UNCASVILLE — Jewell Loyd is the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft.
Loyd, who was chosen by the Seattle Storm on Thursday night, decided to skip her final season at Notre Dame and enter this year’s draft. She’s the first Irish player to be taken with the top pick.
Fellow underclassmen Amanda Zahui B. was taken by Tulsa with the second pick. Minnesota’s red-shirt sophomore and Loyd were eligible to be drafted because they turn 22 during this calendar year.
Seattle took UConn forward Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis third, Connecticut Sun selected 6-foot-3 center Elizabeth Williams of Duke fourth, and Chicago took 6-foot-4 forward Cheyenne Parker of Middle Tennessee State fifth.
One of UConn’s other stars was taken in the first round: center Kiah Stokes was selected 11th by the New York Liberty.
The ceremony was held at the Mohegan Sun for the second straight year. Training camps open May 17, and the WNBA’s 19th season tips off on June 5.
