Senior forward earns spot at Combine
Safaritova has good chance to make it in WNBA, coaches say
By Nathan Loewen
Assistant Sport Editor

Senior forward Kati Safaritova received an early birthday present on Monday morning when she was invited to the Women’s National Basketball Association Combine.

Simon Lopez/SKIFF STAFF Kati Safaritova, a senior from Slovakia, willbe playing in the WNBA next season. Scouts in the WBNA are impressed with Safaritova’s size and mobility.

Head coach Jeff Mittie said everyone on his staff is happy for Safaritova, who is the first Lady Frog to be invited to the combine.

Safaritova celebrated her 24th birthday on Tuesday.

Safaritova will begin Thursday with administrative duties and a physical. On Friday, she will begin working out at the combine.

Mittie said this proves TCU is gaining more quality players which helps with recruiting additional good players from high schools across the nation.

“It helps with recruiting because now girls are coming in wanting to see if all of their hard work will result in a future in basketball,” said Mittie.

Associate head coach Larry Tidwell said she has good chances of playing professionally in the WNBA.

“She is a mobile big kid who can shoot the ball,” Tidwell said.

Missy Becket, a recruiter for the Seattle Storm, said Safaritova is a good player.

“Safaritova can shoot the ball and is very skilled,” said Becket. “She also has a great knowledge for the game.”

Becket said she also believes Safaritova will make it in the WNBA draft.
“Being invited to the combine pretty much guarantees that she will be drafted,” said Becket. “She should go in around the first round according to what teams need. She is a big player and can shoot the three and a lot of teams like that because she will be able to help spread out the floor.”

Tidwell said Safaritova is gaining interest from overseas as well as the WNBA.

“(Safaritova) is getting a lot of interest from people across the big pond,” said Tidwell. “She is a really hot commodity right now.”

Becket said Safaritova can go either to the WNBA or overseas.

Nathan Loewen
n.d.loewen@student.tcu.edu

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