The Louisville forward, who grew up on Roosevelt Island, was selected No. 4 in the draft by Indiana Fever in the WNBA 2022 draft on Monday night in Tribeca. Engstler, 21, becomes the first New York player to be selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft after Tina Charles (No. 1 overall) and Epiphany Prince (No. 4 overall) were selected by Connecticut Sun and Chicago Sky. , respectively, in 2010. Emily Engstler (left) sits next to Commissioner Kathy Engelbert, having been selected to No. 4 in the General Effort Fever. APEmily EngstlerAP “I was a little up there for a second because I think everything hit me right away,” Engstler told reporters when asked about mobilization in her hometown. “It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I am very grateful and I feel very blessed “. Engstler is part of a Fever team that finished with the worst record in the league last season with 6-26. But Fever made four selections in the first round, also adding Baylor forward NaLyssa Smith at No. 2, Stanford guard Lexie Hull at No. 6 and Baylor Queen Egbo center at No. 10. Emily Engstler reacts after being selected at number 4 in the general draft in Fever. AP “I think the reconstruction is okay,” Engstler said. “It has to be done and I am really grateful to be a part of it.” The 6-foot-1 Engstler meets Indiana’s need for size and defense as it averaged 2.7 steals and 1.8 blocks for Louisville last season. “I think defense has to do with passion,” Engstler told ESPN after his election. “I think I bring it to my game. “You are good at things you love to do and I like to play defense.” Engstler, who played her high school ball at Christ the King and St. Francis Prep, comes leading the Cardinals to the Final Four after the transfer from Syracuse. He averaged 11.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 37.6 percent three-pointers for the Cardinals last season. Engstler was moved when asked about Marilyn’s mom and her sister Daniel who helped her get better in off-season. Oygon Nyara Sabally was selected by Liberty in the first round.AP “I would not be here without them,” he told ESPN. “It was a very long journey. I love them. He was always there for me. “ Engstler took a position before Liberty’s hometown was scheduled to take No. 5. New York selected Oregon striker Nyara Sabally. Atlanta Dream made Kentucky guard Ryan Howard the No. 1 overall pick.
