Rising stars: Smith, Magbegor taken in first round of WNBA draft

Historically, the 2001 draft is still the best for Australia with Lauren Jackson, Penny Taylor, Kristen Veal and Jae Kingi all selected in the first 22 picks but at a time when elite girls are being chased by other sports, this draft is a timely reminder of what can be achieved in basketball.

Smith was raised in Melbourne but born in Hobart while her dad, Darren, was throwing down dunks for the then NBL club Hobart Devils, but on draft day she took centre stage with her proud dad watching in the background.

Brondello coached Smith and Magbegor on the Opals side who won the silver medal at the FIBA Women's World Cup last year and Smith's size, rebounding and shooting skills looked the perfect fit in Phoenix.

"My heart was pumping and I was so nervous to hear my name called out," Smith said from New York.

"This is a dream come true and what you aspire to do as a basketball player and that's play in the best league in the world.

"Dad is here in New York with me, it's amazing to experience this with him."

While Smith was still in the process of media and pictures that follows being selected, she heard the Storm call out Magbegor's name and beamed a bright smile for her Opals teammate.

"It was so, so awesome to see Ezi picked at 12 and have that expose for us as Australian basketball players," Smith said.

"She is a fantastic player and person and I know she will do well in Seattle."

In March last year Magbegor had to choose between becoming a professional and signing with WNBL club Melbourne Boomers or accepting a scholarship to US college powerhouse University of Connecticut.

Like Jackson and Liz Cambage, she opted to become a professional and part of that decision was that she would be eligible for the WNBA draft this year having played as an amateur in the WNBL the previous year with Canberra Capitals.

"The WNBA was definitely my goal when making that decision and weighing up the pros and cons," Magbegor said after watching the draft in Melbourne with her parents and supporters.

"I was determined to get to this spot so staying home and playing WNBL was a good decision for me and hopefully I can become a better player through the WNBA as well."

Magbegor was ecstatic to see Smith selected then settled in for her own nervous wait, she was predicted to go anywhere between picks six and 20 but the Storm, who won last year's WNBA title, picked her at 12 knowing she wouldn't arrive until next year.

That suited the Storm who wanted to keep their championship roster, led by US stars Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird, together this season.

Jackson played her whole WNBA career with the Storm winning three MVP awards and two titles, while Opals guard Sami Whitcomb was a key contributor to their title win last year.

Magbegor plans to continue her development in the NBL1 with Geelong Supercats and then the WNBL with the Boomers this coming season. She also has commitments with the Opals including a training camp this weekend.

"It's pretty incredible, Seattle is the home of Lauren, she made history there and the likes of Jenna O'Hea and Abby Bishop have played there as well," Magbegor said.

While Magbegor keeps developing at home, Smith said her life would continue to be a "whirlwind" in the coming weeks.

She has a final one-day class to complete at her college, Stanford University, before making her move to Phoenix with training camp beginning early next month and the season starting on May 24.

"I've played under Sandy's system before and I feel like I fit well within it,” Smith said.

"So I'm just going to do that to the best of my ability and it should be awesome."