The 2022 WNBA Draft is here, we will have live pick analyst for the first round.
Round 1
- Atlanta Dream Rhyne Howard G Kentucky
Rhyne Howard will give the Dream an all-around scorer that can rebound. Two-time SEC player of the year. Howard can play and defend the 1-4. A player the Dream can build their franchise around. She averaged 20.5 points per game this past season.
2. Indiana Fever NaLyssa Smith F Baylor
The Indiana Fever needed players in their frontcourt NaLyssa Smith will bring them a strong presence inside. She averaged 221.1 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. Smith runs the court well and could be even more dangerous if she can extend her shooting range.
3. Washington Mystics Shakira Austin F/C Ole Miss
Shakira Austin is long and runs the floor well, she is an impactful defender. Austin can face up on the offensive end and get baskets.
4. Indiana Fever Emily Engstler G Louisville
The Fever needed some defense and Emily Engstler will bring that to the fever. She can guard multiple positions. On offense, she can shoot well from the outside and does not need the ball to score.
5. New York Liberty Nyara Sabally F/C Oregon
Nyara Sabally is a versatile player, who can post up, shot from the outside, and take you off the dribble. If she can stay healthy there is a huge upside for Sabally.
6. Indiana Fever Lexie Hull G/F Stanford
The first shocker of the night, but Lexie Hull can shoot it from the outside and plays hard on both ends of the floor. Hull will stretch the floor for Indiana who did not shoot well from the outside last year.
7. Dallas Wings Veronica Burton G Northwestern
Veronica Burton is an outstanding defensive guard, she led the nation with four steals per game this past season. Burton also averaged 17.8 points per game. Her quickness on both sides of the court will help the Wings a lot.
8. Las Vegas Aces F Mya Hollingshed
Mya Hollingshed is stretch four that will help the Aces stretch the floor. She shot 40% from beyond the arc and can also score in other ways. Aces need a big and some outside shooting in Hollingshed they get both.
9. Los Angeles Sparks Rae Burrell G/F Tennessee
Rae Burrell can shoot from the outside and can score driving to the basket. She can play multiple positions and should be able to help the Sparks.
10. Indiana Fever Queen Egbo C Baylor
Queen Egbo is physical and plays good defense in the paint which the Fever desperately needs. Egbo has upside on the offensive end and should add depth to the Fever front line.
11. Las Vegas Aces Kierstan Bell G Florida Gulf Coast
Kierstan Bell averaged scored 23.5 points per game, she can score on all three levels. Bell can also rebound, but she will need to improve on the defensive end.
12. Connecticut Sun Nia Coulden G Michigan State
Nia Coulden is a good pick-n-roll player that can shoot from the outside. Coulden shot 40% from the three-point line. She will help stretch the floor to give Jonquel Jones and Alyssa Thomas space to work.
