Where the Shift Began: Inside the 2019 WNBA Draft Class

The 2019 class became a bridge between eras, combining the tail end of the old guard with a new wave of dynamic, skilled players ready to lead franchises. Zena, Sabreena, and Ben kick things off with updates on current coaching vacancies, diving into how some teams are using search firms to fill front office roles — moves that often set the stage for the next head coach hire. Then, it's time to revisit the 2019 WNBA Draft — a class that helped shape the league as we know it today. Who went too high? Who got overlooked? Which players have surprised us the most? And how did this class become a true turning point for the W? With the benefit of hindsight, the crew re-drafts the 2019 class to figure out who really should’ve gone where. _________________ References: WNBA’s Portland Fire name Cavs’ assistant Alex Sarama first coach in team history by Sabreena Merchant WNBA coaching carousel: What I’m hearing about the Liberty, Storm and other jobs by Ben Pickman _________________ No Offseason is a part of the The Athletic media network. Visit our YouTube page! _________________ Have feedback or a question? Email us! And we'll try to answer on a future episode: NoOffseason@theathletic.com You can also find us on social media: -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm Visit the Yahoo Women’s Sports Hub __ No Offseason is a part of The Athletic Podcast Network Get in touch! Leave a comment wherever you’re listening, or email us at NoOffseason@TheAthletic.com Show Links: -YouTube: @No-Offseason -Instagram: @tanooffseason -TikTok: @no_offseason Credits: -Zena on BlueSky: @zenakeita -Ben on BlueSky: @benpickman -Sabreena on BlueSky: @sabreenajm -Chantel on BlueSky: @chanteljennings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.