Engstler, Hall, Smith Aim Toward 2022 WNBA Draft
April 10, 2022 | Women's Basketball
Following the program’s fourth ever trip to the Final Four, University of Louisville women's basketball seniors Emily Engstler, Chelsie Hall and Kianna Smith now set their sights toward the 2022 WNBA Draft.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Following the program's fourth ever trip to the Final Four, University of Louisville women's basketball seniors Emily Engstler, Chelsie Hall and Kianna Smith now set their sights toward the 2022 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm. The draft will be held on Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. ET at Spring Studios in New York City and broadcast on ESPN.
The trio helped lead the Cardinals to a 29-5 record this season, including a program-record 10 wins over Associated Press Top 25 teams. They finished a perfect 16-0 at home, marking the first time ever that Louisville has finished undefeated at the KFC Yum! Center.
Louisville has had six players drafted in the past three WNBA Drafts, which is tied with Baylor for the most in the country. Last season, Dana Evans was selected 13th overall by the Dallas Wings.
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Engstler, who is in New York for the draft, is projected to go as high fifth overall to the New York Liberty by the Bleacher Report. ESPN has her going sixth overall to the Indiana Fever.
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"She just has a knack for the basketball. She's great at reading defenses, anticipating," said women's basketball analyst LaChina Robinson. "What we haven't seen as much that I think we will see in the WNBA is she has some more offense to her game, as well. This was a kid who was a McDonald's All-American who put in the work to get her body in shape, so we know she has the work ethic. She just can come in and change the complexion of a game with her defensive reads and her high-level understanding of the game of basketball at a very high level. Not to mention she can play multiple positions."
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ESPN projects that Smith will go to the Los Angeles Sparks with the 27th overall pick.
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"We've seen her really hit some big shots. I think her jump shot ability is what stands out most, when she's knocking down shots," said Robinson. "She's also a really good playmaker, sees the floor well, high-level understanding of the game, played some point guard, so I think that helps her in how she approaches just the overall team aspects. But if she's knocking down shots, she's a player that I think could be exciting, especially with her size, as well."
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While Hall may not be included in any mock drafts, her leadership ability is something that could lead to her name being called on Monday.
"She (Chelsie) runs our team. She does a great job of running our team," said Louisville head coach Jeff Walz. "She leads by example, she leads in the timeouts of telling people what they need to do, and she's a competitor. When you are willing to go out there and compete every single play, you've got a chance. That's what she does."
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For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.
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The trio helped lead the Cardinals to a 29-5 record this season, including a program-record 10 wins over Associated Press Top 25 teams. They finished a perfect 16-0 at home, marking the first time ever that Louisville has finished undefeated at the KFC Yum! Center.
Louisville has had six players drafted in the past three WNBA Drafts, which is tied with Baylor for the most in the country. Last season, Dana Evans was selected 13th overall by the Dallas Wings.
Â
Engstler, who is in New York for the draft, is projected to go as high fifth overall to the New York Liberty by the Bleacher Report. ESPN has her going sixth overall to the Indiana Fever.
Â
"She just has a knack for the basketball. She's great at reading defenses, anticipating," said women's basketball analyst LaChina Robinson. "What we haven't seen as much that I think we will see in the WNBA is she has some more offense to her game, as well. This was a kid who was a McDonald's All-American who put in the work to get her body in shape, so we know she has the work ethic. She just can come in and change the complexion of a game with her defensive reads and her high-level understanding of the game of basketball at a very high level. Not to mention she can play multiple positions."
Â
ESPN projects that Smith will go to the Los Angeles Sparks with the 27th overall pick.
Â
"We've seen her really hit some big shots. I think her jump shot ability is what stands out most, when she's knocking down shots," said Robinson. "She's also a really good playmaker, sees the floor well, high-level understanding of the game, played some point guard, so I think that helps her in how she approaches just the overall team aspects. But if she's knocking down shots, she's a player that I think could be exciting, especially with her size, as well."
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While Hall may not be included in any mock drafts, her leadership ability is something that could lead to her name being called on Monday.
"She (Chelsie) runs our team. She does a great job of running our team," said Louisville head coach Jeff Walz. "She leads by example, she leads in the timeouts of telling people what they need to do, and she's a competitor. When you are willing to go out there and compete every single play, you've got a chance. That's what she does."
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For the latest on Louisville women's basketball, visit GoCards.com, follow the team's Twitter account at @UofLWBB or on Facebook at facebook.com/UofLWBB.
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