The 2023 WNBA season gained’t begin for an additional six months however teams are already thinking about who to select within the draft. Right here is how we predict the primary spherical will look.
1. Indiana Fever: Aliyah Boston, South Carolina
After perennially ending within the backside half of the standings, the Fever lastly obtained the highest choose within the draft. It might need been a blessing in disguise for the lottery balls to bounce their approach simply this season with Aliyah Boston probably coming into the draft subsequent April. Boston is a generational expertise whose greatest years are in entrance of her (which is saying quite a bit given she has gained a nationwide championship together with nationwide participant of the yr honors).
The Fever are nonetheless in a rebuild interval and gained’t compete for a WNBA championship in 2023. Nonetheless, they’ve items that can complement Boston. Final yr’s No. 2 total choose NaLyssa Smith can stretch the ground sufficient the place she and Boston can play aspect by aspect with out hurting one another’s manufacturing. Indiana will even get an clever curler within the South Carolina senior that would assist Kelsey Mitchell, who ran choose and rolls on 27.2% of her possessions, per Synergy Sports activities.
The one factor that ought to fear Fever followers is Boston opting to stick with the Gamecocks another season. As a result of NCAA’s ruling that school gamers who had been rostered in the course of the 2020 season can get an additional yr of eligibility, Boston may forgo coming into the draft for another yr. Stanford’s Haley Jones is way from a comfort prize however Boston would assist set the tenacious defensive id the Fever try to instill of their tradition. Nonetheless, Daybreak Staley certain wouldn’t thoughts one other yr of Boston.
If Boston stays, it adjustments the remainder of the draft however, if she goes professional, she is the consensus prime choose.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Haley Jones, Stanford
The Lynx had a 14.45% probability of getting the second choose. They got here out of the lottery as clear winners and get to be the second group to choose from a top-heavy draft. Count on Cheryl Reeve to do a ton of homework on Jones, who may very nicely find yourself being one of the best participant within the draft (I nonetheless assume it’ll be Boston).
The Lynx’s report from final yr is deceiving. They gained 11 of their final 20 video games after battling accidents and inconsistency within the backcourt within the first half of the yr. Reeve, who agreed to a brand new cope with Minnesota and was simply elevated to president of basketball operations, goes to have months to determine who ought to be their level guard. Even with a gap within the backcourt, Jones is a scoring wing who is simply too good to move up. She gained’t beat groups off the dribble however is artful to attending to her spots. Jones can also be a stellar defender who could make an affect immediately, becoming the Lynx’s quick and long-term plans.
3. Atlanta Dream: Diamond Miller, Maryland
Diamond Miller has an opportunity to be the gem of this draft (pun completely supposed). Her two-way affect ought to have groups calling to attempt to pry the third choose away from Atlanta. The Dream ought to keep put and draft Miller to place her subsequent to reigning rookie of the yr, Rhyne Howard. Miller has battled knee accidents the final yr and a half however her ceiling is so excessive that it’s well worth the gamble with the third choose. She will be able to rating at will and her athleticism is uncommon for somebody with a 6-foot-2 body.
The Dream are in the course of a rebuild however have constructed a brand new tradition behind head coach Tanisha Wright. Including Miller to their younger nucleus ought to be a precedence for Atlanta on this draft.
4. Washington Mystics: Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
That is the place the draft will get attention-grabbing because it shifts from tier one to tier two. Given how loaded the Mystics’ entrance court docket is, it wouldn’t be shocking in the event that they went after a guard on the prime of the draft. Nonetheless, wing depth is a commodity not numerous groups have proper now and Jackson is an intriguing choice for Washington. She will be able to create her personal shot and would profit heading right into a secure scenario with the Mystics in comparison with her begin to her school profession. Jackson would slot in properly right here, particularly with Alysha Clark being a free agent.
5. Chicago Sky: Aijha Blackwell, Baylor
Any Chicago Sky large wants to have the ability to shoot from past the arc and Blackwell has the make-up to slot in James Wade’s offensive schemes. Candace Parker and Azurá Stevens are each free brokers. If Parker retires and Stevens leaves in free company. Blackwell may very well be a constructing block for the long run. Don’t be shocked if Wade makes use of this choose as a commerce chip to attempt to persuade final yr’s group to return again for another title run. He desires to win now and has proven prior to now he’s keen to be aggressive by making high-risk, high-reward strikes.
6. New York Liberty: Charisma Osborne, UCLA
New York is able to construct off its first playoff look since 2017 and must take a few of its duties off of Sabrina Ionescu. Osborne would slot in properly as somebody who can create for her teammates and supply strain on the perimeter. Ionescu may transfer off the ball when her and Osborne are on the court docket on the identical time. A guard is the proper selection right here for Sandy Brondello and Co.
7. Indiana Fever: Grace Berger, Indiana
This will surely be a attain for the Fever, who additionally personal the thirteenth choose. Nonetheless, Berger gives stability on the wing and does a bit of little bit of every little thing nicely. That is the kind of participant Indiana wants as they usher in a brand new period of Fever basketball. Berger has already confirmed she will be able to play on proficient rosters and nonetheless be efficient. She’s extra of a ground raiser than the rest however with the quantity of expertise that’s on this group, that could be a priceless asset.
8. Atlanta Dream: Elizabeth Kitley, West Virginia
Kitley’s model of play is beginning to change into a factor of the previous but when the Dream get Miller at No. 3, rim safety ought to be a precedence. Kitley can present that standing at 6-foot-6.
9. Seattle Storm: Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State
I’ve considerations about Sheldon having the ability to deal with the physicality on the subsequent degree however she is the final word competitor. The Storm would love her tenacity and mind as a facilitator within the half court docket. They’ve a emptiness at level guard now that Sue Hen has retired. If they will’t signal Courtney Vandersloot in free company, Sheldon could be a superb match right here.
10. Connecticut Solar: Shaylee Gonzales, Texas
The Solar want taking pictures and Gonzales may grow to be a greater risk from past the arc. Her numbers from three-point vary have dramatically declined every year however her free throw proportion (86% final yr) suggests she could be developed in that space.
11: Dallas Wings: Jordan Hortson, Tennessee
Horston is projected to go larger but when she falls to the Wings, they need to draft her. Alisha Grey might not be around for long. Dallas can use extra wing depth and Horston has the potential to be a gradual function participant within the WNBA.
12. Minnesota Lynx: Dyaisha Honest, Syracuse
The Lynx want some extent guard plain and easy. Aptitude hasn’t made headlines at Syracuse however she is an keen passer who can rating at three ranges regardless of her quick body at 5-foot-5. Minnesota has wing depth and there aren’t any thrilling facilities at this level within the draft. Honest may discover minutes immediately relying on how she performs in coaching camp.
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