The Windy City is not finished with Northwestern’s All-Big Ten center Amy Jaeschke. The Chicago Sky chose Jaeschke in the third round of the WNBA draft Monday afternoon.
“There was a lot of anxiety so I’m just happy I got drafted and even more happy that I got drafted to a Chicago team,” Jaeschke said.
The senior watched with her parents in their living room as two rounds of the three-round draft passed with no mention of the Wilmette, Ill., native. Finally, with the 27th overall pick, the Sky chose to make Wildcat history by drafting NU’s first-ever WNBA player.
“We were frankly surprised that Amy was still there at pick 27, “ Chicago Sky Assistant Coach Jeff House said. “We were looking for players that have the right type of mindset, that are hard workers, that will continue to get better and also are multidimensional.”
House said Jaeschke fulfilled all their requirements and the fact that she comes from the Chicago area was just a bonus.
“I think the draft speaks volumes for Amy and how she has been able to grow as a player and a person, and also the way she has helped elevate our program in so many ways,” said Northwestern women’s basketball Head Coach Joe McKeown.
Amy has already bid Welsh-Ryan Arena farewell, but the 14 miles to Allstate Arena, home of the Chicago Sky, can hardly be considered a long haul.
“It’s really nice to know that I will have family and friends for support as I go through training camp trying to make the team,” Jaeschke said. “So many people will be able to watch me play. It’s really that hometown feeling.”
McKeown agrees adding that it’s just like a Chicago baseball player being drafted by the Cubs.
“It’s just awesome, I’m really proud of her,” he said.
With training camp beginning within the next month, Jaeschke’s goal in securing a WNBA roster spot has barely started.
“The Northwestern program has really instilled such a competitive mindset, but she’s going to find that the speed of the game and the physical nature of the game is at a level higher then she’s used to. She is going to have to adjust to that right away,” House said.
Another adjustment Jaeschke will need to make is a smaller roster. Increased budget concerns caused the WNBA to decrease roster sizes from 13 to 11 in 2009.
“There just aren’t that many roster spots,” McKeown said. “In some ways, the WNBA is harder than the NBA in that regard.”
Jaeschke knows what she needs to improve to get a spot on the roster.
“I definitely have to prove to people I can run up and down the floor,” she said. “I just really need to work hard.”
Even with these difficulties, McKeown says there is “no question” that Jaeschke’s WNBA bid will increase exposure to the Northwestern program.
“When you are a program that’s been really down, to have back-to-back winning seasons and to have a First Team All-Conference player drafted in the WNBA just says so much,” McKeown said. “Number one, it shows how much Amy’s meant, and number two, it shows the progress we’ve made and the way people look at our program.”