@NDWBB | 2019 WNBA Draft

NEW YORK CITY – It was a historic night for the Notre Dame women’s basketball program at the 2019 WNBA Draft on Wednesday. The Irish become the first program in which all five starters were selected within the top 20 picks. They also join the 2008 Tennessee squad as the only two instances in draft history in which all five starters were selected in a three-round draft.
 
Jackie Young became the second Irish player in program history selected No. 1 overall, joining Jewell Loyd. The pride of Princeton, Indiana, was picked by the Las Vegas Aces. Notre Dame now joins Stanford, Tennessee and UConn as the only programs with multiple No. 1 overall selections.
 
Moments later, the Dallas Wings selected Arike Ogunbowale fifth overall. This marked the first time the Irish had two first round picks within the top five.
 
The first two picks also marked a special Irish connection. Young joins Irish alumnae Kayla McBride and Lindsay Allen on the Aces while the top two scorers in program history will be on the Dallas Wings in Ogunbowale and Skylar Diggins-Smith.
 
History continued with the 11th overall pick, where the Atlanta Dream selected Brianna Turner, thus marking the first time Notre Dame had three first round picks. Notre Dame was also the only program this year with three going in the first round.
 
However, shortly after, the Mercury traded for the rights of Turner, shipping the forward to Phoenix, Arizona. Next up, Jessica Shepard went 16th overall to the Minnesota Lynx. Then Marina Mabrey completed the group after going 19th overall to the Los Angeles Sparks.
 — ND —