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Mechelle VoepelESPN.com
Less than a week ago Draft WNBA 2022, the #1 overall pick traded manually. The Atlanta Dream own it now after make a deal on Wednesday with Washington Mysticswho won the December draft lottery. Atlanta will call first on Monday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) at the New York draft.
The Dream is under new management – the owner, general manager and coach all arrived last year – after missing four of the past five seasons. Atlanta, which had a 3rd pick, swapped that with Washington. Mystics also got a 14th-round pick in the second round, along with the right to convert the first-round pick in 2023 against Los Angeles, as Dream had the rights to that pick.
The top two picks seem to have been established for several months, but there is still some debate as to whether Baylor Bears‘ NaLyssa Smith or Kentucky Forest Cat‘ Rhyne Howard will be number 1 overall.
The Indiana Fever There were four picks in the first round, and how new generals Lin Dunn and Fever choose to use their picks will have a big impact on the rest of the first round.
Most of the seniors are expected to be the ones chosen in the first round statement for draftin spite of Iowa State Tornado‘ Ashley Jones and Victaria Saxton of the South Carolina Gamecocks – who were predicted to make it to the second round – chose to stay for the fifth college season. We have two qualified hoobaes scheduled to go in the first round.
With only 12 WNBA teams and 144 spots on the roster, even a first-round pick doesn’t guarantee a player will make the list. Harder for the second round picks and harder for the third round picks. But at least on Monday night, they can all experience the excitement of being drafted.
First round
Kentucky | protection | 6-foot-2 | elder
Howard finished the season with an average of 20.5 PPG and 7.4 RPG. 6 foot-2 tall with 284 career 3 points, she has a chance to be a really tough opponent given her size above her girth. Howard went back and forth between #1 and #2 in the drafts. Dreams clearly made the deal they made because they wanted someone special. And if it’s Howard, then she has a chance to be the mainstay for the Dream to build around.
Baylor | forward | 6-foot-4 | elder
Fever is looking to improve its defense and they can load up posts with their top picks. Smith, who has averaged 22.1 PPG and 11.5 RPG this season, is a striker who has scored most of her points in the paint, but working with coach Marianne Stanley should help her pull. lengthen his match to become more tasteless. Smith’s engine is always running at a high level, another plus is the ability to defend.
Ole Miss | center | 6-foot-5 | elder
Austin averaged 15.2 PPG and 9.0 RPG this season. It looks like Mystics has taken the trade down from #1 because they’re comfortable with any of the top three predicted players. Austin has the potential to become a low-profile future star but could also expand his game. Playing with the likes of Elena Delle Donne and coach Mike Thibault helps with that.
Oregon | center / forward | 6-foot-5 | red shirt
Due to injury, Sabally played only 47 games of her career with the Ducks, averaging 14.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG. But her ability 6-5 to have a big effect on Fever’s offensive and defensive behavior – both of which can use a boost – might be enough to give Indiana a chance with her. like a lottery despite concerns about injury.
NC State | center | 6-foot-5 | elder
Cunane finished his Wolfpack career with an average of 14.8 PPG and 7.9 RPG. She also took 112 3-pointers, shooting 41.1% from behind the arc. Liberty has won a center in free agency, taking Stefanie Dolson, 30, who is about to have a championship season with Chicago. But the extra dimension with Cunane, who has already shown offensive versatility, also makes sense.
Louisville | forward | 6 feet-1 | elder
Engstler made a huge impact during her one season in Louisville, helping lead the Cardinals to the show’s fourth Finals. She averages 11.9 PPG and 9.4 RPG and plays 6-1 bigger. Her constant energy, ability to break passes, and defensive audacity make her attractive to Fever’s general manager Dunn, who wants better defense.
Tennessee | guard / front | 6 feet-1 | elder
An early-season injury affected Burrell’s season, but she still averaged 12.3 PPG and 3.9 RPG. Last season, Burrell’s numbers were 16.8 PPG and 4.6 RPG, and she shot just over 40% from the 3-point range. The Wings have good size inside at the center and power forward, with Arike Ogunbowale leading their legion of guards. Burrell was able to give them more dimension and depth in the wings.
Mali | center | 6 feet-3
Kone is just 19 and that could help her get through a season with all-time great Sylvia Fowles, who will retire after the 2022 season. Kone would be a pick based on her promising potential. That might be enough for Lynx to put her past any of the rest of the college players.
Florida Gulf Coast | protection | 6 feet-1 | children
Bell, an Ohio State transfer, averaged 23.6 PPG and 9.4 RPG over two seasons at Florida’s Gulf Coast, while making 143 3-pointers. Strong defenses can help with Sparks’ perimeter attack.
South Carolina | protection | 5-foot-7 | elder
If Henderson is still around, Fever will be happy to add her to the role of both a defensive spark and a game-changer when it comes to offense. We saw proof of both at Final Four, as Henderson helped keep UConn Paige Bueckers test while leading the Gamecocks in points.
Michigan| forward | 6-foot-2 | elder
Worrying about Hillmon’s lack of a shooting range may prevent her from going higher, but her relentless recovery and work ethic could be a boost for the Aces, who could benefit from some more depth in the front.
UConn | protection | 5-foot-11 | elder
Williams struggled against the South Carolina defense in the national championship game – going 1/7 from the field to take two points – but she averaged 14.2 PPG this season and will likely find see his best days ahead as a professional player.
Second half
13. Lynx Minnesota: Evina WestbrookG, UConn
14. Washington Mystics: Veronica BurtonG, Northwest
15. Atlanta Dream: Olivia Nelson-OdodaF, UConn
16. The Los Angeles Spark: Lorela CubajF, Georgia Tech
17. Hurricane Seattle: Nia CloudenG, the state of Michigan
18. Storm Seattle: Jade Melbourne, G, Australia
19. The Los Angeles Spark: Queen EgboC, Baylor
20. Indiana Fever: Jenna StaitiC, Georgia
21. Hurricane Seattle: Lexie HullG, Stanford
22. Lynx Minnesota: Maya DodsonF, Notre Dame
23. Las Vegas Aces: Khayla PointerG, LSU
24. Connecticut Sun: Mya HollingshedF, Colorado
Round three
25. Indiana Sauce: Jordan LewisG, Baylor
26. Phoenix Mercury: Ameshya Williams-HollidayC, Jackson State
27. The Los Angeles Spark: Kianna SmithG, Louisville
28. Lynx Minnesota: Reka Dombai, G, Hungary
29. New York Liberty: Chloe BibbyF, Maryland
30. Dallas Wings: Vivian GreyF, Texas Technology
31. Dallas Wings: Joanne Allen-TaylorG, Texas
32. Phoenix Mercury: Jasmine DickeyF, Delaware
33. Hurricane Seattle: Hannah SjervenF, South Dakota
34. Indiana Fever: Aisha SheppardG, Virginia Technology
35. Las Vegas Ace: Macee WilliamsF, IUPUI
36. Connecticut Sun: Kayla WellsG, Texas A&M
