2020 WNBA Draft live updates and reactions

Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images

The 2020 WNBA Draft is here, though the Sparks don’t have many picks.

The 2020 WNBA Draft is here!

As Sabreena wrote up, it doesn’t figure to be an exciting draft for the Los Angeles Sparks, who have a full roster of 12 players, and also lack a first-round selection, since they traded their 2020 first-round pick for Chiney Ogwumike last offseason.

Still, the Sparks will be making moves and selections, and they could impact the team further down the line.

Not only that, but other teams will be making big moves that will change the WNBA landscape, not just for the 2020 season (if there is a 2020 season), but for many years to come.

In just a 12-team league, every move figures to ultimately have an impact on the Sparks, who finished third in the league in 2019, but we’re swept out of the playoffs by the eventual runner-up Connecticut Sun.

So stay tuned here updates and reactions from the biggest and most Sparks-centric moves of the night.

Beatrice Mompremier falls to Sparks

The Sparks didn’t get their first pick until 20th overall, but they arguably got a steal with Beatrice Mompremier. The 6-foot-4 power forward/center from Miami was widely seen as a first round pick in mock drafts, with ESPN projecting her to go 8th overall, and our own Matt Ellentuck having her 12th.

Instead, the Sparks got her at 20th. As a senior, Mompremier averaged 16.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, and was one of the country’s top rebounders.

Mompremier could be trade bait, or center insurance in case Maria Vadeeva and Marie Gulich are unable to re-enter the USA if the season resumes.

Sparks add Leonie Fiebich and Tynice Martin

With the 22nd pick, the Sparks added Leonie Fiebich, a 20-year old, 6-foot-4 wing from Germany. Fiebich won’t be coming to the WNBA this season, but is a strong talent for the future.

With the 34th pick, the Sparks added Tynice Martin from West Virginia. A 5-foot-11 guard, Martin averaged 15.3 points per game in her collegiate career.

Gigi Bryant selected as an honorary pick

Prior to the first pick of the draft, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert made three honorary selections, drafting three people into the WNBA family: Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester, and Alyssa Altobelli.

The WNBA also paid tribute to Kobe Bryant for his contributions to the WNBA and to the basketball world in general, with a touching tribute at the end of the draft.

Engelbert also announced the creation of the Kobe and Gigi Bryant WNBA Advocacy Award, which will be handed out annually to “an individual or group who has made significant contributions to the visibility, perception and advancement of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels.”

Ionescu goes first, as expected

As we’ve known for a year, Oregon guard and triple-double machine Sabrina Ionescu went with the top pick to the New York Liberty.

The Sparks probably won’t be facing Ionescu under the brightest lights for a while, as the Liberty traded Tina Charles earlier in the week and are in full rebuild mode. But the WNBA likely has its next superstar, and Sparks fans can look forward to many battles between Ionescu and Chelsea Gray over the coming years.

Wings rebuild

The Dallas Wings lost a pair of superstars in back-to-back offseasons: Skylar Diggins-Smith this year, and Liz Cambage a year ago. But now Dallas, lead by former Sparks head coach Brian Agler, have reloaded with a lot of talent.

Dallas had three first-round picks, and added Satou Sabally with the second overall pick, Bella Alarie with the fifth pick, and Tyasha Harris with the 7th pick.

They’re adding that young talent to a pair of top-five picks from 2019: Arike Ogunbowale, and Katie Lou Samuelson.

The rebuild is officially underway.

A third Ogwumike enters the league

The Sparks employ Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike, and now their sister Erica Ogwumike is entering the WNBA. The New York Liberty selected Erica 26th overall, and reportedly traded her to the Minnesota Lynx.

Very cool.