Sara Ashlee Barker and 2 other WNBA prospects drafted higher than expected

New York City – Before 2025 WNBA The draft, most anticipated, Page Booker, Dominique Malonga and Sonia Citron concluded the top three picks.

But then the mock draft was inconsistent. ESPN’s latest mock draft USC forward Kiki Iria Fen predicted, LSU Forward Annae Samorrow and Maryland Point Guard Channe Seler are fourth, fifth and sixth overall. In the SB Nation mock draft, Iriafen came in fourth and the seller came in sixth. NC statusSaniya Rivers will be fifth.

The mock draft has always made some false predictions, and Monday night’s draft was no exception.

Here are three WNBA prospects whose names were much more called before most predictions.

Just Jocyte, Golden State Valkyries

Juste Joctye wasn’t in the building on draft night, but when she was selected fifth overall, she became Valkyries’ first ever draft pick. Lithuanian combo guard Josite is only 19 years old, but has been playing professional basketball in France since 2019.

The joke was predicted to be chosen No. 22 It was shocking to hear her name be called very early in the ESPN mock draft. Jocyte has a high ceiling – the scouts likened her game to Luka Doncic’s game – but it’s not certain that many were predicted to fall into the second round when she came to the US. And there are questions about her ability to defend and potential durability.

Georgia Amoor, Washington Mystics

Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Georgia Amoor was predicted to be the first round pick, but few predicted she would be the top six pick. He predicted that ESPN’s final mock draft would be 9th and Athletic would be 11th.

Australian point guard who spent most of her career Virginia Tech Five years ago in Kentucky, he was chosen as sixth overall by the Washington mystics.

She’s fresh from her average career-high career year in points (19.6), assists (6.9), steals (1.0), assist turnover ratio (2.2). Amoore is also one of three players in Women’s Division I history with 2,300 Pts and 800 AST.

others? Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionesque.

Sarah Ashley Barker, Los Angeles Sparks

Sarah Ashlee Barker, the first team selection in the two-time All-SEC, converted 51.4% from the floor and 37.5 from the deep, averaging Alabama’s average of 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.0 steel this season. And ESPN’s mock draft predicted that she would be 22nd overall.

Barker became the draft pick for Los Angeles Spark No. 9. This seemed almost impossible move just a few months ago, but it came to life after a 45-point performance against Maryland in the NCAA Tournament.

Barker was selected in front of many other predicted first-round players, such as Shang Anne sellers in Maryland and Sania Fisini of South Carolina.

Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley gushed out about the choice in an official statement.

“Sarah Ashley is an elite competitor,” Pebley said. “Her mental composition, her ability to stretch the floor beyond the arc, her commitment to defense, her desire to rebound and her ability to go through instincts make her a complete package. We are excited to add her calmness and leadership.”

It wasn’t totally shocking to hear the name of Barker she was called. It was One of only 16 players invited to participate in the draft night in person. Still, it was a special moment with her family that was barely foreseen before the start of the NCAA Tournament.