Oregon star withdraws from WNBA draft

Oregon forward Sedona Prince withdrew her name from the 2023 WNBA Draft and entered the transfer portal on Thursday, according to Just Women's Sports and the Athletic.

She will use her final season of eligibility.

Prince, a former five-star recruit out of Liberty Hill, Texas, did not see the court last season after she tore a ligament in her elbow that required season-ending surgery. The Ducks announced she would exhaust her remaining eligibility to focus on recovery before pursuing a professional career in a late-October statement.

"I'm heartbroken," Prince wrote. "I truly felt that this was the year I could showcase my work ethic and skills on the court, but also my self-growth and leadership ability." 

"I tried to push through the injury and be there for my team, but after extensive evaluation from the best doctors in the world and looking deep inside myself at my passions and goals, I know that I have to take care of my elbow now in order to ensure long-term health and a sustained professional career."

Prince, UCLA guard Charisma Osborne, Arizona forward Esmery Martinez and Oregon guard Endyia Rogers have all rescinded their decisions to opt-in, according to the Athletic Staff Writer Ben Pickman. Virginia Tech center Elizabeth Kitley and guard Cayla King announced they would return to the Hokies.

While the athletes' decisions will impact how the 2023 WNBA Draft shakes out, there are still plenty of talented players for WNBA teams to choose from when the draft begins on April 10.

Six South Carolina players are included in an updated list of players who filed for inclusion in the 2023 WNBA Draft, including guard Brea Beal and forward Aliyah Boston. Both are projected first-round picks in ESPN's most recent mock draft.

"I am so excited to watch Aliyah Boston play with WNBA rules," ESPN analyst Rebecca Lobo said, via ESPN writer M.A. Voepel. "For four years teams have been able to surround her defensively and collapse on her, and in the W you have defensive three seconds. You have a wider lane."