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Mechelle VoepelESPN.com
Lower than every week earlier than the 2022 WNBA draft, the No. 1 general choose has traded fingers. The Atlanta Dream now personal it after making a deal Wednesday with the Washington Mystics, who gained the draft lottery in December. Atlanta will name out the primary title Monday (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) on the draft in New York.
The Dream are underneath new administration — homeowners, basic supervisor and coach all coming in final yr — after lacking the playoffs 4 of the previous 5 seasons. Atlanta, which had the No. Three choose, swaps that with Washington. The Mystics additionally get the No. 14 choose within the second spherical, together with the proper to change 2023 first-round picks with Los Angeles, because the Dream have the rights to that choose.
The highest two picks have appeared set for a number of months, however there’s nonetheless some debate whether or not the Baylor Bears‘ NaLyssa Smith or the Kentucky Wildcats‘ Rhyne Howard will go No. 1 general.
The Indiana Fever have 4 first-round picks, and the way new basic supervisor Lin Dunn and the Fever choose to make use of their choices could have a big effect on the remainder of the primary spherical.
Many of the seniors who had been anticipated to be first-round picks declared for the draft, though the Iowa State Cyclones‘ Ashley Joens and South Carolina Gamecocks’ Victaria Saxton — who was projected to go within the second spherical — opted to remain for a fifth faculty season. We have now two draft-eligible juniors projected to go within the first spherical.
With simply 12 WNBA groups and 144 roster spots, even being a first-round choose would not assure a participant will make a roster. It is more durable for second-round picks, and more durable nonetheless for these within the third spherical. However at the least on Monday evening, all of them can expertise the joy of being drafted.
First spherical
Kentucky | guard | 6-foot-2 | senior
Howard completed the season averaging 20.5 PPG and seven.Four RPG. At 6-foot-2 with 284 profession 3-pointers, she has an opportunity to be a extremely tough matchup together with her dimension on the perimeter. Howard has gone backwards and forwards between No. 1 and No. 2 in draft projections. The Dream clearly made the deal they did as a result of they wished somebody particularly. And if it is Howard, then she has the prospect to be a pillar for the Dream to construct round.
Baylor | ahead | 6-foot-4 | senior
The Fever want to get higher on protection, they usually would possibly load up on posts with their high picks. Smith, who averaged 22.1 PPG and 11.5 RPG this season, is a ahead who has scored most of her factors within the paint, however working with coach Marianne Stanley ought to assist her stretch her sport to being extra positionless. Smith’s motor is all the time working excessive, one other plus defensively.
Ole Miss | middle | 6-foot-5 | senior
Austin averaged 15.2 PPG and 9.Zero RPG this season. It appears the Mystics made the commerce to maneuver down from No. 1 as a result of they had been comfy with any of the highest three projected gamers. Austin has the capability to be a low-block star of the long run but additionally broaden her sport. Taking part in alongside the likes of Elena Delle Donne and for coach Mike Thibault will assist with that.
Oregon | middle/ahead | 6-foot-5 | redshirt junior
Due to accidents, Sabally performed simply 47 profession video games with the Geese, averaging 14.2 PPG and seven.5 RPG. However the potential she has at 6-5 to be a giant affect on the Fever’s offense and protection — each of which might use a lift — may be sufficient for Indiana to take the prospect on her as a lottery choose regardless of the damage considerations.
NC State | middle | 6-foot-5 | senior
Cunane completed her Wolfpack profession averaging 14.eight PPG and seven.9 RPG. She additionally made 112 3-pointers, taking pictures 41.1% from behind the arc. The Liberty went for a middle in free company, getting Stefanie Dolson, 30, who’s coming off a championship season with Chicago. However including extra dimension with Cunane, who has proven offensive versatility, is smart, too.
Louisville | ahead | 6-foot-1 | senior
Engstler made a big effect in her one season at Louisville, serving to lead the Cardinals to this system’s fourth Closing 4. She averaged 11.9 PPG and 9.Four RPG and performs greater than 6-1. Her fixed vitality, means to disrupt the passing lanes and defensive grit ought to make her interesting to Fever basic supervisor Dunn, who desires higher protection.
Tennessee | guard/ahead | 6-foot-1 | senior
An early-season damage impacted Burrell’s season, however she nonetheless averaged 12.Three PPG and three.9 RPG. Final season, Burrell’s numbers had been 16.eight PPG and 4.6 RPG, and he or she shot simply over 40% from 3-point vary. The Wings have good dimension inside at middle and energy ahead, with Arike Ogunbowale main their guard corps. Burrell might give them extra dimension and depth at wing.
Mali | middle | 6-foot-3
Kone is simply 19, and it might assist her to spend a season with all-time nice Sylvia Fowles, who’s retiring after the 2022 season. Kone could be a choose primarily based on her promising potential, which might be sufficient for the Lynx to take her over any of the remaining faculty gamers.
Florida Gulf Coast | guard | 6-foot-1 | junior
Bell, an Ohio State switch, averaged 23.6 PPG and 9.Four RPG in two seasons at Florida Gulf Coast, whereas making 143 3-pointers. The robust guard might assist the Sparks’ perimeter offense.
South Carolina | guard | 5-foot-7 | senior
If Henderson continues to be obtainable, the Fever might be blissful so as to add her as each a defensive spark plug and somebody who generally is a game-changer on offense. We noticed proof of each on the Closing 4, as Henderson helped maintain UConn’s Paige Bueckers in examine whereas main the Gamecocks in scoring.
Michigan| ahead | 6-foot-2 | senior
Concern over Hillmon’s lack of taking pictures vary would possibly stop her from going increased, however her relentless rebounding and work ethic might be a lift to the Aces, who can profit from some extra depth at ahead.
UConn | guard | 5-foot-11 | senior
Williams struggled towards South Carolina’s protection within the nationwide championship sport — going 1-of-7 from the sphere for 2 factors — however she averaged 14.2 PPG this season and would possibly discover her greatest days forward as an expert.
Second spherical
13. Minnesota Lynx: Evina Westbrook, G, UConn
14. Washington Mystics: Veronica Burton, G, Northwestern
15. Atlanta Dream: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F, UConn
16. Los Angeles Sparks: Lorela Cubaj, F, Georgia Tech
17. Seattle Storm: Nia Clouden, G, Michigan State
18. Seattle Storm: Jade Melbourne, G, Australia
19. Los Angeles Sparks: Queen Egbo, C, Baylor
20. Indiana Fever: Jenna Staiti, C, Georgia
21. Seattle Storm: Lexie Hull, G, Stanford
22. Minnesota Lynx: Maya Dodson, F, Notre Dame
23. Las Vegas Aces: Khayla Pointer, G, LSU
24. Connecticut Solar: Mya Hollingshed, F, Colorado
Third spherical
25. Indiana Fever: Jordan Lewis, G, Baylor
26. Phoenix Mercury: Ameshya Williams-Holliday, C, Jackson State
27. Los Angeles Sparks: Kianna Smith, G, Louisville
28. Minnesota Lynx: Reka Dombai, G, Hungary
29. New York Liberty: Chloe Bibby, F, Maryland
30. Dallas Wings: Vivian Gray, F, Texas Tech
31. Dallas Wings: Joanne Allen-Taylor, G, Texas
32. Phoenix Mercury: Jasmine Dickey, F, Delaware
33. Seattle Storm: Hannah Sjerven, F, South Dakota
34. Indiana Fever: Aisha Sheppard, G, Virginia Tech
35. Las Vegas Aces: Macee Williams, F, IUPUI
36. Connecticut Solar: Kayla Wells, G, Texas A&M
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