Naz Makes It Official
She's not using her COVID year, will head to the WNBA. Best of luck to her.
Got this thread title from Bleacher Report. Good luck Naz.
Strange, considering the only thing you can usually get from Bleacher Report is an STD.
Explains MeanJoe07's love of that site.
Can't blame her but one would think -- or hope -- that someone could put together an NIL deal for her that will pay her more than the WNBA will.
We keep talking about these players like their primary goal is to get paid as much as possible next year. If she’s passionate about playing at the highest level, then no amount of money (except generational wealth) would make her stay. Staying in college probably feels like choosing to stay on the JV team in high school because someone offered you a relatively small amount of money to do that. NIL should be a non-factor most of the time when it comes to keeping our best or most competitive players.
March 30th, 2022 at 10:12 AM ^
but good points!
Does that NIL deal last as long as what she thinks her WNBA career will last if she gets hurt?
Such an incredibly short-sided take.
That NIL deal stuff works for student-athletes who are fringe pros or actually gain something from coming back to school (like improved draft stock).
It makes sense for Donovan Jeter, who is probably an UFA and could start this year and work his way into the draft. You can make an argument that it makes sense if Dickinson or Diabate if the argument is...you're not a 1st rounder and if you come back for another year you could easily be in the lottery of the 23 Draft.
Then it's just a risk/reward situation and they're still getting paid in the meantime.
NIL does nothing for Naz. If she wanted to come back it would solely be because she just loves college that much and wants another shot at a Final Four. Which to me, isn't worth the risk...especially when you just made history.
They can buy insurance for injury. A few NFL players did it in college and when they got hurt they got paid but yet still got to go play in the NFL.
proving once again that there are zero michigan roster discussions that can't be steered into a discussion of michigan's NIL efforts, or (more typically) a perceived / preconceived lack thereof.
WNBA players often make quite a bit more than their WNBA salaries playing in other professional leagues during the off-season. That's how Brittney Griner ended up in a Russian airport at just the wrong time.
I admit I had hoped she would take the COVID year anyway, but it makes a lot of sense for her to move on and start her professional career. Best of luck for her.
That’s a good point. For Naz’ sake, I hope she has a great WNBA career AND her side gig does not involve Russian airports.
I’m not sure if timing played much of a factor. That’s just Russia.
Russia has had a Do Not Travel Advisory from the US Department of State since at least mid-2021 for "Terrorism, kidnapping, risk of civil unrest and abuse by authorities".
It's sad that people with no real influence on events get caught up in these sick games, but it wasn't hard to see something like this coming. Hoping for the best for her and, of course, every war victim and other political prisoners.
Godspeed.
Naz is like...
March 30th, 2022 at 10:31 AM ^
I'm out for presidents to represent me
Thanks for choosing Michigan! It’s great to be a Wolverine.
I love it. What a phenomenal player and person.
March 30th, 2022 at 10:46 AM ^
I hope she has a long and successful professional career.
March 30th, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^
Serious question, is she going to be a top pick without having a shot?
I’ve never quite understood how she can look good from the free throw line but not shoot anything outside of the paint.
March 30th, 2022 at 12:38 PM ^
good question, what is her position in the WNBA? they list her at 6' 2". is that 'big' in that league? a 3 or a 4? she's not a ball handler or a 3 pt threat, so where does that leave her?
Probably an undersized 4 who can still rebound and guard with the best of people. Will have to develop an outside shot according to everything I've read, but Naz has an incredible work ethic and has a good stroke from the free throw line so I'd be surprised if she can't make it work.
I think I saw that she’s projected to be a top 5 pick
March 30th, 2022 at 12:31 PM ^
Good luck, Naz!
Thanks, Naz. Good luck & Go Blue!
Michigan Legend. Always conducted herself with dignity, class, and a healthy dose of kick-ass. Her work is done here. Go kill it in the League.
I had not watched much women's hoops until this year. She was such a fine player. And she represented the University extremely well. Happy for her and wish her the best at the next level.
No official announcement from Naz or the Women's team. Strange. I'm wondering if it's like declaring for NBA without hiring an agent and she can still change her mind.
It's official, here's an Angelique Chengelis tweet from hours ago:
https://twitter.com/chengelis/status/1509158481839935491?t=20xbY9ewc_jBF_GX7tHs3Q&s=19
March 31st, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
And here's the Tweet from Naz herself:
https://twitter.com/nazhillmon/status/1509540354839752706?t=hafQsFww6a_aNXbt-oxdIQ&s=19