<p>
Before she had her name in the Notre Dame record books, a deal with Jay-Z’s media agency and her own hashtags, Skylar Diggins was a big sister.
</p><p>
With no fewer than four younger siblings, Skylar was a role model long before she donned a Tulsa Shock — or even a Notre Dame — jersey.
</p><p>

“I can remember times when, you know, kids get to an age where it’s monkey see, monkey do, and you have to be a role model for them,” Diggins said. “I know (my siblings) were looking up to me and I just tried to be that example for them.”
</p><p>

Given that platform — by virtue of birth order — Diggins felt a responsibility to give her siblings a playbook for success.
</p><p>
“I’d try to do the right things for them and always do the things I said I was going to do,” she said. “Keep my word. Work hard. Be goal oriented. And do everything in my power to achieve my goals and kind of give them somebody to look up to and someone to be like.”
</p><p>
Growing up in South Bend, in the shadows of Notre Dame’s campus, Diggins had someone like that to look up to as well. In addition to her mother, who Diggins called the, “perfect example of a strong, humble, woman,” a young Skylar also admired Niele Ivey, then a point guard on Notre Dame’s women’s team, who won a National title in college and went on to play five years in the WNBA.
</p><p>

“She was always someone that I looked up to at a young age,” Diggins remembered. “She was right there in the city of South Bend and I just loved to watch her and the team play. I loved the way she took command of the game and was a great point guard and did all the things that as a player I wanted to become.”
</p><p>
When it came time for Diggins to play at Notre Dame herself, Ivey was the Recruiting Coordinator and then an assistant coach, focusing on the guards. Diggins said that her relationship with her former idol came full circle because Ivey “actually really played a crucial role in my development as a player.”
</p><p>
As Skylar’s talent blossomed, her fame exploded. Therefore, given this rare platform — by virtue of stature this time — Diggins continued to play the role of big sister, just to a bigger audience.
</p><p>
“I just want to encourage the youth to try everything you want to try,” Diggins said. “I think that’s important, whether it be basketball or piano or art or whatever you want to do — try it. The more time you put into your craft, the better you’ll become at it. Stay focused on your goals and don’t let people try to pull you away for peripheral things. ”
</p><p>
It only takes a casual scan of Diggins’ flourishing social networks to see the kind of impact she has on young people.
</p><p>
The admiration poured on Diggins is deserved. It’s an all-too familiar cliche in sports, but Diggins is, by every account, a strong leader and consummate team player. So much so that — even as a rookie in her first few weeks in camp — she is starting to take the reigns on a young team.
</p><p>
“I think when I’m a point guard, I think I lead naturally,” Diggins said. “The position that I play, I’m play calling. I’m telling people where to go and things like that. I’m talking in the huddle, but as I get to know my teammates, I think I’ll settle into that role nicely.”
</p><p>
But Diggins — who acknowledged the many past accomplishments of her teammates — seems to understand the balance of leading her team and learning from the veterans.
</p><p>
“I’m just trying to learn from my teammates too and try to get to know them as much as I can just so they understand that I respect everything that they’ve done up to this point,” Diggins said. “I think that so far they’ve let me lead and be the player that I am. You’ve got to appreciate that.”
</p><p>
Through it all — from Washington High School to the Tulsa Shock — Diggins has also been extremely appreciative of her family. Her family was a key factor in her deciding to stay local and attend Notre Dame and not go to Stanford for college, and her family has continued to mold her into the inspirational person she is today.
</p><p>
And when it comes to role models, Diggins doesn’t have to look any further than her mother.
</p><p>

“My mom was someone who always stuck with her values and fought for what she believed and who taught me those same values,” Diggins said. “She’s someone who has been my rock, and everything that’s good that’s happened in my life, I can trace back to her.”
</p><p>
Somewhere, whether with her siblings or an adoring fan, Diggins is having that same effect on someone else.
</p><p>
The circle continues.
</p>

<p>
Before she had her name in the Notre Dame record books, a deal with Jay-Z’s media agency and her own hashtags, Skylar Diggins was a big sister.
</p><p>
With no fewer than four younger siblings, Skylar was a role model long before she donned a Tulsa Shock — or even a Notre Dame — jersey.
</p><p>

“I can remember times when, you know, kids get to an age where it’s monkey see, monkey do, and you have to be a role model for them,” Diggins said. “I know (my siblings) were looking up to me and I just tried to be that example for them.”
</p><p>

Given that platform — by virtue of birth order — Diggins felt a responsibility to give her siblings a playbook for success.
</p><p>
“I’d try to do the right things for them and always do the things I said I was going to do,” she said. “Keep my word. Work hard. Be goal oriented. And do everything in my power to achieve my goals and kind of give them somebody to look up to and someone to be like.”
</p><p>
Growing up in South Bend, in the shadows of Notre Dame’s campus, Diggins had someone like that to look up to as well. In addition to her mother, who Diggins called the, “perfect example of a strong, humble, woman,” a young Skylar also admired Niele Ivey, then a point guard on Notre Dame’s women’s team, who won a National title in college and went on to play five years in the WNBA.
</p><p>

“She was always someone that I looked up to at a young age,” Diggins remembered. “She was right there in the city of South Bend and I just loved to watch her and the team play. I loved the way she took command of the game and was a great point guard and did all the things that as a player I wanted to become.”
</p><p>
When it came time for Diggins to play at Notre Dame herself, Ivey was the Recruiting Coordinator and then an assistant coach, focusing on the guards. Diggins said that her relationship with her former idol came full circle because Ivey “actually really played a crucial role in my development as a player.”
</p><p>
As Skylar’s talent blossomed, her fame exploded. Therefore, given this rare platform — by virtue of stature this time — Diggins continued to play the role of big sister, just to a bigger audience.
</p><p>
“I just want to encourage the youth to try everything you want to try,” Diggins said. “I think that’s important, whether it be basketball or piano or art or whatever you want to do — try it. The more time you put into your craft, the better you’ll become at it. Stay focused on your goals and don’t let people try to pull you away for peripheral things. ”
</p><p>
It only takes a casual scan of Diggins’ flourishing social networks to see the kind of impact she has on young people.
</p><p>
The admiration poured on Diggins is deserved. It’s an all-too familiar cliche in sports, but Diggins is, by every account, a strong leader and consummate team player. So much so that — even as a rookie in her first few weeks in camp — she is starting to take the reigns on a young team.
</p><p>
“I think when I’m a point guard, I think I lead naturally,” Diggins said. “The position that I play, I’m play calling. I’m telling people where to go and things like that. I’m talking in the huddle, but as I get to know my teammates, I think I’ll settle into that role nicely.”
</p><p>
But Diggins — who acknowledged the many past accomplishments of her teammates — seems to understand the balance of leading her team and learning from the veterans.
</p><p>
“I’m just trying to learn from my teammates too and try to get to know them as much as I can just so they understand that I respect everything that they’ve done up to this point,” Diggins said. “I think that so far they’ve let me lead and be the player that I am. You’ve got to appreciate that.”
</p><p>
Through it all — from Washington High School to the Tulsa Shock — Diggins has also been extremely appreciative of her family. Her family was a key factor in her deciding to stay local and attend Notre Dame and not go to Stanford for college, and her family has continued to mold her into the inspirational person she is today.
</p><p>
And when it comes to role models, Diggins doesn’t have to look any further than her mother.
</p><p>

“My mom was someone who always stuck with her values and fought for what she believed and who taught me those same values,” Diggins said. “She’s someone who has been my rock, and everything that’s good that’s happened in my life, I can trace back to her.”
</p><p>
Somewhere, whether with her siblings or an adoring fan, Diggins is having that same effect on someone else.
</p><p>
The circle continues.
</p>

<p>
NEW YORK, May 16, 2013 — To tip off the WNBA’s 17th season, the league, its teams and players will join community members and partners in a series of special events and community activities to celebrate WNBA Cares Week.
</p><p>
Community outreach efforts will emphasize the importance of WNBA players and executives as role models in their community, both inspiring youth and promoting health and wellness. Highlights of WNBA Cares Week will include:
</p><p>
-The reigning champion Indiana Fever partnering with Habitat for Humanity to build homes.<br />
-The New York Liberty hosting a basketball clinic teaching the importance of teamwork for 75 children in the Bronx.<br />
-Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx speaking to children at a WNBA FIT Assembly about the importance of health and wellness, and living an active and healthy lifestyle.
</p><p>
A schedule of select WNBA Cares Week activities is below. Additional information, including dates and locations for each event, can be found on WNBA.com or on specific team websites.
</p><p>
Atlanta: Dream players and staff will work with the Atlanta Food Bank’s Product Rescue Center sorting canned goods that will be delivered to those in need. The team will also hold its first “Take the Show on the Road” open practice and meet-and-greet in Kathleen, Ga. Additionally, members of the Dream’s front office will participate in Atlanta Streets Alive, an event that promotes keeping Atlanta healthy and moving.
</p><p>
Chicago: The Sky will team up with No Kid Hungry and the Greater Chicago Food Depository for a Day of Service, during which players will volunteer their time at Beidler Elementary working the Choice Market set up by the Food Depository. Players will assist families at the market in selecting an assortment of fresh fruit, vegetables and non-perishable items. Each family will also receive tickets to the Sky home opener on May 31.
</p><p>
Connecticut: For the second consecutive season, the Sun players, coaches and front office staff will serve dinner at the New London Community Meal Center. During the May 11 preseason game, the Sun hosted a food drive for non-perishable food that was donated to the Community Meal Center.
</p><p>
Indiana: The 2012 WNBA champion will participate in a series of WNBA Cares events throughout the month of May, including building a home with Habitat for Humanity and conducting WNBA Fit clinics at local youth organizations,. Additionally, the team will host its annual MVP Tip-Off Party for season-ticket holders.
</p><p>
Los Angeles: For the fifth consecutive year, the Sparks will participate in a Family Fun Day with the Jenesse Center, Inc., which aims to prevent and end the cycles of domestic violence through education, research, resources and advocacy throughout the nation. Players and coaches will host activities for the kids such as art projects, dribbling drills and exercise stations.
</p><p>
Minnesota: The Lynx hosted a FIT Assembly featuring an appearance from Maya Moore, who spoke to the kids about the importance of health and wellness. Additionally, as part of Habitat for Humanity’s National Women Build Week, Lynx players will help to repair and repaint houses.. The Lynx will also host the inaugural Tip-A-Lynx, which includes the entire Lynx team and coaching staff serving food and pouring drinks, as well as raffling off experiences in a silent auction. A portion of the night’s sales will go to support the Lynx Foundation and the Lynx Fastbreak Foundation.
</p><p>
New York: The Liberty will host 75 children from Garden of Dreams Foundation partner organization WHEDco at Van Cortlandt Park’s Classic Playground in The Bronx. Liberty players and coaches will teach the children the fundamentals of basketball and the importance of exercise and teamwork. The clinic will include shooting, passing, ballhandling and defensive drills.
</p><p>
San Antonio: The Silver Stars will join volunteers from Spurs Sports & Entertainment and St. Philips College in helping to clean up Martin Luther King Park on San Antonio’s Eastside. Silver Stars players and volunteers will help paint over graffiti in an effort to make the park a better environment for the community to enjoy.
</p><p>
Phoenix: The Mercury hosted a “DeWanna Be Fit?” clinic for Valley children at a local Boys and Girls Club. The team and members of the Mercury Hip Hop Squad demonstrated how health and fitness can be fun by teaching the children a dance routine and discussing the importance of healthy eating. In Addition, the Mercury will make a special appearance to speak to students within the Elevate Phoenix program about the importance of education and fulfilling their dreams.
</p><p>
Seattle: Storm players will read stories and help out with crafts at Ballard Public Library’s “Pajama Party,” as well as speak to audiences at the Hero House and Girl Rising movie screening about their path to the WNBA and what it’s like to play in the league. They will also be on hand at the Girls on the Run 5K to kick off the race and offer words of encouragement to the runners.
</p><p>
Tulsa: Players from the Shock attended the Go Red for Women Luncheon to support Go Red, the AHA’s national campaign that supports women’s heart health research.
</p><p>
Washington: Mystics players will join forces with DC Central Kitchen to help prepare meals for underserved families and those most in need. DC Central Kitchen provides rigorous culinary job training program for unemployed men and women who want to replace homelessness, addiction, and incarceration with new careers and changed lives.</p>

<p>
As a point guard, a social media celebrity and now a professional, Skylar Diggins never seems fazed.
</p><p>
The No. 3 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft — one of ESPN’s “3 to See” — is settling into her new role as a member of the Tulsa Shock, not even a month after taking the stage at ESPN’s campus. The immensely popular Notre Dame product has already even moved into her new apartment. </p><p>
And it was there, of all places, where she found herself outside of her seemingly vast comfort zone. </p><p>
“I’ve got an apartment. It’s pretty nice too,” Diggins explained. “I even used my kitchen. I don’t usually cook, but I decided to cook a little bit. I did the taco route. It’s pretty simple. You don’t have to do too much. </p><p>
Usually it’s just Ramen, toast and cereal and sandwiches, but I stepped outside my comfort zone.” </p><p>
An anecdote like that reveals a different side of the extensively reported-on Diggins. While the 22-year-old may appear unflappable in front of the legions of her fans that can watch her just about anywhere — there was the appearances on ESPN, the @NBAonTNT Twitter Takeover during a Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets Playoff game and, of course, the brush with hip-hop royalty when she recently signed with Jay Z’s agency Roc Nation — it’s easy to forget that South Bend native with over 385,000 Twitter followers is still a week away from her college graduation. </p><p>
“Getting everything done in the midst of the WNBA and getting set up out here in Tulsa, I still had to finish college,” Diggins said with a laugh. “So I actually just finished up this week with a final exam for my last business class, so getting that done was kind of crazy.” </p><p>
Crazy might not be a strong enough word to describe Skylar’s last couple months. </p><p>
Diggins, who played her last game at Notre Dame, a loss to rival UConn in the Final Four, on April 7, has not only received an enormous amount of media attention in the sports world since then — she’s attended NBA games and Kobe Bryant tweeted at her, calling her #ladymamba — but her appeal has crossed over into pop culture, a fact that is validated by celebrities such as Rihanna reaching out to her via — you guessed it — Twitter. </p><p>
“I had my fair share of celebrity shoutouts that have reached out to me,” Diggins said. “That’s always cool just knowing they like the game of basketball, like watching, appreciate my craft. That’s always pretty flattering.” </p><p>
With this type of fanfare comes responsibility, and Diggins is ready to take that on. </p><p>
</p><p>
“It makes you want to work harder,” Diggins said of the attention she’s receiving. “When you see people that are so excited to see what you can bring to the table, not only just on the court, but off the court.” </p><p>
On the court, Diggins saw her first action as a member of the Shock when Tulsa lost to the Atlanta Dream on May 9 in the season’s first preseason game. Diggins finished with nine points, three assists and two steals in 22 minutes, but the biggest headline was the bloody lip she received when getting leveled by a screen from Atlanta’s Aneika Henry. Diggins, who received five stitches and shared her wound via Instagram, says it was the first time she ever had to receive stitches for a basketball injury. </p><p>
“I don’t know if it was a ‘welcome to the pros’ thing or what,” Diggins joked. </p><p>
Her transition to a professional life off the court has been just as abrupt. </p><p>
“You’re an adult now and I’m not in South Bend where my whole family is to lean on for meals and stuff like that,” she admitted. “I can’t just go to my grandma’s house anymore, can’t count on my mom for meals as much as I would if I was in South Bend.” </p><p>
No, the budding and ever-visible superstar is not in South Bend anymore. </p><p>
But, as long as tacos don’t get more complicated, we know she won’t go hungry. </p>

<p>
As a point guard, a social media celebrity and now a professional, Skylar Diggins never seems fazed.
</p><p>
The No. 3 pick in this year’s WNBA Draft — one of ESPN’s “3 to See” — is settling into her new role as a member of the Tulsa Shock, not even a month after taking the stage at ESPN’s campus. The immensely popular Notre Dame product has already even moved into her new apartment. </p><p>
And it was there, of all places, where she found herself outside of her seemingly vast comfort zone. </p><p>
“I’ve got an apartment. It’s pretty nice too,” Diggins explained. “I even used my kitchen. I don’t usually cook, but I decided to cook a little bit. I did the taco route. It’s pretty simple. You don’t have to do too much. </p><p>
Usually it’s just Ramen, toast and cereal and sandwiches, but I stepped outside my comfort zone.” </p><p>
An anecdote like that reveals a different side of the extensively reported-on Diggins. While the 22-year-old may appear unflappable in front of the legions of her fans that can watch her just about anywhere — there was the appearances on ESPN, the @NBAonTNT Twitter Takeover during a Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets Playoff game and, of course, the brush with hip-hop royalty when she recently signed with Jay Z’s agency Roc Nation — it’s easy to forget that South Bend native with over 385,000 Twitter followers is still a week away from her college graduation. </p><p>
“Getting everything done in the midst of the WNBA and getting set up out here in Tulsa, I still had to finish college,” Diggins said with a laugh. “So I actually just finished up this week with a final exam for my last business class, so getting that done was kind of crazy.” </p><p>
Crazy might not be a strong enough word to describe Skylar’s last couple months. </p><p>
Diggins, who played her last game at Notre Dame, a loss to rival UConn in the Final Four, on April 7, has not only received an enormous amount of media attention in the sports world since then — she’s attended NBA games and Kobe Bryant tweeted at her, calling her #ladymamba — but her appeal has crossed over into pop culture, a fact that is validated by celebrities such as Rihanna reaching out to her via — you guessed it — Twitter. </p><p>
“I had my fair share of celebrity shoutouts that have reached out to me,” Diggins said. “That’s always cool just knowing they like the game of basketball, like watching, appreciate my craft. That’s always pretty flattering.” </p><p>
With this type of fanfare comes responsibility, and Diggins is ready to take that on. </p><p>
</p><p>
“It makes you want to work harder,” Diggins said of the attention she’s receiving. “When you see people that are so excited to see what you can bring to the table, not only just on the court, but off the court.” </p><p>
On the court, Diggins saw her first action as a member of the Shock when Tulsa lost to the Atlanta Dream on May 9 in the season’s first preseason game. Diggins finished with nine points, three assists and two steals in 22 minutes, but the biggest headline was the bloody lip she received when getting leveled by a screen from Atlanta’s Aneika Henry. Diggins, who received five stitches and shared her wound via Instagram, says it was the first time she ever had to receive stitches for a basketball injury. </p><p>
“I don’t know if it was a ‘welcome to the pros’ thing or what,” Diggins joked. </p><p>
Her transition to a professional life off the court has been just as abrupt. </p><p>
“You’re an adult now and I’m not in South Bend where my whole family is to lean on for meals and stuff like that,” she admitted. “I can’t just go to my grandma’s house anymore, can’t count on my mom for meals as much as I would if I was in South Bend.” </p><p>
No, the budding and ever-visible superstar is not in South Bend anymore. </p><p>
But, as long as tacos don’t get more complicated, we know she won’t go hungry. </p>

<p>
BRISTOL, Conn., April 15, 2012 — The “3 to See” did not stay on the board for long. The Phoenix Mercury selected Baylor’s Brittney Griner with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm. The Chicago Sky tapped Elena Delle Donne of Delaware with the second overall selection, and the Tulsa Shock picked Notre Dame’s Skylar Diggins third.
</p><p>
A 6-8 center, Griner was a dominant presence at Baylor, finishing her collegiate career ranked first all time in Women’s NCAA Division 1 history in blocks (748) and dunks (18), and second in points (3,283) and double-figure scoring games (146 of 148). Her blocks total actually paces both women and men — topping the 564 of Mississippi State’s Jarvis Varnado — while her 18 dunks account for over 50 percent of the 33 total dunks by college women.
</p><p>
A 6-5 guard/forward, Delle Donne led the nation in scoring as a junior, finished second as a senior and completed her college career as the fifth-leading scorer in NCAA history (3,039). Diggins, a four-time All-America, finished her career as Notre Dame’s career leader in points and steals, ranks second in assists. The 5-9 guard joins the Sky already established as a social media celebrity, with over 300,000 followers on Twitter (@SkyDigg4).
</p><p>
With the fifth overall pick, the Washington Mystics selected Ohio State’s Tyler Hill, a 5-10 guard and defensive stalwart, who averaged 20-plus points in both her junior and senior years. The New York Liberty, the lone team with multiple picks in the first round, picked Texas A&M’s Kelsey Bone, a 6-4 center, with the fifth overall selection and Oklahoma State’s Toni Young, a 6-2 forward, with the seventh pick. Bone earned All-SEC First Team honors while Young was a unanimous All-Big 12 pick sandwiched between the Liberty’s two picks, the Seattle Storm used the sixth overall selection on Maryland’s Tianna Hawkins, a 6-3 forward and an All-ACC First Team pick after leading the league in scoring..
</p><p>
The San Antonio Silver Stars selected 6-4 center Kayla Alexander from Syracuse with the eighth pick of the first round; Alexander is the only player in school history to top 2,000 points (2,024). The Indiana Fever used the ninth selection on Cal’s Layshia Clarendon, a 5-9 guard who earned All-Pac-12 First Team honors as a senior. With the 10th pick, the Los Angeles Sparks tapped Kentucky’s A’dia Matthies, a 5-9 guard and the first Wildcats’ player (male or female) to post 1,900 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists, 300 steals in a career. The Connecticut Sun selected UConn’s Kelly Faris, a 5-11 guard and All-BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, with the 11th overall pick. With the 12th and final pick of the first round, the Minnesota Lynx took Nebraska’s 5-9 guard Lindsey Moore and two-time finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award (given to the nation’s top Division I point guard).
</p><p>
A complete round-by-round recap will be issued following the conclusion of the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm.
</p>

<p>
BRISTOL, Conn., April 15, 2012 — The “3 to See” did not stay on the board for long. The Phoenix Mercury selected Baylor’s Brittney Griner with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm. The Chicago Sky tapped Elena Delle Donne of Delaware with the second overall selection, and the Tulsa Shock picked Notre Dame’s Skylar Diggins third.
</p><p>
A 6-8 center, Griner was a dominant presence at Baylor, finishing her collegiate career ranked first all time in Women’s NCAA Division 1 history in blocks (748) and dunks (18), and second in points (3,283) and double-figure scoring games (146 of 148). Her blocks total actually paces both women and men — topping the 564 of Mississippi State’s Jarvis Varnado — while her 18 dunks account for over 50 percent of the 33 total dunks by college women.
</p><p>
A 6-5 guard/forward, Delle Donne led the nation in scoring as a junior, finished second as a senior and completed her college career as the fifth-leading scorer in NCAA history (3,039). Diggins, a four-time All-America, finished her career as Notre Dame’s career leader in points and steals, ranks second in assists. The 5-9 guard joins the Sky already established as a social media celebrity, with over 300,000 followers on Twitter (@SkyDigg4).
</p><p>
With the fifth overall pick, the Washington Mystics selected Ohio State’s Tyler Hill, a 5-10 guard and defensive stalwart, who averaged 20-plus points in both her junior and senior years. The New York Liberty, the lone team with multiple picks in the first round, picked Texas A&M’s Kelsey Bone, a 6-4 center, with the fifth overall selection and Oklahoma State’s Toni Young, a 6-2 forward, with the seventh pick. Bone earned All-SEC First Team honors while Young was a unanimous All-Big 12 pick sandwiched between the Liberty’s two picks, the Seattle Storm used the sixth overall selection on Maryland’s Tianna Hawkins, a 6-3 forward and an All-ACC First Team pick after leading the league in scoring..
</p><p>
The San Antonio Silver Stars selected 6-4 center Kayla Alexander from Syracuse with the eighth pick of the first round; Alexander is the only player in school history to top 2,000 points (2,024). The Indiana Fever used the ninth selection on Cal’s Layshia Clarendon, a 5-9 guard who earned All-Pac-12 First Team honors as a senior. With the 10th pick, the Los Angeles Sparks tapped Kentucky’s A’dia Matthies, a 5-9 guard and the first Wildcats’ player (male or female) to post 1,900 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists, 300 steals in a career. The Connecticut Sun selected UConn’s Kelly Faris, a 5-11 guard and All-BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year, with the 11th overall pick. With the 12th and final pick of the first round, the Minnesota Lynx took Nebraska’s 5-9 guard Lindsey Moore and two-time finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award (given to the nation’s top Division I point guard).
</p><p>
A complete round-by-round recap will be issued following the conclusion of the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm.
</p>

<p>
Bristol, Conn. — Baylor’s Brittney Griner has been billed as a lot of things. The new face of the WNBA. A game-changing prospect. The most dominant force in all of women’s basketball.
</p><p>
She’s also still a kid.
</p><p>
At 22-years-old, a noticeably nervous Griner revealed to the nation, after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, just how green the perceivably unflappable superstar really is. Virtually speechless during an interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe after she was selected — despite the fact that her status as No. 1 pick was never in question — and visibly star struck earlier in the day when ESPN cameras caught her meeting X-Games legend Tony Hawk, her facade began to disappear.
</p><p>
“The real Brittney has definitely come out,” Griner said. “Earlier today, shedding tears, crying, just goofing off, being a big kid. I have a lot of personality. I got speechless today and couldn’t talk, and you know, everybody just thinks I’m this hard person from the way I play on the court or I’m just a certain way, but I’m just the biggest kid.”
</p><p>
To those that only know her by her measurables and her aggressive style of play, this may come as a surprise.
</p><p>
“I’ve had a lot of people come up to me this weekend and during this whole experience and tell me ‘you are a kid” and I’m like ‘yes, I am’,” Griner said with a laugh. “I’m just a kid having fun and just soaking it in right now.”
</p><p>
Griner’s personality was also reflected in her outfit. The NCAAs all-time leader in blocked shots accentuated her white suit jacket with a gold watch and a pair of orange, blue and green argyle socks. And then there was the nail polish — bright orange — for the Mercury, of course.
</p><p>
The juxtaposition of the Griner that walked the halls of ESPN excitedly congratulating other draftees with the fearsome player you see on the court is quite stark. It’s also refreshing. Refreshing to see a transcendent female athlete so comfortable with who she is.
</p><p>
And, given that she is now a headliner among her peers, Griner hopes that she’ll be able to instill that self-worth in others.
</p><p>
What would be her message?
</p><p>
“Just never backing down from a challenge, always embracing your own image,” Griner said. “I’m a different player. I’m a different person — large feet, big hands. I don’t have a soft voice. People say I have a deep voice, and yeah, I do. I’m just so comfortable with it and if I can just give that back to the younger generation and younger girls, and younger guys that are different as well. Anybody that’s different, be who you are. You never want to change that.”
</p><p>
So who is Brittney Griner when she’s not playing above the rim?
</p><p>
“When I’m not playing basketball I could be doing a lot of things,” Griner said. “Honestly, I could sit on the couch, kick my feet up, play some video games — some Modern Warfare. I used to go longboarding — not anymore. Just go out on trails, go walk trails. I’ll be out in water, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, I could go fishing. I do all that. Shoot, I can go out and just go mudding.
</p><p>
I’m a country girl, I’ll go climb a tree.”
</p><p>
Luckily for Griner, she’s been told that Phoenix will afford her plenty of options for outdoor activity. It will also offer her a chance for some great team basketball indoors. With a roster that already includes stars such as Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor, DeWanna Bonner and Candice Dupree, many, including ESPN Analyst Rebecca Lobo, think the Mercury have become the favorite to win the WNBA title with the addition of Griner.
</p><p>
“It’s a big expectation, but definitely one where I can see why she says that,” the three-time All-American said. “We’re kind of like the Miami Heat of the women’s league.”
</p><p>
That kind of success — and that kind of talk — will only make Griner even more visible, though that’s normally not a problem for her. The 6-foot-8 Houston native was not hard to spot on the ESPN campus Monday night, having at any time up to 15 media members or other officials following her every move.
</p><p>
It was an incredibly long day for Griner — one that started before 8 a.m. and included appearances all over ESPN’s family of networks and continued past 10:45 p.m. as she went to do one last interview — but all the while she remained in good spirits.
</p><p>
As she walked up a flight of stairs during one of her loops around campus, Griner — who consistently brisked past her entourage because of her long strides — looked back and chided her army of trailers.
</p><p>
“Hurry up, slow pokes,” she joked.
</p><p>
Yes, she may still be a kid.
</p><p>
But everyone else is still just trying to play catch up.</p>

<p>
Bristol, Conn. — Baylor’s Brittney Griner has been billed as a lot of things. The new face of the WNBA. A game-changing prospect. The most dominant force in all of women’s basketball.
</p><p>
She’s also still a kid.
</p><p>
At 22-years-old, a noticeably nervous Griner revealed to the nation, after being selected as the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, just how green the perceivably unflappable superstar really is. Virtually speechless during an interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe after she was selected — despite the fact that her status as No. 1 pick was never in question — and visibly star struck earlier in the day when ESPN cameras caught her meeting X-Games legend Tony Hawk, her facade began to disappear.
</p><p>
“The real Brittney has definitely come out,” Griner said. “Earlier today, shedding tears, crying, just goofing off, being a big kid. I have a lot of personality. I got speechless today and couldn’t talk, and you know, everybody just thinks I’m this hard person from the way I play on the court or I’m just a certain way, but I’m just the biggest kid.”
</p><p>
To those that only know her by her measurables and her aggressive style of play, this may come as a surprise.
</p><p>
“I’ve had a lot of people come up to me this weekend and during this whole experience and tell me ‘you are a kid” and I’m like ‘yes, I am’,” Griner said with a laugh. “I’m just a kid having fun and just soaking it in right now.”
</p><p>
Griner’s personality was also reflected in her outfit. The NCAAs all-time leader in blocked shots accentuated her white suit jacket with a gold watch and a pair of orange, blue and green argyle socks. And then there was the nail polish — bright orange — for the Mercury, of course.
</p><p>
The juxtaposition of the Griner that walked the halls of ESPN excitedly congratulating other draftees with the fearsome player you see on the court is quite stark. It’s also refreshing. Refreshing to see a transcendent female athlete so comfortable with who she is.
</p><p>
And, given that she is now a headliner among her peers, Griner hopes that she’ll be able to instill that self-worth in others.
</p><p>
What would be her message?
</p><p>
“Just never backing down from a challenge, always embracing your own image,” Griner said. “I’m a different player. I’m a different person — large feet, big hands. I don’t have a soft voice. People say I have a deep voice, and yeah, I do. I’m just so comfortable with it and if I can just give that back to the younger generation and younger girls, and younger guys that are different as well. Anybody that’s different, be who you are. You never want to change that.”
</p><p>
So who is Brittney Griner when she’s not playing above the rim?
</p><p>
“When I’m not playing basketball I could be doing a lot of things,” Griner said. “Honestly, I could sit on the couch, kick my feet up, play some video games — some Modern Warfare. I used to go longboarding — not anymore. Just go out on trails, go walk trails. I’ll be out in water, canoeing, kayaking, hunting, I could go fishing. I do all that. Shoot, I can go out and just go mudding.
</p><p>
I’m a country girl, I’ll go climb a tree.”
</p><p>
Luckily for Griner, she’s been told that Phoenix will afford her plenty of options for outdoor activity. It will also offer her a chance for some great team basketball indoors. With a roster that already includes stars such as Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor, DeWanna Bonner and Candice Dupree, many, including ESPN Analyst Rebecca Lobo, think the Mercury have become the favorite to win the WNBA title with the addition of Griner.
</p><p>
“It’s a big expectation, but definitely one where I can see why she says that,” the three-time All-American said. “We’re kind of like the Miami Heat of the women’s league.”
</p><p>
That kind of success — and that kind of talk — will only make Griner even more visible, though that’s normally not a problem for her. The 6-foot-8 Houston native was not hard to spot on the ESPN campus Monday night, having at any time up to 15 media members or other officials following her every move.
</p><p>
It was an incredibly long day for Griner — one that started before 8 a.m. and included appearances all over ESPN’s family of networks and continued past 10:45 p.m. as she went to do one last interview — but all the while she remained in good spirits.
</p><p>
As she walked up a flight of stairs during one of her loops around campus, Griner — who consistently brisked past her entourage because of her long strides — looked back and chided her army of trailers.
</p><p>
“Hurry up, slow pokes,” she joked.
</p><p>
Yes, she may still be a kid.
</p><p>
But everyone else is still just trying to play catch up.</p>

<p>
1. Phoenix Mercury — Brittney Griner: Let’s be honest, the 2013 WNBA Draft Lottery was essentially the Brittney Griner Sweepstakes. While several other players in this draft class — especially Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins — are truly game-changing prospects in their own right, Griner is a once-in-a-lifetime player. And, in what is women’s basketball’s worst-kept secret at the moment, the Mercury will select Griner with this pick. Phoenix coach Corey Gaines has said it without really saying it and Griner has alluded to it as well. With this pick, and with Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor returning from injury, Phoenix immediately becomes a favorite to win it all next year.
</p><p>
2. Chicago Sky — Elena Delle Donne: It’s been debated — well on both sides — who Chicago should take here. I’m going with Elena Delle Donne. Her unique talents are too much to pass up, and if it wasn’t for the presence of Griner, the 6-foot-5 Delaware product would be the crowned jewel of just about any other class. Also, the Sky already have a productive point guard in Epiphanny Prnce, so they’re less likely to target Diggins. If Chicago does indeed take Delle Donne, they’ll have a fearsome combo of Prince running the point, Delle Donne on the wing and Sylvia Fowles down low. That’s a team that could vie to be the best team in the East.
</p><p>
3. Tulsa Shock — Skylar Diggins: With Griner and Delle Donne off the board, the obvious pick here is Skylar Diggins, and Tulsa should feel fortunate to get a player of Diggins’ caliber at No. 3. A proven winner, Diggins figures to step right in to a young Tulsa locker room and assume a leadership role. On the court, she can not only be a team’s primary distributor, but she can also stretch defenses with her perimeter and mid-range shot. She’s a tough defender and the Notre Dame product will give Tulsa instant credibility. And, she will give the Shock a whole new legion of fans. This pick makes even more sense for Tulsa because it lost guards Temeka Johnson and Ivory Latta this offseason.
</p><p>
4. Washington Mystics — Kelsey Bone: Washington head coach Mike Thibault joked that he has the “first pick in the other draft” — and he has a point. With the first three picks all but a given, the rest of the first round will take shape after the Mystics make their selection. They are really the first domino to fall. If Thibault opts for a perimeter player, then Ohio State’s Tayler Hill is probably the pick, but Thibault’s decision will likely be a toss-up between Texas A&M’s Kelsey Bone and Maryland’s Tianna Hawkins. While Hawkins, a 6-foot-3 rebounding machine, has shown the ability to dominate in the ACC, the common refrain in the WNBA Pre-Draft Conference Call was that the league is getting bigger, faster and stronger. That’s why the 6-foot-4 Kelsey Bone is the pick here. In her pre-draft Q&A, when Bone was asked what three qualities best describe her game she said: Powerful, Physical, Strong. Enough said.
</p><p>
*UPDATE: With the Mystics acquiring center Quanitra Hollingsworth from the Liberty on Monday, this may be an indication that Washington is actually looking for a guard with this pick. Ohio State’s Tayler Hill becomes a more viable option here.
</p><p>
5. New York Liberty — Tianna Hawkins: If Thibault passes on Bone, then she doesn’t make it past this pick. But, if Washington opts for the Maryland product, then Liberty coach Bill Laimbeer will likely take a big that many people hold in the same regard: Tianna Hawkins. Hawikins has the ability to be an impact player in this is league. She relentlessly attacked the glass in college — she’s one of only three Terrapins to grab 1,000 rebounds (Crystal Langhorne, Marissa Coleman) — and with Laimbeer’s tutelage that could translate well to the WNBA. Tayler Hill will also be an option with this pick, but the prevailing wisdom is that the Liberty will try to grab a big with the first of their two first rounders.
</p><p>
6. Seattle Storm — Toni Young: This is a slightly unconventional pick, but Young fits in nicely with Seattle’s plan. While they could still look for a perimeter player, their biggest need is in the frontcourt with Lauren Jackson and Ann Wauters not returning this season. Seattle coach Brian Agler also hinted that given those departures, as well as Sue Bird’s season-ending injury, that this Seattle team could be in a bit of a transition year, therefore they could potentially look for a player with more upside. That’s where Young comes in. Outside of the “3 to See”, maybe no player has more upside than the 6-foot-2 Young. She didn’t even play basketball until her second year of high school and she doubles as a track star. An unbelievable talent, she averaged 16.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game her senior year. It might not be in 2013, but Young, once she adds to her frame, could be a future All-Star.
</p><p>
7. New York Liberty –Tayler Hill: The Liberty will be thrilled if Tayler Hill slips this far. Laimbeer spoke very highly of her during the WNBA Pre-Draft Conference Call — praising her versatility — and she appears to be the right fit for Laimbeer’s system and a potential potent complement to Cappie Pondexter in the backcourt. Despite dealing with complications of strep throat much of last year, Hill still averaged 21.1 points per game last season. She is the top perimeter scorer in this draft outside of the “3 to See”.
</p><p>
8. San Antonio Silver Stars — Kayla Alexander: Kayla Alexander obliterated the Orange record books and finished her career strong by averaging 17.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.9 blocks her senior year. At 6-foot-4, her size will be coveted and San Antonio could use some extra muscle in the paint. The Silver Stars finished ninth in the league in rebounding differential last year and they will be without leading rebounder Sophia Young for most if not all of 2013 with an injury. So, the Silver Stars are going to look for size, and at this point, with many of the top bigs already off the board, Alexander is the best bet.
</p><p>
9. Indiana Fever — Kelly Faris: Indiana, with no discernible weaknesses, can really go any direction with this pick. If Kayla Alexander is on the board, she’s a possibility, but I think a team with championship mettle will go after a player with the same makeup. Enter Kelly Faris. The UConn product is lauded for her work ethic and for her ability to be a good teammate. She would fit right in with the Fever and would provide them some versatility and some young legs in the backcourt. She’s also an Indiana native, so it would be a homecoming for her.
</p><p>
10. Los Angeles Sparks — Layshia Clarendon: Where do the Sparks have a pressing need? The answer: nowhere. So, with a balanced and veteran team, the Sparks will probably just be looking for best player available with the 10th pick. An intriguing player when using that mentality is California native Layshia Clarendon. The Cal guard shined in the NCAA Tournament — taking the Golden Bears to their first-ever Final Four — and she has the potential to develop into a lethal scorer. She averaged 16.4 points as a senior and her Mohawk would look good in yellow and purple. Georgetown’s Sugar Rodgers is another potential option that fits this mold.
</p><p>
11. Connecticut Sun — Carolyn Davis: The Sun have said they would like to get a post player or a 3-point shooter with this pick. Unfortunately, many of their best options in both these categories will be taken by No. 11. Therefore, Kansas’ Carolyn Davis becomes a possibility here. At 6-foot-3, she represents the size that the Sun will be looking for, especially since Asjha Jones will miss the entire 2013 season. Davis averaged 15.8 points and 6.6 rebounds her senior year and she shot 68.3 percent for her career. Other options, if they choose to go for a shooter, could be Penn State’s Alex Bentley or Georgetown’s Rodgers.
</p><p>
12. Minnesota Lynx — Lindsey Moore: The Lynx, still void of true weakness, really only have one place on their roster for a new player — and that’s backup point guard. In a trade this offseason, Minnesota parlayed Candice Wiggins into Janel McCarville, who essentially replaces the retired Taj McWilliams-Franklin in the post, leaving a void in the backcourt. Monica Wright may be ready for a bigger role, but another steady ballhandler off the bench could benefit this team. If they choose Lindsey Moore, who is coming off an impressive NCAA Tournament run, Minnesota could have an heir apparent to Lindsay Whalen. A few other backcourt options that could be in play are Kentucky’s A’dia Mathies and Penn State’s Bentley, but Moore is the best fit.</p>