With the women’s NCAA tournament now behind us, all eyes turn to the 2024 WNBA Draft as college stars make the transition to the professional level.
The WNBA Draft will be the 29th draft in WNBA history. It will take place on Monday, April 15th at 7:30 pm at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
While the Iowa phenomenon Caitlin Clark is the presumed No. 1 overall pick in the draft, questions remain about where stars like Camila Cardoso It is Angel Reese will land. Broadcaster Meghan McKeown outlines her 2024 WNBA mock draft below.
RELATED: WNBA Draft 2024: date, time, schedule, best players, draft order, location
ROUND 1
1. Indiana Fever – Caitlin Clark, Iowa
Arguably the greatest college basketball player of all time, Clark’s decision-making and ability to play on ball screens will allow her to make an immediate impact for the Fever. Clark also rebounds at a high level, which allows him to increase his pace in transition and find teammates in the open field. Oh yes, and she can score on three levels!
2. Sparks of Los Angeles – Cameron Brink, Stanford
With the loss of Nneka Ogwumike to Seattle, the Sparks need a dynamic, shot-blocking player. Brink was the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. While it may take him some time to adjust to the WNBA, Brink is smart and has a wide skill set and offensive versatility.
3. Chicago Sky (from Phoenix) – Rickea Jackson, Tennessee
Big, strong, athletic wing who can get to the rim, hit from mid-range and is a capable three-point shooter. Jackson’s guard skills at 6’2″ make her a matchup problem. Most importantly, she can rebound at a high level. Jackson could be a good compliment to Marina Mabrey and Diamond DeShields.
4. Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle) – Kamilla Cardoso, South Carolina
At 6’7″, Cardoso is unstoppable on the boards. His low-scoring ability in addition to his rebounding would be a huge addition as the Sparks continue to develop their frontcourt in the post-Nneka Ogwumike era.
5. Dallas Wings (from Chicago) – Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State
Jacy Sheldon’s motor and defensive prowess has WNBA scouts excited. Dallas was the worst three-point shooting team in the league last season (31%). Sheldon brings perimeter shooting and a high basketball IQ to the table.
6. Washington Mystics – Aaliyah Edwards, UConn
Aaliyah Edwards nearly doubled in average her senior year at UConn (17.6ppg/9.2rpg) and at 6’3″, she has a pro-ready body. She is fundamentally sound and would likely be better available at this point in the draft.
7. Chicago Sky – Angel Reese, LSU (from Minnesota via Los Angeles)
Between his rebounding, scoring ability, and defense, Angel Reese is the perfect fit for a Sky team in need of depth everywhere. It would also be great for Chicago to have one of the biggest names in the draft.
8. Minnesota Lynx – Nika Muhl, UConn
Cheryl Reeve loves smart, tough point guards and that’s exactly what Nika Muhl brings to the table. With a high IQ, you can literally place her anywhere on the floor. The two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year cuts angles and stays in front of opponents. Every WNBA team could use depth when it comes to guards who can defend at a high level on the perimeter.
9. Dallas Wings – Alissa Pili, Utah
The Wings need to add shooting to their roster. Alissa Pili shot 40% from beyond the arc last season. Her size and ability to spread the floor make her an attractive pick for Dallas. She is also 1.80m tall and knows how to use her size to her advantage.
10. Connecticut Sun – Nyadiew Puoch, Australia
The 19-year-old can get to the rim and finish. Puoch played professionally in Australia. While she may take some time to develop, she has legitimate raw talent. The Sun has the depth where it may take time to develop it.
11. Freedom of New York – Charisma Osborne, UCLA
Charisma Osborne is a strong guard who also knows how to defend. She earned back-to-back All-Pac-12 defensive team honors. Even though she won’t have an immediate offensive impact on the court, her natural defensive instincts will be attractive to any W team. The Liberty ranked in the bottom half of the WNBA last season in turnovers forced (13) and steals (6.7). .
12. Atlanta Dream (from Las Vegas, via Los Angeles) – Dyaisha FairSyracuse
Atlanta led the WNBA in bench points last season (21). Dyaisha Fair finished her career as the third-leading scorer in Division I women’s basketball (3,403 points). Having guards who can come off the bench and score will continue to be important to the Dream’s depth.
2ND ROUND
1. Chicago Sky – Jessika Carter, Mississippi State
Carter is 6’5″ and averaged nearly 15 points and 10 rebounds per game last season, earning Second Team All-SEC honors.
2. Storm in Seattle – Celeste Taylor, Ohio State
The conference’s two Defenders of the Year (ACC and Big Ten) are attractive to any professional team because of their ability to defend on the perimeter.
3. Indiana Fever – Isabel Borlase, Australia
Borlase is a guard with great upside coming from Australia, where he has been playing professionally. She can get out and run in transition, which means she could be a great target for Caitlin Clark.
4. Aces of Las Vegas – Marquesha Davis, Ole Miss
Davis can create his own shot and is lethal in midfield at 6′.
5. New York Freedom – Jaz Shelley, Nebraska
Shelley is an elite creator with the ball in her hands and can knock down threes. She also played with Sabrina Ionescu in Oregon.
6. Aces of Las Vegas – Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech
Kitley falls in the second round because of a torn ACL, but has tremendous skill in the post. This would be a long-term development choice.
7. Connecticut Sun – Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana
Holmes has elite footwork in the post and adds depth to Connecticut’s frontcourt.
8. Atlanta Dream – Javyn Nicholson, Georgia
The 6’2” forward averaged nearly 17 points and 9 rebounds in the SEC last season.
9. Washington Mystics – Taiyanna Jackson, Kansas
At 6’6″, Jackson averaged a double-double this season for the Jayhawks (12.6ppg and 10rpg) as well as three blocks per game. She adds frontcourt depth to Washington.
10. Connecticut Sun – Leila Lacan, France
Lacan can knock down three, which is what Sol needs off the bench.
11. Freedom of New York – Jakia Brown-Turner, Maryland
Brown-Turner scored 14 points per game for the Terps last season. A physical, strong winger with a lot of potential.
12. Aces of Las Vegas – Desi Rae Young, UNLV
Young has been one of the least talked about dominant players over the past two seasons. She knows how to win at UNLV and has incredible motor rebounds.
