Big Ten Daily (April 16): 7 Former Big Ten Players Selected in 2024 WNBA Draft

Author:
Dustin Schutte
Apr 16, 2024

Several former Big Ten women's basketball players saw their dreams become reality on Monday night. Seven players from the conference were selected during the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark was selected with the No. 1 overall pick by the Indiana Fever — the most predictable outcome from Monday night. The two-time Naismith National Player of the Year had been projected as the top selection since the Fever won the WNBA Draft Lottery back in February.

While a lot of attention was on Clark on Monday night, there were six other players from the Big Ten who deserve plenty of recognition, as well.

Ohio State's Jacy Sheldon was selected No. 5 overall by the Dallas Wings, the second player from the conference taken off the board. The two-time second-team All-American helped lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten regular season title during the 2023-24 campaign.

Clark and Sheldon were the only first-round picks out of the Big Ten. Here's where everyone was selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft

No. 1 overall: Caitlin Clark, Iowa — Indiana Fever
No. 5 overall: Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State — Dallas Wings
No. 15 overall (2nd round): Celeste Taylor, Ohio State — Indiana Fever
No. 18 overall (2nd round): Kate Martin, Iowa — Las Vegas Aces
No. 26 overall (3rd round): Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana — Seattle Storm
No. 29 overall (3rd round): Jaz Shelley, Nebraska — Phoenix Mercury
No. 33 overall (3rd round): Ashley Owusu, Penn State — Dallas Wings

Penn State's Lambert-Smith enters transfer portal

Penn State's offense has taken a significant hit. KeAndre Lambert-Smith, the team's leading receiver from the 2023 season, has entered his name into the transfer portal. On3's Pete Nakos reported the news on Monday.

News of Lambert-Smith's departure comes after Penn State completed its spring game on Saturday. The Nittany Lions concluded last year with a 10-3 record.

Lambert-Smith finished the 2023 campaign with 673 yards and four touchdowns on 53 receptions. For his career, the receiver has hauled in 126 passes for 1,721 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Part of the reason for Lambert-Smith's decision might be because of the staff change. Coach James Franklin decided to move on from Mike Yurcich and brought in former Kansas staffer Andy Kotelnicki to be the next offensive coordinator.

Penn State finished the season with the Big Ten's top scoring offense, averaging 36.2 points per game. But the Nittany Lions' offense came up empty in losses to Ohio State (20-12) and Michigan (24-15).

Michigan's Robinson reportedly arrested

Former Michigan quarterback and current assistant director of player personnel Denard Robinson was reportedly arrested on an OWI charge at approximately 3 a.m. on Monday. Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News reported the news.

Robinson was involved in a single-vehicle accident in Ann Arbor early Monday morning. Police arrested the former Michigan quarterback after arriving at the scene.

Michigan coach Sherrone Moore issued a statement following the report.

"We are aware of an incident involving Denard Robinson and have suspended him indefinitely," Moore said. "We will continue to monitor the situation and will have no further comment at this time."

Robinson played at Michigan from 2009-12 and gained popularity across the nation for his dual-threat style. During his career with the Wolverines, he threw for 6,250 yards and 49 touchdowns and rushed for 4,495 yards and an additional 42 touchdowns.

Robinson joined Michigan's football staff as the assistant director of player personnel in 2022.

Penn State's Lambert-Smith enters transfer portal

Michigan's Robinson reportedly arrested

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