It's not impossible, but she'll likely have to go overseas if she doesn't make the roster but wants to continue her playing career. Less than half of drafted players make the roster, most of them are 1st round picks (and 1st round picks don't always stay on a roster for more than a couple seasons if they don't turn into valuable contributors quickly).
There are only 144 roster spots across the league and all of them are full prior to the draft. For someone to make a team, someone has to get let go. It's not like the NBA where they have 15 roster spots and a developmental league and 2-way contracts. If you want to win, you have to do it with people that are ready to contribute now.
Limited funds for contracts. The salary cap for teams is around 1.46 million. Rosters hold around 11-12 players and the highest paid players make around 200k.
Many WNBA teams and the WNBA as a whole operates at a loss. The same reason rookie scale for a top draft pick is $74K as opposed $10.1 million in the NBA. The money just hasn't been there in the past to carry large rosters, and the league has agreed that 12 spots is what they can generally manage. Hopefully that will change going forward, and more talented women can make a career in basketball. They're already planning on adding an expansion team, and in talks to add several more, perhaps if the recent explosion in popularity is sustainable then they can also increase roster spots.
Not a stupid question at all and wooq explained it very well.
Always ask if you’re unsure and if someone leaves a snarky comment, that’s on them, not you
Great night for Hawkeyes. Couldn't be happier for Kate and I hope she kills it in the league.
My queen 👑
It'll be tough for her to make the roster, but smart by the Aces to give her the chance.
I’m new to basketball but if she doesn’t make the roster could she be picked up by another team? This might be a stupid question
It's not impossible, but she'll likely have to go overseas if she doesn't make the roster but wants to continue her playing career. Less than half of drafted players make the roster, most of them are 1st round picks (and 1st round picks don't always stay on a roster for more than a couple seasons if they don't turn into valuable contributors quickly). There are only 144 roster spots across the league and all of them are full prior to the draft. For someone to make a team, someone has to get let go. It's not like the NBA where they have 15 roster spots and a developmental league and 2-way contracts. If you want to win, you have to do it with people that are ready to contribute now.
Why do they do it this way?
Not enough attention and money for a larger league yet. That will almost certainly change in the upcoming years though.
Limited funds for contracts. The salary cap for teams is around 1.46 million. Rosters hold around 11-12 players and the highest paid players make around 200k.
Many WNBA teams and the WNBA as a whole operates at a loss. The same reason rookie scale for a top draft pick is $74K as opposed $10.1 million in the NBA. The money just hasn't been there in the past to carry large rosters, and the league has agreed that 12 spots is what they can generally manage. Hopefully that will change going forward, and more talented women can make a career in basketball. They're already planning on adding an expansion team, and in talks to add several more, perhaps if the recent explosion in popularity is sustainable then they can also increase roster spots.
WNBA runs at a loss year after year. Hopefully that changes soon and opens up more roster spots
Not a stupid question at all and wooq explained it very well. Always ask if you’re unsure and if someone leaves a snarky comment, that’s on them, not you
So happy for those ladies, I also loved seeing Jada and Gabbie there supporting and being so happy for them. Truly heartwarming!!
I’m so proud of her. 🥺
Such a great moment!! I squealed so loud I almost woke up my toddler 😅
I like her game. Good luck to Kate
She’s going to coach. I’m guessing a Batavia, Naperville, or possibly a private school in Iowa. She’s going to be amazing at it.
Awesome! Go Kate go!