Ahead of Monday’s WNBA draft, ESPN women’s basketball analyst Andraya Carter assessed Alabama’s draft prospects in the pre-draft media zoom on Thursday.
Sarah Ashlee Barker — guard
Barker averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game this season. Her program record 45-point game against Maryland in the 2025 NCAA Tournament is the best scoring performance from an SEC player in postseason history.
Last Friday, Barker received an invitation to attend the draft in New York City. This indicates that Barker is high on teams’ draft boards and has a solid chance of being selected in the first round.
Carter spoke with Barker last week in Tampa, and was shocked to see how much Barker has physically grown since the two last met in person over five years ago.
“I haven’t seen her in person since maybe her freshman year at Georgia,” Carter said. “Seeing her in Tampa over the weekend, I even told her, ‘You’re a lot bigger than I thought you were.’ She has a big strong frame, and I think the competitive edge that she plays with will be appealing.”
Carter also praised Barker for playing with a chip on her shoulder and not being afraid to take contact or dive on the floor.
Aaliyah Nye — guard
Nye became Alabama’s all-time 3-point leader in just three seasons with 293. This season, she averaged 15.2 points and 3.4 made 3-pointers a game while shooting 45.5% from behind the arc.
She finished runner up in this year’s Celsius Women’s 3-Point Championship in San Antonio. Her 23-point performance in the second round was the highest score of the day and garnered a strong reaction in the arena.
Carter said that she is impressed by Nye’s career at Alabama and that she is one of the top shooters in the draft.
“The ability to knock down shots and stretch the floor with her size is appealing,” Carter said.
Zaay Green — guard
In her seventh and final year of eligibility, Green averaged 15.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists.
Green’s collegiate career began at Tennessee. Carter, a Lady Volunteer basketball alum, said she had followed Green throughout her career.
“She’s very long, has good size and is an aggressive shot hunter,” Carter said, adding that Green is great at getting downhill and attacking the basket.
The 2025 WNBA draft will be held Monday at The Shed in New York City. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the draft picks live on ESPN, which will provide exclusive draft coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT.
