Structure
The 1997 WNBA Draft was divided into three parts. The first part was the initial allocation of 16 players into individual teams. Players such as Cynthia Cooper and Michelle Timms were assigned to different teams. The second part was the WNBA Elite draft, which was composed of professional women's basketball players who had competed in other leagues. The last part would be the 4 rounds of the regular draft.
The next three seasons to follow 1998, 1999 and 2000 would all have expansion drafts. There would not be another expansion draft until the 2006 season.
All seasons before 2002 would carry 4 rounds. Starting with 2003, all drafts would carry 3 rounds.
In 2003 and 2004, there would be dispersal drafts due to the folding of the Cleveland Rockers, Miami Sol and Portland Fire. The players were reallocated to existing teams. There was another dispersal draft in 2007 with the folding of the Charlotte Sting.
Read more about this topic: WNBA Draft
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