-
1 of 10
-
2 of 10
-
3 of 10
-
4 of 10
-
5 of 10
-
6 of 10
-
7 of 10
-
8 of 10
-
9 of 10
-
10 of 10
Greco’s future uncertain after draft cancelled
Archive
Comments
Story
Wednesday was supposed to be the day that Michelle Greco turned
pro.
After a career at UCLA that placed her on the all-time top 10
lists in 11 different categories, Greco is not planning on walking
off the hardwood anytime soon. The cancellation of the 2003 WNBA
draft, however, has left a bit of a kink in her post-UCLA
plans.
Without a collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA
Player’s Association and the league itself, the draft for the
upcoming season was cancelled earlier this week. If an agreement
cannot be reached by Friday, the 2003 WNBA season will not go
forward.
Understandably, the environment for college seniors hoping to
transition into the professional arena has become exceedingly
difficult this year as coaches and owners are more concerned with
the league’s future than the now-cancelled draft.
“For graduating seniors there aren’t a lot of camps
or workout sessions I can do because the season’s on the
line,” Greco said. “As far as proving yourself in that
sense there’s nothing you can really do.”
Traditionally, professional coaches visit colleges or bring
players to a central location to watch them in practice and in game
play. With the possibility of next season collapsing, however, that
has not been the top priority for most league executives.
In addition to seniors’ difficulties in being visible to
coaches, college players will be competing for spots with veterans
from two folded WNBA teams, Portland and Miami, who will be
included in a dispersal draft.
UCLA women’s basketball head coach Kathy Olivier still has
hope for Greco, who played under her tutelage for five years.
“If a team needs a shooting guard, Michelle will be up
with the best of them,” Olivier said. “She’ll do
a great job with whatever someone throws at her, and I think
that’s what makes her special. Someone would be crazy not to
take her.”
Greco hasn’t given up on her plan to go pro either,
although the effects of her unknown basketball future are
evident.
“It’s really frustrating,” Greco said.
“Everything’s up in the air, rosters are really full
right now. … I’ll just take it all in stride.”
That might mean moving on to Plan B and playing in Italy, where
Greco has relatives, or elsewhere overseas.
“I want to travel, see the world, and I can’t think
of a better way to do so than to play basketball and get
paid,” Greco said.
But along with many other college seniors, Greco is hoping that
the collective bargaining agreement is resolved by Friday, and the
WNBA season proceeds as scheduled.
“I just want a chance,” Greco said.
Elizabeth Newman, Daily Bruin (U. California-Los Angeles)