UConn seniors officially depart, hope to be taken in WNBA Draft

Apr. 7—From the start of practice with the UConn women's basketball team in October, seniors Evina Westbrook, Christyn Williams, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa made no secret of their plans to be part of the 2022 WNBA Draft.

That became official on Wednesday when the WNBA released a list of 108 players who renounced their remaining college eligibility to take a shot at the next level.

The WNBA Draft is set for Monday.

Westbrook, Williams, and Nelson-Ododa each had one year of college eligibility left due to the NCAA waiver granted for the 2020-21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Williams and Nelson-Ododqa played four seasons at UConn, while Westbrook played two seasons at UConn after spending her freshman and sophomore years at Tennessee.

All three are projected to be selected in the first two rounds.

ESPN.com's Mechelle Voepel has Williams going to the Connecticut Sun with the last pick of the first round (12th overall) with Westbrook going 13th to the Minnesota Lynx and Nelson-Ododa 15th to the Atlanta Dream.

CBSSports.com Jack Maloney projected the first round and has Westbrook going to the Los Angeles Sparks with the ninth overall pick and Williams to the Sun at No. 12.

Their mock drafts were updated following the Dream's trade with the Washington Mystics Wednesday to acquire the overall No. 1 selection.

Williams averaged 14.2 points and 3.4 rebounds her senior year. She was an all-Big East first-team selection, the Big East tournament's Most Outstanding Player, an NCAA Bridgeport Regional all-tournament pick, and the winner of the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation's top shooting guard. She finished her career with 1,850 points (15th all-time at UConn) 516 rebounds, 297 assists, and 162 steals.

Nelson-Ododa averaged 9.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists as a senior. She was also an all-Big East first-team pick and was a two-time finalist in her career for the Lisa Leslie Award as the nation's top center. Her final numbers at UConn were 1,179 points, 897 rebounds (13th all-time at UConn), 317 assists, and 262 blocked shots (sixth at UConn). She is one of five Huskies to reach the plateaus of 1,000 points, 750 rebounds, 250 assists, and 250 blocked shots at the school, joining Breanna Stewart, Rebecca Lobo, Napheesa Collier and Stefanie Dolson.

UConn was 122-14 in their four seasons with four conference regular season and tournament titles and three Final Four berths.

Westbrook averaged 9.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.1 assists in her final season. She and Aaliyah Edwards were the only Huskies to play in all 36 games this season. She totaled more than 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists in her time with the Huskies and Lady Vols.

The WNBA announced Wednesday it had invited 12 players to New York for Monday's Draft. They are Shakira Austin (Ole Miss), Kierstan Bell (Florida Gulf Coast), Rae Burrell (Tennessee), Veronica Burton (Northwestern), Nia Clouden (Michigan State), Elissa Cunane (North Carolina State), Emily Engstler (Louisville) Destanni Henderson (South Carolina), Naz Hillmon (Michigan), Rhyne Howard (Kentucky), Nyara Sabally (Oregon), and NaLyssa Smith (Baylor).

Neill covers UConn men's basketball and UConn football teams, and he keeps a finger on the pulse of Connecticut sports. For live game updates, and more insight into UConn athletics, player transfers, and team changes, follow Neill on Twitter: @NeillOstrout, Facebook: JINeillO, and Instagram: @NeillOstrout.