Dishin & Swishin WNBA Draft Podcast: Brenda Frese on Shatori Walker-Kimbrough & Brionna Jones

Dishin & Swishin

Even with the rise in transfers lately, one of the great things about women's college basketball is that the overwhelming majority of players stay four years, completing their eligibility in one place. When those things happen, the fans benefit, as we get the privilege of watching teammates learn and grow their games together. We get to see them shine off the court as they mature and grow up to be leaders in the community. A perfect example is this year's University of Maryland team, a team that went 32-3 this season before falling to upstart Oregon in the NCAA tournament. They were led by two tremendous seniors, both of which have been invited to attend the WNBA draft, Shatori Walker-Kimbrough and Brionna Jones. It is a pleasure to welcome Maryland coach Brenda Frese back to Dishin & Swishin to to discuss her two seniors. Much like yesterday's podcast subjects Kelsey Plum and Chantel Osahor, Walker-Kimbrough and Jones were 1-2 in scoring at Maryland (18.8 and 19.9 points per game, respectively). However, it is the other aspects of both of their games that is interesting, not just their scoring ability. During a recent teleconference on the draft, ESPN analyst discussed Jones' potential in the WNBA: "Brionna obviously had an incredible college career, and I think she's an interesting one because ostensibly I think her game definitely translates. Her efficiency, her ability to rebound, her uncanny ability to score over double teams and over bigger defenders. I think if there's any question with Brionna, it would be defensively. There's so much pick-and-roll action in the WNBA; how will she handle that? That being said, I think she will be taken in the first round, and I think she has a chance to be a very good, solid pro. I really like her. I love how she's changed her body over the course of her college career, clearly a really hard worker, and if she gets in the right system, I think she can be very good."