Could Iowa State have two first round picks in the WNBA Draft? Rebecca Lobo thinks so
ESPN women’s basketball analyst Rebecca Lobo expects one former Iowa State women's basketball player to be selected early in Monday's WNBA draft and another to go shortly after.
Lobo said during a conference call with media members on Thursday that former Iowa State post player Stephanie Soares and versatile Iowa City native Ashley Joens could both be selected in the first round.
“For sure Stephanie in the first round,” Lobo said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s a top-five, top-six pick. In terms of Ashley, anywhere from mid-first round to early second round.”
That could make for a historic draft for Iowa State which hasn’t had a first-round pick in the event since Alison Lacey was taken by the Seattle Storm with the 10th overall pick in 2010. The Cyclones have never had two players go in the opening round.
But that could change this season thanks to Soares, a two-time NAIA Player of the Year who transferred to Iowa State from The Master’s (CA) and Joens who took advantage of the extra season of eligibility awarded by the NCAA because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Soares, a 6-foot-6 star in her brief time in Ames might be the biggest surprise. She averaged 14.4 points, 9.9 rebounds and 3.0 blocks in 13 games before suffering a torn ACL that kept her out the remainder of the season. Soares tried to get a medical waiver to play another season at Iowa State, but that was denied by the NCAA.
More: Iowa State women's basketball star Ashley Joens wins Cheryl Miller Award for third straight season
The good news for Soares: It instantly made her one of the top available prospects in this year’s draft because of her strength, size and versatility as a strong 3-point shooter as well. Soares, who transferred to Iowa State to get more exposure, was able to accomplish that even in her short stint.
“She’s just a player with incredible size, mobility and versatility,” Lobo said. “She’s got a really nice touch on her shot. She can really pass. She can drive to the basket.”
Joens, a five-year starter for the Cyclones and the program's all-time leading scorer, drew interest from WNBA teams a season ago but decided to come back to Iowa State to help a loaded team and potentially improve her draft stock. The 6-1 versatile guard/forward averaged 21.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per game.
“People really like her size and her ability to shoot the basketball and her toughness and how much of a competitor she is—her desire to improve and her work ethic has been described as she already has a pro work ethic,” Lobo said.
Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Rebecca Lobo says two Cyclones could be taken in 1st round of WNBA Draft
