After missing the first 10 games of her junior season to give birth to her daughter, Waltiea Rolle understandably wasn’t playing like a professional prospect.
In the 20 games in which she did appear as a junior, the 6-foot-6 center averaged fewer than four points.
But just 18 months after Rolle became a mother, the Minnesota Lynx selected her Monday with the WNBA Draft’s 36th and final pick. The Lynx finished atop the league standings last season.
Rolle’s quick return to action and subsequent vast improvement convinced coach Sylvia Hatchell that Rolle had the potential to succeed in the professional ranks.
During the 2012-13 season, Hatchell repeatedly said her shot-blocking center had the potential to improve upon her solid senior campaign, in which Rolle averaged 12.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.
“Waltiea is going to get better and better as she gets stronger and more balanced,” Hatchell said after UNC’s Feb. 24 victory against N.C. State. “She plays so straight-up sometimes that we’re trying to get her a little more wide base, lower center of gravity.”
Hatchell insisted throughout the season that the Nassau, Bahamas, native was more versatile than the average center.
Against Boston College, Rolle made her first and only 3-point attempt in her career.
Later, in the ACC Tournament, Rolle shut down Boston College with her ability to defend the perimeter.