Fans in disbelief as Lynx waive former top-10 pick after Sky loss

Just 1 play aft being selected No. 8 wide successful nan WNBA Draft, Alissa Pili has been waived by nan Minnesota Lynx, and fans are not taking nan news lightly.

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A standout astatine Utah and 1 of nan astir electrifying players successful women’s assemblage basketball, Pili quickly became a instrumentality favorite. Her operation of size, accomplishment and scoring expertise made her 1 of nan astir highly anticipated rookies entering nan league. But aft a short stint successful Minnesota, her master travel has taken a turn.

The news came soon aft nan Lynx suffered a constrictive six-point nonaccomplishment to nan Chicago Sky, a crippled that featured different stars from Pili’s draught class, including Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. While nan Lynx still boast 1 of nan champion records successful nan league, nan determination to trim Pili, particularly truthful adjacent to that high-profile matchup, has near fans reeling connected societal media.

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Pili appeared successful 36 games complete 2 seasons, averaging 2.2 points connected 43.3% shooting and grabbing 1.2 rebounds per game. While her on-court effect whitethorn person been limited, supporters reason that she ne'er sewage nan minutes aliases opportunities to genuinely show her potential.

Beyond her stats, Pili represents thing bigger. As 1 of nan fewer Polynesian and Indigenous players successful nan WNBA, she carries taste value that resonates pinch fans acold beyond nan container score. Many hoped she’d person clip to turn wrong a veteran-heavy team.

thank you, Pili. 💙 pic.twitter.com/dHdmbzOmH5

While nan determination whitethorn beryllium rooted successful roster logistics and squad strategy, nan affectional consequence from fans speaks volumes. There’s still dream that Pili will onshore connected her feet, possibly pinch different team, aliases moreover return stronger down nan road.