Reranking the Class of 2017 in women’s hoops
The espnW Hoopgurlz Class of 2017 was headlined by then-No. 1 prospect Megan Walker and then-No. 2 prospect Evina Westbrook, who both find themselves at UConn.
A few years later, half of the players in the top 10 have transferred to another school. Oh, and there’s a new No. 1.
We rerank the Class of 2017 knowing what we know now.
1. Chennedy Carter, G, Texas A&M
2017 rank: No. 6
Carter can leave after this season at Texas A&M to enter the WNBA, and she would be projected to be drafted right behind Sabrina Ionescu and Lauren Cox. She was a McDonald’s All-American in high school and has been nothing short of superb in her first two years in College Station, averaging 23.3 points per game as a sophomore and earning national freshman of the year honors in the 2017-18 season. Carter is a scoring machine and one of the most prolific players in the college game.
2. Satou Sabally, F, Oregon
2017 rank: No. 36
The German-born star has done nothing but impact the top-ranked Ducks since she arrived in Eugene. She has elevated her game each season, going from Pac-12 freshman of the year in 2018 to an all-Pac-12 honoree and an honorable mention All-American last season. Originally ranked the No. 36 prospect in 2017, Sabally averaged 16.6 points per game last season, shooting 50.5% from the floor and 41.1% from beyond the arc.
3. Kiana Williams, G, Stanford
2017 rank: No. 8
Williams was a fabulous prospect in the high school ranks who seemed to only get better with time. She has made an immediate impact at Stanford, starting in 62 of 71 games so far and averaging 12.4 points per game through her sophomore season. She shoots 41.9% from the floor and 80.4% from the line and nearly had a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio (169-to-85) last season.
4. Megan Walker, G, UConn
2017 rank: No. 1
Walker, the national player of the year out of Virginia in 2017, was sensational as a high schooler. However, she hasn’t put up the statistics that some other players have, largely because she was the fourth option on a Huskies team that featured All-Americans Katie Lou Samuelson and WNBA Rookie of the Year Napheesa Collier. Still, Walker has averaged 9.1 points per game in 68 games for perennial national championship contender UConn.
5. Evina Westbrook, G, Tennessee-UConn
2017 rank: No. 2
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Westbrook made the trip from Salem, Oregon, to Rocky Top, where she started in 64 games during her two-year stint in Knoxville. A dominant guard thus far in her career, Westbrook left Tennessee after a sophomore season in which she averaged 14.9 points and 5.3 assists. She transferred this offseason from Tennessee to UConn, but she won’t make an impact for Geno Auriemma’s Huskies until next season, after the NCAA denied a waiver that would have allowed her to play immediately.
6. Michaela Onyenwere, F, UCLA
2017 rank: No. 10
The most athletic prospect in the Class of 2017 has brought her high-flying act to Westwood and is flourishing. She broke out last season, averaging 18.3 points and 8.5 rebounds in 35 starts, becoming the fourth player in program history to score 600 points in a season and showing her potential as a human highlight reel.
7. Rennia Davis, F, Tennessee
2017 rank: No. 12
Davis has emerged as the leader on a Tennessee team with a new head coach, former Lady Vol Kelly Harper. Davis has made 62 starts in her two-year career in Knoxville, averaging 13.4 points per game on 46% shooting from the floor. She has also been consistent on the boards, bringing down 7.6 rebounds per game as a freshman and 7.7 as a sophomore.
8. Ana Llanusa, G, Oklahoma
2017 rank: No. 32
Llanusa has been on cruise control since she arrived in Norman, earning All-Big 12 freshman team and second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2018-19. Llanusa had a breakout year as a sophomore, averaging 18.3 points per game. Overall, she is a model of consistency, climbing from No. 32 in 2017 to the top 10.
9. Dana Evans, G, Louisville
2017 rank: No. 9
Evans’ dynamic speed in high school carried its way into college. She has been one of the most explosive backcourt guards in women’s college hoops and an integral part of Louisville’s success. Although she started just five of 36 games last season, Evans was the ACC sixth player of the year last season, averaging 25.9 minutes per game, fourth on the Cardinals. With Asia Durr now in the WNBA, Evans could break out even more as a junior.
10. Unique Thompson, F, Auburn
2017 rank: No. 74
Thompson has been a solid contributor to Auburn since her arrival, averaging 12.2 points and 10.3 rebounds on 56.3% shooting from the floor in her career. She is the biggest riser from the class, going from No. 74 to No. 10. She recorded 13 double-doubles last season after she was named to the All-SEC freshman team in the 2017-18 season.