began the season with a leg injury, which she might not be completely healed from. But adding Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot did that back in free agency for the Liberty (along with the trade for Jonquel Jones earlier in the offseason), while Candace Parker and Alysha Clark did the same for the Aces. She can score at all three levels, handle the ball and distribute it when needed, play at least three positions (the 2, 3 and the 4) and use her 6'2" size and long arms to defend when she wants to. Some have debunked this issue as a product of the team she was on; Howard had to do a lot of Kentucky's heavy lifting throughout her career. For Minnesota, the haul began with No. Smith's ceiling is so high because of the amount of athleticism she possesses in conjunction with her competitive spirit. In came Liz Cambage, Chennedy Carter, Jordin Canada and Katie Lou Samuelson. Projected draft position: Middle to late second round, 7. Collen's system was much closer to what Egbo would be put into at the pro level. While scoring most likely won't be what she hangs her hat on at the next level, she can be relied upon to set a solid screen, roll and find the best look. Boston finished among the national leaders in every major defensive measure once again in 2022-23 for the Gamecocks top-ranked D, combining elite rim protection and defensive rebounding to single-handedly end many opposing possessions. Another question is: Will she improve her lateral quickness to defend other 3s when she plays on the wing rather than in the post? Beals perimeter defense is an obvious calling card, but dont sleep on her emerging offensive game she shot 38 percent from three this year on 2.7 attempts per game. Pro-ready skill: While Paige Bueckers was out for a couple of months, Nelson-Ododa proved how versatile she can be as a point-post player. Pro-ready skill: Sabally is a center with a pro-ready body who is more equipped to handle the physicality of W than some of her peers. Questions the prospect raises: This season Clouden has turned the ball over 2.9 times per game, which is a result of her new role as a facilitator. Sign in with NBA ID; Select TV . Questions the prospect raises: I had to do a double take when I saw that Sjerven is listed as a center. She also struggles to recover on defense and isn't a great help defender. NEW YORK, April 6, 2022 - The WNBA announced today that additional players from colleges and universities have formally filed for inclusion as candidates for the 2022 WNBA Draft presented. With Sue Bird's impending retirement, and both January and Epiphanny Prince in their mid-30s, trying to find some backcourt depth for the future would make sense. Rhyne Howard, Kentucky. Thats 11 players that finished among the top 12 in more than half of the mock drafts surveyed. But which of the two stars will be taken with the No. It was exclusively televised on ESPN in the United States and on TSN3/5 in Canada. What set her apart during her collegiate career was her ability to create off the dribble along with her exceptional footwork and a laundry list of pro-ready moves, such as her hesi and crossover. As Padover put it when he was hired, he is building things from the "ground up," and the team needs help in every single department. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston, plus the best pure point guard and the best perimeter shooter in this years class. In the middle . 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. During the 2021-2022 season, she only shot 25.7 percent on 35 total attempts. Draft-lottery hopeful to middle of the first round. Nyara Sabally (Oregon, Center, Redshirt Junior). national leaders in every major defensive measure once again. "This is a draft with some good players, not generational players," said Cheryl Reeve, head coach and GM of the Minnesota Lynx, on her podcast, The Cheryl Reeve show. Questions the prospect raises: Lewis proved how versatile and tough she is to guard during her graduate year at Baylor. NBA 2022 Draft Prospects. On the floor, it's Hull's ability from beyond the arc that should make her a shoo-in for a spot in a WNBA training camp. 13 overall) shot 41.4 percent from deep on 7.8 attempts per game for Ohio State last season and will push Lexie Hull for minutes as a space-creator off the bench. If she starts hitting threes, shell be an All-Star. States States. 3. Smith's calling card is her raw shooting skills, but questions surround how she can use her 6'0" frame to contribute to the game in other ways besides shooting and scoring. Austin's defense is pro-ready, as she has a solid handle on her footwork at 6'5". As for the Fevers third pick, shooter extraordinaire Taylor Mikesell (No. Aside from adding Angel McCoughtry, the Lynx didn't make any notable changes this winter, and for good reason after they finished with the fourth-best record and fourt-best net rating last season. Even with the addition of Dolson, they could still use some help in the frontcourt, though backcourt depth could also be an option. "It will be interesting to see how this all plays out and who ends up rising up and being able to carve out some space for themselves on a WNBA team this year.". It all made for a fascinating reshuffling of the leagues talent base, just a week after the NCAA Final Four and a little over a month until the 2023 season begins on May 19. The 2023 WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) Draft, the WNBA's draft for the 2023 WNBA season and 28th draft in WNBA history, was held following the 2022-23 NCAA Division I women's basketball season.The 2023 draft took place at Spring Studios New York on April 10, 2023. While Smith has developed her game quite quickly after only a season under former WNBA coach Nicki Collen, her perimeter play still has a ways to go if she is to reach her potential. That trio was joined by Iowa States Ashley Joens and Florida Gulf Coasts Kierstan Bell as the only players to appear in the first round on all six mock drafts. I worked countless hours with Coach [Glenn] Box, our assistant coach at Indiana, on different finishes, getting to a spot and finishing over bigger, stronger, quicker defenders. She's an elite rebounder (11.1 per game in 2021-22) and has impressive anticipation as a help defender. Kayla Wells (Texas A&M, Wing, Graduate Student). She also is coming from a mid-major school in Delaware that didn't allow her to compete against the more pro-ready talents in the country. Also, how will she adapt to being more of a serviceable player rather than being the nucleus of what her team does? Minnesota. These include her basketball IQ, her consistent motor and competitive toughness and her selflessness as a basketball player. . Last month, they tried to accelerate the rebuild a bit by sending the Nos. WNBA Draft (15) She's quicker on her feet while mid-post-up, which allows her to plow through defenses on her finishes. 24, Minnesota took Brea Beal, the 6-foot-1 South Carolina product who can guard four positions as well. Averaging five three-point attempts per game, Smith shot 36.7 percent, which. Allen-Taylor has proved to be a staunch defender, playing in a system that is predicated upon its high-pressure defense. The 2022 WNBA Draft is one day away, but the drama has already started. Brian Martin March 27, 2022 With the 2022 WNBA Draft less than three weeks away, it's time to start marking projections on how things may play out on Monday, April 11 (7:00 p.m., ESPN) in. Emphasis on the "wants to," which was exactly how Dream general manager Dan Padover described Howard on the defensive end. Pro-ready skill: At only 19, Melbourne is an impressive lane slasher playing in the WNBL against WNBA pros Sami Whitcomb, Jackie Young and Marina Mabrey. Each player was slotted in that specific position in five of the six mock drafts. 1 overall pick from the Washington Mystics. Traded Draft Picks: Wings get Sky first round pick. Projected draft position: Middle of the third round, 1. Projected draft position: Within the draft lottery and potential No. Kayla Jones (NC State, Combo Forward, Graduate Student). While her versatility is her blessing, she can be inconsistent in some of her roles. Pro-ready skill: When Williams is on, her athleticism, strength and speed can be difficult to stop. Although at 6'3" she has length and size as a post player, she also struggled with physicality and staying out of foul trouble. Their Lawmakers Are Delivering. The Ping-pong balls have dropped, and the official order of the 2022 WNBA draft has been set. They responded by overhauling the entire organization, hiring Tanisha Wright as head coach and Dan Padover as general manager. At Michigan State, she took on some ball-handling duties, so she could be slotted at either point guard or shooting guard. "We are very comfortable with all three players . Sports Sports. 1 name atop the scouting report. NEW YORK, March 29, 2022 - The WNBA announced today the initial list of 88 players from colleges and universities who have formally filed for inclusion as candidates for the 2022 WNBA. She has trouble finishing at the rim, has limited post moves on the block and shot. (3/23), Bleacher Report: 2022 WNBA Mock Draft: Pre-March Madness Predictions (3/16), Her Hoops Stats: 2022 WNBA Mock Draft 1.0 (2/28), W Basketball Blog: 2022 WNBA Mock Draft 3.0 (2/16), Beyond Womens Sports: WNBA Mock Draft 3.0: March Madness Edition (3/14). She's an effective screener and makes intelligent reads on the floor. Lewis proved how versatile and tough she is to guard during her graduate year at Baylor. Emily Engstler (Louisville, Forward, Senior). Jordan Lewis (Baylor, Guard, Graduate Student). Aisha Sheppard (Virginia Tech, Guard, Graduate Student). But the Fevers haul was just getting started with Boston. In her final collegiate season, Gray shot. Questions the prospect raises: While the 5'7" Pointer has proved herself as a talented scoring guard, her push passes at point guard could use work. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: wnba | pageType: stories | Its a departure from what Fowles gave the Lynx, but lets be real: Theres only one Sylvia Fowles. Defensively, her footwork and quickness aren't where they need to be to help contain drives to the basket. I think Im just never satisfied, Miller said following the draft. In her final years at UConn, she's proved that those natural skills can be translated over to the defensive side of the ball. Apr 11, 2022. Navigation Toggle NBA. Still, they have three picks and could use some extra depth in the backcourt and on the wing. Projected draft position: Early second round to mid-second round, 6. Pro-ready skill: At 6'4", Staiti can stretch as a mid-range and three-point jump-shooter. Projected draft position: Middle to late third round, 11. The Fever came in with the. The 2022 WNBA Draft is just one day away, but the drama has already started with a blockbuster trade that saw the Washington Mystics send the No. Pro-ready skill: Allen-Taylor has proved to be a staunch defender, playing in a system that is predicated upon its high-pressure defense. Like, ever. How much potential she has at her size is what might make Austin most exciting to WNBA talent evaluators. "This is a draft with some good players, not generational players," said Cheryl Reeve, head coach and GM of the Minnesota Lynx, on her podcast, "It will be interesting to see how this all plays out and who ends up rising up and being able to carve out some space for themselves on a WNBA team this year.". Pro-ready skill: All season, Smith was the Cardinals' go-to shot-maker, especially when the defenses collapsed on Hailey Van Lith, a more dynamic guard. The centerpiece of Indianas rebuild is Boston, a 6-foot-5 big out of South Carolina who was both the consensus best player available and fit the largest needs of the team. She also is coming from a mid-major school in Delaware that didn't allow her to compete against the more pro-ready talents in the country. To really appreciate Boston, though, youve got to watch her she simply doesnt miss defensive assignments. In her four years at Georgia, she didn't finish below the, Staiti will need to work on her mobility outside the paint and improve her efficiency from beyond the arc. Offensively, Williams can score at all three levels and can be hard to guard when she's slashing through the paint. Questions the prospect raises: Dodson played her best basketball with the Irish in 2021-22, but how she matched up against Elissa Cunane in her final collegiate game was concerning. WNBA 2022 WNBA Draft Big Board: Ranking Top Prospects at Every Position Jackie Powell April 9, 2022 Destanni Henderson, South Carolina Senior Guard Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press. Home; Tickets; Schedule. Round 1. Eligible international players (as that term is defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement) also are not required to opt in to the 2022 WNBA Draft in order to beselected. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the draft picks live on ESPN. a 6-foot-5 center from France who was a highly coveted prospect in many WNBA war rooms, . The Atlanta Dream are on the clock with the No. Washington Mystics head coach and GM Mike Thibault and Atlanta Dream GM Dan Padover believe there will be many more serviceable players in this class than there were last April when multiple first-rounders didn't even make it to the All-Star break on a WNBA roster. But get excited for the teams that added the WNBAs next generation of stars including a Boston-led group that might turn the league on its head sooner than you think. 4:44 pm, April 28. In exchange, the Mystics received the No 3. overall pick, No. not doing that prior to her arrival. Questions the prospect raises: Inconsistency has been Williams' downfall throughout her college career and has prevented her from reaching her potential as a guard thus far. Up first, however, is the 2022 WNBA Draft, which is set for April 11. Khayla Pointer (LSU, Guard, Graduate Student), Pro-ready skill: Pointer can score at a very high level. Pro-ready skill: Gray can score at three levels and can especially create her own looks driving through the lane and on mid-range fadeaways. Canada Canada. The 2022 WNBA draft will be held in New York City Monday, April 11 at 7 p.m. When Mystics head coach and general manager Mike Thibault. Last years worst teams just got a lot better. Cartelli: 2022 NFL Mock Draft. 3. Cunane isn't known for imposing her will physically, but Dodson struggled against her in the Sweet 16. 25) will give Sides extra competitors for her frontcourt slots during training camp. She can score at all three levels, handle the ball and distribute it when needed, play at least three positions (the 2, 3 and the 4) and use her 6'2" size and long arms to defend when she wants to. 1 overall pick still remains to be seen. The 2022 WNBA Draft is just one day away, but the drama has already started with a blockbuster trade that saw the Washington Mystics send the No. After yet another playoff failure, the Aces made some big changes this winter, both on and off the court. The three stars are among the 108 eligible players vying to be one of 36 picks to go pro stateside. In addition, legendary center Sylvia Fowles plans to retire at the end of this season. 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