Arizona’s Esmery Martinez and Helena Pueyo hear their names called in 2024 WNBA draft

Esmery Martinez and Helena Pueyo didn’t just get drafted to the WNBA. They got drafted by teams that have played in the last two league finals.

Martinez heard her name called as the 17th overall pick (5th in the 2nd round) by the New York Libery, which lost to the Las Vegas Aces in the 2023 WNBA Finals. Pueyo was not far behind, getting called as the 22nd overall pick (10th in the 2nd round) by the Connecticut Sun, who lost to the Aces in the 2022 WNBA Finals.

Martinez will join former Pac-12 stars Sabrina Ionescu, Kennedy Burke, and Nyara Sabally as well as perennial MVP candidate Breanna Stewart in New York. The 6-foot-2 forward is a ferocious rebounder who worked to increase her range and handles in hopes of playing the three as a professional.

Pueyo is the prototypical team player who prefers to defend and dish but can score when pressed to do so. She will join fellow Spanish player Astou Ndour Fall on the Sun.

It was the first time Arizona had two players taken in the same draft since 2021 when Aari McDonald was drafted by the Atlanta Dream and Trinity Baptiste went to the Indiana Fever. McDonald went third that year. Baptiste was drafted 24th. Pueyo played with McDonald and Baptiste on the Arizona team that lost in the 2021 national finals to Stanford.

Martinez and Pueyo become the 12th and 13th players drafted into the WNBA out of Arizona.

WNBA training camp begins on April 28. Preseason games begin shortly after on May 3. Final roster cuts come on May 13 ahead of the season’s start on May 14.