Ohio State’s Jacy Sheldon picked fifth overall in WNBA draft; Celeste Taylor heads to Fever
NEW YORK (WCMH) — Former Buckeyes Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor have their tickets to the WNBA. Sheldon was drafted fifth overall by the Dallas Wings while Taylor got chosen 15th overall in the second round by the Indiana Fever.
Their selections mark the second straight year that an Ohio State player was chosen in the WNBA draft. Sheldon is the sixth player in program history to be selected in the first round and the duo follows Taylor Mikesell, who was the first Buckeye chosen in the WNBA draft in five years last season. Monday night’s draft brings the total number of Buckeyes drafted to 19.
Former Kentucky center Aaron Bradshaw transfers to Ohio State
“It’s a surreal moment because I grew up as a little kid watching all these women play and how talented they are. And being able to have a chance to play with them and compete against them, it’s a dream. It’s what we all are here for and it’s what we’re all looking forward to,” Sheldon said after she was drafted. “I’m excited. I’ve seen the growth. Everyone has seen the growth and to be a part of that, it’s something that is really rare, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Sheldon, a Dublin native, completed her five-year career at Ohio State as one of the best in program history. Her 2,024 career points ranks sixth in Buckeyes history and is one of three Ohio State players to have more than 1,900 points, 400 rebounds, 350 assists, 200 steals and 150 made three-pointers.
“It’s special and taking that fifth year was something I thought hard and long about. I’m glad I did. A lot of things came from it,” Sheldon said.
Taylor will become teammates with a player who didn’t have to wait long at all: Caitlin Clark.
The Iowa guard who elevated the game of women’s college basketball was the first off the board, with the Indiana Fever drafting her first overall at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
“From going against her this year to being able to play with her. And also Aaliyah Boston as well. It brings me some comfort honestly,” Taylor told reporters on draft night.
Taylor played only one season with the Buckeyes after stints with Duke and Texas, but she made a big impact in her lone year at Ohio State. The Long Island, New York, native was named the Big Ten defensive player of the year after leading the league in steals during the regular season.
“I did not envision this. Not because i didn’t think I was capable but because I didn’t know. Until I was in ninth grade, my freshman year of high school,” Taylor said. “I had to learn the path it took to get to the W. I was around it but I didn’t know the path it took to get there.”
The Buckeyes duo helped Ohio State win a Big Ten regular season title, its first since 2010. Both are among the 15 invited to tonight’s event in Brooklyn. Training camp is set to begin on April 28 with the regular season scheduled to start on May 14.
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