Shoni Schimmel, Asia Taylor begin rookie WNBA seasons Friday
Two former University of Louisville women’s basketball players open their rookie seasons Friday for the Minnesota Lynx and Atlanta Dream, last season’s WNBA champions and runner-up.
All-American Shoni Schimmel, the No. 8 pick in the draft, will suit up for the Dream against the visiting San Antonio Stars. Asia Taylor, the 36th and final pick, will travel with the Lynx to play the Washington Mystics.
Schimmel, a 5-foot-9 guard, scored eight points with 2-of-7 shooting in Atlanta’s only preseason game, a 63-58 victory over the New York Liberty.
“It’s been a lot of fun to just be able to get back out on the court and be able to practice and play,” she told WNBA.com. “It’s a lot more intense. You get in and you get out. You have to listen and learn real quick. That’s probably the biggest adjustment — taking what the coach says, listening and putting it all on the court.”
She and her teammates will be joined in their opener by another former Cardinals star, Angel McCoughtry, who played in Turkey during the WNBA offseason.
ESPN’s WNBA preview labeled the Dream an Eastern Conference favorite but likened them to Alydar, who finished second to Affirmed in all three 1978 Triple Crown races. Atlanta lost in the WNBA Finals in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
The Dream will play the Indiana Fever in Indianapolis three times: this Saturday (7 p.m.), June 29 and July 12.
Taylor, a 6-1 forward, averaged 11.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists in three preseason games, scoring 18 against the Chicago Sky. She’s surrounded by veteran talent but reminded WNBA.com that she has played with a star before: Schimmel.
“The shot’s not going to be yours every time, but just doing the little things — rebounding, setting screens and defense — is what I love,” Taylor said. “Any time you go a level up, you know you’re playing with elite players. I definitely respect that. Every day you come to work and get better. It’s definitely different. I’m ready for the speed.”
The Lynx will play in Indianapolis on Aug. 5.
• University of Kentucky product A’dia Mathies will play for the Washington Mystics this season after seeing time in 30 games last year as a Los Angeles Sparks rookie. The 5-9 guard averaged 2.3 points and 0.7 rebounds off the bench but in three preseason games has bumped her scoring average to five points per contest.
The Mystics visit Indiana on May 23 and Aug. 8.
• As for other area connections, the Connecticut Sun waived former UK star DeNesha Stallworth, the 25th pick in the 2014 draft, on April 23. The Los Angeles Sparks cut former U of L standout Antonita Slaughter, the 35th selection, on May 5.