Gorecki, Odom Selected in 2020 WNBA Draft

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke women’s basketball added two more WNBA draft selections Friday evening as the league held the 2020 virtual draft with Leaonna Odom taken No. 15 overall in the second round to New York and Haley Gorecki tabbed No. 31 overall in the third round to Seattle.

The Blue Devil duo are the 25th and 26th Duke student-athletes drafted in the WNBA, including 12 players over the last 10 years. It marked the eighth time in school history that the Blue Devils have featured two or more selections in a draft.

A native of Lompoc, Calif., Odom was selected with the third pick in the second round. She started 99-of-125 games as a Blue Devil and finished her career ranking 16th in points (1,387), 10th in field goals made (599) and 10th in minutes (3,716). As a senior, Odom averaged 14.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.6 assists, while earning All-ACC Second Team accolades.

“It’s an honor to be drafted No. 15 and I’m excited for the opportunity ahead of me,” said Odom.

In the ACC statistics, Odom ranked fourth in field goal percentage (54.7), 14th in scoring (14.3) and fifth in steals (1.9). She added four double-doubles and six games with 20 or more points. Odom was one of the most athletic players in the 2020 draft.

“We are very happy that Neah has an opportunity to pursue her professional career,” said Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie. “She has many talents to bring and it will be fun to see her progress. All at Duke wish her a hearty heartfelt congratulations!”

A 2019-20 USBWA All-America, Gorecki was the seventh selection in the third round. She is coming off a season where she averaged 18.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 2.1 steals. Gorecki collected seven double-doubles and 12 contests with 20 or more points for the Blue Devils, which ranked second in the ACC. The 6-0 guard was the only student-athlete in power five conferences to average over 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals.

“Extremely excited to be drafted in the WNBA,” commented Gorecki. “Thank you to the Seattle Storm organization and I cannot wait to get to work.”

Gorecki, who is from Palatine, Ill., was an All-ACC First Team and All-ACC Defensive Team honoree, while being named one of five finalists for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award for the top shooting guard in the nation. In the ACC statistics, she ranked second in scoring (18.5), second in steals (2.1), seventh in assists (4.4), third in free throw percentage (85.6), 18th in rebounds (6.6), third in minutes played (36.4), eighth in three-point field goals made (2.0) and seventh in three-point field goal percentage (33.7).

“We are absolutely thrilled for Haley and this tremendous opportunity,” said McCallie. “Haley is an amazing person and an incredible basketball player. Her work ethic and competitive nature will serve her well at the highest level. All at Duke send tremendous congratulations!”

After being injured for the majority of her first three seasons at Duke, Gorecki turned in two of the most impressive years in Duke history in 2018-19 and 2019-20. She became the first Duke player to average over 17.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in back-to-back seasons, while also becoming the second ACC player to lead her team in back-to-back seasons in scoring, rebounding and assists. Gorecki was just the sixth Blue Devil to notch back-to-back 500-point seasons. Over her final two years, she notched 23 games with 20 or more points, which was the most in the ACC and reached 1,000 points in only 77 games, which was the 10th-quickest Blue Devil to do so.

“Haley, we projected [her to get drafted] in the second round,” said Seattle head coach Dan Hughes. “Haley is one of the most productive players in America in the college game. Take a look at the stats, take a look at how she impacted the game. She has good size at 6-0. She gets to the foul line about as good as any player in college basketball a year ago and she has high skill. So, we really like that. With all that skill, there is a toughness about her that was very, very attractive.”

Odom and Gorecki will join fellow Duke graduates Chelsea Gray (Los Angeles), Elizabeth Williams (Atlanta), Jasmine Thomas (Connecticut), Karima Christmas (Minnesota) and Lexie Brown (Minnesota) who are in the WNBA.

The ACC featured eight total selections in the 2020 draft, which was the most by any conference.

Images by Lawrence Davis III.