Draft Day arrives for Logic, Stokes

IOWA CITY - Samantha Logic is a playmaker. A decision-maker.

But her next destination is out of her hands.

'Honestly, I don't know what's next,” the All-American point guard from the University of Iowa said Tuesday as the WNBA Draft approached. 'It's out of my control. But whoever takes a chance on me, I'm going to give them what I've got.”

Logic is projected by virtually all mock-drafters as a first-round pick Thursday. The draft begins at 6 p.m. (Iowa time) at Uncasville, Conn.

The first round will be televised by ESPN2. Logic figures to be selected there, and former Linn-Mar star Kiah Stokes - a three-time national champion at the University of Connecticut - could be, as well.

'(The WNBA) is something I definitely want to do,” Stokes said last week. 'I'll definitely need to pick up my scoring, but I think I'm somebody that can provide a defensive presence and rebounding.

'People have told me they see a lot of potential in me.”

Logic and Stokes are among 12 players invited to Uncasville.

'It's a huge blessing,” said Logic, who will be accompanied by her parents and the Iowa coaching staff. 'A lot of people don't get this opportunity.”

Logic is the only player in NCAA history to accumulate 1,500 points, 800 rebounds, 800 assists and 200 steals throughout a career.

'Samantha Logic might have the oddest profile of any of the 2015 WNBA Draft prospects, one that will leave a lot of GMs guessing,” said the Atlanta Dream's website.

'How do you evaluate a 5-foot-9 guard who leads her team in rebounding? That's not out of the ordinary for Logic, your quintessential I'll-do-it-all kind of player.”

Said the Chicago Sky's website: '(Logic) is known as one of the toughest players in this year's draft class, sacrificing her body by diving on the floor for loose balls and taking charges to help her team win. She demonstrates tremendous court vision and a profound understanding for the players around her, not only finding who is open but who has the hot hand.”

And Glenn Nelson of ESPN HoopGurlz: 'If Samantha Logic had her own team, its logo would be a bruise.”

The Gazette located four mock drafts online. All have Logic among the top 10 picks, but all have her going to different destinations.

'The thing that might hurt her is her speed,” said Iowa Coach Lisa Bluder. 'But her passing is unbelievable. She can play a variety of positions. (Scouts) love her competitiveness, her strength, her size. And she's more athletic than people give her credit for.”

Since the season ended - Iowa (26-8) advanced to the Sweet 16 before falling to Baylor - Logic has mostly rested.

'I've taken some time off and let my MCL heal up all the way,” she said.

She also has had some contact with potential agents.

'It's kind of like the college recruiting process, all over again,” she said. 'It's a matter of deciding who will be best for my career.”

A 6-foot-4 center, Stokes set UConn's single-season blocked-shots record this season. She averaged 4.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.

She would like a return to the Midwest.

'If I could pick, I'd go to Chicago, because it's close to home,” she said. 'But I can't be too picky.”

The draft consists of three rounds of 12 picks each. Iowa State's Nikki Moody and Iowa's Bethany Doolittle and Melissa Dixon are potential later-round picks.

2015 WNBA DRAFT ORDER

First Round

1. Seattle, 2. Tulsa, 3. Seattle (from Connecticut), 3. Connecticut (from New York), 5. Chicago, 6. Indiana, 7. Los Angeles, 8. Washington, 9. San Antonio, 10. Atlanta, 11. Minnesota, 12. Phoenix.

Second Round

13. Tulsa, 14. Los Angeles (from Seattle), 15. Washington (from Connecticut, via Seattle), 16. New York, 17. Chicago, 18. Phoenix (from Indiana), 19. Connecticut (from Los Angeles), 20. Seattle, 21. San Antonio, 22. Chicago (from Atlanta), 23. Minnesota, 24. Phoenix.

Third Round

25. Tulsa, 26. Seattle, 27. New York (from Connecticut), 28. Minnesota (from New York), 29. Atlanta (from Chicago), 30. Indiana, 31. Los Angeles, 32. Washington, 33. San Antonio, 34. Atlanta, 35. New York (from Minnesota), 36. Phoenix.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com