On the eve of women’s college basketball crowning a new champion, the 2024 WNBA Draft is less than two weeks away.
That, of course, means it’s time for another mock draft.
A few things have changed since my colleague Meg Hall and I published our last mock draft in December. Mostly, we have a much better idea of who is and isn’t entering the draft.
Caitlin Clark, the presumed No. 1 overall pick and the all-time leading scorer of women’s college basketball, is turning pro. As is LSU forward Angel Reese, Stanford forward Cameron Brink, and South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso.
Meanwhile, a few high-profile guards – like UConn’s Paige Bueckers – are returning to college for another season. Georgia Amoore was projected by many to be a top 10 pick, but instead of entering the draft, the Australian guard followed coach Kenny Brooks from Virginia Tech to Kentucky.
Let’s dive into how things might shake out in the first round on April 15:
Pick 1: Indiana Fever – Caitlin Clark, Iowa
This one has long been a no-brainer and Indiana shouldn’t overthink it. Clark, in addition to being a lightning rod for the growth of women’s basketball, is an elite scorer, passer and competitor. There’s really not much more to say. She is the best player in this draft.
Pick 2: Los Angeles Sparks – Cameron Brink, Stanford
Brink has to figure out how play defense without fouling, and how to play with fouls, but those are solvable problems. What can’t be taught are the incredible skills and instincts that Brink possesses on the defensive end in terms of rebounding and shot-blocking. She was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year after leading the nation in blocks per game with 3.7 and she was also fifth in rebounding with 11.8. Brink is improving as a scorer too, averaging 17.4 points per game and shooting 51.1% from the floor and 30.4% from 3-point land for Stanford this season.
Pick 3: Chicago Sky – Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
The Sky could go in a lot of different directions here as the rebuild under Theresa Weatherspoon continues. Chicago picking Jackson would be a safe bet for a few reasons, but mostly because – short of Caitlin Clark – she is the most pro-ready scorer available in this draft. Jackson is versatile, long and can score inside and out. She should have a long career in the W.
Pick 4: Los Angeles Sparks – Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
Brink will probably become a power forward in the WNBA, stretching the floor a bit and hitting some 3-pointers here and there. So, the Sparks still need a center of the future, and there’s none better in this draft class than Cardoso, the 6-foot-7 centerpiece of South Carolina’s undefeated season. There’s still a bit to be desired in her offensive development, but she’s one of the best rim protectors in the country and you can’t teach height.
Pick 5: Dallas Wings – Alissa Pili, Utah
It feels like the Dallas Wings do something unpredictable in every draft. Remember last year when they spent a first round pick on Abby Meyers? It’s pretty clear who the four best players in this draft are and Dallas can go in several different directions at pick No. 5. Pili is a versatile player who might be able to fill in some gaps and solve some issues for the Wings as a Swiss Army Knife of sorts. Consider that, Pili was one of just four players in the country this year to average at least 21 points, 6.5 rebounds, two assists and 1.5 made 3-pointers per game. The others included Caitlin Clark, USC’s JuJu Watkins and Wofford’s Rachael Rose. It’s hard to say what Pili’s position will be in the pros as a 6-foot-2 forward, but she can ball, and she’s worth taking a chance on.
Pick 6: Washington Mystics – Angel Reese, LSU
ESPN’s Carolyn Peck said this about Angel Reese at the Final Four this week: “She’s got to be put on a team where she can develop. Where she’ll go, I don’t know, but it needs to be on a team that needs a motor post player.”
The Mystics are not going to be good this season, and it seems like they know that. Reese is an incredible college player who, given time, could turn into a very good pro player. Her rebounding skills should be transferrable right away, and the Mystics will have time to develop other parts of her game, like her shooting from outside the paint. Washington – not far from Reese’s native Baltimore – could be the perfect fit for Reese.
Pick 7: Minnesota Lynx – Aalyiah Edwards, UConn
Edwards is a fundamentally-sound, pro-ready frontcourt player who has helped UConn get back to the Final Four. There’s nothing she does poorly. She can score, defend and rebound at a high level. The Lynx would be elated if Edwards fell to them here.
Pick 8: Chicago Sky – Isobel Borlase, Australia
This could be a draft-and-stash move for the Sky here if Borlase, just 19, decides to continue playing in the WNBL for another season. Americans might not know much about Borlase, but they should get a closer look at her in the Olympics this summer. New York Liberty coach Sandy Brondello told ESPN she was “right up there with some of the best players in the draft.”
Pick 9: Dallas Wings – Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State
Here’s where the Wings could pick up a true guard and a top 3-point shooter. Sheldon is a fantastic and versatile two-way player, a solid passer and a sharp shooter who is capable of being a plus-player on both ends of the floor. This season for the Buckeyes, she shot a career-best 37.5% from 3-point land while dishing out 3.8 assists per game.
Pick 10: Connecticut Sun – Dyaisha Fair, Syracuse
Fair is small, sure. But being 5-foot-5 didn’t stop her from becoming the third all-time leading scorer in Division I women’s college basketball. The Sun could use a confident guard that can score inside and out in bunches and Fair is just that.
Pick 11: New York Liberty – Nika Muhl, UConn
At UConn, Muhl has shown that she has great court vision and is capable of guarding along the perimeter at a high level. A season ago, she was second in the nation in assists with 7.9 per game. This year, her 3-point shooting improved as she shot 40.3% from deep. Muhl deserves a chance in the pros.
Pick 12: Atlanta Dream – Nyadiew Puoch, Australia
Puoch has length, athleticism, speed, size, versatility and a knack for being an imposing, impressive and switchable defender. There’s some improvement to be desired in her offensive game, but she has flashed the ability as a 3-point shooter. Puoch could be a draft-and-stash option for the Dream, or someone who can contribute to their rebuild right away.
