When the Los Angeles Sparks selected Rae Burrell in the first round of the WNBA draft on Monday evening, it reflected her perseverance and commitment to Tennessee.
When Burrell, a native of Las Vegas, arrived on campus in the summer of 2018, she was in a signing class of four that included three McDonald’s All-Americans as freshman teammates. Fast-forward four years, and Burrell was the only one remaining at Tennessee. Her former classmates transferred in either 2019 or 2020 after the coaching change from Holly Warlick to Kellie Harper.
Harper attended the draft in New York City with Burrell and her parents and took video on her phone when Burrell’s name was called at Spring Studios in Tribeca.
“I just really appreciate her support,” Burrell said. “She’s been there for me through a lot of adversity, and I appreciate that. Her support tonight means a lot.”
All three of Burrell’s former classmates have one more year of college before taking their shot at the WNBA. Burrell, a projected first round draft pick before her senior year even started, eschewed her extra year granted by the NCAA because of pandemic disruptions and stayed with her plan to become a pro after graduation.
The Sparks made it official by taking Burrell with their only first round pick at No. 9.
“Rae is who we circled and watched closely all four years at Tennessee,” Sparks Head Coach Derek Fisher said. “You never know on draft night if the player you had circled the whole time, you’re going to have the opportunity to draft, but we are excited that that’s how it worked out.”
The Sparks stuck with Burrell despite an injury that wiped out nearly one third of her senior season after she hurt her knee in the opening game in November. Burrell eased her way back in January and regained her stride in March. She finished her career with 1,131 points and has the versatility, especially the ability to defend one-on-one, that pro scouts like.
“Rae Burrell is a physically gifted player with a high motor who worked very hard to put herself in position to be selected in the WNBA Draft,” Harper said. “She is an intense competitor who had to overcome an unfortunate injury suffered early during her senior season. We’re proud of the development Rae made during her time at Tennessee and look forward to watching her continue to blossom in her professional career.”
The Lady Vols’ social media accounts referred Monday evening to Burrell as “LA Rae,” and the Sparks picked up on it, too. It’s a fitting landing spot as Burrell was a frequent visitor to Los Angeles while growing up in Las Vegas – she referred to the two as “neighbors” – and she has a realistic shot to contribute as a rookie this summer.
Several years ago, The New York Times published a story outlining why the toughest professional roster to make is the WNBA. Drafted college players are competing with older veterans, experienced young players and international talent on rosters capped at 12 for 12 teams. (By contrast, the NBA has 30 teams.) More than 100 college players declared for the WNBA draft in 2022; only 36 were taken over three rounds.
Burrell became the 45th Tennessee player all-time to be drafted by the WNBA, which began play in 1997. The first player ever drafted by the WNBA also was a former Lady Vol in Dena Head, who played from 1988-1992 and was drafted No. 1 in 1997 by the now-defunct Utah Starzz. The late Daedra Charles was drafted No. 8 in 1997 – by the Los Angeles Sparks.
Burrell also became the 50th Tennessee player all-time to be connected to the WNBA because some undrafted players get invites to training camps or join a team mid-season due to injury. It didn’t stay 50 for long as Alexus Dye, who played one year at Tennessee as a graduate transfer, signed a training camp contract Tuesday with the Connecticut Sun.
Burrell, dressed to the nines for the event – professional drafts can be as much fashion show as sports for women and men – maintained her composure while waiting to hear her name.
“My heart was beating almost out of my chest,” Burrell said. “I was trying to focus on my breathing because I didn’t want to freak out. I was just overwhelmed with joy and happiness that my name was called. I just feel so blessed to be in this position.”
Maria M. Cornelius, a writer/editor at Moxley Carmichael since 2013, started her journalism career at the Knoxville News Sentinel and began writing about the Lady Vols in 1998. In 2016, she published her first book, “The Final Season: The Perseverance of Pat Summitt,” through The University of Tennessee Press. She can be reached at mmcornelius23@gmail.com.