Former Ohio State star Jacy Sheldon has been drafted by the Dallas Wings with the No. 5 pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Sheldon is the first Ohio State women’s basketball player to be selected in the first round since Kelsey Mitchell was picked No. 2 overall in 2018.
In five seasons in Columbus, Sheldon averaged 15.6 points per game throughout her career. After finishing her freshman season (2019-20) with a career-low 9.6 points per game average, Sheldon would average 16 or more points per game in three of her next four seasons. The exception (2022-23), came as she played in just 13 games due to injury and finished the year averaging 13.2 points per game.
In 2024, Sheldon helped lead Ohio State to a 26-6 overall record which landed the Buckeyes a 2-seed in last month’s NCAA Tournament. While the outcome wasn’t what the Buckeyes hoped, Sheldon led the charge until the end. She finished her final collegiate season averaging 17.8 points, 3.8 assists and 3.2 rebounds.
Sheldon’s list of accomplishments — in 2024 alone — speak for themselves as well. She was named to the AP and Sports News Women’s All-American Second Team, USBWA All-America Third Team as well as All-Big Ten First Team honors from both the coaches (unanimous) and media this season. Off the court, she was named Ohio State’s sportsmanship award winner, not to mention being a media choice for All-Big Ten Defensive Team.
Her name was listed as a finalist for the Naismith Trophy this season and was on the late-season watchlist for the Wooden Award as well.
She finishes her time as a Buckeye as one of three players in program history with 1,900 points, 400 rebounds, 350 assists, 200 steals and 150 made three-pointers.
Joining Sheldon at the 2024 WNBA Draft was teammate Celeste Taylor. Once Taylor, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, gets drafted, the duo will become the first pair of Ohio State players to be selected in the same WNBA Draft since Mitchell and Stephanie Mavunga did so in 2018.
Sheldon is the 16th player to be selected in the modern WNBA Draft from Ohio State, and the sixth to be drafted under current Buckeyes head coach Kevin McGuff.
Now, Sheldon’s focus turns to her new team as she prepares to adjust to the WNBA in the coming weeks. It will be a quick turnaround for all draftees, as the new season begins less than four weeks from draft day — May 14.
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