NEW YORK — Thirty-six lives were changed on Thursday night at the WNBA Draft. Ten of those athletes were flown into New York City to hear league president Lisa Borders call out their names in person.
For WNBA players, it’s a night of celebration after the draft. Then it’s back to class.
Even after draft night, school continues for some of the best basketball players in the world.
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It was the biggest night of their 20-something year lives. The draftees dressed to the nines, knowing well they’d have a night of celebration with friends and family after achieving the dream they’ve had in place for a decade or longer.
Many can’t enjoy it for long, though. They have school tomorrow.
Consider the case of Lexie Brown. The Duke junior was selected by the Connecticut Sun with the No. 9 pick. She shook Borders’ hand, did the media tour, and surely basked in the glory of her professional accomplishment.
The next morning, she’ll hop on an early-morning flight from New York City to Raleigh-Durham Airport. She has class at 12:30 p.m.
“Next Thursday I have a final in a financial analysis class that I have not really been in at all,” Brown told SB Nation. “But you know I’m gonna get it together. Always.”
The last month or so has been a grind for Brown and her draft class alike unlike any we see in the men’s game. Colleges are on the verge of finals week after just wrapping up the NCAA tournament. Four of the top 10 picks just ended their college seasons two weeks ago during Final Four weekend.
By contrast, while the men’s tournament wraps up a day later, their draft isn’t held until late June, nearly two months later.
No draft combine. No interview process with teams. No individual workouts or special sessions with trainers. It’s straight from the court to the pros, except before school actually ends.
By the way, their first professional season starts in less than six weeks. The men have nearly four months between the draft and their first regular-season with a summer league to adjust in-between.
“You have to put your priorities in order. My social life kind of evaporated. Which is fine, I’m [at the Draft] here you know.” - Lexie Brown
“These last couple weeks have been a little more difficult with all the traveling, with the season, and then the three-point contest and [the draft],” Brown said, speaking for all the players. “But we’ve made it work.”
Brown is currently studying for her second degree. She received her undergraduate degree last year in sociology after transferring credits from her time at Maryland to Duke. Now, after sitting a mandatory redshirt season, she’s taking what she compared to “an accelerated MBA.”
The ACC Defensive Player of the Year is in the final weeks of her graduate Master of Management Studies (MMS) program at Duke. It’s a 10-month program that draws out in five, six-week terms. She’s taken classes in finance, accounting, and is currently in supply chain. She started it all in July as she was preparing for her final Blue Devils basketball season. She now has to move up her finals tests so she can make it to the Sun’s training camp in time.
“I was already in class doing all of these assignments,” Brown said. “It was hard. Everything was team-based, which was amazing being an athlete. There were moments where I had to be pulled along the way, but there were also moments when I took the lead on things when I had time.
“That was the biggest thing ... I didn’t have to do it by myself. I also had two teammates in the program and one of our managers was in it and she’s been super helpful. It’s definitely been a group effort.”
Brown had to miss class to play in the NCAA tournament (her team lost in the Sweet 16 on March 24), then again for the draft. Another missed class would have been too much.
“I do sleep a lot,” Brown laughed. “I take endless naps. You have to put your priorities in order. My social life kind of evaporated. Which is fine, I’m here, you know.”
Unlike the NBA Draft, many of those entering the WNBA are juniors or seniors in college weeks away from finishing their degree — or in Brown’s case, a second degree. Players aren’t allowed to enter the “W” without being at least 22 years old, completing their college eligibility or being four years removed from high school. The men can go pro after one season.
“Prayer. A lot of water. And not much sleep.” - Gabby Williams
That creates a vicious spring for the new class of WNBA rookies every year. Mississippi State’s Victoria Vivians was on the floor as her Bulldogs team lost at the buzzer to an Arike Ogunbowale three on April 1, just 11 days before she was selected No. 8 in the draft to the Indiana Fever. Eleven whole days separated the crushing end of a long, emotional season and the beginning of her professional life for the next.
“The past couple weeks have been kind of hectic,” Vivians told the media moments after her name was called. “I’m still in school, interning, and trying to meet with agents and get everything together for this day. I’m glad it’s here and I’m glad it’s over.”
School has to still be on the brain for these athletes, since many go on to pursue a second career once their professional playing days are over. They aren’t making close to the millions NBA players are without playing year-round overseas. WNBA MVP Sylvia Fowles — the best post player in the league — was studying to become an embalmer during her age-30 season.
There are no secrets for how these athletes power through. Brown suggested naps, Vivians suggested living in the moment. But the best recipe for success during this turbulent time for these rookies came from No. 4 pick and former UConn star Gabby Williams.
“Prayer. A lot of water. And not much sleep,” Williams said.
