it makes sense. Better to be in this year's draft. Next year looks to be loaded with talent.

 

[CocoHusky]

Good for her. Weak draft she's a top 5 Pick.

 

[mrmojack]

This really changes the dynamics of the upcoming draft. She is an impressive
player with impressive numbers. I guess the Ct Sun could use a little post help
and they pick 4th.

 

[VAMike23]

I like this because it increases the chances that Stokes will be available at #11 for the Lynx.

Having said that, WNBA roster spots are hard to earn , so Kiah will help herself if she is aggressive on the offensive end in training camp, no matter who takes her. Defensive specialists are great but she will need a little more balance to ensure a spot.

Please let her go to the Lynx!! Maya will push her.

 

[HGN]

Since she's 22, it makes sense. Better to be in this year's draft. Next year looks to be loaded with talent.

But I wonder whether this will be the beginning of a trend of underclassmen declaring for the WNBA in WCBB ?

 

[UcMiami]

But I wonder whether this will be the beginning of a trend of underclassmen declaring for the WNBA in WCBB ?

Not all that many 22 year old underclassmen!
When the Rutgers player left before her senior year to play in Europe, the same question was asked, and the answer over time has been a resounding no.

 

[EricLA]

Bummer for Minn...

 

[Icebear]

But I wonder whether this will be the beginning of a trend of underclassmen declaring for the WNBA in WCBB ?

No. Most underclassmen are not 22.

 

[UcMiami]

And I think maybe not the best move for Zahui. She had a great year, but could probably have used another year of college seasoning before facing the Tinas, Sylvias, and Brittanys of the pro game.

 

[Aluminny69]

Not all that many 22 year old underclassmen!
When the Rutgers player left before her senior year to play in Europe, the same question was asked, and the answer over time has been a resounding no.

Morgan Tuck will be faced with a similar dilemma next year. I know she will not be leaving early, but will she leave before her eligibility is used up?

 

[VAMike23]

On second thought, this might be bad for Kiah's prospects vis a vis the Lynx.

I could see Minny working a trade for AZ by dangling a player like Monica Wright at a team that needs a player like that. Per SwishAppeal, Seattle at #3 is in need of a skilled defensive guard with the departure of Tanisha Wright, and Swish has Cal's Brittany Boyd pencilled in to their mock draft in the third spot. Also per SwishAppeal, BB is dynamic but not a great shooter. Compare her as an uproven rookie to veteran Monica Wright, who is very good defensively, has experience, and can really score.

If Seattle is interested at the #3 spot and AZ is available, I might offer Monica Wright in a trade if I'm Minny. I really like MW and think she is valuable to the Lynx but if AZ is the real deal, Minny could put even more butts in the seats for the next few years while grooming a replacement for Janel McCarville. In the meantime, AZ would likely provide quality minutes as a backup to McCarville, picking up her share of boards and points as she adjusts to the pro game.

 

[HGN]

Not all that many 22 year old underclassmen!
When the Rutgers player left before her senior year to play in Europe, the same question was asked, and the answer over time has been a resounding no.

Thanks............I didn't know about the age 22 Rule.....It's a good one and I hope they keep it in place.

 

[jdubct]

This really changes the dynamics of the upcoming draft. She is an impressive
player with impressive numbers. I guess the Ct Sun could use a little post help
and they pick 4th.

Seattle needs post help too. So she'll be picked n0 later than Seattle's second pick in the first round , #3.

 

[jdubct]

On second thought, this might be bad for Kiah's prospects vis a vis the Lynx.

I could see Minny working a trade for AZ by dangling a player like Monica Wright at a team that needs a player like that. Per SwishAppeal, Seattle at #3 is in need of a skilled defensive guard with the departure of Tanisha Wright, and Swish has Cal's Brittany Boyd pencilled in to their mock draft in the third spot. Also per SwishAppeal, BB is dynamic but not a great shooter. Compare her as an uproven rookie to veteran Monica Wright, who is very good defensively, has experience, and can really score.

If Seattle is interested at the #3 spot and AZ is available, I might offer Monica Wright in a trade if I'm Minny. I really like MW and think she is valuable to the Lynx but if AZ is the real deal, Minny could put even more butts in the seats for the next few years while grooming a replacement for Janel McCarville. In the meantime, AZ would likely provide quality minutes as a backup to McCarville, picking up her share of boards and points as she adjusts to the pro game.

I wouldn't expect Seattle to trade AZ for Wright. They need an infusion of players and AZ will help them build for the future. They traded away two good players to the Sun for Renee Montgomerey and a second pick in the first round.

 

[OneTrickPony]

On second thought, this might be bad for Kiah's prospects vis a vis the Lynx.

I could see Minny working a trade for AZ by dangling a player like Monica Wright at a team that needs a player like that. Per SwishAppeal, Seattle at #3 is in need of a skilled defensive guard with the departure of Tanisha Wright, and Swish has Cal's Brittany Boyd pencilled in to their mock draft in the third spot. Also per SwishAppeal, BB is dynamic but not a great shooter. Compare her as an uproven rookie to veteran Monica Wright, who is very good defensively, has experience, and can really score.

If Seattle is interested at the #3 spot and AZ is available, I might offer Monica Wright in a trade if I'm Minny. I really like MW and think she is valuable to the Lynx but if AZ is the real deal, Minny could put even more butts in the seats for the next few years while grooming a replacement for Janel McCarville. In the meantime, AZ would likely provide quality minutes as a backup to McCarville, picking up her share of boards and points as she adjusts to the pro game.

Given that sound logic and the proximity...it may be driving Zahui...

 

[Oldbones]

But I wonder whether this will be the beginning of a trend of underclassmen declaring for the WNBA in WCBB ?

In my opinion, there's not enough money in the WNBA to incent students to give up scholarships worth 40-50,000 a year.

 

[Wbbfan1]

Official Minnesota Announcement: http://www.gophersports.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/040615aaa.html

 

[ocoandasoc]

It's a good move for her. This draft is thin for bigs. She can see where she's drafted... (I wouldn't rule out her winding up with the Lynx) play backup in the WNBA and make a quick $50K+, then play for the big bucks in Europe.

Minnesota won't be a Final Four team next year or contend for the BiG championship. And I'm not sure that the coaching she'd receive in Minnesota -- or the competition she'd face with their season schedule -- would improve her game that much... she IS 22 years old.

 

[Huskyin808]

She's has to do what she thinks is best for herself. I was somewhat looking forward to her and Rachel Banham next year after coming back from injury. I hope KML is the third pick.

 

[EricLA]

In my opinion, there's not enough money in the WNBA to incent students to give up scholarships worth 40-50,000 a year.

Bingo. This comes up every time people start speculating that Morgan would leave early. My reply - really?? Why on earth would she even consider it? The WNBA money is not much at all for rookies, it's not like her family is destitute, she has a free ride and can work on her master's degree, her team will need her, and has a chance to win 5 NC's - something that likely no other player will ever accomplish.

 

[mtsuraider06]

Many have said the same about DeShields leaving Tennessee early, even though she has given no indication she intends to.

 

[MarieYLee]

In my opinion, there's not enough money in the WNBA to incent students to give up scholarships worth 40-50,000 a year.

She'll be a top 3 pick, which means she'll make close to 50k for 4 months of work. Zahui is European, so assuming she is as good as advertised/produces in the W, will make big bucks overseas, as she won't count as a foreigner (only allowed 2 per team). She can easily make 200k overseas. Thats 250k (minimum), and potentially losing 500k if she were to stay an additional 2 years.

The average WNBA player makes at least 70k overseas. You have Parker/Maya/Taurasi/Griner making big bucks. The American players with Euro passports (Kristi Toliver, LaToya Pringle, Deanna Nolan) also make big money (at least 250k). Morgan, most likely being a high first round pick would command at least 75k, so she's looking at 100k+ if she were to declare (which I doubt).

 

[ed4ourgirls]

Bummer for Minn...

Bummer indeed. Zahui B. and Rachel Banham together might have given
the Gophers a shot at the Big 10 championship.