WNBA Draft 2024: Jaz Shelley Selected by Phoenix in the Third Round

After a sensational postseason, Jaz Shelley starting rising up draft boards. It is not hard to see why she is going to get a shot in the WNBA. Shelley is not only a clutch scorer, but a terrific passer and rebounder. She is a smart, smart player who can morph her role to fit team needs.

Not only that, but she showed great leadership and is a very likable personality.

From the Nebraska athletic department:

Shelley follows 2014 Big Ten Player of the Year and first-team All-American Jordan Hooper, who was the No. 13 overall pick as the first pick of the second round by the Tulsa Shock. Hooper went on to spend four seasons in the WNBA as part of her nine-year professional career. Shelley becomes the seventh Nebraska graduate and ninth former Husker overall to be chosen in the WNBA Draft. She was one of three Australians and one of seven Big Ten Conference players selected in the 36-player draft.

Shelley finished her college basketball career with 1660 points (1364 at Nebraska) and 305 made three-pointers. She also grabbed 582 rebounds and 215 steals. She had 657 assists, many of which were her patented no-look pass to the basket. As a 5’9” guard, she also blocked 68 shots.

Here is a portion of the Honors and Awards section from her Huskers.com bio:

• Naismith Trophy Watch List (2022-23, 2023-24)
• Wooden Award Watch List (2023-24)
• Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Watch List (2023, 2024)
• Women’s College All-Star Game Watch List (2024)
• All-Big Ten (First Team, 2023; Second Team, 2022, 2024)
• Big Ten All-Tournament Team (2024)
• Preseason First-Team All-Big Ten (2024)
• Big Ten All-Defensive Team (Media, 2022)
• Nebraska Team MVP (2023)
• Nebraska Big Ten Tournament Record, Points (82, 2024)
• Nebraska Big Ten Tournament Record, Assists (34, 2024)
• Nebraska Big Ten Tournament Record, 3FGM (16, 2024)
• Nebraska & Big Ten Tournament 3FGM Game Record vs. Illinois (9, March 3, 2022)
• Only Husker in History with Two Triple-Doubles (vs. UNC Wilmingtong with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists, Dec. 5, 2023 and vs. North Carolina Central with14 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, Nov. 21, 2021)
• 13 Double-Doubles (3, 2023-24; 4, 2022-23; 6, 2021-22)

She has been one of the most impactful transfers for Nebraska WBB. Best of luck Ms. Shelley as you head off to the desert!

Nebraska Graduates in the WNBA Draft

2024 - Jaz Shelley, 3rd Round (No. 29 Overall), Phoenix Mercury

2014 - Jordan Hooper, 2nd Round (No. 13 Overall), Tulsa Shock

2013 - Lindsey Moore, 1st Round (No. 12 Overall), Minnesota Lynx

2010 - Kelsey Griffin, 1st Round (No. 3 Overall), Minnesota Lynx

2010 - Cory Montgomery, 3rd Round (No. 25 Overall), New York Liberty

2007 - Kiera Hardy, 3rd Round (No. 39 Overall), Connecticut Sun

2000 - Nicole Kubik, 1st Round (No. 15 Overall), LA Sparks

2024 WNBA Draft

First Round

1. Caitlin Clark, 6-0, Iowa - Indiana Fever

2. Cameron Brink, 6-4, Stanford - LA Sparks

3. Kamilla Cardoso, 6-7, South Carolina - Chicago Sky

4. Rickea Jackson, 6-2, Tennessee - LA Sparks

5. Jacy Sheldon, 5-10, Ohio State - Dallas Wings

6. Aaliyah Edwards, 6-3, UConn - Washington Mystics

7. Angel Reese, 6-3, LSU - Chicago Sky

8. Alissa Pili, 6-2, Utah - Minnesota Lynx

9. Carla Leite, 5-9, France - Dallas Wings

10. Leila Lecan, 5-11, France - Connecticut Sun

11. Marquesha Davis, 6-0, Ole Miss - New York Liberty

12. Nyadiew Puoch, 6-1, Australia - Atlanta Dream

Second Round

13. Brynna Maxwell, 6-0, Gonzaga - Chicago Sky

14. Nika Muhl, 5-11, UConn - Seattle Storm

15. Celeste Taylor, 5-11, Ohio State - Indiana Fever

16. Dyaisha Fair, 5-5, Syracuse - Las Vegas Aces

17. Esmery Martinez, 6-2, Arizona - New York Liberty

18. Kate Martin, 6-0, Iowa - Las Vegas Aces

19. Taiyanna Jackson, 6-6, Kansas - Connecticut Sun

20. Isobel Borlase, 5-11, Australia - Atlanta Dream

21. Kaylynne Truong, 5-8, Gonzaga - Washington Mystics

22. Helena Pueyo, 6-0, Arizona - Connecticut Sun

23. Jessika Carter, 6-5, Mississippi State - New York Liberty

24. Elizabeth Kitley, 6-6, Virginia Tech - Las Vegas Aces

Third Round

25. Charisma Osborne, 5-9, UCLA, Phoenix Mercury

26. Mackenzie Holmes, 6-3, Indiana - Seattle Storm

27. Leilani Correa, 6-0, Florida - Indiana Fever

28. McKenzie Forbes, 6-0, USC - LA Sparks

29. Jaz Shelley, 5-9, Nebraska - Phoenix Mercury

30. Nastja Claessens, 6-0, Belgium - Washington Mystics

31. Kiki Jefferson, 6-1, Louisville - Minnesota Lynx

32. Matilde Villa, 5-7, Italy - Atlanta Dream

33. Ashley Owusu, 6-0, Penn State - Dallas Wings

34. Abbey Hsu, 5-11, Columbia - Connecticut Sun

35. Kaitlyn Davis, 6-2, USC - New York Liberty

36. Angel Jackson, 6-6, Jackson State - Las Vegas Aces