Lacey awaiting WNBA Draft fate

AMES – Alison Lacey will be in the building Thursday for the WNBA Draft.

What franchise will select her and when? The Iowa State point guard hasn't lost sleep worrying about that.

“It depends on who you talk to or what web site you go to,” said Lacey, one of 14 women – and the first-ever Cyclone – invited to the 2 p.m. draft in Secaucus, N.J. “I really don't know where I'm going to go or what pick or whatever.

“I've kinda of given up on that. Whatever happens, happens.”

ESPN2 will televise the first round. ESPNU has coverage of the final two rounds.

Lacey, a first-team all-Big 12 Conference player as a senior, is a likely late first-round or early second-round selection, according to a couple of those mock drafts.

The Canberra, Australia, native has been unsure on her professional future or if she'd return home after graduation.

“I want to try this out,” Lacey said. “I still have to go to training camp and make the team. This is the first step. I'm excited to see what happens.”

Camp begins in a few weeks and the season opens May 15. It's going to be a quick process.

“I'm still trying to finish up school,” Lacey said. “I've got a lot of things going on. It's kind of a whirlwind.”

Competition for roster spots, especially at guard, is stiff.

There's been some question about Lacey's quickness and athletic ability, or lack thereof.

“I can't really control how athletic I am,” said Lacey, who averaged 15.8 points and 6.2 assists a game last season. “I can work on it and get stronger and stronger. I'll go out in training camp, see how I do and just try my best.”

Location is not an issue. Any of the 12 teams will do.

“Just to be drafted I'll be happy,” Lacey said. “Beggars can't be choosers. It'll be a new experience, a new city to live in.”