2012 WNBA Draft: Top 4 Prospects and Their NBA Equivalent

If you completely withdraw from women's hoops, you're missing out on some quality basketball. I'm not going to sit here and say I prefer it over the men's game, but my affinity for the men's game is separate from my appreciation for the women's game.

There are pros and cons to both. To be a true fan, you have to appreciate the differences for what they are.

In an effort to introduce the game and some of its brightest newcomers to the WNBA ranks, I offer a comparison that most male hoops fans should be able to relate to.

Here are the top four prospects for the upcoming WNBA draft and their NBA equivalent:

1. Nnemakadi Ogwumike: 6'2", F, Stanford University—NBA Equivalent: Zach Randolph

Ogwumike is a fundamentally sound inside-outside scorer. She has great hands and routinely makes difficult catches on the block.

Her footwork is marvelous and she has range out to the three-point line, though she is best suited closer to the basket.

2. Shenise Johnson: 5'11", G, University of Miami—NBA Equivalent: Trevor Ariza

Johnson may not be a huge scorer in the WNBA, but she'll be solid. Her biggest impact will likely be on the defensive end. She has long arms and quick feet.

Those physical traits lead to 3.4 steals per game.

3. Glory Johnson: 6'3", F, University of Tennessee—NBA Equivalent: Amar'e Stoudemire (pre-injury)

She isn't much of a shooter, but she's a hard-worker around the basket with good athleticism. She is certainly a candidate to throw one down in a WNBA game.

Johnson has a very quick first step and she'll be an effective player driving to the basket.

She averaged a solid 14 points and 10 rebounds this past season.

4. Shekinna Stricklen: 6'2", G/F, University of Tennessee—NBA Equivalent: Antoine Walker

Stricklen has good size at 6'2", but she can shoot it from distance as well as score from mid-range. She isn't a supremely quick player, but the ability to knock down the jump-shot helps her first step.

I expect her three-point shooting to get even better, and that could be her calling card in the WNBA.