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Naz Hillmon is highest Michigan women’s player picked in WNBA draft

By Chris Peterson

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - MARCH 19: Naz Hillmon #00 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after making a basket and getting fouled during the first half of a Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament First Round game against the American Eagles at Crisler Arena on March 19, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - MARCH 19: Naz Hillmon #00 of the Michigan Wolverines reacts after making a basket and getting fouled during the first half of a Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament First Round game against the American Eagles at Crisler Arena on March 19, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /
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Naz Hillmon made history again on Monday night becoming the highest Michigan women’s basketball player selected in the WNBA draft. 

Throughout her career with the Michigan women’s basketball team, Naz Hillmon has made history. Heck, she’s the first Michigan basketball player (man or woman) to reach 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in her career.

Michigan basketball fans have gotten used to watching their favorite Wolverines in the NBA over the years, and now they can do the same with Hillmon, who was selected 15th overall by the Atlanta Dream on Monday night in the WNBA draft, becoming the highest selection ever for the women’s program.

Here’s what ESPN wrote about her selection by Atlanta in the second round:

"“A tireless worker who’s coachable and willing to do the little things, Hillmon’s low-post game and instincts as a rebounder are exceptional. The question is how her size at 6-2 translates professionally.”"

Not only was Hillmon an incredibly productive scorer and rebounder for Michigan, she also led the Wolverines to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances, as well as the Elite 8 this past season.

She will go to an Atlanta team that went 8-24 last season and had the second-worst record in the WNBA. The Dream have had a busy night so far in the draft as they traded up to the No. 1 overall pick and selected Rhyne Howard out of Kentucky.

Much like the NBA draft, getting selected in the second round makes it more difficult to make a WNBA roster and Hillmon has questions about her ability to score away from the basket.

Yet, she’s got size and a proven ability to score inside. Being surrounded by professional talent should benefit her, but she’ll also need to expand her game if she wants to stick.

Either way, she’s the greatest women’s player in Michigan history and it’s been a pleasure to watch her in the Maize and Blue.

Now, we’ll hopefully get the chance to watch her this summer in the WNBA.

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