WNBA

2023 WNBA Draft Grades: The good and not so good

- by Todd Roman

South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston, to no shock to anyone, was announced as the top overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft on Monday by the Indiana Fever.

This year’s draft had few surprises, with Tennessee’s Jordan Horston dropping down to ninth overall to Seattle. Additionally, numerous players opted to use their COVID-eligibility waiver and return to school for a fifth (or sixth) year. This ended up weakening the talent pool while deepening the future draft classes. The following teams didn’t have a first-round pick for this year’s draft due to previous trades: Chicago Sky, Connecticut Sun, Phoenix Mercury, New York Liberty, and Las Vegas Aces.

Atlanta Dream: A-

6. Haley Jones, 6′ 1 G/F, Stanford
8. Laeticia Amihere, 6′ 4 F, South Carolina/Canada
15. Leigha Brown, 6′ 1 CG, Michigan

Stanford’s Haley Jones slid down to the Dream with the sixth overall pick. If Jones can develop her outside shot, she’ll be a solid rotation player for Atlanta. Amihere will boost the Dream’s post-rotation and should easily beat out Beatrice Mompremier and Lorela Cubaj for a roster spot. Michigan’s Leigha Brown could sneak onto their roster, but none of the Dream’s draft picks help out with their poor 3-point shooting.

Chicago Sky: C-

23. Kayana Traylor, 5′ 9 CG, Virginia Tech
35. Kseniya Malashka, 6′ 0 F, Middle Tennessee/Belarus

Chicago were without a first-round pick due to various trades. Kayana Traylor and Kseniya Malashka face an uphill battle to make the Sky’s twelve-player roster. Head coach James Wade needs offense added to his rebuild this season; both picks can provide that for him.

Connecticut: D

22. Alexis Morris, 5′ 6 CG, LSU
34. Ashten Prechtel, 6′ 5 C/F, Stanford

The Sun get a low grade due to their salary cap issues heading into this season. Connecticut appears likely to only carry eleven players this season and both picks will be a casualty due to this. LSU’s Alexis Morris might give Tyasha Harris a battle in training camp, but it appears doubtful. Prechtel was a below-average backup center to Cameron Brink at Stanford and is only a training camp player.

Dallas Wings: F

3. Maddy Siegrist, 6′ 1 F, Villanova
4. *Stephanie Soares, 6′ 6 C/F, Iowa State/Brazil
5. Lou Lopez Sénéchal, 6′ 1 G/F, UConn/France
11. Abby Meyers, 6′ 0 G/F, Maryland
19. Ashley Joens, 6′ 1 F/G, Iowa State
31. Paige Robinson, 5′ 10 SG, Illinois State

*acquired from Washington in exchange for a 2025 1RP (via Atlanta) a 2024 2RP

Giving up any first-round picks in either the 2024 or 2025 drafts is questionable. The Wings ended up trading their 2024 second-round pick and their 2025 first-round pick to the Mystics for Stephanie Soares. Also, Siegrist will be immediately called upon to slide over to the small forward position due to the Wings’ depth in the post. Lopez Sénéchal fills a need in the backcourt but can be limited offensively. Maryland’s Abby Meyers lacks an outside shot and Ashley Joens’ offense can be limited. Dallas once again ended up with too many draft picks.

Indiana Fever: A-

1. Aliyah Boston, 6′ 5 C/F, South Carolina/U.S.V.I.
7. Grace Berger, 6′ 0 G, Indiana
13. Taylor Mikesell, 5′ 11 SG, Ohio State
17. LaDazhia Williams, 6′ 4 C, LSU
25. Victaria Saxton, 6′ 2 F, South Carolina

Boston was a lock since last year to go first overall. Grace Berger staying home gives Indiana needed depth in the backcourt. Ohio State’s Taylor Mikesell faces a crowded training camp roster and will face a difficult task to make their roster. In addition, LaDazhia Williams and Victaria Saxton face a similar problem in the post, especially with Chelsea Perry, Bernadette Hatar, and Emma Cannon returning.

Las Vegas Aces: N/A

36. Brittany Davis, 5′ 9 G/F, Alabama

I guess the Aces had to select somebody with the last pick in the draft. Alabama’s Brittany Davis is unlikely to make their roster but could give solid competition against last year’s draft picks, Kiersten Bell and Aisha Sheppard.

Los Angeles Sparks: B

10. Zia Cooke, 5′ 9 SG, South Carolina
14. Shaneice Swain, 5′ 9 SG, Australia
26. Monika Czinano, 6′ 3 F/C, Iowa

Los Angeles got instant offense with South Carolina’s Zia Cooke. Australia’s Shaneice Swain likely doesn’t arrive until (maybe) 2024. However, her upside is incredibly high and will be worth waiting for if the Sparks go into 2024 on a rebuild. Iowa’s Czinano could potentially sneak onto the roster due to the unavailability of Dearica Hamby and Katie Lou Samuelson at the beginning of the season. Los Angeles will still carry the salary of Chennedy Carter‘s guaranteed contract, who was waived on March 17, unless another team picks up her rights.

Minnesota Lynx: B+

2. Diamond Miller, 6′ 3 F/G, Maryland
12. Maia Hirsch, 6′ 5 C/F, France
16. Dorka Juhász, 6′ 5 C/F, UConn/Hungary
24. Brea Beal, 6′ 1 F/G, South Carolina
28. Taylor Soule, 5′ 11 F, Virginia Tech

Miller was the second-best player in this draft and will be a strong asset to the Lynx long-term. France’s Maia Hirsch ended up the second-best post player after Boston and won’t be available this season. The Lynx appear likely to continue their rebuild heading into 2024. Drafting Juhász instead of LSU’s Alexis Morris is questionable, considering their need at point guard. Brea Beal dropping to 24th overall is a nice surprise, but her lack of offense will make it difficult to make the final roster over Rachel Banham and Bridget Carleton. Virginia Tech’s Soule finds herself in a tough spot to make this roster despite her offensive skillset.

New York Liberty: Incomplete

30. Okako Adika, 5′ 9 SG, USC/Denmark

Liberty GM Jonathon Kolb said after the draft that Adika is a draft pick for the future. It’s unknown if she plans to show up for training camp this year despite the unlikely odds. The Liberty’s salary cap squeeze makes it unlikely for Adika to make this roster this year.

Phoenix Mercury: B

27. Destiny Harden, 6′ 0 F, Miami (FL)
29. Kadi Sissoko, 6′ 2 F, USC/France

The Mercury, more or less, drafted the best available with their two third-round picks. Destiny Harden‘s strong defensive skills could be used over someone like Syndey Wiese or Jennie Simms in the backcourt. Sissoko could end up a deferral pick due to her commitments with the French National team.

Seattle Storm: B+

Storm got the gift that was Jordan Horston dropping down to ninth overall. Additionally, Oklahoma’s Madi Williams fell down to help fill a need on the wing. Both Horston and Williams are legit playmakers for the Storm this season. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu also looks like a contender to make the Storm’s roster unless Tina Charles randomly decides to sign with Seattle this season. Loville doesn’t provide much on either end and is strictly a training camp body.

9. Jordan Horston, 6′ 2 G/F, Tennessee
18. Madi Williams, 5′ 11 F/G, Oklahoma
21. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, 6′ 4 C, South Florida/Cameroon
33. Jade Loville, 5′ 11 SG, Arizona

Washington Mystics: D

20. Elena Tsineke, 5′ 7 SG, South Florida/Greece
32. Txell Alarcón, 5′ 10 SG, Spain

Mystics’ need was on the wing and they passed on several other options with the 20th pick. Alarcón is a deferral pick and might eventually show up for Eric Thibault. Tsineke also has overseas commitments that will hinder her chances of showing up in the WNBA one season.

The 2023 WNBA season begins on May 19. Training camps begins on April 30. The WNBA pre-season starts on May 5 and final roster cuts must happen on May 18.

Check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more women’s sports coverage. Todd Roman is on Twitter too. Follow Todd @TBRBWAY.

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