2008 WNBA draft
The 2008 WNBA Draft was the Women's National Basketball Association's (WNBA) annual selection of eligible amateur players, primarily from U.S. colleges and international leagues, held on April 9, 2008, in Tampa, Florida.[1] The event featured three rounds totaling 43 picks across the league's 14 teams, with selections determined by reverse order of the previous season's standings, subject to trades and a pre-draft lottery.[2] The draft lottery, conducted on October 23, 2007, awarded the Los Angeles Sparks the first overall pick despite their 10-24 record from 2007, giving them a 34.1% chance (341 out of 1,000 chances) among non-playoff teams.[3] The Sparks selected forward Candace Parker from the University of Tennessee, a standout who had just led her team to the NCAA championship the day before and whose No. 3 jersey was retired by the Sparks on June 29, 2025.[4][5] The Chicago Sky followed with center Sylvia Fowles from Louisiana State University, who was selected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2025, while the Minnesota Lynx picked guard Candice Wiggins from Stanford University third overall.[2] Other notable first-round selections included Alexis Hornbuckle (fourth, to Detroit Shock, Tennessee) and Crystal Langhorne (sixth, Washington Mystics, Maryland), highlighting a deep class of prospects expected to elevate league competition.[2] In a significant related event, the league held a dispersal draft on December 8, 2008, following the folding of the Houston Comets franchise after 12 seasons.[6] The 13 remaining teams each received one pick in reverse order of their 2008 regular-season records, with the expansion Atlanta Dream selecting forward Sancho Lyttle first overall from the Comets' roster; other key selections included Matee Ajavon (second, Washington Mystics) and Mistie Williams (third, Chicago Sky).[6] This draft is widely regarded as one of the most talented in WNBA history, producing multiple All-Stars, Rookies of the Year, and future MVPs who contributed to sustained league growth and rivalries.[7]Background
Lottery and Selection Process
The WNBA draft lottery for the 2008 season was conducted among the five teams that missed the 2007 playoffs—Los Angeles Sparks (10-24 record), Minnesota Lynx (10-24), Houston Comets (13-21), Chicago Sky (14-20), and Washington Mystics (16-18)—along with the expansion Atlanta Dream, with selection odds weighted inversely to each non-playoff team's 2007 regular-season winning percentage to favor teams with the worst records.[3] The lottery, overseen by WNBA officials and independent auditors from Ernst & Young, determined the order for the first three picks among eligible teams, while the fourth pick was pre-assigned to the expansion Atlanta Dream; the fifth and sixth picks followed the inverse order of the remaining non-playoff teams' 2007 records.[3] The lottery took place on October 23, 2007, in New York City.[3] It resulted in the following order for the top six selections:| Pick | Team | 2007 Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Sparks | 10-24 |
| 2 | Chicago Sky | 14-20 |
| 3 | Minnesota Lynx | 10-24 |
| 4 | Atlanta Dream | N/A (expansion) |
| 5 | Houston Comets | 13-21 |
| 6 | Washington Mystics | 16-18 |
Expansion Team and Eligibility Rules
The Atlanta Dream were announced as the WNBA's 14th expansion franchise on October 17, 2007, by league president Donna Orender, set to begin play in the 2008 season and marking a period of growth for the league that would temporarily expand it to 14 teams before the Sacramento Monarchs folded in 2009.[9] This addition aimed to broaden the WNBA's footprint in the southeastern United States, with the team based in Atlanta and owned by a group led by Ron Terwilliger, emphasizing community engagement and fan development in a new market.[9] Eligibility for the 2008 WNBA Draft followed the league's collective bargaining agreement, which permitted U.S. players to enter if they were college seniors, had exhausted four years of NCAA eligibility, or were at least 22 years old during the calendar year of the draft.[10] International players qualified if they were at least 20 years old during the calendar year of the draft, born and residing outside the U.S., and had participated in basketball at an amateur or professional level outside the U.S., provided they were not currently bound by a professional contract abroad or had completed such eligibility.[10] These rules shaped a draft pool rich with top collegiate talent, including standout players from programs like the University of Tennessee—such as forward Candace Parker and center Nicky Anosike—and Stanford University, featuring guard Candice Wiggins, all of whom had completed their NCAA eligibility.[4] International prospects, including those with backgrounds from European leagues, further diversified the selections, providing teams with versatile options beyond domestic stars.[10] The expansion influenced pick distribution by granting the Atlanta Dream the fourth overall selection in the first round via the lottery process, positioning them to target high-impact rookies, while they also participated in a separate expansion draft on February 6, 2008, to build their initial roster from one unprotected player across each of the existing 13 teams.[11] This structure ensured the new franchise integrated into the league without disrupting the competitive balance among incumbents.[11]Pre-Draft Events
Expansion Draft
The 2008 WNBA Expansion Draft was held on February 6, 2008, to allow the newly formed Atlanta Dream to build the foundation of their inaugural roster prior to the regular draft.[12] Each of the league's 13 existing teams was permitted to protect up to six players from their 2007 rosters, leaving the remainder eligible for selection. The Dream selected one unprotected player from each team, resulting in a total of 13 picks to form the core of their team without regard to the players' current contract status. No trades were permitted during the draft process itself, ensuring a straightforward allocation of talent from the available pool.[12] The selection order followed a predetermined sequence based on the reverse order of the 2007 regular-season standings, allowing the Dream to target players from the weaker-performing teams first. Among the notable acquisitions were Brazilian center Erika de Souza from the Connecticut Sun, who brought extensive international experience and averaged 9.3 points and 6.7 rebounds over her career up to that point; Belgian forward Ann Wauters from the New York Liberty, a former top draft pick with 9.9 points and 5.1 rebounds per game; and veteran guard Betty Lennox from the Seattle Storm, a former Rookie of the Year who contributed 12.1 points per game across her career. Other selections included LaToya Thomas from the Los Angeles Sparks and Jennifer Lacy from the Phoenix Mercury, providing a mix of scoring, rebounding, and veteran leadership to the expansion franchise.[13]| Player | Position | Previous Team |
|---|---|---|
| Carla Thomas | G | Chicago Sky |
| Erika de Souza | C | Connecticut Sun |
| Katie Feenstra | C | Detroit Shock |
| Roneeka Hodges | G | Houston Comets |
| Ann Strother | G | Indiana Fever |
| LaToya Thomas | F | Los Angeles Sparks |
| Kristen Mann | F | Minnesota Lynx |
| Ann Wauters | F/C | New York Liberty |
| Jennifer Lacy | F | Phoenix Mercury |
| Kristin Haynie | G | Sacramento Monarchs |
| Chantelle Anderson | G | San Antonio Silver Stars |
| Betty Lennox | G | Seattle Storm |
| Yelena Leuchanka | F/C | Washington Mystics |
Major Transactions
Several significant trades involving 2008 WNBA draft picks occurred in the lead-up to the draft, primarily in February 2008 as teams positioned themselves ahead of the expansion draft and lottery outcomes, with additional deals finalized on draft day. These transactions often involved exchanging draft selections for established players, future picks, or protections in the expansion draft, allowing teams to bolster immediate rosters or secure long-term assets. Most trades were completed pre-draft to align with the Atlanta Dream's entry as an expansion franchise, influencing pick ownership and strategic planning across the league.[14] On February 6, 2008, the Atlanta Dream traded their fourth overall first-round pick and guard Roneeka Hodges to the Seattle Storm in exchange for forward Iziane Castro Marques and the eighth pick in the 2008 WNBA draft; this move helped Atlanta acquire veteran scoring while parting with a high draft asset to prioritize roster building through the expansion process. Later that day, Atlanta acquired the 24th overall second-round pick from the Indiana Fever by agreeing not to select certain unprotected Fever players in the expansion draft, providing Atlanta with an additional mid-round selection without direct player cost, while protecting Indiana's core amid expansion pressures. Also on February 6, Atlanta traded forward LaToya Thomas and their 18th overall second-round pick to the Detroit Shock for guard Ivory Latta, enabling the Shock to consolidate picks for higher selections and Atlanta to add perimeter speed to their inaugural lineup.[11][14] On February 19, 2008, the Seattle Storm traded the fourth overall first-round pick—recently acquired from Atlanta—to the Detroit Shock in exchange for forward Swin Cash, a four-time All-Star whose addition strengthened Seattle's frontcourt depth and championship contention strategy, while Detroit gained a top-four pick to address backcourt needs without surrendering immediate assets. In a separate deal that day, the Connecticut Sun traded guard Katie Douglas to the Indiana Fever for forward Tamika Whitmore, the 12th overall first-round pick, and the rights to guard Jessica Foley; this swap allowed Indiana to acquire a proven scorer in Douglas to elevate their playoff aspirations, with Connecticut receiving the pick and players to retool around Whitmore's interior presence. These pre-draft maneuvers exemplified teams' use of picks as currency for star talent, reshaping competitive balances.[15][14] On draft day, April 9, 2008, the Atlanta Dream signed and traded center Ann Wauters, the draft rights to Morenike Atunrase (selected 24th overall earlier that day), and their 2009 second-round pick to the San Antonio Silver Stars for forward Camille Little, the draft rights to Chioma Nnamaka (21st overall), and San Antonio's 2009 first-round pick; this post-selection trade allowed Atlanta to flip a second-rounder and veteran for a higher future asset and immediate forward help, while San Antonio consolidated recent picks to build around Little's versatility. Such draft-day exchanges highlighted fluid negotiations, often involving just-drafted rights to optimize team fits and future flexibility.[2]Draft Proceedings
Event Details
The 2008 WNBA Draft was held on April 9, 2008, at the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor, Florida, capping a week-long celebration of women's basketball that included a pre-draft camp at the nearby University of Tampa.[16] The event featured live selections across three rounds, with the first round following the order determined by the prior fall's draft lottery and subsequent rounds proceeding in reverse order of the previous season's standings to allow rebuilding teams priority access to talent.[3] Broadcast coverage began at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN2 for the first round, shifting to ESPNU and NBA TV for the second and third rounds, providing nationwide exposure to the proceedings.[16] ESPN broadcaster Pam Ward hosted the telecast, guiding viewers through the selections alongside analysts who highlighted the incoming class's potential.[17] The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as top college prospects, including standout Tennessee forward Candace Parker, gathered on stage amid family, league executives, and media, creating memorable moments of anticipation and celebration.[16] WNBA Commissioner Donna Orender presided over the event, announcing picks and posing with the new draftees to mark their entry into professional basketball.Round 1 Selections
The first round of the 2008 WNBA Draft occurred on April 9, 2008, in Palm Harbor, Florida, where teams selected the league's premier college prospects. The top four picks were determined by the draft lottery, with the Los Angeles Sparks earning the No. 1 selection after posting the league's worst record the prior season.[2] Several picks involved trades from previous transactions, including rights acquired by the Detroit Shock and Atlanta Dream.[2] The following table summarizes the 14 first-round selections:| Pick | Team | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles Sparks | Candace Parker | Tennessee |
| 2 | Chicago Sky | Sylvia Fowles | Louisiana State |
| 3 | Minnesota Lynx | Candice Wiggins | Stanford |
| 4 | Detroit Shock (from Atlanta Dream via Seattle Storm) | Alexis Hornbuckle | Tennessee |
| 5 | Houston Comets | Matee Ajavon | Rutgers |
| 6 | Washington Mystics | Crystal Langhorne | Maryland |
| 7 | New York Liberty | Essence Carson | Rutgers |
| 8 | Atlanta Dream (from Seattle Storm) | Tamera Young | James Madison |
| 9 | Connecticut Sun | Amber Holt | Middle Tennessee State |
| 10 | Sacramento Monarchs | Laura Harper | Maryland |
| 11 | Detroit Shock (from San Antonio Silver Stars) | Tasha Humphrey | Georgia |
| 12 | Connecticut Sun (from Indiana Fever) | Ketia Swanier | Connecticut |
| 13 | Phoenix Mercury | LaToya Pringle | North Carolina |
| 14 | New York Liberty (from Detroit Shock) | Erlana Larkins | North Carolina |
Round 2 Selections
The second round of the 2008 WNBA Draft consisted of picks 15 through 28, where teams selected developmental prospects and specialists anticipated to provide depth as role players, often emphasizing skills like perimeter shooting, rebounding, or defensive versatility from a mix of major and mid-major college programs. Unlike the star-studded first round, this phase targeted players with potential for long-term contributions rather than instant impact, reflecting teams' strategies to bolster benches amid the league's expansion to include the Atlanta Dream.[2] The full selections are detailed below:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Los Angeles Sparks | Shannon Bobbitt | G | Tennessee |
| 16 | Minnesota Lynx | Nicky Anosike | F/C | Tennessee |
| 17 | Houston Comets | Erica White | G | LSU |
| 18 | Detroit Shock (from Atlanta Dream) | Olayinka Sanni | C | West Virginia |
| 19 | Chicago Sky | Quianna Chaney | G | LSU |
| 20 | Washington Mystics | Lindsey Pluimer | F | UC Santa Barbara |
| 21 | San Antonio Silver Stars (from New York Liberty) | Chioma Nnamaka | G | Georgia Tech |
| 22 | Seattle Storm | Allie Quigley | G | DePaul |
| 23 | Connecticut Sun | Jolene Anderson | G | Wisconsin |
| 24 | Atlanta Dream (from Indiana Fever) | Morenike Atunrase | G/F | Notre Dame |
| 25 | Phoenix Mercury (from San Antonio Silver Stars) | Leilani Mitchell | G | Utah |
| 26 | Indiana Fever | Khadijah Whittington | F | North Carolina |
| 27 | New York Liberty (from Phoenix Mercury) | Wanisha Smith | G | Texas |
| 28 | Detroit Shock | Natasha Lacy | G | Baylor |
Round 3 Selections
The third round of the 2008 WNBA Draft, held on April 9, 2008, encompassed picks 29 through 43 and represented the final selections in the three-round format, with teams prioritizing depth players, developmental prospects, and international talents to bolster bench options and future rosters.[18] This round yielded 15 picks, resulting in a total of 43 selections across the draft due to trade adjustments, and featured a mix of lesser-known college graduates and overseas athletes seen as long-term projects rather than immediate contributors.[8] Notable among these were international selections such as Poland's Izabela Piekarska (pick 40, Sacramento Monarchs) and Ukraine's Valeriya Berezhynska (pick 42, Detroit Shock), highlighting teams' interest in global scouting for versatile forwards.[18] No forfeitures or incomplete picks occurred in this round, ensuring all 15 selections were finalized during the proceedings.[8]| Pick | Team | Player | College/Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Los Angeles Sparks | Sharnee Zoll | Pittsburgh |
| 30 | Minnesota Lynx | Charde Houston | Connecticut |
| 31 | Houston Comets | Crystal Kelly | Western Kentucky |
| 32 | Atlanta Dream | Danielle Hood | Ohio State |
| 33 | Chicago Sky | Angela Tisdale | Baylor |
| 34 | Washington Mystics | Krystal Vaughn | Texas A&M |
| 35 | New York Liberty | Alberta Auguste | Tennessee |
| 36 | Seattle Storm | Kimberly Beck | UNLV |
| 37 | Connecticut Sun | Lauren Ervin | Louisiana Tech |
| 38 | Sacramento Monarchs | A'Quonesia Franklin | West Virginia |
| 39 | San Antonio Silver Stars | Alex Anderson | Tennessee |
| 40 | Sacramento Monarchs (from Indiana) | Izabela Piekarska | Poland |
| 41 | Phoenix Mercury | Marscilla Packer | Kansas |
| 42 | Detroit Shock | Valeriya Berezhynska | Ukraine |
| 43 | Sacramento Monarchs | Charel Allen | DePaul |