For the second season in a row, the Dallas Wings will have the first pick in the WNBA Draft, looking to select someone to play alongside last year’s No.1, Paige Bueckers. This draft will also feature two expansion teams, the Toronto Temp and the Portland Fire, who will both have first-round selections as well.
This has already been, and will continue to be, a crazy WNBA offseason. Most of the league is entering free agency, and the new CBA has yet to be finalized. But, if the draft goes ahead as planned, here is what it might look like.
1. Dallas Wings
Awa Fam, Center, 6-foot-6, Spain
Even if Arike Ogunbowalke leaves in free agency, the Wings have a solid young backcourt led by Paige Bueckers and Aziaha James. The next addition should be a big, which means UCLA’s Lauren Betts or Spain’s Awa Fam. Betts can play her way into this spot, but the start to her season has been rocky. Fam is a versatile 6-foot-6 forward who, at just 19, has unlimited potential. Dallas will be building for a while, and Fam is the perfect modern post to have as a centerpiece.
2. Minnesota Lynx
Lauren Betts, Center, 6-foot-7, UCLA
Despite concerns about the game changing and leaving traditional bigs behind, there is still a spot in the WNBA for a player like Betts. Her footwork and rim protection is enough to make her desirable, but Betts is actually much more mobile than people give her credit for. She can hit a midrange jumper and match up with smaller posts on the perimeter. Plus, with someone like Cheryl Reeve coaching her, Betts can reach new heights.
3. Seattle Storm
Azzi Fudd, Guard, 5-foot-11, UConn
The Storm have more bigs than they know what to do with and an elite point guard in Skylar Diggins. What they really need is a shooter, and Azzi Fudd fits the bill. A career 42-percent three-point shooter, Fudd is making 55.1 percent of her attempts this season. Shooting will be her primary role when she debuts in the WNBA, but her skills go beyond that. Fudd’s defense in particular has improved dramatically over her time at UConn, which would be an extra benefit for the Storm.
4. Washington Mystics
Olivia Miles, Guard, 5-foot-10, TCU
The Mystics are building around their young core of Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron, and a creative point guard is the perfect addition. Her ability to control pace, dictate offense and create for herself and teammates is a luxury that Washington won’t want to pass up. Her playmaking has always been a strength, but this season Miles is averaging career highs in points, rebounds and assists. Plus, she plays well with Citron, her former teammate at Notre Dame, so the transition should be relatively seamless.
5. Chicago Sky
Ta’Niya Latson, Guard, 5-foot-8, South Carolina
Latson is already a proven scorer after leading the nation in points per game (25.2) at Florida State last season. Chicago desperately needs shot-creators and Latson excels in that department. Now, in her final college season, Latson is at South Carolina working on her efficiency and defense. It’s early, but there have already been improvements in both categories. Her shooting percentages from both two-point and three-point range are hitting career marks at 54.4 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
6. Toronto Tempo
Flau’jae Johnson, Guard, 5-foot-10, LSU
One of the league’s two expansion teams, Toronto will be picking a player to build around. Johnson brings everything the Tempo could possibly want in a franchise player. She’s a three-level scorer who is skilled on both sides of the ball, which takes care of the basketball aspect. Plus, when it comes to building a fanbase, someone like Johnson, who already has her own personal brand, is a great place to start.
7. Portland Fire
Marta Suarez, Guard/Forward, 6-foot-3, TCU
Another team looking to build a completely new roster, Portland would be wise to pick someone as versatile and talented as Suarez. The TCU senior has gone relatively unnoticed throughout her career, but the skill has always been there. At TCU, she is on a bigger stage with heightened expectations, and Suarez is delivering. The 6-foot-3 guard/forward is averaging 19.6 points per game, doing so with polished footwork in the paint, as well as the ability to shoot from range and break down defenders on the perimeter.
8. Golden State Valkyries
Serah Williams, Forward, 6-foot-4, UConn
The Valkyries could use some size to go along with last season’s breakout players Veronica Burton (5-foot-9) and Kayla Thornton (6-foot-1). Williams provides a post presence, rebounding ability and rim protection. In her last year at Wisconsin, the 6-foot-4 forward averaged 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Now at UConn, she is learning to play within a system, which will benefit Williams in the WNBA.
9. Washington Mystics
Gianna Kneepkens, Guard, 6-foot, UCLA
Washington is building through the draft. The Mystics brought in Citron and Iriafen last season, who were both incredible, as well as point guard Georgia Amoore, who didn’t play due to injury. When building a young roster, Kneepkens is an ideal addition. She’s polished and skilled in just about every category, from three-point shooting (52.2 percent) to free-throw shooting (90 percent).
10. Indiana Fever
Cotie McMahon, Guard/Forward, 6-foot, Ole Miss
McMahon is easily the strongest guard in this draft class, and her strength and ability to create – and absorb – contact will translate well to the WNBA. The Fever could use a tough, gritty guard who can get to the rim and make contested shots. McMahon can also score in the midrange and is seeing improvements in her outside game as well.
11. Washington Mystics
Gabriela Jaquez, Guard, 6-foot, UCLA
The 6-foot senior guard has been the heart and soul of the Bruins squad since she arrived on campus as a freshman. Now in her senior season, Jaquez’ draft stock is on the rise. Another player who does a little bit of everything, Jaqeuz can slide into whatever role the Mystics desire; she is averaging 15.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.0 steals per game – all career highs.
12. Connecticut Sun
Rori Harmon, Guard, 5-foot-6, Texas
The Sun will be rebuilding for a long time, so bringing in a floor general like Harmon would go a long way in this team’s development. Harmon’s draft stock skyrocketed after her performances against UCLA and South Carolina in the Players Era Championship. She showed her ability to score, defend and create for others, while also knocking down a game-winner against the Gamecocks. Harmon is undersized at 5-foot-6, but she’s proven her ability to play against bigger guards in the SEC.
13. Atlanta Dream
Yarden Garzon, Guard, 6-foot-3, Maryland
Second-year head coach Karl Smesko loves a shooter, something he made clear during his time at Florida Gulf Coast. Garzon is a career 42-percent three-point shooter, making her a great addition for the Dream. She’s also an oversized guard (6-foot-3) who is an underrated passer. The combination of strength, size and shooting ability makes her an appealing WNBA prospect.
14. Seattle Storm
Nell Angloma, Guard, 6-foot-1 France
Get ready to see an influx of French talent coming into the WNBA. Janelle Salaun, Carla Leite and Dom Malonga, who all made their debuts last season, are just the beginning. Angloma has all the makings of a WNBA star, with versatility and length while contributing both as a scorer and a rebounder.
15. Connecticut Sun
Madina Okot, Center, 6-foot-6, South Carolina
Despite already averaging 14.4 points and 11.1 rebounds per game for South Carolina, Okot is still relatively raw. The Kenya native has only been playing basketball for five years, so the Sun would have the opportunity to shape her into a WNBA star. The size, strength and potential is all there, and with a young team that needs time to grow, Okot would be a smart investment.
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