There is a buzz around the opening of WNBA training camps with the arrival of Caitlin Clark, the rest of her heralded rookie class and major offseason free agency moves that included former All-Stars Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith landing in Seattle.
In addition to the league’s success last year, camps open Sunday on the heels of an unprecedented season of women’s college basketball. The momentum has led to record-setting viewership of the WNBA draft, season ticket sales have skyrocketed and rookie jerseys for Clark and Angel Reese have already sold out.
But amid the excitement, there is a stark reality looming: Of the 36 players drafted on April 15, many won’t make an opening day roster as there are less than 144 spots available in the league.
“You know, the hardest part of this conversation every year is the reality that second and third-round picks have a really hard time making WNBA rosters,” ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said. “First-round picks that go late have a hard time making WNBA rosters. We talk about a league of 144. It’s not a league of 144. Many of these teams only carry 11 players and maybe by the end of the season they can carry a 12th.”
The numbers make for a grim outlook: Only 19 of the 2023 picks played at least one game in the WNBA last season….
