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Take cover, Storm picks up four rookies in the 2023 WNBA Draft … – WNBA
May 1, 2023
On April 10. The WNBA put on its annual draft night, and the Storm picked up four new faces to join the 2023 season roster.
Fans are advised to take cover as rookies Jordan Horston, Madi Williams, Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu and Jade Loville make their WNBA appearance with the squad in the Pacific Northwest.
Jordan Horston
With the No. 9 pick in the first round, the Storm selected Tennessee’s All-American senior guard, Jordan Horston. The Dallas native became the 45th Volunteer to be selected in the draft, and 20th in program history to be chosen in the first round.
Horston was a standout player at Tennessee, starting in 33 of 35 games her senior season and notching 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.
The guard led the Volunteers to the Sweet 16 in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, coincidentally her first-time visiting Seattle. Horston left soon after the loss and looks forward to exploring the Emerald City this time around.
“I’m looking forward to being around everybody here and learning from people,” Horston said. “I’ve always watched the WNBA and Jewell, so I was fangirling when I met her. When I saw Sue Bird, I almost passed out. I’m still in awe of these players turned teammates.”
Horston was congratulated by older cousin and one of the WNBA’s greats, Sylvia Crawley. Crawley has no doubt that Horston will thrive at the next level in Seattle.
“She knows this has always been my dream,” Horston said. “She’s one of my biggest role models along with my mom and my dad.”
A fun fact about Horston is that she has an almost three-year-old cat named Mister Jakobe Horston, named after NBA All-Stars Lebron James and Kobe Bryant.
Madi Williams
As the No. 6 pick in the second round, Williams broke Oklahoma’s draft drought, sending a Sooner to the pros for the first time in a decade. The 5’10’’ guard played her collegiate career at Oklahoma where she started all five years and clinched 16.1 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game while shooting 47.4% from the field.
Williams was named to the Big-12 All-Tournament team in 2022 and a Cheryl Miller Award Finalist, a prestigious award in college hoops.
“I was excited to come to Seattle. It’s a great spot and a new opportunity to showcase my talent, win games and championships,” Williams said. “I’m looking forward to training camp and heading in with the focus of being the best version of me.”
The rookie looks forward to launching her professional career at Seattle’s beloved WNBA Franchise. A fun fact about Williams is that she writes with her left hands, but shoots with her right!
Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu
The 6-4 center was one of two back-to-back picks in the draft out of the University of South Florida, as the No. 21 overall pick, directly behind former college teammate, Elena Tsineke. Hailing from Nkongsamba, Cameroon, the young center is eager to get her feet wet in the pros.
“I want to make the team and be a part of the team.” Fankham Mendjiadeu said. “I’m going to give 100%, do whatever is needed and enjoy the moment.”
The rookie tallied 13.2 points and 9.6 rebounds while draining an impressive 51.1% from the field in the NCAA. In her final season with the Bulls, she averaged 16.5 points per game, second on the team and third in the American Athletic Conference, and a conference-best 12.3 rebounds per outing, both career-highs.
Fankam Mendjiadeu was named to the ACC All-Conference second team (2021-22) and Preseason ACC All-Conference team (2021-22) among other honors.
Jade Loville
With its fourth and final pick, the Storm selected none other than 5-11 guard Jade Loville from the University of Arizona. Loville capped off her collegiate career at Arizona, after previously hooping at Boise State and Arizona State
Loville was named to the All-Pac 12 team in 2022 (Arizona State) and All-Mountain West team in 2021 (Boise State).
“It’s a blessing dream come true. Living in a dream. Playing professional especially in Seattle,” Loville said. “I want to be a sponge and soak up what coaches and teammates say. Learn and adapt and find wherever the team needs me.”
Coincidentally, Loville’s first ever WNBA jersey was Jewell Loyd’s. Loville won the signed MVP jersey in the WA All-Star game and looks forward to playing alongside Loyd in her own jersey this season.
The four newcomers are eager to get started, and weather the storm of adjusting to the pros.
“I’m going to bring whatever they need me to bring, I’m going to bring that energy and be a great teammate,” Horston said.
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