Deasia Merrill might not be a household name to casual fans, but basketball insiders are taking notice of the 6’1″ forward as the 2025 WNBA Draft approaches.
After finishing her college career at TCU, Merrill has quietly built a résumé that suggests she could be a valuable late-round pickup for teams looking for efficient frontcourt depth. She averaged 7.9 points per game over a five-year college career during stints at TCU, Kentucky, and Georgia State.
Deasia Merrill’s Basketball Journey From High School Star to College
In high school, Merrill was nothing short of dominant. At Villa Rica High in Georgia, she stuffed stat sheets with nearly 26 points, 15 rebounds, and impressive defensive numbers her senior year. Her immense talent earned her Georgia Class 5A Player of the Year honors and attention from major college programs.
Yet, her college path wasn’t straightforward. After a knee injury derailed her freshman year at Kentucky, she transferred to Georgia State, where she found her footing. Over four seasons there, she developed into a consistent contributor, peaking with 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in her junior year.
For her final season, Merrill moved to TCU in the more competitive Big 12. Though her minutes decreased (6.7 per game), her efficiency jumped to new levels as she shot 65.6% from the field. Her experience culminated in TCU’s Elite Eight run, where she fittingly scored her 1,000th career point against Texas in her final game.
Merrill made the most of limited opportunities, showing flashes of her extreme potential in games like her start against Samford, where she posted 13 points and seven rebounds in just 12 minutes of action
WNBA Draft Potential: An Efficient Role Player
Merrill could be good in the WNBA because she scores efficiently, as evidenced by her making 65% of her shots at TCU and nearly 50% at Georgia State. At Georgia State, she averaged 13.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a junior and blocked 30 shots her senior year. Those stats prove that she can adapt to different teams.
Merrill’s detractors might point to her one-year run at TCU. She averaged only 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Her points mostly came on buckets close to the basket, and her perimeter game was virtually non-existent. At 6’1″, she’s a bit small for a WNBA forward and might struggle against bigger players.
Merrill would probably be a backup for a team that needs help inside. She could contribute off the bench with her scoring and elite shot-blocking. To last in the WNBA, however, she’ll need to develop a better outside shot and improve her defense. Her positive attitude and willingness to learn suggest she could grow into a solid pro with good coaching.
Ultimately, Merrill represents the ideal late-round prospect. She’s a high-efficiency player with untapped potential, one who could easily outperform her draft position for years and years to come if groomed properly and given the right development opportunity.