WNBA draft 2022 grades – Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, Washington Mystics rating highest marks

The 2022 WNBA draft can be judged quite a bit on how a lot the Indiana Fever did to enhance after dominating the primary spherical with 4 picks. The Fever had seven choices total, and the gamers who get a roster spot may have the chance to be changemakers for a franchise that hasn’t been within the playoffs since 2016.

With so many picks Monday, it is no shock the Fever lead ESPN’s WNBA draft grades. Indiana threw one curveball to most prognosticators in taking Stanford Cardinal guard Lexie Hull within the first spherical. However the Fever need gamers who’re going to return in hungry to make a distinction, and Hull has that sort of on-court persona.

Whereas it was a busy night time for some groups, the Chicago Sky had been only a draft observer, because the defending WNBA champions had no picks. The Minnesota Lynx and Phoenix Mercury had 4 choices between them, three of these within the third spherical, so these picks may not make a lot of a distinction.

How did groups such because the Atlanta Dream and Las Vegas Aces, who made trades to acquire sure draft-day targets, truthful Monday? Did the Washington Mystics make the proper transfer in dealing the No. 1 choose?

Listed here are our 2022 WNBA draft grades, dissecting all of that.

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Emily Engstler joins NaLyssa Smith as she is chosen fourth total by the Indiana Fever.

Picks: 2. NaLyssa Smith, Baylor, PF; 4. Emily Engstler, Louisville, PF; 6. Lexie Hull, Stanford, SG; 10. Queen Egbo, Baylor, C; 20. Destanni Henderson, South Carolina, PG; 25. Ameshya Williams-Holliday, Jackson State, C; 34. Ali Patberg, Indiana, SG

Common supervisor Lin Dunn stated she wished energetic, younger gamers who might convey protection, and he or she seems to have gotten it. Hull was a shock because the third of the Fever’s 4 first-round picks, however Dunn clearly believes in her motor. Hull led the Cardinals in steals (78) this season. Smith and Egbo have been teammates at Baylor for 4 seasons, so they carry chemistry. The always-moving Engstler is a defensive drive and performs like she was made to compete for Dunn.

Even after an outstanding Remaining 4 efficiency, Henderson went within the second spherical. But when she will be able to make the roster, Henderson additionally performs the sort of protection the Fever are in search of. It will likely be arduous for Williams-Holliday to nab a roster spot, however her choice is a lift to HBCUs in all places.

Picks: 1. Rhyne Howard, Kentucky, SG; 15. Naz Hillmon, Michigan, PF

The Dream are beneath new administration and a brand new teaching workers, and so they knew who they wished in Howard and had been prepared to commerce as much as get her. It ought to energize Howard to understand how a lot the Dream believed in her to do this. It is a huge legacy to hold to be the No. 1 choice, and Howard has the power to fill that function. New Dream coach Tanisha Wright was very revered for her management and protection as a WNBA participant, and he or she needs to be a terrific mentor for Howard.

As terrific a participant as Hillmon was in faculty, her choice within the second spherical confirms that WNBA groups have issues about her measurement and capturing vary. What they can not absolutely measure is her coronary heart and maturity — and each are off the charts. These qualities ought to assist her get a roster spot and show she will be able to hold including to her recreation.

Picks: 3. Shakira Austin, Ole Miss, C; 14. Christyn Williams, UConn, SG

The commerce labored out for the Mystics: Dealing the No. 1 choose nonetheless obtained them an elite submit participant in Austin, for whom the sky is the restrict if she steadily progresses as a professional. And Washington additionally obtained an extra choose to pick Williams, who has the UConn pedigree going for her.

A lot has at all times been manufactured from Williams’ ups and downs in faculty, however the monitor document of former Huskies within the league is past spectacular. On Washington, she will be able to thrive with out a lot stress.

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The Washington Mystics use the third choose within the WNBA draft to pick Ole Miss’ Shakira Austin.

Picks: 9. Rae Burrell, Tennessee, SG; 16. Kianna Smith, Louisville, SG; 19. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, UConn, C; 27. Amy Atwell, Hawaii, SF

The Sparks are coming off the frustration of not making the playoffs final 12 months. However they made huge offseason strikes by acquiring Liz Cambage and Chennedy Carter and probably stuffed some wants with the draft. Burrell has good measurement and expertise on the wing, and Smith and Nelson-Ododa each have Remaining 4 expertise.

Atwell, the Massive West Participant of the Yr, is price giving a glance in camp. They won’t all make the roster, however the Sparks made probably the most of their draft spots.

Picks: 5. Nyara Sabally, Oregon, PF; 18. Lorela Cubaj, Georgia Tech, PF; 29. Sika Kone, Mali, C

The Liberty wanted measurement and power inside, and so they obtained that. Sabally, if she will be able to keep wholesome, is a flexible addition New York’s guards can make the most of as one other goal.

Cubaj was the anchor of Georgia Tech’s defense-first success. Kone went later than many anticipated, however she’s simply 19 and might be a participant for the longer term.

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The Atlanta Dream choose Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard with the primary choose within the 2022 WNBA draft.

Picks: 12. Nia Clouden, Michigan State, SG; 24. Jordan Lewis, Baylor, PG; 36. Kiara Smith, Florida, SG

Clouden is a robust scorer, and Lewis an excellent distributor. It is at all times a numbers recreation with the roster, however getting extra younger depth at guard is a optimistic for the Solar. Smith is a choose for the longer term, as she suffered a season-ending knee damage in the course of the SEC match in March.

Picks: 7. Veronica Burton, Northwestern, PG; 30. Jasmine Dickey, Delaware, SG; 31. Jazz Bond, North Florida, PF

Contemplating all of the Wings’ draft picks of the previous couple of years, they do not have a lot house on the roster. However they get a very good grade from Burton’s choice alone. The three-time Massive Ten defensive participant of the 12 months provides a fringe toughness on that finish of the court docket that the Wings want.

Dickey and Bond are the forms of gamers you actually want had extra of probability to catch on, however the roster numbers crunch hurts.

Picks: 17. Elissa Cunane, NC State, C; 21. Evina Westbrook, UConn, PG; 33. Jade Melbourne, Australia, PG

Cunane is probably going the most effective 3-point shooter of the facilities within the draft. Though she fell to the second spherical, she has a whole lot of potential to search out her method within the WNBA if she will be able to make the Storm roster.

Some thought Westbrook would possibly go a bit increased together with her 6-foot measurement and skill to be a combo guard. She at all times performs arduous, and that might make a distinction. Melbourne is 19 and sure extra a choose for the longer term.

Picks: 8. Mya Hollingshed, Colorado, PF; 11. Kierstan Bell, Florida Gulf Coast, SG; 13. Khayla Pointer, LSU, PG; 23. Aisha Sheppard, Virginia Tech, SG; 35. Faustine Aifuwa, LSU, C

This grade might change into method off, nevertheless it comes all the way down to this: The Aces made a deal Sunday with Minnesota to get the Nos. Eight and 13 picks. Did they benefit from these choices? If Hollingshed proves to be nearly as good because the Aces suppose she is, then sure. If not, then the grade is perhaps fairly correct.

Bell’s measurement on the perimeter needs to be a very good pickup. Hollingshed, Pointer, Sheppard and Aifuwa had been all fifth-year seniors, so they carry maturity, though it is unlikely all will stick.

Picks: 22. Kayla Jones, NC State, SF; 28. Hannah Sjerven, South Dakota, C

By buying and selling the Nos. Eight and 13 picks to the Aces for 2023 picks, the Lynx made it clear this draft wasn’t going to be an enormous issue for them. That is sensible, contemplating their restricted cap house. Jones and Sjerven are each hard-working gamers who had nice faculty seasons, with NC State reaching the Elite Eight and South Dakota the Candy 16. Each are price a glance in camp, however it will likely be powerful for both to make the roster.

Picks: 26. Maya Dodson, Notre Dame, PF; 32. Macee Williams, IUPUI, C

The Mercury are in the same scenario because the Lynx, not anticipating quite a bit from this draft. Each of Phoenix’s choices had been within the third spherical. With Brittney Griner indefinitely detained in Russia, it figured the Mercury would go for bigs with their picks, and each Dodson and Williams had actually good seasons. Once more, roster spots can be at a premium, however each a minimum of might match a necessity.