Ally Malott, a forward from Dayton, was selected by the Washington Mystics with their first-round pick, eighth overall, in the WNBA draft on Thursday.
The 6-foot-4 Malott, who helped Dayton reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in school history last month, averaged 15.5 points and 7.8 rebounds during her senior year. She was named to the Atlantic 10 first team and finished her career ranked seventh in points, rebounds and 3-point percentage.
“We have had the opportunity to see Ally in person eight or nine times, as well as watch her practice,” Mystics head coach and general manager Mike Thibault said in a statement released by the team. “In my mind, she is the best definition of the modern ’stretch four’ in this draft. She is one of the best shooters in the draft at any position. She helps space the floor, can play around the basket and is a very good outlet passer to start the break.”
The Mystics added Natasha Cloud, a 6-foot-4 forward from St. Joseph’s, in the second round, and then drafted Marica Gajic, a 6-foot-2 forward from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the third round.
Cloud averaged 12.9 points, 6.6 assists and 5.8 rebounds per game during her senior year, while Gajic played for her country’s U-20 team in the European championships and scored a tournament-high 20.2 points per game.
Maryland guard Laurin Mincy was also drafted, chosen by the New York Liberty in the third round. The 6-foot-2 Mincy averaged a team-high 13.5 points per game for the Terrapins this past season.
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