Amy Jaeschke drafted by Chicago Sky in 3rd round of WNBA draft

NU senior center Amy Jaeschke was drafted by her hometown Chicago Sky with the third pick of the third round of today's WNBA draft, 27th overall. Jaeschke, an honorable mention All-American, becomes the first ever Wildcat to be drafted by the WNBA.

ESPN's scouting report of her reads: "Efficiency and smarts have been the biggest reason why Jaeschke helped turn the Northwestern into a contender. She can do a little bit of everything in the post, but was rarely dominant against elite competition."

WNBA blogger Nate Parham at SwishAppeal.com had this to add: 

Wows: Can score and do so with range as a 30% three point shooter as well as 3.2 blocks per game.

Wonders: How efficiently can she score in the post at the pro level? How will she make a team that just drafted Swords and already has Sylvia Fowles?

Worries: A question for a number prospects: if not looked upon as the primary scorer, how effective can she be?

Last month, Sky assistant coach Jeff House gave me this scouting report on Jaeschke:  "Amy averaged over 20 ppg and nearly 10 rpg, while shooting 50% from the field and 78% from the line, all facets of her game that will translate well at the pro level. Amy is an intimidating defensive specialist because of her ability to block shots (over three a game) and defensive rebound. Amy also holds the low block with authority and can finish in traffic."

The Sky, who play at Allstate Arena and finished 14-20 last season, have US national team star Sylvia Fowles manning the paint, but the competition to back her up at center appears wide open. Jaeschke will be battling Boston College center Carolyn Swords (the Sky's second round pick today) and veteran holdover Christi Thomas for second string minutes. Whoever loses that competition could get cut, as WNBA teams only carry 11-man rosters. The Sky tip off the 2011 regular season on June 4 at Indiana.

Jaeschke’s slide in the draft is somewhat disappointing, given that at least one projection had her going late in the first round. Still, she gets a shot to play close to home.

As for the top of the draft, the Minnesota Lynx, as expected, took Connecticut forward Maya Moore with the top overall pick. The Tulsa Shock then followed with Australian center Liz Cambage.

Of local/BigTen interest, Ohio State center Jantel Lavender went fifth overall to the Los Angeles Sparks, while Corey Wootton’s fiancée, DePaul guard Felicia Chester, was taken by Minnesota with the second pick of the 2nd round, 14th overall. Minnesota also took Iowa guard Kachine Alexander with the second pick of the 3rd round, 26th overall.