The women’s basketball world is converging on Phoenix this weekend for the NCAA Final Four and a number of other events. With so many professional organizations and agencies present, it is always an optimal time to hold combines or tryouts for aspiring players. The Women’s Premier Basketball Association is hosting their own event at Arizona State University this year for opportunities with the league or with other teams around the world. The event is a historic moment for the WPBA as the emergence of other developmental leagues has begun.
Combines
There have been a variety of events for aspiring professional players at this weekend. Some events have targeted players who are under consideration for the WNBA draft. Other events have been more geared towards players who are not necessarily on professional radars and need this kind of tryout to show that they are serious about those opportunities. Like the league itself, the WPBA is taking an approach that allows players in both situations to gain exposure.
The event is also unique in terms of serving as a tryout for the league itself while giving viewing opportunities to other leagues and agents that could lead to chances with seasons that stretch for the entire year. While some tryouts only feature scrimmages, this combine will feature drills for most of Friday before games are played and then Saturday will be more of a game-heavy day.
Players
The league has been announcing player commitments over the past few weeks as they have invited players while also giving other players the ability to apply for spots. Players with strong power conference careers like Janiah Barker, Sacha Washington, and Mya Perry are participating, but there will also be successful players from mid-major and low-major programs. The league has helped many DII players secure international opportunities so there are top players from that level joining too. Local college stars like Mickayla Perdue and Last-Tear Poa will be there.
The WPBA has always been connected to the international basketball landscape and Americans are not the only college graduates to be included with players like Mariana Valenzuela, Izabella Zingaro, Benthe Versteeg, Ahriahna Grizzle, and Alejandra Zuniga participating. Unlike some events that only have players with no professional experience, including players like Star Fitgerald-Greer and Violet Morrow who have had success around the world gives context to international teams in the same way that WPBA games feature established professionals alongside rookies. The combine will also feature Bay Area natives like Sabrina Ma and Kya Pearson as the league continues to have a local focus.
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