USC Women's Basketball: Trojan Standout Struggling To Make Impact At WNBA Level
Former USC forward Kadi Sissoko has had a modest start to her WNBA career thus far. The 2023 All-Pac-12 Team honoree was selected with the No. 29 overall pick in this spring's league draft.
The 6'2" forward played for just one season as a Trojan, following prior NCAA stops in Syracuse from 2018-19 and Minnesota from 2019-22. Sissoko led all USC scorers in 2022-23 with 15.6 points per bout, along with 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals.
Across her 21 contests with the club thus far, the 24-year-old is averaging just 1.0 points and 1.1 rebounds in 6.6 minutes per contest.
To be fair, though the French star's pro output to date has been lackluster, that's not entirely unexpected, given her draft position and lowly status on a star-studded Phoenix club looking to contend under new owner Mat Ishbia, who also owns the NBA's Suns.
The 6-15 Mercury, unfortunately, may be past their prime, despite their Hall of Fame individual talent. Record aside, the club is fielding two 2023 All-Stars, center Brittney Griner and combo guard Diana Taurasi. I'm not saying Sissoko is the answer, but in light of the team's struggles, one wonders if she may get some run as Phoenix's season continues to circle the drain.
Sissoko is large and long for her position, and a solid rebounder to boot. She could really help the Mercury long-term, though she has been mostly squeezed out of the Mercury's rotation for now.
