The Future of Women’s Basketball Shines Bright with Four Blue Devils Joining the 2023 WNBA Season

Four Duke Women’s Basketball Standouts Ready to Take the WNBA by Storm

The 27th season of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) kicks off this weekend, and four former Duke Blue Devils standouts are set to take the court for their respective teams. The players include Lexie Brown, Chelsea Gray, Jasmine Thomas, and Elizabeth Williams, all of whom are excited to start their 2023 seasons in the WNBA.

The Duke Representation on WNBA Teams

The WNBA is a highly competitive league, and it is a matter of great pride for a college to have former players serving in this league. All four athletes mentioned above have honed their respective skills during their time at Duke and have gained powerful experience in this respected league. The players will represent the Blue Devils on their respective teams, namely Lexie Brown with LA Sparks, Chelsea Gray with LV Aces, Jasmine Thomas with LA Sparks, and Elizabeth Williams with Chicago Sky.

The trio of Brown, Thomas, and Williams will have their season opener on Friday evening, with Williams and the Sky’s game opening at Minnesota at 8 p.m. ET. Brown, Thomas, and the Sparks will host Phoenix Mercury at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN. Gray’s team, the defending champion Aces, has a game scheduled for Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. ET on ABC where they will hit the road to take on Seattle.

Player Statistics and Achievement

Brown is in her second season with Los Angeles and sixth in the league overall. During her first season with the Sparks in 2022, Brown played exceptionally well, participated in 34 games, and had 16 starts. She earned an average of 7.1 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. Brown’s striking threes made a 39.8% clip, ranked ninth in the WNBA.

Gray’s case is quite impressive and worth note as she puts on a phenomenal display during the 2022 season with 20 points, five boards, and six dimes in the series-clinching Game 4, earning her the 2022 WNBA Finals MVP honors. Gray also recorded an average of 21.7 points, 7.0 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs, scoring or assisting on 379 of the Aces’ 860 postseason points (44.1 percent) – the most in WNBA playoff history. She became the first player in WNBA history to score at least 30 points and 10 assists with 31 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds in the series-clinching victory over the Seattle Storm in the semifinals.

Beginning her 13th WNBA season, Thomas is in her first season with the Sparks and has been traded with the Connecticut Sun. Missed the rest of the 2022 season with a torn ACL, helping the Sun record 4-1 starts with 6.6 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game in those five contests. Thomas was among the league leaders in three-point percentage, shooting 38.5%. Williams, signing a two-year contract with Chicago after free agency, will play her first game in Chicago Sky. She played for the Washington Mystics, where she had an average of 5.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game off the bench in 15 minutes per game, helping the team to the first round of the playoffs in the 2022 campaign.

The Role of Duke Women’s Basketball Team

The performance of these four standouts is not just important for them, but it is also significant for the Duke Women’s Basketball team, for it is essential for the college basketball program to see their players succeed and build up the school’s reputation in college basketball circles. The spotlight that the WNBA brings will undoubtedly increase the recognition that Duke receives, as well as the Carolina region.

Conclusion

The Duke women’s basketball standouts are looking forward to a great season in the WNBA, and they are poised to make a significant impact on their respective teams. Their impressive resumes show their potential, and their former team will undoubtedly keep track of their progress and success throughout the season. As for the WNBA, the league must take pride in having these four fantastic players among the many talented players in their organization.