Shock Drafts Baylor's Odyssey Sims

The Tulsa Shock might not have had the first pick, but it came out of the 2014 WNBA Draft with the best player.

With the second overall pick in Monday's draft, the Shock made a move that likely gives it the top young backcourt in the league by selecting Baylor guard Odyssey Sims.

The Connecticut Sun filled a need with versatile forward Chiney Ogwumike with the top pick, which was fortuitous for Tulsa, as Sims now joins last year's first-round pick Skylar Diggins for a potential dynamic duo.

Sims averaged 28.5 points, 4.7 assists, 4.6 rebounds and two steals per game as a senior at Baylor, resulting in her earning the 2014 Wade Trophy as the national player of the year.

"Odyssey is a terrific guard that can play point guard and shooting guard," Shock coach Fred Williams said. "She is a fast paced, efficient shooter who is tough to defend on the floor. She is a special talent that will help get our team to the next level. I look for an exciting rookie season from Odyssey and I'm excited to have her in Tulsa."

Sims finished her collegiate career with 1,054 points, ranking second in NCAA history.

"Odyssey had a tremendous college career and we are excited she was there with the second pick," said Shock president Steve Swetoha. "She's a proven winner and a leader that will add another dimension to our current roster of guards for the upcoming season."

The Shock made a potential impact move in the second round, as well, selecting 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year Jordan Hooper from Nebraska.  

The 6-foot-2 forward was named a first-team All-American by the WBCA, a second-team AP All-American, a Wooden Award Finalist and a two-time Wade Trophy finalist.

She's a versatile threat who can help the Shock in a number of ways. She finished sixth in Big Ten history in scoring (2,357) and ninth in rebounding (1,110), while ranking No. 2 all-time at Nebraska in points and rebounds and No. 1 in school history in 3-pointers (295).

She averaged 20.4 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game and shot 43.7 percent from the field as a senior for the Huskers.

"I am very excited about Jordan joining our team, she is a winner," Williams said. "I look forward to working with her on the basketball court. We will help our transition game with her high percentage shooting and post-up game."

In the third and final round, Tulsa made LSU's Theresa Plaisance the No. 27 overall selection. Plaisance, a 6-foot-5 forward, was an All-SEC selection the past two seasons and was the only player in the conference to rank in the top 10 in points, rebounds and blocks.

Plaisance finished her senior season averaging 15.3 points per game, 7.9 rebounds per game and shot 42.4 percent from the field.

"Plaisance is a big post who has been All-SEC First-Team as a junior and senior," Swetoha said. "She gives us an additional presence in the post area at 6'5" and comes from a great conference in the SEC."

The Shock open training camp on April 27 and the home season opener is May 23 at the BOK Center.