The WNBA Draft is just one month away, and it’s time to contemplate those mock drafts! While there are many such lists online right now, this mock draft is different in that it’s the joint product of seven other knowledgeable bloggers, writers and fans. Instead of just one writer’s opinion, this mock draft features opinions from some of the best who follow both women’s college basketball game and the WNBA.
I asked everyone to submit their picks from 1 to 36, and I took the most-requested players from each of their lists to make this mock draft. Listed below each prospect is a brief summary describing the athlete’s strengths. I have named the people who were involved in making this draft below, as well as their Twitter handle, so you can also check them out online, as well.
Note – This draft includes only eligible juniors, simply because they have not declared yet. They will be included only if they officially enter the draft.
FIRST ROUND
1) – Kelsey Plum (Washington) – San Antonio Stars
– Great shooter, good draw for the Stars – Arie Graham @WNBALOVE
2) – Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (Maryland) – Chicago Sky
– Efficient shooter with great defense – Tanya Ollick @tollick
3) – Alaina Coates (South Carolina) – Dallas Wings
– Physical big that can provide an imposing presence in the paint – Marquez Anderson @ohmarquez
4) – Alexis Jones (Baylor) – Dallas Wings
– Jones is a great player because she has the ability to change the game. She can do it all, she had 127 rebounds & 361 points this year in 26 games. She’s a big reason why the Bears went 30-3 this year. – Casey Dulson @Casey_Dulson
5) – Nia Coffey (Northwestern) – San Antonio Stars
– Has potential to become a great player. Elite defender. – Aneela Khan @whoopsblogger
6) – Brionna Jones (Maryland) – Washington Mystics
– A big strong body in the post that can finish well at the rim. – Thomas Baker @gcockhoopsrep
7) – Sydney Wiese (Oregon State) – Atlanta Dream
– Tall, crafty guard who excels at shooting the basketball. High basketball IQ and can shoot spotting up or coming off screens. Elevated her game to become both OSU’s primary scorer and distributor after Ruth Hamblin and Jamie Weisner graduated. – Eric Nemchock @nemchocke
8) – Alexis Peterson (Syracuse) – Connecticut Sun
– Incredible from long distance, quick on defense. – Owen Perkins @owenperkins11
9) – Erica McCall (Stanford) – Chicago Sky
– McCall is the perfect fit for any team. There is a big reason why Stanford has been successful over the last two years. McCall this season has averaged 14.8 points per a game & scored 474 points in 32 games. Plus she is a fantastic rebounder as well, 280 rebounds this year. – Casey Dulson
10) – Tori Jankoska (Michigan State) – Dallas Wings
– Can score from everywhere and excels in transition – Marquez Anderson
11) – Brittney Sykes (Syracuse) – Los Angeles Sparks
– Best remaining scorer available. LA’s guard bench is very depleted – Tanya Ollick
12) – Evelyn Akhator (Kentucky) – Minnesota Lynx
– Long, athletic, and active; one of the most dependable post players in a conference chock full of them. Raised her scoring and efficiency in SEC play and was a major reason Kentucky secured a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament. Strong offensive rebounder; averaged a healthy double-double on the season. – Eric Nemchock
SECOND ROUND
13) Chantel Osahor (Washington) – Connecticut Sun
– A pure point center who could thrive in the right system. – Tanya Ollick
14) Makayla Epps (Kentucky) – New York Liberty
– A tough guard with a gritty style of play, Epps is a unique pro, and this may be her biggest advantage. – Thomas Baker
15) Leticia Romero (Florida State) – Seattle Storm
– International experience makes her a smart point guard in the mold of Bird. – Tanya Ollick
16) Nina Davis (Baylor) – Connecticut Sun
– Fast in transition, crafty on the drive. – Owen Perkins
17) Lindsey Allen (Notre Dame) – Seattle Storm
– Another prospect who does not wow you with her scoring, the ACC record holder in assists simply knows how to get her teammates the ball. Allen is a traditional PG and one that is becoming harder to find in today’s game. – Thomas Baker
18) Jessica January (DePaul) – Washington Mystics
– A talented guard who could thrive in Mike Thibault’s system. – Aneela Khan
19) Adrienne Motley (Miami) – Atlanta Dream
– Good mid-range shooter, patient on offense. Owen Perkins
20) Ronni Williams (Florida) – Indiana Fever
– Athletic wing with potential. Has a nose for the ball. – Marquez Anderson
21) Precious Hall (James Madison) – Chicago Sky
– Creative shooter and scorer. – Arie Graham
22) Breanna Lewis (Kansas State) – Indiana Fever
– A legitimate 6-5 who was often K-State’s most reliable player. By far the team’s best rebounder and shot blocker. Showed steady improvement at finishing throughout her career; named to All-Big 12 first team as a junior. – Eric Nemchock
23) Jessica Jackson (Arkansas) – Dallas Wings
– Can spread the floor with more development. Trending upward. – Arie Graham
24) Sophie Brunner (Arizona State) – Minnesota Lynx
– Undersized, yet physical down low. – Marquez Anderson
THIRD ROUND
25) Peyton Little (Oklahoma) – San Antonio Stars
– Little can score outside the three point arc well and is a true team player. – Thomas Baker
26) Briana Day (Syracuse) – Dallas Wings
– Another option with size. – Arie Graham
27) Karlie Samuelson (Stanford) – Washington Mystics
– An excellent three point shooter who could do well off the bench. – Aneela Khan
28) Saniya Chong (Connecticut) – Connecticut Sun
– Smart and steady guard that can score at will. – Marquez Anderson
29) Curtyce Knox (Texas A&M) – Phoenix Mercury
– Is unselfish with the ball and is the second best point pure guard. – Aneela Khan
30) Pachis Roberts (Georgia) – Seattle Storm
– Roberts shoots the ball well from three and is good at getting her teammates in position to score. – Thomas Baker
31) Brooke Schulte (DePaul) – Atlanta Dream
– Solid on offense, good rebounder (especially offensive). – Owen Perkins
32) Seanna Johnson (Iowa State) – Indiana Fever
– Runs floor well, unselfish on offense. – Owen Perkins
33) Lizzy Wendell (Drake) – Chicago Sky
– Efficient scorer who played extremely well this season. – Arie Graham
34) Jennie Simms (Old Dominion) – New York Liberty
– A player that New York could develop over time. – Aneela Khan
35) Elin Gustavsson (Colorado State) – Los Angeles Sparks
– Great FT shooter, consistent shooter. – Owen Perkins
36) Lanay Montgomery (West Virginia) – Minnesota Lynx
– Strong offensive rebounder who was also WVU’s most efficient scorer (68% from the field). She is also a reliable free throw shooter for a center (70%). – Eric Nemchock
