ACC Sees Seven Players Taken in WNBA Draft

New York City — The 2022 WNBA Draft was in New York City on Monday, April 9th. Rhyne Howard was selected no. 1 overall by the Atlanta Dream. 

For the 17th consecutive year, the Atlantic Coast Conference had at least one student-athlete selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft, as the 2022 edition was held Monday evening. That streak is the most of any conference and the next closest is eight.

The ACC had seven student-athletes selected in the WNBA Draft, which tied for most of any conference.

Emily Engstler, former Louisville Cardinals forward, was drafted 4th overall by the Indiana Fever. She had an impressive senior season, leading the ACC in steals (2.5) and finishing 15th in scoring (12.8). Her gritty style of play will be a great deal to the Fever. 

Kianna Smith, the former Louisville guard, was selected 16th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in round 2. Smith averaged 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 2021-2022. Her play helped propel the Cardinals to the National Championship. 

Elissa Cunane, former N.C. State Wolfpack center, was selected 17th overall by the Seattle Storm in the second round. The 6’5 Cunane had a spectacular senior season. Cunane was awarded Second-team All-American, First-team All-ACC, and a spot on the WBCA ALL-American team. Cunnane was the only center in the nation to average 50+ percent overall shooting, 40+ percent three-point shooting, and 80+ percent from the free-throw line. She also reached the 1,500 point milestone in her Wolfpack career. 

Lorela Cubaj, former Georgia Tech forward, was selected 18th overall by the New York Liberty in the second round. Cunane was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a member of the All-ACC First team, and the ACC All-Defensive team. She was also a finalist for the Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Award. 

Kayla Jones, former N.C. State Wolfpack forward, was selected 22nd overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the second round. The Jamesville, NC native averaged 7 points, 5.3 rebounds on 47.9% shooting in the 2021-2022 season. She will be a great addition to the Lynx. 

Aisha Sheppard, former VA Tech Hokies guard, was selected 23rd overall by the Las Vegas Aces in round 2. Sheppard is the Hokies’ all-time leading scorer (1,883) and owns the ACC Women’s basketball record for career threes made (402). She was also awarded All-ACC honors three times (First team 2021, Second team 2020, 2022). Her marksmanship with be a gray help to the Aces.