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2023 WNBA Mock Draft 4.0: Final Edition

- by Todd Roman
Draft

There’s been some surprising movement since the last mock draft was released. Over two dozen potential players have opted to use their COVID year of eligibility, return to their school, or enter the transfer portal.

Returnees opting out

The following players have opted out of the draft to either return to school or enter the transfer portal. The lure of NIL deals has weakened the draft while stocking up the future drafts in 2024 and 2025. Here’s a short list of the possible draftees that did not enter the draft:

FIRST ROUND:

#1. Indiana Fever – Aliyah Boston, 6’5 C, South Carolina

Boston, the two-time National Defensive Player of the Year, stays locked in as the top overall pick for Indiana. During South Carolina’s NCAA tournament run, she averaged 11.2 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game. A potential tall line-up, in stretches, could have Boston, NaLyssa Smith and Queen Egbo on the floor together. The Fever will look to end their playoff drought, having last made the post-season in 2016.

#2. Minnesota Lynx – Diamond Miller, 6’3 SF, Maryland

Miller remains Minnesota’s pick here—possibly the best all-around player in the draft. Miller is a versatile wing capable of playing the post and also running the floor. During Maryland’s NCAA tournament run, she averaged 19.7 ppg on 50 percent shooting. Additionally, Miller added 6 rpg and 3 assists per game. Miller could be an integral part of Reeve’s bench rotation and may see time running point guard when necessary.

#3. Dallas Wings – Jordan Horston, 6’2 SF, Tennessee

Tennessee’s Horston stays as the Wings’ pick here. A capable wing that can clog the lane, attack the basket, run the floor and also play defense. She’ll fill a large void at the small forward position due to the free agency taking its toll in Dallas. Horston paired up with Veronica Burton on defense would greatly improve the Wings on the defensive end.

#4. Washington Mystics – Maddy Siegrist, 6’1 PF, Villanova

Siegrist moves into the fourth overall pick for Washington. Villanova’s all-time leading scorer would add additional offense to the Mystics’ roster. Furthermore, Siegrist can create her own shot, attack the paint, and can add a legit outside shooter’s touch. The debate on Siegrist is whether her game will translate well in the WNBA.

#5. Dallas Wings – Haley Jones, 6’1 SG/SF, Stanford

Stanford’s Jones now falls to the Wings with the fifth overall pick—a different type of player than Jordan Horston. Jones has the capability of playing four different positions. Definitely an asset for the Wings and, like Horston, would provide much-needed defense for Dallas. Her offensive game remains questionable, though. Lacking an outside shot, Jones’s best asset is running in transition and driving the lane.

#6. Atlanta Dream – Grace Berger, 6’0 PG/SG, Indiana

Indiana’s Grace Berger falls to the Atlanta Dream with the sixth pick. Adding depth to the Dream’s backcourt is a necessity in their first pick. Berger’s a 6′ combo guard that’s a strong shooter but tends to be shy from 3-point range. Her ability to cover both guard positions for the Dream would boost greatly boost their bench. Additionally, she’ll provide some solid defense along with Aari McDonald off the bench. A potential “big” lineup with Berger at point guard, Rhyne Howard at shooting guard, and Nia Coffey at small forward would be a tough, defensive line-up.

#7. Indiana Fever – Leigha Brown, 6’1 SF, Michigan

Brown falls into the first round and to the Fever with the seventh overall pick. The Fever’s need here is on the wing and Brown appears as the best available player, at least on the offensive end. Her midrange jumper is one of the best in this draft class. On the other hand, Brown lacks an outside shot and can be a liability on defense. This pick, in general, will likely struggle to see playing time in their rookie season.

#8. Atlanta Dream – Lou Lopez Sénéchal, 6’1 SG/SF, UCONN

A tall guard that’s capable of some solid movement for a player her size. Lopez Sénéchal is a strong shooter, having shot 47.6 percent from the field and 44 percent from 3-point range. Added offensive in the Dream’s uptempo system could be the needed boost to their bench this year. However, defensively she poses a liability. Her shot wasn’t an easy get against stronger, defensive teams this season.

#9. Seattle Storm – Madi Williams, 5’11 SF, Oklahoma

The luxury of several players returning to school is seeing the potential for others to drop into the first round. Oklahoma’s Madi Williams settles in here for the Storm with the ninth overall pick. The Storm need depth at the wing due to the departure of several players, including Breanna Stewart, in free agency. Williams can easily score in the paint and drive through the lane for her size. She also possesses a decent outside shot (32.9 percent).

#10. Los Angeles Sparks – Ashley Joens, 6’1 SF, Iowa State

Joens remains penciled in for the Sparks pick here. The gaping hole on the wing will keep her as their pick as she remains the best available player. She is a solid shooter that can create her own shot and contribute from outside. Joens will need to improve on her defense but can provide the needed spacing for this Sparks’ roster.

#11. Dallas Wings – Stephanie Soares, 6’6 C, Iowa State

Due to her ACL injury, Soares would miss the 2023 WNBA season; Dallas locks her in as a deferral pick for the 2024 season. Her short run at Iowa State appears enough to lock her in as a first-round pick. In just 13 games for the Cyclones, Soares averaged 14.4 ppg, 9.9 rpg, and 2 blocks per game. Her shooting was also a standout, averaging 54.4 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from the 3-point range. The Wings could certainly gamble on holding her until 2024.

#12. Minnesota Lynx – Laeticia Amihere, 6’4 PF, South Carolina

Amihere drops into the first round due to several post players opting to return to school. The Lynx could use some additional post-help with Natalie Achonwa out (pregnancy) for most of the season. Amihere is a versatile post, a strong defender, and capable of shooting from multiple areas on the floor. In addition, Amihere is an athletic big that can run the floor and defend. There’s a possibility Amihere moves up in the draft to a team opting to strengthen their frontcourt (Atlanta, Seattle).

SECOND ROUND:

THIRD ROUND:

The 2023 WNBA Draft is set for Monday, April, at 7 pm EST. ESPN will televise the event.

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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