Every April there is a unique event that marks the turn of the women’s basketball calendar.
Transfer portals are furious and coaching carousels continue to spin, but annual WNBA The draft marks the end of the college campaign and the beginning of the season for the best professional women’s basketball league on the planet.
This draft is interesting. meanwhile uconn The star and recent crown winner, National Champion Paige Bookers, is widely expected to rank first overall for the Dallas Wings. Possibility of drafting in the first round includes France’s 6-foot-6 Dominique Malonga, LSU’s Anesamorow; Notre DameSonia Citron, Hailey Van Lith from TCU, and an interesting dynamic security pair from NC.
It will have six teams in the first round pick, notably the Atlanta Dream, Minnesota Links, Las Vegas Ace, Indiana Fever, New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury. Almost half of the league traded a pick or, in the case of an ace, they took it because they violated the league’s rules.
As the Monday Night draft progresses, we will evaluate each pick in real time and adjust for reported transactions and other surprises. Refresh this page to get instant analysis for each of the first 12 selections.
This is the pick:
1. Dallas Wings: Page Booker, UConn
Grade: A+
This was easy. The Bueckers have long been predicted as the top pick in this draft, earning a comparison between Chelsea Gray and Chris Paul. She is a multipurpose, balanced shapeshift guard who has proven she can become the team’s top passerby, shooter, rebounder and defender at UConn. Bueckers can become elite offensive contributors with or without the ball. She can create shots for herself and others, while also being able to fly around the pick and knock down catch-and-shoot opportunities. If that’s not enough, she’s also a great defender. She leaves college and joins the WNBA as a national champion, a three-level scorer and a potential mistake.
2. Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga, France
Grade: A+
American viewers should be familiar with Malonga soon. She has been compared to Victor Wenbanyama and ESPN’s Andraya Carter and Chiney Ogmike, calling her a “steal” of the draft. The Malonga is 6 feet 6, has a 7 feet 1 wingspan and incredible athletic ability, but can dunk whenever you hold the ball in your hand. The 19-year-old has been the Euro Cup MVP of this past season and is undoubtedly the best player in the French league. WNBA talent Evaluator of Next Identified her The ceiling is “Lisa Leslie with 3 pointers.” Carter called her an “absolute match-up nightmare.”
3. Washington Mystic: Sonia Citron, Notre Dame
Grade: a-
Citron was often cast in Notre Dame as he spins the heads of Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles’s human highlight reel teammates, but the 6-foot-1 guard is a standout stopper in defense and has the ability to make big shots on offense. Citron had a multi-purpose attack package, and was a 37% 3-point shooter in Fighting Ireland. She is the three wings of the prototype.
4. Washington Mystic: Kiki Iliafen, USC
Grade: B-
The 6-foot-3 forward, who spent his time playing at Stanford and USC in college, is a fantastic rim runner and a versatile forward compared to Chiney Ogwumike. But in the mystic, she may be fighting for time with Aaliyah Edwards. Aaliyah Edwards came in sixth place from UConn last year. Iriafen’s jumpers could be more consistent, but when Juju Watkins collapsed from an injury, she carried USC aggressively. Iriafen is skilled at defending multiple positions, making up for what she lacks in the opposite offense, which was one of the best wing defenders in college this past season.
5. Golden State Valkyrie: Just Jokit of Lithuania
Grade: C-
There are many unknowns about jockeys who have been playing professionally in France since 2019. She will be Golden State’s first draft pick, but it is unclear how much she will contribute to the 19-year-old. Josight is praised for her offensive versatility and mastery in the pick and roll, but questions remain about her defense and durability. Valkyries may have found a starting point guard for the future here, but instead gambling with a young international outlook.
6. Washington Mystic: Georgia Amoor, Kentucky
Grade: B+
The mystics took advantage of what the Valkyries didn’t do on No. 5 and grabbed a player who could become their point guard for years to come. Firecrackers Australia’s point guard developed quickly under Kenny Brooks and became a player with excellent court vision. She has been ranked in the top 10 nationally for each of the past two seasons. Amoore led Virginia Tech to her first ACC title and Final Four appearances alongside Elizabeth Kitley, and then Brooks Engineer helped her incredible turnaround for a year in Kentucky. The mystic hopes she can continue to be a catalyst for improvement.
7. Connecticut Sun: Anesa Moreau, LSU
Grade: B-
Moreau left college as the second greatest rebounder to play Division I NCAA women’s basketball, as only Courtney Paris grabbed more boards than her. Morrow is getting smaller towards the front at 6-foot-1, but she has an unstoppable, undeniable motor for the Tigers, averaging 18.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per game this season, averaging 18.7 points and 13.5 rebounds, and has an unstoppable motor for the Tigers, who have advanced to the Elite 8. Offensively, her consistency in the scoring department needs some improvement, but she needs to have the opportunity to work on it as a newcomer on the Sun team, which needs a lot of help.
8. Connecticut Sun: Sanya Rivers, North Carolina
Grade: a-
The Chicago sky GM was called the “probably the best athlete” of the draft. She is a big 6-foot-1 security guard with a 6-foot-5 wing span, and is a good court vision, her ability to reach the rims at first glance whenever she wishes, and a defensive weapon that allows her to defend multiple positions. Rivers was in college every year. There, she helped NC State go to the Final Four while earning all ACC honors, but she feels like she’s not approaching her potential. Rivers’ offensive game requires some development, but her defense keeps her in the WNBA courtroom.
9. LA Sparks: Sarah Ashley Burker, Alabama
Grade: B-
It felt like there were better players left on the board here, but Barker made a big impression on the final college game, scoring 45 points in the second round NCAA Tournament loss at Maryland. She is a trustworthy and outstanding defender along the wings and has a sharp motor from the ball. Barker is an offensive playmaker with the ability to finish on the rim and consistently knock down deep shots.
10. ChicagoSky: Ajsa Sivka, Slovenia
Grade: C+
The 6-foot-3 combo forward has the trick to being a quick release and a solid shooter, but she is also a great passerby who tends to hand out head touring assists in the French league. He predicts he will become a 19-year-old player, but it is unclear whether he is ready to defend talented posts in the WNBA. If she continues to improve and develop, she should become a free player in the sky’s eyeball, Angel Reese.
11. Chicago Sky: Haley Van Lis, TCU
Grade: a-
After a summer when he won the Olympic bronze medal with Team USA’s 3×3 team, Vanlis scored his best college season at TCU, averaging 17.9 points and 5.4 assists per game, shooting 45.2% from the floor and 33.8% from the 3-point land. Van Liss played for an unparalleled competitiveness and swagger, leading TCU to his first appearance in the big 12 titles and an elite 8 this season. She played for three different teams in the Elite 8 each season in college, which is noteworthy. Van Liss will have the opportunity to learn from Courtney Vanderroot’s greatest WNBA guard of all time. She reunites with former LSU teammate Reese.
12. Dallas Wings: Asiaha James, North Carolina
Grade: a-
On the broadcast, ESPN’s Rebecca Robo asked if you were the defense facing Page Booker, Aliqueo Gamboir, Asia Hajames and Dallas.
In fact, defenders have to choose poison in Dallas. This past season averaged 17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, shooting 44.5% off the floor. She is a microwave scorer, a southpaw with smooth handles and silky jump shots, and a player who consistently disguises her defender’s mind. James seems to continue to get better with each season, and if she continues on that trajectory, Dallas could have gotten a draft steal.
