The NCAA Women’s basketball season is underway. Here’s an early look at the top mid-major players that could potentially shake up the 2023 WNBA Draft in April. The Becky Hammon preseason watch list was released in October, highlighting 25 players. Here’s a breakdown of ten seniors and their early possibility of getting drafted.
Lauren Park-Lane, 5’3 PG, Seton Hall
Park-Lane is already on several preseason watch lists. The Becky Hammon mid-major list, the Nancy Lieberman list, the John R. Wooden list and a unanimous All-Big East preseason team. At only 5 foot 3, she’s already averaging 15.8 points per game, 5.4 assists per game and nearly 2 steals per game. A pesky defender whose game is similar to WNBA legend Debbie Black. There’s a possibility of an upcoming point guard shortage facing the WNBA and Park-Lane’s odds of getting drafted and making a roster look solid if she continues to have a standout year.
Kiki Jefferson, 6’1 SG, James Madison
Jefferson is currently eighth in the NCAA in points per game (23.5). A solid offensive game that could translate well at the next level. Jefferson is shooting 56.6 percent from the field plus 50 percent from three-point range. Capable of driving into the lane, pulling up for a mid-range jumper, or even running the floor. Kiki is also a solid rebounder who’s averaging 9 boards per game. A player like Jefferson could make her way onto a roster even though the 2023 draft looks heavy in terms of guards.
Myah Selland, 6’1 SF, South Dakota State
The sixth-year forward has been a consistent offensive threat for the Jackrabbits. She is currently averaging 16.7 ppg, 7.0 rpg, and 3.7 apg while shooting 46.6 percent from the field. Selland’s turnovers are worrisome and she has issues handling the ball and controlling her rebounds. However, in the Jackrabbits’ recent win over Louisville, Selland brought down a double-double of 25 points and 11 rebounds. A potential prospect for a team with some roster flexibility.
Myah Selland put up a double-double in South Dakota State’s win vs. No. 10 Louisville 🙌
— espnW (@espnW) November 22, 2022
📸 @gojackswbb pic.twitter.com/RifAfQISi0
Starr Jacobs, 6’2 PF, UT-Arlington
Jacobs previously played at Temple University, where she averaged a double-double in her sophomore season. Following her transfer, Starr set the team’s single-season scoring record last year and would average 21 ppg and 6.6 rpg while shooting 54.2 percent from the field. Her senior year has had a rocky start but she brought down 16 points and 6 rebounds in her recent game against Oklahoma. If her game can return to what she did in her previous season, she could be an excellent late-draft pick come April.
Rachel Hakes, 6’0 PG, Tulane
Hakes is a recent transfer after playing her previous years at Fairfield. A solid ball-handler that’s good at running the floor and controlling the pace of the game. While at Fairfield, Hakes averaged 5.8 apg, 2.3 turnovers per game and 1.5 steals per game in her final season. However, Hakes would need to improve her offensive game to potentially have a chance in the WNBA. Through five games at Tulane, she is averaging only 5.6 ppg and shooting 30 percent from the field.
Brooke Flowers, 6’5 C, Saint Louis
Flowers is the reigning Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year. Furthermore, she’s leading the NCAA in blocks per game at 4.3. A strong defensive presence inside that can disrupt the paint, grab rebounds and force turnovers. On the other hand, Flowers also shoots 61.8 percent from the field and has improved her offensive game this season. If her numbers remain steady this season, she has the potential to be a second-round pick in the draft.
Brooke Flowers has tied the program record with 9⃣ blocks in the game! pic.twitter.com/aDOELp91Vn— Saint Louis WBB (@SaintLouisWBB) November 20, 2022
Keishana Washington, 5’7 PG, Drexel
Washington is currently second in the NCAA in points per game at 30.0. Through four games this season, she has shot 49.4 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from three-point range—a strong offensive guard who also recently recorded 10 assists in their win against Lehigh. Keishana also has international experience playing for Canada’s U-18 team in the 2018 World Cup. However, her turnover margin is high and she can lack ball control. A potential third-round pick for a team looking to develop a point guard.
Kacie Borowicz, 5’9 SG, North Dakota State
Borowicz’s offensive game has continued to improve year after year. Most recently, Kacie brought in 35 points in their victory over Montana. She’s also shooting a career-high of 43.4 percent from the field. Borowicz has a nice mid-range jumper and can also be a threat from long distance as well. Her weaknesses include driving to the basket, turnovers and lacking a defensive edge. In a guard-heavy draft, she’ll need to up her numbers slightly more to stand out and be a late draft pick.
Antwainette Walker, 5’11 SG/SF, Eastern Kentucky
Walker previously played her last two seasons at Marquette. Through six games at Eastern Kentucky, Walker is averaging a double-double of 20.3 ppg and 11.8 rpg. A big, long post that’s also capable of running the floor, hitting a mid-range jumper and clogging up the paint. If Walker can continue to post these big numbers against stronger teams, she has the potential to be a steal in the draft.
Antwainette Walker with the fast break 🏃♀️#NCAAWBB x 🎥 @EKUWBBpic.twitter.com/YkkqgNx6pE
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) November 19, 2022
Kennedy Dickie, 6’0 PF, San Francisco
Dickie played her first two years at South Florida before transferring to San Francisco. In her senior season, she’s currently averaging 12.2 ppg and 11.0 rpg. A small post that’s capable of running the floor and posting up against bigger players. Her accuracy and turnovers need improvement, but she’s already taken her game up a level in her senior year. A team in the WNBA that prefers to play the “small-ball” type of game could take a chance on her in the third round.
Check out Beyond Women’s Sports for more women’s sports coverage. Todd Roman is on Twitter too. Follow Todd @TBRBWAY.
