When the 2000 WNBA draft is held on April 25, there will be no players with the star quality of Chamique Holdsclaw. And it'll be another year before Tamika Catchings, Semeka Randall, Svetlana Abrosimova, Shea Ralph and Georgia's Miller twins are brought into the fold.

	Despite a late-season injury, N.C. State's Summer Erb is a top draft prospect.

In other words, to put it kindly, this is not a strong draft. And the timing is unfortunate because the WNBA could use a big infusion of top-flight college talent with four new expansion teams and the number of established teams that will be reeling from the loss of international players remaining overseas to prepare for the Olympic Games.

With 16 teams and four rounds, 64 players -- mostly from this year's collegiate senior class -- are going to be brought into the league. The number of impact players will be significantly less, of course, but the optimist would be able to spot some players who might be able to take their game to the next level.

Here's a look at some of the draft prospects:

Point guards
Helen Darling, Penn State: A talented player whose stock likely went up significantly after leading her team to its first Final Four, beating Iowa State and Louisiana Tech along the way. A strong ballhander and distributor, she ranked second in the country in assists this season, averaging 7.7 a game.

Tamicha Jackson, Louisiana Tech: Among the most athletic guards in the nation. In addition to her considerable offensive skills, she is a tenacious defender, collecting an average of nearly four steals a game. And after spending her career playing under Leon Barmore, she also knows how to win.

Niele Ivey, Notre Dame: Another solid prospect. Was among the nation's assist leaders, dishing out 6.8 a game.

Milena Flores, Stanford: Strong defender with good quickness is the fifth player in Pac-10 history to dish out 600-plus career assists. Also ranks third all-time on Stanford's career assist list behind Seattle's Sonja Henning and Detroit star Jennifer Azzi. Would make a nice backup for someone.

Shooting guards
Betty Lennox, Louisiana Tech: Could be very valuable, especially in a league where perimeter scoring is paramount. Former junior college transfer is a dangerous threat from the outside, something teams can't have enough of in the WNBA.

Edwina Brown, Texas: Finished among the nation's leaders in scoring with a 21.3 average, and those nightly battles in the Big 12 certainly sharpened her survival skills. If her 3-point shot comes along, she will be a formidable offensive threat. Is also a good ballhandler, dishing out nearly six assists per game for the Longhorns.

Grace Daley, Tulane: Did not play under the glare of the spotlight, but still had one of the best seasons in the nation, averaging better than 21 points a game. Was the nation's top scorer early in the season.

Stacy Frese, Iowa State: Was at the forefront of her team's rise to national prominence. Is one of the nation's top long-distance shooters, hitting 45.5 percent of her 3-point attempts.

Katrina Hibbert, Louisiana State: Good for 44 percent of her 3-point attempts and is another promising candidate.

Small forwards
Phylesha Whaley, Oklahoma: Although she's just 5 feet 10, Whaley plays much bigger, and led the Sooners with 20-plus points a game.

Lynn Pride, Kansas: Possesses the imminently draftable combination of size and skill. At 6 feet 2, Pride can score and will match up well with the league's bigger 3s.

Tracy Morris, St. Mary's (Calif.): A big-time talent with strong, long arms and an accurate shot from virtually any spot on the floor. Versatility will be a huge asset.

Tauja Catchings, Illinois: The Catchings family NBA legacy will indeed be coming to the WNBA this season, as Catchings is the daughter of former NBAer Harvey Catchings. Has a national reputation as a tenacious defender, and her offense has come along.

Power forwards
Maylana Martin, UCLA: Probably the top prospect in perhaps the weakest position from a draft perspective, but her health is a big question. Has suffered from a bad back for much of her college career, and her senior season was a disappointment. However, when she's feeling good, she plays great. Look no further for evidence than her 39-point performance against Oregon in Pac-10 play.

Conswella Sparrow, Auburn: Had to share the ball a lot in the Tigers' high-powered offense, but when she has her hands on it, her skills suggest that she's pro material.

Susan Blauser, Illinois: Catchings' Illinois teammate is also a good bet to get a WNBA call.

Centers
Rhonda Smith, Long Beach State: Not coincidentally, this 6-foot-8 player is the one that sticks out most at this position. Size has produced both offensive and defensive results; she's averaging better than 21 points a game and led the nation in blocked shots (3.6 per game).

Andrea Garner, Penn State: A strong, fluid 6-foot-3 player who is a force inside (averaging 2.1 blocks a game). However, will likely have to bulk up in order to compete effectively in the post in the WNBA.

Summer Erb, N.C. State: The 1999 ACC Player of the Year catapulted her team up the rankings this season.

Michelle Smith of the San Francisco Examiner is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.