WNBA draft: Maddy Siegrist picked No. 3 overall by Dallas Wings

NEW YORK — On Monday night, Villanova’s Maddy Siegrist was picked third overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2023 WNBA draft.

Siegrist is the first City 6 women’s basketball player drafted in six years, and her No. 3 pick is the highest ever for a City 6 women’s basketball player. The next highest is Temple’s Candice Dupree, who went sixth in 2006.

Before Siegrist, South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston was selected No. 1 overall by the Indiana Fever, followed by Diamond Miller at No. 2 to the Minnesota Lynx.

Siegrist originally was projected to be selected by the Wings with the fifth overall pick. But after a successful NCAA Tournament and some concern from Dallas that the Washington Mystics could take her at No. 4, the Wings used their first pick on her instead.

Siegrist’s draft stock rose considerably this season after she broke the Villanova and Big East all-time scoring records en route to being named the Big East Player of the Year and a first-team All-American.

The 6-foot-2 forward is seen as a true scorer who is ready to make an impact as a rookie, and Dallas president Greg Bibb said Thursday that Siegrist is “flat out one of the best players in the draft.”

Siegrist will help Dallas support the core that it has been forming during its rebuild over the last few seasons. The Wings have a strong group of guards led by Arike Ogunbowale, Diamond DeShields, and Crystal Dangerfield. But with some injuries and inconsistencies at the small forward position, Siegrist likely will be given the opportunity to provide a scoring spark off the bench.

“I’ll play any position they need me to play,” Siegrist said. “Fortunately at Villanova, we played five out, so I’ve played one through five. I’ll do whatever they need.”

Throughout her career, her work ethic and passion for the game have been the things that have stood out the most to her coaches and teammates. Villanova head coach Denise Dillon has continuously lauded the work that Siegrist puts in at practice and beyond.

Siegrist is a highly efficient scorer, but her all-around game is what makes her so dangerous. She has a high basketball IQ that allows her to fit into virtually any system.

“I think I have a really high motor,” Siegrist said of what makes her a good fit. “Just constantly moving without the ball. Moving on both sides of the ball, offense and defense. Going after offensive rebounds and just trying to draw some hustle plays.”

The biggest difference for Siegrist in the WNBA? Less double teams.

During her time at Villanova, Siegrist was No. 1 on the scouting report for opposing defenses. Siegrist saw endless double and triple teams almost every time down the court. She was still able to score at a highly efficient rate, averaging 29.2 points per game on 51.0% shooting this year. But with different rules in the WNBA, and the fact that she will not be the No. 1 scoring option, Siegrist will be able to play freely.

“USA this summer for three-on-three,” Siegrist said with a laugh of the last time she was not double-teamed. “But before that, probably sophomore year.”

With her parents and three siblings in attendance, Siegrist had a dream come true when her name was called on Monday night. Siegrist has leaned on her family throughout her career, especially her father, George, who played Division I basketball at Marist.

“I was holding onto his hand for dear life just waiting to hear my name called,” Siegrist said. “My family is the most important thing to me in the world. I would not be here without them.”

Coming out of high school with minimal high major offers and former Villanova head coach Harry Perretta telling her that she was likely not going to see much playing time as a freshman, this moment seemed far-fetched.

“It was probably halfway through my college career when I realized I could play in the WNBA,” Siegrist said. “It wasn’t until this year that I realized, ‘Oh, I could get picked pretty high.’ I just never thought that far ahead.”

Siegrist played four years at Villanova before forgoing her fifth year of eligibility to declare for the draft after the NCAA Tournament. The senior left a mark on the community at Villanova, and it is clear that Villanova left a mark on her as well.

“I love Villanova,” Siegrist said. “That will be home forever. … It’s such a family, such a community. Just knowing that I’m gonna have that with me for the rest of my life definitely makes [leaving] a little easier.

“Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, and I felt like God opened a door and it was time for me to walk through.”