For the first time in program history, Virginia Tech Women's Basketball had two players selected in the WNBA Draft with Kayana Traylor and Taylor Soule both being picked.
With the 23rd pick of the 2023 #WNBADraft, we select @kayana_traylor!#skytown pic.twitter.com/3YyQtipWsG
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) April 11, 2023
Officially official!! pic.twitter.com/yvIvKb5mgM
— Minnesota Lynx (@minnesotalynx) April 11, 2023
Traylor kicked things off going 23rd overall during the second round to the Chicago Sky with Soule's selection following 5 picks later at 28th overall early in the third round to the Minnesota Lynx. They are the seventh and eighth Hokies to be selected in program history with Traylor tying the record for the highest draft pick along with 2022 WNBA champion Aisha Sheppard and Soule ranking third on that list.
Kayana Traylor heads to the WNBA after being a valuable contributor for the Hokies the past two seasons after transferring from Purdue helping the Hokies reach heights never seen before in Blacksburg. After a solid 2021-22 season as Tech's Sixth Woman, she stepped her game up even further this past season averaging 11.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 43.6% from the field including 33.0% from three-point range plus 78.6% from the free-throw line
Traylor should have a great opportunity to make the WNBA as Chicago's highest draft pick this year while her versatility, toughness, and ability to work on and off the ball in the backcourt effectively are all big pluses for her in pursuit of staying in a league with only 11-12 women rosters.
Taylor Soule may have only been in Blacksburg for one season, but she made it a memorable one playing a key role in helping Virginia Tech reach their first Final Four. She averaged 10.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 51.7% from the field and 72.6% from the free-throw line on her way to earning All-ACC Second Team honors.
Limited roster sizes can make it tough for third round picks to stick in the WNBA, but Soule has proven to have the type of work ethic and mentality that makes her someone who can absolutely stick in the league.
After a historic season, Kayana Traylor and Taylor Soule added more Hokie history becoming the first duo to be selected in the same WNBA Draft with Traylor tying Aisha Sheppard's record as the highest Hokie selected in the draft.
