A lot has happened since the first WNBA Mock Draft was released on December 10. Six trades have occurred, including the third and fourth picks being moved and the eighth pick being swapped twice. Free agency also got underway on February 1, which has seen several players switch teams, causing the mock draft to be altered significantly.
The most notable news was UCONN’s Paige Bueckers opting to return for her fifth year. Bueckers was the third overall pick in the first mock draft. While we await the decisions of several other players, including two guaranteed lottery picks, take note of who’s moved into the first round. Finally, without Bueckers entering, plus the free agency movement, and the six trades taking place, here’s the latest mock draft by Beyond Women’s Sports.
*Indicates a player has another year of eligibility left.
FIRST ROUND
1. Indiana Fever – Caitlin Clark*, 6’0” PG, Iowa
Caitlin Clark recently broke the women’s NCAA scoring record, with 49 points vs. Michigan on Feb. 15. She’s also 50 points short of basketball Hall of Famer Pete Maravich’s NCAA record of 3,667. Additionally, she’s the frontrunner for the National Player of the Year and a guaranteed lock to be the first overall pick. If Clark decides to return to Iowa for a fifth year, the entire draft will have a domino effect.
2. Los Angeles Sparks – Cameron Brink*, 6’4” PF, Stanford
Cameron Brink can end up as the Sparks’ starting center with Nneka Ogwumike heading to Seattle. She continues to be the most dominant post-player in the NCAA as she still averages a double-double. Additionally, Brink can run the floor and shoot from outside. The Sparks are officially in a rebuild mode by having also acquired the fourth overall pick from Seattle.
3. Chicago Sky – Kamilla Cardoso*, 6’7” C, South Carolina
The Sky acquired the third overall pick in the draft after sending Kahleah Copper to Phoenix. After their free agency acquisitions (Lindsay Allen, Diamond DeShields, and Chennedy Carter), the Sky’s biggest need appears to be in the post. This is where South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso ends up. She remains a force inside the paint while averaging 14.1 points per game, 10.1 rebounds per game, and 2.8 blocks per game. Finally, Cardoso’s footwork could use improvement in the WNBA.
4. Los Angeles Sparks – Rickea Jackson, 6’2” SF/PF, Tennessee
The Sparks will look for depth on the wing after drafting Brink second overall. Los Angeles appears solid in the backcourt with their free agency signing of Layshia Clarendon and trading for Julie Allemand and Aari McDonald. Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson looks to be the best available for the Sparks here. Furthermore, her offensive game would fit in well with the Sparks and she has the ability to play either forward position. However, her defense and ball-handling will need improvements.
5. Dallas Wings – Jacy Sheldon, 5’10” PG/SG, Ohio State
Jacy Sheldon falls to the Wings with the fifth overall pick. During free agency, Dallas locked in Satou Sabally, Kalani Brown, and Emma Cannon. The Wings’ biggest need appears to be a defensive guard and Ohio State’s Sheldon is the best available. Her current averages are 17.9 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3.3 rpg, and 2.1 steals per game. Finally, her offensive game has taken off this season and will flourish in Dallas’ uptempo system.
6. Washington Mystics – Te-Hina Paopao*, 5’9” PG, South Carolina
Te-Hina Paopao jumps into the first round and to the Mystics sixth overall. Washington has a glaring hole at point guard since Natasha Cloud left for Phoenix. Paopao gives them a solid ball-handler and a legit scoring option. Furthermore, Te-Hina is currently second in the NCAA in three-point shooting at 48 percent. Needs to reduce her turnovers and improve her defense in the WNBA.
7. Minnesota Lynx – Aaliyah Edwards*, 6’3” PF/C, UCONN
Aaliyah Edwards appears questionable to enter the draft. However, for now, she’s going seventh overall to the Lynx and giving them much-needed depth in the post. Minnesota added Courtney Williams, Natisha Hiedeman, Ruthy Hebard, and Alanna Smith in free agency. Now, with their backcourt looking solidified, the Lynx take UCONN’s Edwards to boost their frontcourt. Edwards is ready for the WNBA and is averaging 19.1 ppg, and 9.8 rpg while shooting nearly 60 percent from the field.
8. Chicago Sky – Alissa Pili, 6’2” PF, Utah
Alissa Pili’s draft stock has climbed the most this season out of any other senior. A versatile, undersized post player who’s capable of running the floor, posting up, and shooting from the three-point line. Her game is similar to that of Connecticut’s Alyssa Thomas or WNBA veteran Le’coe Willingham. However, Pili may need to transition to the small forward spot in the WNBA. However, Chicago has both a need in the post and on the wing, so Alissa should get the necessary minutes on this roster.
9. Dallas Wings – Nyadiew Puoch, 6’1” SF, Australia
The Wings’ roster is nearly set after taking Ohio State’s Sheldon with the fifth overall pick. This is where Australia’s Nyadiew Puoch falls in the draft. This first “draft-and-stash” pick would enable Dallas to retain Puoch’s rights for future seasons. Puoch is returning to the NBL1 for the Danedong Rangers this summer after being named the league’s MVP in 2023. In 2023, she averaged 24.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, and shot 45.1 percent from the field.
10. Connecticut Sun – Angel Reese*, 6’3” C, LSU
Angel Reese appears to be heading towards entering the draft. After the Sun’s free agency moves, their biggest need is in the post and Reese is the best available at tenth overall. Reese will give them much-needed rebounding and a solid defensive post inside. On the other hand, Reese needs to add a 15-foot jumper and an outside shot to improve her offensive game. Lastly, Reese could have another solid NCAA tournament to boost her draft stock and have her go higher, possibly to Minnesota or Chicago.
11. New York Liberty – Taiyanna Jackson, 6’6” C, Kansas
The Liberty needs post-depth after they signed Kennedy Burke, Leonie Fiebich, and Ivana Dojkić this off-season. Additionally, Stefanie Dolson left to go back to Washington, and Han Xu is not expected back this season. Kansas’ Taiyanna Jackson is the best available post here and can be a valuable asset to rebuilding the Liberty’s bench. A true big that can crash the boards and defend inside. Finally, her averages are currently 12.7 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 3.1 blocks per game while shooting 59.6 percent from the field.
12. Atlanta Dream – Charisma Osborne, 5’9” SG, UCLA
Atlanta added a lot of key pieces during free agency by signing Tina Charles, and Aerial Powers, and trading for Jordin Canada. Currently, their biggest void is in the backcourt, and drafting UCLA’s Charisma Osborne here will give them the needed help. A solid combo guard that can run the floor and also play off the ball. Weaknesses will be her inconsistent shooting and her high turnover margin.
SECOND ROUND
13. Chicago Sky – Isobel Borlase, 5’11” SG, Australia
14. Seattle Storm – Elizabeth Kitley, 6’4” C, Virginia Tech
15. Indiana Fever – Mackenzie Holmes, 6’3” PF, Indiana
16. Las Vegas Aces – Dyaisha Fair, 5’5” PG, Syracuse
17. New York Liberty – Georgia Amoore*, 5’6” PG, Virginia Tech
18. Las Vegas Aces – Ayoka Lee, 6’6” C, Kansas St
19. Connecticut Sun – Jaz Shelley, 5’9” PG, Nebraska
20. Atlanta Dream – Celeste Taylor, 5’11” SG, Ohio State
21. Washington Mystics – Liatu King*, 6’0” SF/PF, Pittsburgh
22. Connecticut Sun – Carla Leite, 5’9” PG, France
23. New York Liberty –. Leïla Lacan, 5’11” PG/SG, France
24. Las Vegas Aces – Matilde Villa, 5’8″ PG, Italy
THIRD ROUND
25. Phoenix Mercury – Sedona Prince, 6’7” C, TCU
26. Seattle Storm – Quinesha Lockett, 5’10” SG, Toledo
27. Indiana Fever – Hannah Jump, 6’0” SG, Stanford
28. Los Angeles Sparks – Jessika Carter, 6’5” C, Mississippi St.
29. Phoenix Mercury – Dallas Loughridge, 5’6” PG, Australia
30. Washington Mystics – Erynn Barnum, 6’2” PF, Mississippi St.
31. Minnesota Lynx – Kaylynne Truong, 5’8” PG, Gonzaga
32. Atlanta Dream – Zaay Green, 6’2 SG, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
33. Dallas Wings – Lauren Gustin, 6’1″ PF, BYU
34. Connecticut Sun – Abbey Hsu, 5’11” SG, Columbia
35. New York Liberty – Lauren Park-Lane, 5’3” PG, Mississippi St.
36. Las Vegas Aces – Desi-Rae Young*, 6’1” C, UNLV
Schedule for the NCAAW’s March Madness
This is the schedule for the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament for March Madness, which begins with selections for the women’s tournament on Sunday, March 17.
- Selection Sunday: 8 p.m. ET Sunday, March 17 on ESPN
- First Four: March 20-21
- First round: March 22-23
- Second round: March 24-25
- Sweet 16: March 29-30
- Elite Eight: March 31-April 1
- Final Four: Friday, April 5 at 7:30 and 9 p.m. ET on ESPN, hosted at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
- NCAA championship game: Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. ET on ABC, hosted at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
The 2024 WNBA Draft is set for Monday, April 15 on ESPN.
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