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2020 WNBA Draft: League Will Hold Virtual Draft on April 17th

By Justin Phillips

LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 14: Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the Oregon Ducks moves the ball in the second quarter against Long Beach State at Walter Pyramid on December 14, 2019 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images)
LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 14: Sabrina Ionescu #20 of the Oregon Ducks moves the ball in the second quarter against Long Beach State at Walter Pyramid on December 14, 2019 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /
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While the sports world is at a standstill over the coronavirus, the WNBA will practice social distancing with a ‘virtual’ WNBA Draft on the scheduled date of April 17th.

Spring and summer sports are now at a standstill and Fall Sports are still trying to see what can be done to save their respective seasons. The NFL seems to be going on with a ‘business as usual’ feel as Free Agency is in effect and the NFL Draft is just around the corner. The WNBA is taking precautions and will hold their draft on April 17th.

Social Distancing will be in full effect as players will be appearing live ‘from wherever they are’ as they are picked according to the New York Times. As it has been in the past, the WNBA Draft has been a mainstay on ESPN2 in recent years, but following the announcement that this would again be the case, fans and players took to social media for a change to ESPN since the reality of the situation warranted the outcry.

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With the coronavirus, there are no live sports anywhere and why wouldn’t you put a live sports event on your main network. ESPN decided it was the right move.

Despite not finishing the season, the Oregon Women’s Basketball team received a lot of national attention throughout the past season. Sabrina Ionescu returned to complete unfinished business that unfortunately will remain unfinished. She is moving forward with her professional career. Ionescu is expected to be the number one pick of the 2020 WNBA Draft and fans of sports around the country will have a chance to celebrate not only her, but one of the best teams in the country this past season.

Earlier this month in speaking with Kelly Graves he said some players left school to be with their families and with several international players on the roster, including Satou Sabally, the virtual platform should be unique to watch unfold.

The WNBA Draft is set for Friday, April 17th on ESPN.