Nyara Sabally 'loaded with talent' as WNBA Draft nears, but health a concern, ESPN analysts say
Oregon Ducks forward Nyara Sabally will likely be one of the top players chosen during Monday's WNBA Draft.
But the buyer beware as Sabally comes with a ton of health concerns.
Sabally's career at Oregon was hampered by a brutal injury history highlighted by multiple ACL tears in her right knee. She also missed eight games during the 2021-22 season because of injuries.
In total, Sabally played just 47 career games with the Ducks, most of those coming during the 2021-22 season.
On a conference call with the media, ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said Sabally's injury history is a huge concern despite all her attributes.
"Nyara is loaded with talent," Lobo said. "The biggest question is her health.
"I think people are questioning how healthy she is. I think that's going to be a big factor in terms of where she's taken, but she's certainly skilled. She's got the size, she's got the skill, she can face up, head out to three, she's got the moves inside.
"Needs to finish a little bit better but can get there. Certainly loaded with talent. I think the only thing that might hold her back a little bit is the question in terms of her injury."
Last season during the 24 games where she was on the court, Sabally was Oregon's best player as she averaged a team-high 15.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. She also made 52.7% of her shots and shot 72.5% from the free-throw line.
Sabally helped Oregon to a 20-12 record and a second-place finish in the Pac-12 last season. However, the Ducks lost a heartbreaking overtime game to Belmont in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, which ended Sabally's college career.
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There are not many players better than Sabally offensively and defensively when she is on and engaged. Not only can she score, but Sabally is also active on the defensive end with her ability to steal the ball and block shots. But conditioning and consistency have been an issue for the 6-foot-5 Sabally throughout her career.
Sabally will be one of 12 prospects invited to attend the WNBA Draft at 4 p.m. Monday, April 11, on ESPN. LaChina Robinson, also an ESPN analyst, also has some of the same concerns with Sabally as she transitions into the WNBA.
"Obviously, with the injury and obviously mobility is important in the WNBA, and can she move and get out defensively and high hedge when needed," Robinson said. "I think she's not quite yet back into prime game shape coming off of that injury, either. So loads of talent.
"I remember being at Oregon and everyone was talking about Nyara, Nyara. Satou (Sabally) was still there at the time, and how she was just as good and could be better potentially than her sister as a pro."
In its last WNBA mock draft, ESPN has the Indiana Fever drafting Sabally with their No. 4 selection. The Fever also has three other selections (No. 2, No. 6 and No. 10) in this year's draft.
Last season, Indiana finished 6-26, which was the worst record in the WNBA. Longtime WNBA coach Lin Dunn is the Fever's interim general manager as she and coach Marianne Stanley hope to quickly improve a team that has missed the playoffs the past five seasons.
With so many picks in the first round, Dunn says he is looking for the best available players.
"We've got a list, we've got a board charting those top 10 players by best available, and then we've also got a chart over here beside us charting what we need," Dunn said.
"In our particular situation, we need a lot. We need help inside, we need help outside. It's a little bit easier for us to pinpoint our needs because they're glaring.
"But we are essentially in that first round with 2, 4, 6 and 10 looking at the best player available."
Contact Register-Guard sportswriter Antwan Staley at astaley@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter @antwanstaley.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Health is a concern with Nyara Sabally entering WNBA Draft: ESPN analysts
