Following some impressive trades in the off-season, the New York Liberty had only one pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, selecting Okako Adika of the University of Southern California in the third round. There were, however, two players with local ties who followed right after Aliyah Boston in the first round.
New Jersey native Diamond Miller of the University of Maryland was the second pick, chosen by the Minnesota Lynx, which is in a rebuilding year after the retirement of Sylvia Fowles. A 6-foot-3 guard, Miller played most of her junior year with a fractured kneecap, but this year earned All-American honors.
“All the growing pains made me who I am today, and I’m super grateful for it,” said Miller. “Just a lot of hard work and determination and having a coach that is constantly attacking you to get better is something that helps you and motivates you to be who you can be…Transitions are always scary, don’t get me wrong, but I think I’m excited and ready for a new journey in life, as well.”
With the third pick in the WNBA Draft, the Dallas Wings selected Maddy Siegrist of Villanova, the highest-ever pick for the university. Siegrist grew up in Poughkeepsie and played her collegiate basketball in the Big East Conference, so she is well known in the New York/New Jersey area. In addition to All-American honors, she led the nation in scoring.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Siegrist. “You’ve got a million things going through your mind. But I’ve been surrounded by good people, good teammates, and I wouldn’t be here without any of them.”
At a time in women’s college basketball when the transfer portal is hopping and some players play at three institutions during their collegiate careers, both Miller and Siegrist have played their four years at a single university. With all collegiate athletes who competed during the 2020-21 school year eligible to play a fifth year, both declined and decided the time was at hand to move on.
“I love Villanova; that’ll be home forever,” said Siegrist. “Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, and I feel like God had opened a door, and it was time for me to walk through.”
