Florida State’s Adut Bulgak taken 12th overall by Liberty in WNBA Draft
Florida State center Adut Bulgak laughs during college basketball practice in the regional semifinals of the women's NCAA Tournament Friday, March 25, 2016, in Dallas, Texas. Credit: AP / LM Otero
UNCASVILLE, Conn. — The Liberty wasn’t in play for any of the big names in the WNBA Draft as they had the final pick in each of the three rounds.
Coach Bill Laimbeer, however, believes his team could have filled an important need Thursday night by drafting Florida State’s Adut Bulgak in the first round with the No. 12 overall pick.
“Adut gives us something we don’t have, a potential stretch four,” Laimbeer said. “We want to be able to pick up the pace. She is a good athlete, can get out and run with Brittany Boyd. And she is quietly physical for her stature.”
The 6-4 Bulgak spent two years at Florida State and played a big part in the school’s sudden rise to the upper tiers of college basketball. She averaged 12.7 points and 7.8 rebounds last year for the Seminoles.
Bulgak was thrilled to be taken by the Liberty as she tweeted: “This is really real. I’m going to New York baby” when her selection was announced.
In the second round, the Liberty drafted Ohio State guard Ameryst Alston. And in the third, they selected Georgia guard/forward Shacobia Barbee.
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
