🏀 How the WNBA finals Can help You appoach Reps Trials
Trial season is here, and plenty of aspiring representative basketball players around in the Inner West are about to be assessed and evaluated in a few short trials over the next few weeks. Some will try to stand out by playing better defenders😅. Most will try to stand out by scoring more. An important piece in any reps selection is to understand the role you’re being picked for. 🎯
Recently, I came across recent WNBA archetype breakdown and analysis by Chris Gunther of Charting Hoops, a Substack all about making basketball numbers fun. His framework gives each position (one through five) a role and ranks the stats that matter most for it. You won’t have a stat sheet at trials, but the same ideas show up in what coaches can see and are looking for. 📊 Substack
The timing is good, because the WNBA semi-finals are on right now. 🔥 The Dream, Valkyries, Aces and Liberty are the last four teams standing, and each shows a role in action. The player examples below are our own reading of how they play:
1️⃣ The POINT: protects the ball, picks the right option, and gets to the paint 🚂
Point guards are often assessed on running the offence cleanly: think assist-to-turnover ratio, scoring efficiency, steals, specialist ability to run the pick-and-roll or go iso on one-on-one, and getting paint touches.
WNBA finals: Veronica Burton from the Golden State Valkyries. In Game 2 against the Aces, the Valkyries had trailed by 17 and the Aces took the lead late, but Burton hit a go-ahead three in the final minute to give Golden State a 2-0 series lead.
At reps trials: Protect the ball, get your team into its sets, and make the simple pass. ✅ Coaches pay attention to those who play long stints with just one ball handling or bad passing turnover. Get into the paint, and either look to score or find the open player when the defence collapses.
2️⃣ The GUARD: OK with not running the show, scores efficiently and creates when required 🎨
Guard roles start with efficient scoring, they are also defensively minded players who can create and rebound when required.
WNBA finals: Jackie Young from the Las Vegas Aces. Young may not always be the first option, but as a guard who can score efficiently, defend and create off A’ja Wilson and Chelsea Gray, it forces other teams to guard her as a secondary creator. The Aces are down 2-0 after an 83-81 loss in the city, so her role matters even more now.
At reps trials: You don’t need to be the primary ball handler. Hit your open shots 🎯, pressure the ball, and secure your rebounds. Being efficient and tough on defence is a clear way to make a squad. 💪
3️⃣ The wing: links the team together, attacks the rim, and makes plays on both ends 🔗
Wings are often evaluated on their ability to score and add rim pressure. They may also have a knack for steals and blocks and get after rebounding, and how the team plays with them on the floor.
WNBA example: Breanna Stewart from the New York Liberty. At first glance, Stewart is a forward, but the way she plays - scoring, getting to the rim, passing, and affecting both ends, makes her a connector. In Game 2, she scored 35 points, but the Dream still won in overtime. As much as one great player can’t do everything, and the wing’s role is also to lift the whole group.
At trials: Attack closeouts instead of settling for contested threes. Get to the rim, finish, and make the extra pass. Defensive activity (deflections, steals, help-side blocks) 🙌 is also a quick way to get noticed.
4️⃣ The FORWARD: WINS the small things, REBOUNDS, and guards multiple positions 🧰
Forwards are measured mostly by team impact. These days, forwards are skilled passers, rebounders and versatile defenders, often guarding one through five.
WNBA finals: Angel Reese from the Atlanta Dream. Reese shot 8 of 16 in game 2 and the Dream were +11 points better with her on the floor. As a metric, the team impact in winning all the small things is what the forward role as a utility player is based on.
At reps trials: This is the glue role. Box out, run the floor 🏃, guard different positions, and move the ball. Coaches notice players who make the group better, even when the stat line is quiet.
5️⃣ The BIG: finishes at the rim, cleans the glass, sets screens, and then protects the basket on the other end ⚓
Bigs are often the anchors of each team. They are skilled finishers at the rim, rebounders and make the team better defensively.
WNBA example: A’ja Wilson from the Las Vegas Aces. Wilson is the anchor for the Aces. Every time she protects the rim, finishes and rebounds, Wilson is making life easier for her teammates.
At trials: Finish what you start around the basket, rebound, and set screens that free a teammate. Protect the paint without fouling. 🚫 A big who defends and screens well is hard to ignore.
🔑 The Common Thread
Look across all five and a few things repeat:
📈 Efficiency beats volume. Good shots matter more than many shots.
🛡️ Defence and rebounding are in almost every list. They’re the easiest way to be noticed.
🧠 Role clarity wins. Know what you’re being picked for and do it well.
Coaches at trials are mostly watching decisions, effort and fit. Be the player your teammates want next to them, and let the role do the rest. 🔥
Series status as of 9 Oct: Dream and Valkyries both lead 2-0 in a best of 5 series, with Game 3s on Saturday morning AEDT. Good luck at trials, and tell us how you go! 🍀🏀
