Mock drafts are once again overlooking a high-motor, elite-rebounding LSU forward, only this time, it’s Aneesah Morrow.
Aneesah Morrow has routinely shown us that she’s one of the most impactful players in college basketball. In her senior year season at LSU, she averaged 18.8 points and 13.7 rebounds per game, shooting 49.4% from the field.
Morrow, who spent the first two seasons of her career at DePaul before transferring to LSU to close out her college career, is currently not projected to be a top pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.
But, it’s worth examining whether the LSU forward going be flying somewhat under the radar despite being the fifth-leading rebounder in NCAA history.
ESPN currently projects that Morrow will be selected 7th overall, a pick that currently belongs to the Connecticut Sun. The Athletic’s pre-tournament poll also had Morrow going 7th.
And, while the Sun could be an ideal destination for Morrow, who would be able to learn from Hall of Fame center Tina Charles, it’s possible that Morrow is being overlooked in a similar fashion that her former teammate Angel Reese was before the draft.
Aneesah Morrow stepped up her game in March Madness
In the Round of 32, Morrow exploded for 26 points and 11 rebounds in a win over FSU. In the Sweet 16, she somehow topped that performance, recording 30 points, 19 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
While she struggled against UCLA and Lauren Betts in the Elite Eight — and was limited to 15 points (7-19 FG) and 7 rebounds — Morrow showcased throughout the tournament, and throughout her collegiate career that she’s an elite post player.
The limitations to her game are undeniable; she is not much of a three-point shooter; she’s shot 24.7% from three in her career. And, at 6’1, she’s undersized for a post player, as was evident when she faced off against the 6’7 Betts and struggled around the rim.
Photo by Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
Still, the parallels between Aneesah Morrow and Angel Reese are undeniable
Angel Reese was similarly selected 7th in the 2024 WNBA Draft after a standout career at LSU that saw her showcase her rebounding prowess despite being somewhat undersized (though Reese is two inches taller than Morrow, at 6’3).
Still, Reese outplayed most of the players who were drafted before her in her rookie season with the Chicago Sky, demonstrating that a knack for the ball and a ridiculous motor sometimes trump shooting and size. Reese was named Defensive Player of the Year at the 3-on-3 league Unrivaled and was one of two rookies named to the WNBA All-Star team. She also led all rookies in rebounding, and was the second-leading scorer in the class after Caitlin Clark.
Morrow has also demonstrated that she’s mentally tough and committed to refining her craft. Her work ethic is something that LSU coach Kim Mulkey has routinely praised, and her toughness was on full display when she returned to LSU’s Elite Eight game against UCLA with a broken nose, prompting Hall of Fame basketball player Rebecca Lobo, who was calling the game, to note she’s broken her nose three times while playing and never returned in the same game.
Morrow and Reese are different players, but some commonalities between them are hard to ignore. And it’s very possible that in a few months, many will wonder why Morrow wasn’t selected higher.
