Written by Key Williams, Sports Empire Network
The WNBA season is almost here. The free agency is over and we have seen some shake-ups so far. Candace Parker going to Vegas and Breanna Stewart, Jonquel Jones, and Courtney Vandersloot going to New York. The Draft is definitely going to be exciting because there is a lot of talented woman coming out of college. Here is a mock draft of the 1st Round of the draft.
With the 1st overall pick, the Indiana Fever selects Forward Aliyah Boston from South Carolina. Boston is the most pro-ready player who will definitely elevate this Fever team on both sides of the floor. Her stats dropped this year because of South Carolina’s Depth on the team. Boston is used to getting double and triple-teamed in college which is going to be harder for her to do in WNBA. She’s a good rim protector and can cover a lot of ground defending in the Paint.
With the 2nd pick, the Minnesota Lynx selects Guard Haley Jones from Stanford. Haley Jones is an elite playmaker. She’s not that great from 3, but Stanford relied on her heavily. This season she is 3 for 28 and 23 for 101 in her college career with Stanford. This could cause her to drop in the draft She does other things so well that improving the three will come once she’s a pro.
With the 3rd pick, the Dallas Wings selects Guard from Maryland Diamond Miller. Miller is a very versatile offensive threat with good speed at her size that has the ability to finish at the rim. Miller very good 3-point shooter making 102 3s in Maryland. She would definitely be a good wing for Dallas. Also, she would be surrounded by good defenders who can help her in the aspect of her game.
With the 4th pick, the Washington Mystics select forward Rickea Jackson from Tennessee. The Mystics need a big-time slashing scorer and Jackson fits the bill. At Tennessee, she averaged 18 points per game and is a dangerous scorer. She averaged 6 rebounds per game and showed growth on the defensive end in Washington.
With the 5th pick, the Chicago Sky selects a guard from UCLA, Charisma Osborne. The Sky is restructuring since the departure of Candace Parker and Courtney Vandersloot, Osborne is a strong two-way guard who is very good on the perimeter. She averages 15.8 points per and has a chance to be the best-level defender in the pro game.
With the 6th pick, the New York Library select a forward from Iowa State, Ashley Joens. Joens is a workhorse who will find a way to score and will play where ever she is needed. She leads the Big 12 in scoring at 20.1 ppg.
With the 7th pick, the Indiana Fever selects a guard from Tennessee Jordan Horston. Jordan has so much potential to bloom into a pro player. She has good size, instincts, and hustle. The Fever want strong defensive players and she can contribute here. Horston averages 15.4 ppg.
With the 8th pick, the Atlanta Dream selects Elizabeth Kitley, center from Virginia Tech. She’s a true center although they don’t always transition well in the WNBA. Her production at VT: averaged 18.3 ppg, 11.1 rpg, and 2 blocks per game. Kitley will have to get stronger as a defensive player.
With the 9th pick, the Seattle Storm selects Dorka Juhasz, forward from UConn. The Huskies have been shorthanded all season. Dorka had a thumb injury at the beginning of the season. She averages a double-double and with her 6’5″ frame she can pass very well. Since the departure of Breanna Stewart, Juhasz will boost the Storm on the inside.
With the 10th pick, the Los Angeles Sparks selects forward from Oklahoma Madi Williams. Williams is the leading scorer for the Sooners 16.2 ppg and the second-leading rebounder at 6.3 rpg and shooting 52% from the field. She had a very soft touch on her shot but she had become a stronger defensive player. Only being 6 feet tall will be a challenge in the WNBA but Curt Miller head coach for the Sparks will make the most of her strengths.
With the 11th pick, the Dallas Wings selects forward from Villanova Maddy Siegrist. Maddy is the leading scorer in division I at 28.3 ppg and shooting 52% from the field. Dallas’s new coach Latrica Trammell who is known for defense will appreciate how elite an offensive player Maddy is.
With the final pick in the 1st round at 12 the Minnesota Lynx selects Guard/forward from UConn Lou Lopez Senechal. Transferring from Fairfield, she has been impressive. She leads the team in 3-point shooting at 47%. UConn’s track record for producing players in the WNBA is unmatched by any other program.
This first round definitely has some great talent. The sleeper in this round is definitely Maddy Siegrist to Dallas. She’s going to fit well playing along with Arike Ogunbowlae.