Jackson High School graduate Taylor Mikesell selected by Indiana Fever in WNBA Draft

• Former Jackson High School and Ohio State University shooting guard Taylor Mikesell was selected by the Indiana Fever in Monday's WNBA Draft.
• Mikesell becomes the second Stark County player in as many years to be drafted by a WNBA team.

The next chapter of Taylor Mikesell's basketball career will start nearby.

The former Jackson High School and Ohio State University shooting guard was selected by the Indiana Fever in Monday's WNBA Draft. Mikesell was the first player chosen in the second round and the 13th player taken overall.

Mikesell is the second Stark County player in as many years and third overall to be drafted by a WNBA team. Former McKinley player Kierstan Bell was selected last year by the Las Vegas Aces , who went on to win the WNBA championship. Ameryst Alston, another former McKinley player, was drafted by the New York Liberty in 2016 .

"I'm just blessed more than anything," Mikesell said in New York after she was drafted. "I'm just blessed to be here."

In addition to Mikesell, Indiana selected South Carolina's Allyah Boston with the No. 1 overall pick . Boston was one of three South Carolina players drafted in the first round.

Mikesell will also be joining an Indiana team that features former Ohio State player Kelsey Mitchell . The veteran point guard has spent her entire five-year career with the Fever.

"I'm very excited to play with her, just to pick her brain a little bit about the league and her journey," Mikesell said. "I talked to her a little bit earlier today, and she gave me some advice. She just told me to just enjoy the moment and keep being me."

After playing at Maryland and Oregon, Mikesell spent the final two seasons of her college career at Ohio State. She was a two-time All-Big Ten selection with the Buckeyes and ranked among the top five in the nation in 3-pointers made per game in both seasons.

Mikesell averaged 17.2 points this past season and helped lead Ohio State to the Elite Eight for the first time since 1993. She hit seven 3-pointers to match a career high and scored 25 points in her final game, an 84-74 regional final loss to Virginia Tech .

Mikesell has always prided herself in her shooting and scoring ability. That won't change in the WNBA.

"My shooting ability has been something that has helped offset my lack of athleticism at times," Mikesell said. "I'm just excited to [join] Indiana, just be a sponge and find ways that I can get better."

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