Boyle offered Walton (c/o 2011, redshirted 1st year at UW) a Cal scholarship pretty early on in the recruiting process.

Walton, from WA, was unranked in HS but had a good eval & grade by HoopGurlz implying she was just outside their top 100. Sure looked like she could hang in the WNBA tonight with that smooth 3-point stroke along with good height, athleticism, strength, and length.

Ironically, in the end she chose UW (then coached by, yikes, Tia Jackson!) over LG at UCSB. Other finalists included Oregon (Westhead era) and UNLV (uff, another questionable coach: Kathy Olivier). I imagine she wasn't ready to decide when she got the early offer from Cal and perhaps Boyle sort of moved on when we emerged as the leader for Reshanda Gray. It looks like we might have still had room for her—we signed Boyd, Gray, and Erika Johnson early, and I think we had room for 4. Justine Hartman didn't sign until waaaaaay later.

She would have helped us big time, especially after the 2013 Final Four season, when there was that drop off. But hey, she made a Final Four anyway.

She was on fire final 4....nothing to hold her head down about, she carried that team in that game....the Huskies should be proud nobody saw them coming.

Kat, keep the info coming you know we look to you to dig up research/articles about HS players to scout, college player possible transfers and other college women team updates. You are our lead reporter! :gobears:

85 Fly;842676273 said:

---

She was on fire final 4....nothing to hold her head down about, she carried that team in that game....the Huskies should be proud nobody saw them coming.

Kat, keep the info coming you know we look to you to dig up research/articles about HS players to scout, college player possible transfers and other college women team updates. You are our lead reporter! :gobears:

---

I would make a great private detective. wvit is best for on the ground info, moraga for inside intel ;-P

85 Fly;842676273 said:

---

She was on fire final 4....nothing to hold her head down about, she carried that team in that game....the Huskies should be proud nobody saw them coming.

Kat, keep the info coming you know we look to you to dig up research/articles about HS players to scout, college player possible transfers and other college women team updates. You are our lead reporter! :gobears:

---

And back to Walton, I'm a bit surprised that most project her as a 3rd round pick in the WNBA draft. I felt she looked better than that personally.

Talia Walton and Erika Johnson led their respective HS teams to oppose each other in the finals of the WA State HS championship two years in a row. They were the two top prep seniors in WA. Johnson wound-up transferring to North Carolina after her freshman year, but was never a factor for the Tarheels. Walton, not Plum, was the force for UW in their Final Four challenge.

The three players I was sorry to see being waived by their WNBA teams were Talia Caldwell (NY), Jacki Gemelos (Chicago) and Talia Walton (LA).

Bigshadetree;842691161 said:

---

The three players I was sorry to see being waived by their WNBA teams were Talia Caldwell (NY), Jacki Gemelos (Chicago) and Talia Walton (LA).

---

I was surprised Walton got picked so late and waived so early! Her outside shooting prowess at her size is pretty hard to beat. But I think coaches want her to be able to use that size (and she's got some athleticism, too!) in other ways, like mixing it up inside and hitting the boards. Osahor did ALL the work on the glass for UW in the tournament—IIRC getting 74 total despite not reaching the Championship game in the tourney, just one shy of the NCAA tournament record.

kat0189;842691217 said:

---

I was surprised Walton got picked so late and waived so early! Her outside shooting prowess at her size is pretty hard to beat. But I think coaches want her to be able to use that size (and she's got some athleticism, too!) in other ways, like mixing it up inside and hitting the boards. Osahor did ALL the work on the glass for UW in the tournament—IIRC getting 74 total despite not reaching the Championship game in the tourney, just one shy of the NCAA tournament record.

---

But then again, this year Danielle Adams got waived. Somewhat similar type of player, but Walton definitely quicker!

The Sparks went with 4 foreign players for their initial final roster this season. Not a lot of talk about this, but that included the return of Ann Wauters, a former #1 draft pick from Belgium who hadn't played in the league since 2012. Dabovic from Serbia had a good start for the Sparks, but I imagine they're hoping Chelsea Gray can take over the PG spot and do a bit better.

Bigshadetree;842691161 said:

---

The three players I was sorry to see being waived by their WNBA teams were Talia Caldwell (NY), Jacki Gemelos (Chicago) and Talia Walton (LA).

---

Chicago having Allie Quigley, IIRC 6th player of the year at some point, makes it hard to justify keeping Jacki. Quigley has really blossomed. Had Jacki stayed reasonably healthy, she'd probably be at Quigley's caliber with her ability to score all over the place and create. Jamie Faulker of Southern Mississippi was only picked #34 (the year the Sky picked Gen Brandon at #22). Was an unknown before, but has definitely proven herself so far as a good guard to bring off the bench.

As always, the question is defense, and I don't know if Walton was quick enough to guard a three or strong enough to guard a four. Danielle Adams was definitely a post defender, so that helped her -- plus she could score inside and out.

Jacki Gemelos ... what might have been. Prior to the knee injuries, she was the second coming of Diana Taurasi. She could score, pass and fire up a crowd -- but as a two guard hampered by a knee injury, she too couldn't really defend, and her explosion was gone on offense. It was great to see her get a year in the W, though, after working so hard for so long.

I recall Ann Wauters 2012 WNBA stint was with the Seattle Storm, as a fill-in for Lauren Jackson, who was injured. Wauters is a 6'5" Center, who can bang inside, and shoot from the elbow.

puget sound cal fan;842691296 said:

---

I recall Ann Wauters 2012 WNBA stint was with the Seattle Storm, as a fill-in for Lauren Jackson, who was injured. Wauters is a 6'5" Center, who can bang inside, and shoot from the elbow.

---

She can also dunk I've read!

Ann Wauters was the first overall pick back in the day, and hasn't played in the WNBA much only because she didn't really want to. She makes plenty of money in Europe, and most years doesn't want to play 12 months.

She's a great get as the fourth post option in LA ...