Washington Huskies Chantel Osahor can rebound, score, and sink a shot from downtown. But it may be her three point shooting acumen which earns her a roster spot on the WNBA Minnesota Lynx
Washington Huskies Chantel Osahor is a Women’s Basketball version of the stretch four. While Osahor puts up lofty numbers scoring and rebounding, she also has a strong three point shot. In fact, the accuracy is so fundamentally sound that it prompted ESPN to analyze her shot on a video.
That’s not bad for an NCAA Women’s Basketball player. In fact, it’s recognition seldom awarded to any basketball player.
Great Play Deep Discount
Per the Washington Post statistics, Chantel Osahor averaged 15.8 points per game, 15.2 rebounds per game, and 4.1 assists per game. She shot 47.8 percent accuracy from the floor, and 37.2 percent accuracy from beyond the perimeter. That 37.2 percent accuracy, if maintained, places her as the second most proficient three-point shooter on the Minnesota Lynx Roster.
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But Chantel Osahor was discounted in the WNBA Draft. Projected by many as a first round talent, she fell to deep in the second round. Apparently few watched ESPN’s shot analysis.
Impressive Accomplishment
That’s incredibly impressive, particularly for a young lady whose primary responsibility was working the boards, pulling down the ball, and kicking it back out to teammate Kelsey Plum. All of that changed when Kelsey Plum heard her name called first at the 2017 WNBA Draft on behalf of the San Antonio Stars. Chantel Osahor heard her name called that same evening by the Chicago Sky as the 21st player selected.
FanSided
But this is a new day, a new team, and a new role. Chantel Osahor fit well into the Washington Huskies strategy of offensive barrage. If Plum could not score, Osahor was ready to pick up the boards, reset the ball back to Plum or an open shooter, or score herself.
Long Range Artillery
To throw off the other team’s defense, Osahor often set up at the arc and sank a crushing three-pointer
Or rather her second new team. You see, the day after the 2017 WNBA Draft, the Chicago Sky traded 6-foot-2 forward Chantel Osahor to the Minnesota Lynx for 6-foot-1 forward Keisha Hampton. Hampton was the 22nd overall player selected in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm. She joined the Lynx as a free agent signing before the 2016 season, appearing in 27 games, where she averaged 6.7 minutes and 2.6 points per game.
Trade Fallout
Ultimately, the Sky had hopes of trading for Plum, and selecting Osahor was a natural pairing on their roster. When the deal fell apart, apparently the Sky’s interest in Osahor fell as well.
With the First Pick
The Sky were the fourth best team in the WNBA last season. The Lynx, in contrast, were the best. Now Chantel Osahor must find her way to the roster of the best team in the WNBA. But don’t discount her upside as quickly as the Chicago Sky had done.
Pristine Shot Mechanics
Osahor has shot mechanics that are just as impressive as NBA’s Steph Curry. She set a rebounding record for the University of Washington Huskies, and is only the second woman in school history to record over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds
The Lynx drafted three guards in the forms of Alexis Jones (12th), Lisa Berkani (24th), and Tahlia Tupaea (36th). But the most important player acquired may very well be Osahor. You see, Chantel Osahor brings incredible production to the WNBA in rebounding, in scoring, and in assists.
Now, which WNBA team has no need for those skills?
Projected First Rounder
Chantel Osahor was a projected first rounder for good reason. She is a rebounding juggernaut. She is also a very proficient scorer. In fact, her shot mechanics stand up to comparison to the best shooters in the NBA. And she plays the game naturally, almost always with a smile and a perspective to always improve.
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So what can she bring to the WNBA’s top team? Plenty.
Forget the narrative of the Chicago Sky seeing Keisha Hamptom as a versatile solution to their team. She is talented yes, but she has not made much of an impact in the WNBA despite being draft in 2012. Ultimately, the Sky surrendered on Osahor before giving her a chance.
In the process, the Chicago Sky may have backed away from a true star in the making in the WNBA.
The Sky May Be Falling In Chicago But Sun Rising Over Minnesota
Big mistake.
The Minnesota Lynx, conversely, struggled on defense and rebounding in their championship series with the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016. That temporary lapse may be remedied by one simple trade.
Even now, as the Sky works through their 2017 WNBA Draft haul, the Lynx has to be perfectly pleased with their results. By trading for Osahor, the Lynx have the equivalent of two first round picks. And the Lynx are thrilled, as you can tell if you read a recent article by startribune.com author Kent Youngblood:
"“She is strong in the post,” Minnesota coach Cheryl Reeve said of the 6-2 Osahor, “She is deceptively quick, she has an extremely high basketball IQ, which is appealing to us. And she’s a tremendous passer out of the post. We have such great cutters, we felt it was such a good fit.”"
In the end, Chantel Osahor appears to be a perfect fit to the Minnesota Lynx scheme. On one hand, she is smart. On the other hand, Chantel Osahor boasts high productivity. Finally, she fits multiple roles on a team.
Next: WNBA Underway for Washington Huskies Alumni Kelsey Plum
She may have fallen in the draft, but don’t look for her to fall in the WNBA. She is a rising star.