NFL
By: Kristy Love
The WNBA draft 2024 took place Monday Night as many women who play the game of basketball were waiting for their names to get called. Top names went to top teams such as Caitlin Clark being the first overall pick to the Indiana Fever. Well, the Phoenix Mercury traded away their 3rd overall pick to the Chicago Sky in a blockbuster trade to acquire guard Kahleah Cooper. The Phoenix Mercury didn’t have any pick until the third round (25th and 29th). The Mercury also traded away their second-round pick to the Sky. So, let me welcome you all to the two new additions who will make a mean backcourt duo this coming season.
Charisma Osborne will fit right in with the Phoenix Mercury as she is a defense-first type of player. She was with UCLA for five years, her five years being the best year in her basketball career. Osborne was selected by the Phoenix Mercury in the third round (25th pick). During her last year at UCLA, Osborne played in 34 games. During those 34 games, she had shot 41% in FG and 32.2% from behind the arch. She averaged 14.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 3.1 APG.
While in college, Charimsa made the two PAC all-defense teams twice (2021 and 2024). She also received All PAC honors four times (2021-2023). Osborne is the second guard in PAC history to score 2,000 points and a total of 800 rebounds in a career. She ended her UCLA career as the second-leading scorer in program history. She also finished first in most 3-point shots, tied for third in field goals made, and seventh in assists.
Charisma was projected to be a first-round draft pick however, she decided to opt in her final year and use her final year eligibility to return. During her senior year, she led the team in points rebounds, and steals.
Jaz Shelley got drafted at the 29th pick in the third round. She finished her career at The University of Nebraska. Shelley finished 16th on the Nebraka’s all-time scoring list with 1,364 points. Shelley also finished fifth in career assists with 565 and fourth in career three-pointers made as she made 244 in 100 career games with 99 starts as a Husker. Jaz Shelley is the first Husker to get drafted by the WNBA since Jordan Hooper (2014).
Jaz Shelley is a great passer and she will get assists. During her last year with the University of Nebraska, Jaz averaged 10.7 points per game, 3.8 boards, and 4.2 assists per game. She shot 38.5% in FG and 33.7 from deep. Shelley helped her school play in the Big 10 this past season with her high-scoring numbers. She had a season-high of 30 points which includes six 3-pointers along with nine assists in the Big 10 tournament semi-finals against Maryland (March 9th, 2024).
Jaz Shelley wasn’t only making noise during the Big 10, she also created history with Nebraska. She was the first Husker to record two career triple-doubles. She had 19 points, 10 rebounds and 11 assists against UNCW (12/5). Her first triple-double was back on November 21st, 2021 when she recorded 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Jaz Shelley ranks fourth in school history in 3-pointers as she had 83, Jaz ranked 3rd in assists with 199 and ranks first in assists over two seasons with 405.
Here is what Jaz Shelley had to say after getting selected by the Phoenix Mercury, “I’m just excited for the opportunity. I couldn’t be happier about being picked by Phoenix,” Shelly said. “I feel like that’s a great fit for me. They have such a talented team and an amazing organization, too. Having my name called has always been a dream, but to share this with my second family here in Nebraska is really a special moment I will remember forever.”
Both players can play almost any position and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the team a win. Depending if each player makes the roaster will determine who will play what spot. Training camp for the Phoenix Mercury begins April 28th. Pre-season starts for the WNBA on May 3rd and final roster cuts are May 13th one day before the regular season begins. The Mercury will start their season on the road against the Las Vegas Aces.
