FSM Presents: Las Vegas Aces 2021 WNBA Draft Recap

Photo Credit: Las Vagas Aces

FSM Presents: Las Vegas Aces 2021 WNBA Draft Recap

The Las Vegas Aces added three women to an already elite crop of talent. With one pick in each of the three rounds, the team added depth to help aid their championship aspirations.

ROUND 1 PICK NO. 12 – Iliana Rupert:

Las Vegas Aces — *Photo Credit: Bourges Basket*

With the 12th overall pick of the 2021 WNBA draft, the Aces ended round 1 by selecting center Iliana Rupert out of France. She brings to Vegas averages of 10.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in the French LFB while averaging 9.7/2.7/1.8 in the EuroLeague — including back-to-back seasons being awarded as the EuroLeague Women’s Young Player of the Year.

Standing at 6’4, the Aces add depth to an already crowded and decorated frontcourt that includes Dearica Hamby, Aja Wilson, and Liz Cambage — a two-time WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year, the reigning WNBA MVP, and a one-time WNBA scoring champion. Along with that, Vegas brings Emma Cannon and JiSu Park, depth bigs who will be in the hunt for minutes. Rupert will have to battle to solidify a spot in the rotation, but at just 19 years of age, she’ll have the opportunity to grow and develop along the way.

The final pick of round 1 has produced some quality rotation players over the past 10 seasons, so Aces fans have reason to be optimistic. Such players include Jazmine Jones in 2020, Damiris Dantas in 2012, and Jasmine Thomas in 2011.

ROUND 2 PICK NO. 2 (14th Overall) – Destiny Slocum:

Las Vegas selected University of Arkansas guard Destiny Slocum with the 14th pick of the 2021 WNBA draft. Slocum leaves Arkansas as an All-SEC Second Team performer, having averaged 15.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game in her one season with the program.

A 5’7 guard from Meridian, Idaho, Slocum will likely compete for the backup point guard position during camp, where she has shown she will bring passing and tempo to the team. She’ll also be in a great position to learn from one of the game’s best point guards, Chelsea Gray — something that will certainly pay dividends in the long run.

Some notable 14th overall picks in the past decade of the WNBA draft include Lindsay Allen in 2017 and Sugar Rodgers in 2013, both members of the Las Vegas Aces in recent seasons.

ROUND 3 PICK NO. 12 (36th Overall) – Kionna Jeter:

Kionna Jeter made history on Thursday night as she became the first-ever Towson Tiger to be drafted into the WNBA. The 5’8 guard from Spartanburg, South Carolina, exits Towson as the third-ranked scorer in the school’s history while having averaged 23.0 points per game during her senior season — good enough for 10th in the nation.

As the final pick of the entire 2021 draft, Jeter will likely have to compete for a roster spot ahead of the 2021 season. But if anyone knows how to face a challenge, it’s Jeter, who has overcome multiple near-death experiences.

There haven’t been many women who have been picked last in the WNBA draft and made any noteworthy contributions, but that won’t stop Jeter from trying. As of now, she’ll join a talented trio of guards who include Kelsey Plum, Chelsea Gray, Riquna Williams, and Jackie Young.

The Las Vegas Aces will begin the 2021 WNBA season on May 15th with championship aspirations and one of the best-crafted rosters in the W. These three rookies will enter camp with work to do to secure a spot in the lineup.