The Trials And Tribulations of Drafting a Local College Star Like Grace Berger
Is Grace Berger’s 'marriage’ to the Indiana Fever a good thing for everyone involved?
The Indiana Fever franchise has used Berger’s presence on the team as a way to promote Hoosier #WomensBasketball fans buying tickets to their games. This is despite her professional ability being very raw at this point.
Berger for her part is working her absolute hardest and could well be a success at some point. However, her first season has been underwhelming with just three double-digit point outings in 25 appearances while averaging over 11 minutes per game.
Whenever Berger does not play as much as IU fans would like, message boards and social media question the decision. While these outlets are not always representative of the fan base necessarily, in this case, they might be. It is hard to speak for all of Hoosier Nation, but Indiana fans I have talked to personally have been relatively critical of Berger’s limited playing time.
Berger said while this may be the case, she is not paying any attention to it.
“I think I just try to stay off social media, especially during the season," Berger said. "As far as outside noise, that doesn't really impact me as much as what my coaches want and what my teammates need from me."
Not helping matters with the criticism is the fact that top pick Aliyah Boston has been an instant superstar as a rookie and has given the Fever franchise renewed interest among the Indianapolis community. The reality though is Boston is a unicorn and most rookies take time to develop if they ever do. Clearly, Berger is not Boston and in the best of scenarios will be a useful contributor in time after a somewhat rough first season that continues to get better in the latter half. In the worst possibility, however, Berger will never pan out and eventually be released as has happened to several Fever first-round picks in the not-to-distant past.
With that said, her signature hustle and winning attitude make her far more valuable than what shows up on the stat sheet. She also continues to see increased playing time and has cracked the rotation as the season has gone on. However, until she can develop a more consistent three-point shot, her usefulness has limits and can allow the defense to collapse in the paint on Boston.
All of this begs the question? Is a player like Berger better off playing more anonymously in a city away from the spotlight?
Berger herself said she is just focused on helping the squad she is on and is not thinking about any expectations that come with playing locally.
"The only pressure that I think is on me is on myself," she said. "I hold myself to high standards and I want to perform. It's a process. I just hold myself to a high standard like I always have in my career and that is what my focus is."
Drafting a local player who is a developmental project has both good and bad and Berger is the ultimate example of this. However, she is not the only one in this boat as former UConn Huskies star Olivia Nelson-Ododa is now on the Connecticut Sun and has struggled to gain footing as a consistent contributor in the WNBA. The same goes for recent Maryland grad Abby Meyers who is on the Washington Mystics as well as several others sprinkled throughout the league.
On the other side of this, local college stars can thrive as former Delaware superstar Ella Delle Donne has done on the same Mystics squad. Also, tonight’s Indiana opponent the Los Angeles Sparks has former UCLA star Jordin Canada who is a major contributor.
Fever Coach Christie Sides said Berger is improving a lot and if all goes well she could be the contributor Canada is eventually.
“If Grace keeps working there is no question, no telling what Grace can do,” Sides said. "As long as she keeps working and getting better and learning how to run our team. She's a point guard."
Ultimately, each franchise must decide what is best for itself when it comes to evaluating local products with huge popularity. However, if a team chooses to take a pass on one as the Pacers did with Trayce Jackson-Davis no one should blame them for all the reasons described.
Whether drafting a nearby college standout is more negative or positive depends on the player and team. However, when one like Berger comes along, expectations from them are very high for better or worse.
With all that said, Sides is very pleased with Berger's progression since the year began
"Grace has put in the work," she said. "She came into training camp and she went to work. She had a lot to get used to at this level. She is getting the minutes now she's earned and it is exciting. She is a local hero and she is doing a good job in the role we have her now."