SEACAUCUS, NJ – August 31, 2018 – The New York Liberty drew the second overall pick for the 2019 WNBA Draft as revealed by the league Tuesday night live on ESPN2 during halftime of Game 2 of a Semifinals playoff series between the Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics. Head coach Katie Smith shared her reaction.
Smith’s initial reaction…
“This is an exciting day for us. You go in and we’re expecting fourth pick and ready to draft and go after it. You want to do your homework and add to the crew we already have. Then Chicago gets the fourth pick and then you get greedy! Now, why not continue to shake this up? I was definitely getting anxious getting ready to explode with moving up already that far.”
Smith on what it means to get the second overall pick…
“It feels good. We just have to decide who it is that we want and feels will fit best with our team. It’ll take some evaluating. You go from having to evaluate what you feel are the four best players to now just the difference in two players. You hone in on two that you like and see what happens.
Smith on choosing a lottery pick…
“Getting the second pick does simplify your homework a bit. This draft is pretty deep. Even if we would have gotten the fourth pick, we really were going to be happy with whoever we pick. We have to evaluate our team and figure out which player can best compliment us of the players that have the most interest in and scooping them up.”
Smith on prioritizing at the various positions…
“We are looking at the guard position. Whether it is at the point guard spot, the two-guard or a scoring option in the backcourt. We were able to get Kia Nurse who can play one-three. Selecting a guard and then having a consistent go-to at the five who can produce and be productive is something that we can really use.”
Smith on free agents…
“If there is a free agent that can make us better then why not try and see what you can do. There are Multiple avenues that any team can use to get better and that isn’t just drafting well but be able to recognize those free agents on the market. As a staff, we are looking at all of those avenues. We have to be honest with who we can get to fill those holes. We can someone in free agency that could null and void the Draft which can then provide you with flexibility. There are some great guards and great bigs out there.”
Smith on Brittany Boyd’s contribution moving forward…
“There’s some growth to be had with [Brittany] Boyd. She has to be able to run our team. She has to understand and dissect situations and plays better. How can we better use our pieces? Also, we’re looking for her to work on her offensive game whether that is shot selection and being cutter and being able to score at the basket. She gives us a lot of intangibles and that’s what she can do best. She has to control the game and control the team, when and when not to, watch film and continue to teach. The growth will continue to happen. Her competitiveness will continue and we’ll see that.”
Smith on how a pick can add to Tina Charles…
“Having Tina Charles as our franchise player we have to give her players. Kia Nurse came in ready to roll. We can generate some amazing production for what the top five picks and get you. Look what Nurse has contributed and we were able to get her at 10th overall. She added a lot of our team. We will be evaluating and looking to take who is best. We want a piece with who we can function with now. We will need someone who can help maximize Tina and what she is bringing to table and make her life easy.”
Smith on potential picks…
“We’re hoping to bring in a player ready right away. College kids are coming in able to step right in and function. There are some solid picks. There’s going to be some second rounders that can make teams too. You’re going to find players and going to have to do your homework because the pieces are there.”