With a lot of news coming out of the W, including players leaving to explore other leagues and CBA drama, I am here to highlight what may be the deepest draft class that this league has ever seen. We have blue-chip prospects at the top, some players from overseas who could develop into stars, and others who fill a role perfectly and may blossom with coaching at the next level. Let’s dive right in.
1) Dallas Wings
Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
Lauren Betts has been the wire-to-wire top pick for me to this point in the season, and with the Bruins looking like contenders for a championship, we will really get to see her against the best of the best. Averaging 16.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, and two blocks per game is impressive, and I think that her numbers will look similar to the ones that she put up last season in the NCAA tournament as she ramps up from a delayed start to the year. Size is hard to find in women’s hoops, and size with elite skill should not be overlooked.
2) Minnesota Lynx (via CHI)
Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
With a championship pedigree and an expanded game in her extended role this season, it would be an embarrassment of riches if the Lynx could bring her in and continue their quest to become the next WNBA champion. Azzi Fudd has taken on a larger role in this offense and is passing every test with flying colors. Look for UConn to be in the mix at the end of the season and Fudd to further cement her top-two status.
3) Seattle Storm (via LA)
Olivia Miles, G, TCU
Olivia Miles can get you a bucket when you need one. She has raised her scoring to 20.1 points per game yet hasn’t regressed in any other aspect of the game, as evidenced by the 26-point triple-double she posted in TCU’s victory over Iowa State. She will fit right in with Seattle and is the best pure point guard in this class.
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4) Washington Mystics
Awa Fam, C, Spain
Awa Fam has started to carve out a larger role with Valencia in Spain, raising her scoring to approximately 10 points per game after never averaging more than 3.2 points in a season. She could be seen as the most talented player in this draft when all is said and done. Her focus is on coming stateside and joining the WNBA to develop with some of the world’s best coaches. In the interim, this pick makes sense from an upside perspective for Washington, as they possess another pick later in this draft.
5) Chicago Sky (via CON)
Flau’Jae Johnson, G, LSU
If Flau’Jae Johnson can connect with Angel Reese at the next level, the results could be beautiful for the Sky. They could, along with the talent around them, develop into a dynamic franchise that is always in the hunt, bolstered by the addition of a guard like Johnson.
6) Portland Fire
Ta’Niya Latson, G, South Carolina
Ta’Niya Latson has shown the ability to play in a high-usage role (25.2 PPG last season at Florida State) and as part of a more balanced offense (14.6 PPG this season) at an extremely high level. What is interesting is that even with the decrease in counting numbers, Latson’s 49.8% field-goal percentage is the highest of any season in her career. I think that an expansion team would be wise to build around her and her all-around promising game.
7) Toronto Tempo
Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA
In my last mock, we discussed a “slow” start for Gianna Kneepkens and correctly predicted that she would break out of it. She has hit seven threes over the last three games and raised her season percentage to 45.3%. Look for Toronto to bring in this elite shooting guard and build a roster around using that to their advantage.
8) Golden State Valkyries
Kiki Rice, G, UCLA
It is easy to overlook any of the players after Betts on this stacked UCLA team, but Kiki Rice has improved her game for the third straight year. Her presence on these great UCLA teams, plus seeing increases year over year in all major categories over each year of her four-year career, makes for a great combination of talent and coachability. That combination makes for a great get for the upstart Valkyries.
9) Washington Mystics (via SEA)
Angela Dugalic, F, UCLA
I promise I am not just looking at UCLA and blindly picking these players; they are just that deep and talented, and I think that these players can all play at the next level. While Betts steals the show inside for UCLA, Angela Dugalic is a player to watch who took advantage of extended minutes when Betts was out with an injury. The highlight of the year is a 16-point, 15-rebound double-double against sixth-ranked Oklahoma. She is extremely efficient and seems to always be there when her team puts her out there.
10) Indiana Fever
Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
With a revamped role and three-point shot, Madina Okot has been extremely impressive this season, and there are very few women who measure up to Okot, let alone try to guard her. With Caitlin Clark hopefully healthy and drawing game-planning attention from opposing teams, the Fever could once again be among the top offenses. Defenses stretched between Clark and Okot would have no answer for the contrast of styles.
11) Washington Mystics (via NY)
Iyana Martin Carrion, G, Spain
After a strong performance at the most recent EuroBasket Women and continued success in the youth circuits, I have Iyana Martin Carrion entering the first round here. Freshly 20 years old, she was named Euroleague Young Player of the Year in her first season with Perfumerias Avenida, which has led to increased confidence and stats to show it off.
12) Connecticut Sun (via PHX)
Nell Angloma, F, France
Nell Angloma is going to be a target for new coach Rachid Meziane, but her game also fits the way the Sun love to make life tough on others and play positionless on defense. I think she will make an immediate defensive impact and stand out in her offensive role as an efficient contributor when her number is called. She has the potential to develop into one of the best players in this class, but I also think that even while developing, she can jump in and play right away in the W and make an immediate impact.
13) Atlanta Dream
Maggie Doogan, G, Richmond
Maggie Doogan is the only player on this list that I genuinely did not have on my radar prior to the season, but Doogan is a great fit in Atlanta. She is a smart guard who makes smart decisions with the ball and plays solid defense. To make it from smaller schools to the WNBA, one must be coachable and show that progress in action, which Doogan has done.
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14) Seattle Storm (via LV)
Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss
Cotie McMahon plays physical and with a lot of energy, resulting in a great first season with the Ole Miss Rebels. She is a great role player who makes everyone around her better, which would allow her to fit right in in Seattle. I am a bit higher on her than most others, but I love to see a hard worker climb the boards and shine at the next level. I don’t expect McMahon to be a superstar, but she can fill multiple roles on a team, which is why I see her as a great fit here.
15) Connecticut Sun (via MIN)
Zee Spearman, F, Tennessee
Zee Spearman is viewed as a high-upside, athletic forward with a nose for the dirty work, and her overall demeanor makes her a great fit in Connecticut, which loves to play tough but needs players with difference-maker potential at the position. With three picks in the first round, I think they can grab Spearman and Angloma, hoping one will be really very good and that both will have a chance.
