The WNBA Draft is today. Here are three N.C. State players who might get drafted.
Gillian GoringHeight: 6-foot-7Hometown: Morvant, Trinidad
Out of high school, Goring was one of the top-ranked high school prospects in the country. After not qualifying, she spent some time at a junior college in Arkansas and then decided to commit to N.C. State, where she would have two years to play. Her first season was somewhat of a disappointment. She spent the majority of the year on the bench and wasn’t too productive on the offensive or defensive end. During her senior year, the center looked like a completely different player. Throughout the year the 6-foot-7 center averaged 10.1 points and 6.3 rebounds. She was invited to attend the draft.
Strengths Size — At 6-foot-7, Goring can present match-up problems for most teams. Vision — The thing she probably improved on the most this season was her ability to pass. She knew to look for her teammates when the defense collapsed. Rebounding — See above. 6-foot-7. Shot-blocking ability — Again. 6-foot-7. Potential — Goring is worlds apart from where she was last season. She’s showed she can improve, and she has room for it. But is she willing to put in the work?
Weaknesses Endurance — Goring really gets worn down quickly. After a couple trips down the court, she appears winded. But she has come a long way from her junior year to senior year in terms of endurance. Toughness — She tends to get down on herself after making a mistake. Sometimes she lacked the ability to fight through adversity, pain. If coach Kay Yow can’t motivate, who can?
DRAFT GRADE: B
Goring has all of the tools to be a great player. She’s 6-foot-7. She’s somewhat mobile. She’s good in the post. And she has decent footwork. But the question around Goring deals with her ability to fight. She seemed to give up on plays every now and then. For Goring to be a great WNBA player, which she can be, she has to decide she wants it. It’s no longer up to anyone else to motivate her; it’s her decision.
Marquetta DickensHeight: 6-foot-0Hometown: Tarboro, N.C.
Dickens made plays when State needed them. She and Key really provided a lot of leadership to a team that boasted six freshmen, one sophomore and a junior. While Dickens only averaged 8.4 points and five rebounds a game, her intangibles are what make her a possible professional basketball player.
Strengths Penetrating ability — Dickens has a knack for getting to the basket. Mid-range jumper — Even though she rarely stepped beyond the 3-point line, Dickens was automatic from just inside the line. Athleticism — Dickens really could get to the hoop and made plays because of her athleticism. Rebounding — For a guard, Dickens always seems to find a way to get on the boards. Stepping up when it matters — When the game was on the line or the team needed a boost, Dickens was not afraid to have the ball in her hands. When the team upset North Carolina on Senior Night, Dickens finished with 15 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Leadership ability — It’s not quite the same as Key, but it really led this squad.
Weaknesses 3-point jumper — She only hit 25 percent from behind the arc this season. Streaky — In some games, especially early in the season, Dickens didn’t get too involved. DRAFT GRADE: C
While Dickens has a whole lot to offer in terms of toughness and likability, she doesn’t really have the size or anything that stands out to make her an attractive option. She’s good at a lot of things, but not great at anything. And at 6-feet-tall, it will be interesting to see if a team is willing to take a risk on her.
Ashley KeyHeight: 5-foot-9Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
The women’s basketball team will really miss Key next season. She was a leader in all aspects — she motivated the players and told them when she didn’t like something. She was also the Wolfpack’s defensive stopper. Whether it was guarding North Carolina’s Ivory Latta or Duke’s Lindsey Harding, Key was the person Yow wanted to guard them.
Strengths Defense — Key is all about defense and is an All-ACC defensive team selection three years in a row. Toughness — She played through injuries the entire year. Leadership — This team couldn’t have had a better leader. Stepping up when it matters — As did Dickens, Key really stepped up in big-game situations. 3-point jumper — Key has the ability to hit the long-range shot. She had the highest 3-point percentage on the team this year, at .356.
Weaknesses Size — Despite being a great defender, at 5-foot-9 she lacks the necessary size to guard some of the bigger WNBA guards. Injuries — Key has battled injuries throughout her time at State. The injuries have slowed her down and taken away some of her ability to penetrate.
DRAFT GRADE: C+
Key’s defensive ability has to be attractive to pro teams. While she isn’t too tall, she frustrates and confuses opponents. A lot depends on whether Key can overcome her injuries and get back to 100 percent. If she can do that, Key could find herself on a WNBA roster.
