The Fever downsized their roster this week with the surprising cut of former lottery pick Emily Engstler ahead of training camp.
With the WNBA draft Now in the rearview mirror, attention now turns to the start of WNBA training camp which begins April 30. Teams are allowed to have a maximum of 20 players in camp and must reduce the regular season roster to no more than 12 players. Due to salary cap restrictions, some teams only have 11 players in the season. The issue of limited roster spots and possible expansion has been a hot topic in WNBA circles, with many talented college players facing challenges playing in the league. Lottery picks aren’t even safe from being cut and the Indiana fever showed that this week with their decision to cut Emily Engstler.
We waived forward Emily Engstler.
???? https://t.co/mOQZWiHoGR pic.twitter.com/KVlKdRvQFk
– Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) April 26, 2023
In the WNBA, the top four draft picks are considered a lottery and Emily Engstler was selected with the No. 4 overall pick by Fever in the 2022 draft. She was supposed to be part of a solid young core that Fever is rallying around the No. 1 selection in the 2023 draft, Aliyah Boston.
Last season as a rookie, Engstler averaged 5.2 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocked shots with shooting splits of 39.6 percent on shooting since the field, 35.6 percent shooting from the three-point line and 55.3 percent shooting from the open court. cast the line. Although Engstler is capable of being a productive WNBA player, there is no guarantee she will be picked up by another team due to the roster shortage situation.
Engstler began her college career at Syracuse where she played for three seasons before transferring to Louisville. She was eligible to use her COVID extra year of eligibility, but opted to enter the WNBA draft.
