Top 10 Biggest WNBA Draft Busts Of All Time

Who is the biggest bust in WNBA history? Today, WNBA analyst Hunter Cruse answers that question.
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[@lutherwalker7639]

You are the only person who's ever covered this subject when it comes to WNBA draft bust and that's dope AF to me 💯

[@lutherwalker7639]

You should definitely make a part 2 because there has been way more draft disappointments since the start of the WNBA.

[@HunterCruse14]

Appreciate it!

[@mikailbumpus692]

@@lutherwalker7639 I Agree That would be Great Hunter if you did Do a Part 2 Covering more WNBA Busts. You could even do like a Re-ranking of like The Top 20 All Time Busts which would include more recent years as well.

[@dmac5472]

Agreed

[@NoName-zm1ks]

And please do include ”what they doing now”

[@omeeawakened2371]

ESPN should hire you as a wnba analyst

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@Redridge07]

@@HunterCruse14 yep, very knowledgeable and you have the right voice and the right cadence.

[@HunterCruse14]

@@Redridge07 Thank you so much!

[@DBlockKTV]

In a few months he’d be on strike for not making as much as male nba analysts.

[@snwright77]

​@DBlockKTV shut your pie hole.

[@Maria_knows_best]

This is the FIRST WNBA CHANNEL I’ve come across that talks about everything Def subbing

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@areina1513]

Rebekkah Brunson actually won 5 championships, 1 with the Monarchs and 4 with the Lynx. She’s the only WNBA player with 5 championships.

[@JacionBryant]

Is that Jalen sister

[@areina1513]

@@JacionBryant No, his sister’s name is Erica.

[@og5466]

That means she is not helping the team, she was just lucky to be in a championship teams

[@areina1513]

@@og5466 aht aht, we do not disrespect Rebekkah Brunson. You wouldn’t say that about Robert Horry or Tina Thompson. There’s plenty of people in the league with multiple championships that are just getting by and she is not one of them.

[@ericmclean4291]

I have a somewhat controversial one. In 2001, my Charlotte Sting took Kelly Miller with the #2 pick. Miller wasn't a terrible player by any means but never started a game for us and we missed out on some very good players that were drafted after her. We could have gotten Tamika Catchings at 3, Ruth Riley at 5. Deanna Nolan at 6, Marie Ferdinand at 8, Katie Douglas at 10, or Penny Taylor at 11. People tend to forget how good this draft was because almost all of the focus was on Lauren Jackson.

[@HunterCruse14]

Yeah, I’ve heard that the reason for the Miller pick over Catch was just the fact that the organization didn’t know if they’d have a team a year after the draft & Catch had to sit out the year with a torn ACL. Definitely one of the more awful picks looking back lol, but it would’ve been interesting to see Catch in a dispersal draft whew

[@GrandinquisitorIK]

Oh wow the players I grew up watching. Forgot the name of KaTie Douglas's point guard that time she was so good as well I remember. Man how can I forget her..edit: Lindsay Whalen

[@izell80]

That draft was damn good!

[@mongoslade277]

Charlotte drafted the wrong twin. Should've took Coco Miller

[@swagoneto7922]

WNBA should be your lane,just got into the league thanks to the last draft. Could really use a knowledgeable channel that delivers this kinda content. Very nice man,keep this up.

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@larrycarter1875]

Great content. Seeing these old picks was very nostalgic

[@clampsgiveup9235]

Wow you are killing it with the different types of videos! Best WNBA channel ever!!!

[@HunterCruse14]

This made my day! Thank you for watching!

[@CallMeO08]

Instead of arguing Clark/Reese, THIS is how positive attention is brought, learn about the history, good and bad.

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@sidneygarcia7526]

I was just looking for wnba busts video like a month ago nothing popped up. Great video bro 💯

[@HunterCruse14]

Appreciate it

[@kisarobinson3472]

Brunson had 5 championships. 4 with Minnesota and 1 with Sacramento.

[@DamanLane1017]

these is a great vid i never thought of this

[@Olmec-a_Supreme16]

Dallas Wings drafting Jayce Sheldon over Angel Reese could be a big mistake as well! Dallas could've sold out stadiums, brought attention to their Franchise & encouraged other players to join Dallas...

[@fehaz7867]

I agree

[@irvingpeay3294]

They really dropped the ball 🏀 not drafting Reese

[@bateseanderson2667]

Jacy sheldon is a legit player though

[@KazeShikamaru]

Thanks for Reese as a Sky fan.

[@cutup1]

They needed someone who can shoot and defend on the perimeter. Why would they take Reese? For height? Look at their roster and make it make sense.

[@Cassius_Pay]

Great video G. Its very informative, especially for us "new Wnba fans".

[@sjaykay9884]

“E-bon-knee” 😂😂😂

[@hawaiianpunch5432]

Lauren Cox was the #1 ranked player out of high school in 2016.

[@Mario-bh9dp]

Trash

[@robertmillikan600]

As a Fever fan I agree. She was brutal

[@GOATexp]

I’m glad you removed major injuries from the busts list! always hated when injuries create a “bust” especially when it’s just a freak accident like a torn ACL!

[@HunterCruse14]

100%

[@ReadR00ster1]

Ty Harris is not an off ball player. She is a facilitator floor general type that sometimes get's open for 3.

[@samconyers3591]

Poor Coates. She just never diversified her game and thought she’d rely on her height. That’s a No No in the W.

[@fehaz7867]

Hope Kamilla will be different

[@StonerGaming]

At least she has a championship even though she was on a stacked Vegas team. 😂😂

[@KarlMalowned32]

I’d throw Shoni Schimmel in there as a bust. Shoni showed a lot of promise in the rookie season as a 6th player type producer. Fell off a cliff in her third season. Great analysis! Just subscribed.

[@marmac7619]

I just added her name moments ago, having not read any if these yet. MVP in her 1st ever ASG, from my State.

[@waldolydecker8118]

Schimmel was dealing with issues off the court that had nothing to do with basketball. A true "bust" is somebody that has no extenuating circumstances, they just fail to improve their game. Schimmel showed she could play at an All Star level in the pros, but was mentally distracted by family, cultural issues. Real "busts" NEVER achieve an All Star level of performance..players like Coates and Collier and others never accomplished ANYTHING....that's a bust. On track to be a different kind of bust is Caitlin Clark - promoted as the Greatest Player of All TIme out of Iowa and already better than all WNBA players...Clark is on track to be the first over-all #1 draft choice in WNBA history to make her team have a worse record the year they drafted her than the team had the year before without her. No #1 over-all pick has ever led her team with the same players from last year to a worse record than they had the year before.

[@TwoToneHatch]

Thanks for doing this video! I'd love to see more WNBA history content!

[@HunterCruse14]

More to come!

[@TengAi21]

Thx for the vid. Think am gonna check out the 'Why is Caitlin Clark struggling' vid. Hear your take on it.

[@rayeurill9322]

I’ve looking for content like this on the wnba thanks bro

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you! More otw!

[@marcuslee1927]

Respect for a quality WNBA video. Love that you list other draft picks from the players’ respective draft classes.

[@HunterCruse14]

Appreciate it!

[@MarkLawrenceKiefer]

To be fair a couple of these busts focused on playing overseas for more money and treated their lower paying career in the W as secondary. Diana almost went overseas exclusively after the 2015 season. Also it's hard to gage how some college players will transition to the W. There are a lot of very good forwards in college that are 5'11", in the W they are a guard. If you are under 6 foot in the W you are not going to be banging with the bigs and be successful in the long haul, but if you are also not fast and agile, you won't be a guard.

[@dame6206]

ESPN treats the WNBA like a bust.

[@justinoswalt9028]

Yeah, but that's about the only thing they do right anymore.

[@teepelmore9171]

While FOX doesn’t even try wonder why. They definitely like talking about CC

[@pacgreen]

Caitlin Clark=turnover machine

[@dwaynewhite789]

Video 🔥, great knowledge on WNBA

[@WhyYouMadd40]

Great job on this video bro

[@RobRobertTheMusicMan]

By the looks of this year so far. Looks like Dijonai Carrington is gonna be 1 of the most improved.

[@mjp4276]

Tori Jankoska was a top 10 pick for Chicago in 2017 and got cut before ever playing a game.

[@brianturner4760]

Unique video concept

[@unforgettableblackguy9697]

I ain’t think they had bust 😂😂😂

[@hiitsme3039]

Lmao half of the draft don’t make the team

[@liveesunflower]

I learned some things and I’ve been a WNBA fan for awhile, thank you!

[@charlesscott7204]

I NEVER HEARD THIS TOPIC COVERED! Had to click it lol 🙌

[@modoesstuff]

This is actually a solid list. Good work and you're definition of a bust is respectable. I would wait a couple years before definitively calling anyone a bust though. i would wait until year 5 or a little later before putting them on the list. Nevertheless, awesome vid.

[@nijoelgreene851]

Good content 👏🏾

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@asarisa-rakuwauavibaya7254]

This is different. I like it and want to know more now

[@Elie752]

This man got me watching WNBA videos we really evolving

[@aviellepeal7134]

Love to see more content on the WNBA

[@HonestAndHardWorking]

Jackie Styles from South East Oklahoma state average 30 pts a game in college.... struggle in the WNBA🎉

[@lawyerboy3319]

Charli Collier is #1 in my book but Kysre Gondrezick was drafted #4 overall in 2021 and was cut after her rookie season. She’s finally back in the league this year. Also, She’s not top 10 worthy but I thought Asia Durr was gonna be a star man. Sad to see she’s out the league already.

[@anthonylarosa1155]

this was dope!

[@BanditsandBusiness]

This is the first WNBA-focused channel I've ever found. Now that more people are starting are starting to care about the WNBA, you are poised to see a big jump in subscribers & views Prior to Caitlin Clark, I would've laughed at having a WNBA channel. Now I think you're actually ahead of the curve.

[@robryno]

When we searched for "Biggest WNBA Busts," this is not what we meant . . .

[@thanos8914]

Up until recently the WNBA fan base was like 11 or 12 people but now I see a video like this and I’m interested 😂

[@davidpeters2625]

I have a controversial one: Katie Lou Samuleson. The reason why I say her is because I rememeber watching her as a rookie in Chicago and she just kept throwing up brick after brick. Keeps scoring barely above average, so mys question is, why is she still around? Fun fact about Sandora Irvin btw: she is the daughter of Hall of Fame Dallas Cowboys WR Michael Irvin

[@imashtonjohnson]

Charli slide into my dms before her draft all bc I left one comment on a bball page’s post saying I didn’t think she was #1 overall material, she screenshotted it and told me to get my popcorn for the draft. Wish I could ask her how her W career is going today but i’m blocked.

[@mongoslade277]

I knew Collier was garbage when Texas played South Carolina in the Elite 8. That season. Texas didn't score a point in the 4th quarter. Shutout. 0 points. They kept going to Collier, and she wanted nothing to do with that

[@CBo-li3rg]

Winning doesn’t matter for CC as long as she hits 1-2 deep 3’s a game to show on ESPN keep the swifties oops I meant her fans happy

[@EnchiladaBoredom]

What's needed here is a history of referees at UCLA. It should be a referee who had a turn at General Electric refrigerators, Theatre, woodworking or citrus, here in the 1950s.

[@cosmos9627]

Damn this something new

[@Jahnink]

Only 10? The whole damn league is a bust. They make the court into a mosh pit. Need some Caitlin Clark ball tomorrow. The white girl knows how to play. How ironic.

[@Uppercut_TV]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Content 💯

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@justinoswalt9028]

Oh my god! I thought there was going to be A LOT more than 10.

[@thehulk1177]

I seen this coming. Protect, protect, protect. They have to keep her at 5 years because she’s a first round pick. She better start taking those intermediate shots and stop jogging in one spot.

[@mikailbumpus692]

Thanks Hunter 👍 It would Be Great if You did a Part 2 Covering more WNBA Busts. You could even perhaps Do like a Top 20 All Time WNBA Busts which Include more Recent years, just a thought. Lastly, I do like the Criteria you explained in Your Ranking Definitions of a Bust, which does Bring me to an Important Question for you Hunter if you can oblige. First abit of Detail before my question. Im a Nika Mühl Fan, Nika and Caitlin are My only 2 Faves, Truth. Nika is a very Good Player, known for Her Fierce Defense, which is already known about her, But she is truly good on Offense too, and I feel she is often overlooked for that, as thruout College Nika Could’ve easily had a much higher PPG But chose to Give Shot opportunity to Bueckers and others Because she likes to pass the ball around rather than shoot more. Nika is the All Time History Uconn Assist Record Holder. Overrall Nika Steals the Ball often, she is great at Rebounding even despite her 5’11” stocky build, she has great hands and incredible game vision, and a Tireless Fierceness. Recently, as you and many others likely know, Nika has not been able to play due to ridiculous Visa red tape issues that is so Unfair, which I and many other Nika Mühl Fans do not understand. My question Hunter is, if hypothetically Nika or any other Player for that matter, cannot Play for a prolonged period of time, due to such an Issue like a Visa, Where would you place that in your criteria of your Definition of a WNBA Bust or No Bust? Thank you Hunter

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you! Yeah, I wouldn’t consider her a bust in that case, but also Nika was a second rounder and most second round picks don’t make big impact anyways

[@mikailbumpus692]

@@HunterCruse14 Thank you 👍

[@sabertoothliar]

the WNBA new media has officially begun

[@ReadR00ster1]

I don't think we have seen the last of Cox and Coates, and possibly Akhator or Collier too.

[@sandraspears6389]

Coats did get a contract with the Las Vegas in 2023 to fill in after Parker went down with the foot injury. She didn't see much playing time but did contribute when needed.

[@rjhart5869]

Coates isn’t a bust she’s actually decent especially considering she was on the aces last season and was recently on Seattle during training camp. Now collier and the rest absolutely

[@saksmarcus]

The only one I remember was Jamila wideman, interesting she didn’t pan out professionally

[@SFSbihdnet]

Two shorts like a flight of intentions being meaningful

[@TheSstretch68]

CHARLI COLLIER got to be number 1. Number 1 pick and got cut her second year? Second to me would be LAUREN COX!!

[@kLeo20Toes]

Definition of milking the clock.

[@DocDoMuch]

I feel Janel McCarville was ass in the WNBA. In college she formed one half of a great duo with Lindsey Whalin but she was strictly bench depth in WNBA despite being drafted 1st overall.

[@DJ_Mr_Rodge]

people have to be careful with word busts in the wnba ...very careful as some players don't get minutes...some players change roles to fit the team...plus developing and mental state of wnba is hard...i don't see CC as a bust ... i just hope everyone understands how good the talent is in the wnba and to stop disrespecting the talent ....also to stop and apologize with that media race war that was created

[@Manchu504]

Just strictly from a professional sports perspective, if you don't put up productive numbers you will be labeled a bust. WNBA is a professional sports league, they have busts

[@JacionBryant]

Finally one for the wnba

[@tvtee123]

The only thing about being a bust in the WNBA is that you can go overseas and actually make more money than being in the league lol so it works out 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@Xyrenlow]

Kaleena at 10 as a kaleena fan HURTS 😭

[@nygelfoster2238]

I’ve never seen anyone cover the topic of WNBA busts, I like this! Also you butchered the pronunciation of “Ebony” at 5:46 💀

[@HunterCruse14]

Yes, thank you, I realized that after publishing. Appreciate you for watching!

[@negativebq]

I liked Wideman when she played. Surprised Gondrezick didn't make this list

[@ted_shelton]

I feel like after pick #7 you can’t be a bust. With the number of teams and how many players actually can make a team due to payroll. Outside the “lottery” can’t be a bust lol. So not in the first half of the 1st rd

[@robertmillikan600]

Agree pick 7 in wnba is like pick 18 in the NBA.

[@craighanson-rc1md]

Not how even with her rough start & a team that doesn't treat their star player as a part of the team Clark has clearly proved without a doubt she's the best & not a bust.

[@ericbambergerphilly]

Is the whole league as a bust an option

[@NorthElevation]

I never heard of any of these players. The only name I recognize out of this entire video is Kelsey Plumb. That’s it! And a Lisa Leslie mention. Geesh!

[@lynnspanks3541]

@NorthElevation. Oddly enough Alaina Coates had a hardship contract and was on the Aces’ 2023 championship team with Plum. She’d hit the floor for a few minutes sometimes, but basically when camera shots of the bench were shown, that’s where you’d usually see her.

[@thedailyfacts247]

Nice work kid

[@vsChris]

Kinda surprised Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis isn’t on this list too

[@clarkcollins4582]

I hate the term bust. Not the player's fault that the organization over evaluated their talent. The one player you mentioned that I did think had a chance to be decent was Lauren Cox.

[@Zakarman43]

Charli Collier needed a good pro coach. Vicky Johnson is a bust coach

[@Zakarman43]

Shows how much you know

[@hakimsabir1520]

Those number 3 picks were terrible 😂

[@mandelharvey3429]

I think the league has bias against some players. Mad at not being able to watch Chelsea Dungee. She was a veiwer draw.

[@lavonnealexander6936]

Alaina Coates has a championship with Las Vegas.

[@BOOTSY3]

Stacy King won multiple championships with the Bulls too.

[@user-qz8yx8vg8s]

​@@BOOTSY3 Just like Paxson,Kerr, Longley, Perdue

[@datruth1294]

This video is a little subjective because the wnba has always been in a WIN now era and gave little chance for most of these girls to develop. Also until this year teams would only pick the “best available” and now the “best fit”

[@barryishikawa2048]

Good list. Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck should be on here (possibly number 1/2). They were picked #2 and #3 over Jonquel Jones, Kahleah Copper, Aerial Powers and Courtney Williams. Chiney Ogwumike too never had a career close to being as good as most other strong draft picks in her class (Chelsea Gray, Alyssa Thomas, Natasha Howard, Kayla McBride)

[@HunterCruse14]

Morgan Tuck was on a great trajectory, but injuries got in the way. MoJeff has been a very solid guard, but yeah, definitely some better players picked after

[@williammials6080]

KML... She could never get her weight under control...

[@HLvlogsfccincy]

oh the league has definitely arrived now

[@yslcologneconnoisseur7473]

Imani McGee should have been on this list. Great work nonetheless. 🔥🔥

[@HunterCruse14]

She was considered, yes

[@Hype2k23]

Why am I watching this

[@justinoswalt9028]

Because, like most here, you were amazed that anyone could actually list 10 wnba players.

[@poloregal]

Hunter I’ve given you a lot of sh*t the last year. This is great work though.

[@HunterCruse14]

Thank you!

[@TLewis352]

Alaina Coates was coming off an injury and had nagging injuries going into the draft

[@kuruptflip21]

Now do the top 10 bustiest WNBA Draftees of all time ( o ) ( o )

[@kbis2cold]

Including a #8 pick on a wnba bust list would be like saying a #24 pick in the nba draft was a bust... i was with you except that one

[@marmac7619]

So where would you rank Our OREGON's beloved Shoni Schimmel? Picked in the Top 10 in the 2014 Draft & even won ASG MVP in her very 1st Season!

[@beejbeej1000]

We need to get you out there more. Only wnba podcast type shyt I ever seen. U should be reporting this shyt to a bigger audience my guy. Imma keep sharing your page. Maybe I can send u some clip of shyt I found on certain player and teams. I’m not good at making videos like this but I wanted to post shyt like this for the wnba but it be better to just help u if u need it

[@HunterCruse14]

Yeah, for sure. Send me an email: [e-mail]

[@BGPIndy]

Amber Harris was pretty much hyped around Indiana and especially Indianapolis. 2 x HS Champ.. McDonald's All American, A-10 credentials including Freshman of the year ,2 x Player of the year and 4 x All A-10 First Team. At least she did get a couple of rings out of her career.

[@BGPIndy]

Just subscribed as well. Somebody's network needs to hire you.

[@marcjohnson2470]

I thought you said injuries wouldn't make them a bust. Cox had major injuries that derailed any chances of her making it in the WNBA.

[@williamnevins4425]

Eva Nemcova was a beast..... She didn't miss👍🏿

[@logrego4195]

I like Dana Evans over Carrington

[@qcman2000]

Obviously not deserving to be on this list & she had a VERY good career, but based on the pre-draft hype Chamique Holdsclaw’s career didn’t quite live up to what many expected.

[@HunterCruse14]

Agreed - one of the best prospects of all time, but was never top 3 in MVP voting in her career

[@mongoslade277]

She had mental health issues

[@brickmoney4152]

Well it didn’t live up to Goat status. She had alot going on and the Mystics were trash. She still made 6 all star appearances and put up starter numbers

[@nathanthompson3401]

Likely Princess Paige will start her trek next year, she chose to stay out this year when she should have gone W but she knew she wasn’t ready.

[@negativebq]

How did the Sparks get the #3 pick when they were awarded Lisa Leslie that year as well?😊

[@HunterCruse14]

The league really wanted a good WNBA team in LA lol

[@negativebq]

@@HunterCruse14 I was a Sparks fan when the league opened cuz I'm from LA. Thing is I hate the Lakers and due to the colors I bounced lol. Stopped watching for years then eventually became a Fever fan since they were semi-local to me at one point