With the college season reaching its epilogue in Dallas last weekend, it’s time I take one final look at what this year’s WNBA draft might look like. We’ve come a long way since my previous two versions, so let’s make this short and sweet. Without further ado, here’s my full 2023 mock draft!
First Round
1.1 Indiana—Aliyah Boston/Forward/South Carolina
Even if her game does have a few holes, Boston’s high IQ and instinctive basketball skill set make her the presumptive number one pick. Her dominance in the college game was breathtaking, but that is no guarantee that it will transition easily to the professional level. Nevertheless, this is an easy choice for the rebuilding Fever, and Boston will likely be a linchpin of their team for years to come.
1.2 Minnesota—Diamond Miller/Guard/Maryland
Possibly the best athlete in the draft class, Miller looks like a near lock for the Lynx at number two (assuming they keep the pick). Her three-point shooting may never round into form, but her downhill driving ability and defensive chops will add plenty of energy to her new team.
1.3 Dallas—Jordan Horston/Guard/Tennessee
Horston is similar to Miller in a lot of ways, including the athleticism, the playmaking, and the lack of a three-point shot. Horston can add a ton of value to any team, and she certainly impressed this season at Tennessee. Look for the Wings to make her their pick, knowing they will need some wing scoring to couple with their bigs.
1.4 Washington—Maddy Siegrist/Forward/Villanova
Washington is notorious for zigging when others zag, so this pick could go in any number of directions. If Siegrist falls to four, I find it hard for Washington to pass on her. This team needs more players who score by creating their own shot. Siegrist, the leading college scorer and a premier bucket maker all year, will give this team exactly what it’s missing.
1.5 Dallas—Haley Jones/Guard/Stanford
Jones was a consummate leader for Stanford, offering the Cardinal varying levels of facilitation, defense, and scoring. While I believe her skill set won’t translate super well at the next level, I still believe she has plenty she can offer teams. In a draft that seems to lack a lot of elite talent, the Wings could do worse than drafting Jones here.
1.6 Atlanta—Stephanie Soares/Forward/Center/Iowa State
There may not be a more polarizing player in the draft, with mocks having her as high as second and as low as not drafted. To me, Soares—even with her injury—will be a quality pro when she’s healthy. A player with that size, touch, rebounding capacity, and overall interior presence doesn’t come around often, so even if she’ll take a year to be ready, the Dream can get her in the system and find their Cheyenne Parker replacement.
1.7 Indiana—Lou Lopez Sénéchal/Guard/Forward/UConn
The Fever will find some talented post and wing players earlier in this draft, but to help create space and modernize their offense even more, they’ll need some outside shooting. Enter Sénéchal, who is an elite sharpshooter and a tough, gritty player this team will love.
1.8 Atlanta—Brea Beal/Guard/South Carolina
One of the more underrated players in college, Beal’s defensive prowess shined during her tenure with the Gamecocks. Dream head coach Tanisha Wright’s profile is defense and versatility first, so a player of Beal’s ilk who can check both those boxes, plus score a bit on the offensive end, seems like a strong selection here.
1.9 Seattle—Grace Berger/Guard/Indiana
Another tough and gritty player, Berger exemplifies the throwback paradigm better than anyone. Her midrange is deadly, and it’s her hard-nosed, lead-by-example mentality and ball-handling skills that make her a strong get for any team. For a team that lost a big leader in Breanna Stewart to free agency, not to mention one with a killer midrange game herself, the Storm will try to find a player who can make up for some of what was lost.
1.10 Los Angeles—Ashley Joens/Guard/Forward/Iowa State
With all the pieces this team added in free agency, one area where Los Angeles can continue to improve is in the scoring department. Joens was one of the more dynamic scorers in college basketball this past season, so look for the Sparks to add Joens to increase their scoring punch.
1.11 Dallas—Leigha Brown/Guard/Michigan
With all their picks, the Wings will need to be sure to add scoring from the guard position. Brown, one of the better three-level scorers in the draft, is a savvy guard who always knows exactly what she wants to do on the court. Her tenacity and leadership will fit perfectly on this up-and-coming Wings team.
1.12 Minnesota—Zia Cooke/Guard/South Carolina
Rounding out the first round is Minnesota. In desperate need of a post and a point guard, the Lynx will look to fill one of those holes with Cooke, an incredible guard who can facilitate and score with aplomb. Cooke’s leadership, moxie, and ability to carry a team on her shoulders will make for an instant improvement to this Lynx squad.
Second Round
2.1 Indiana—Dorka Juhász/Forward/UConn
2.2 Los Angeles—Taylor Mikesell/Guard/Ohio State
2.3 Atlanta—Taylor Robertson/Guard/Oklahoma
2.4 Minnesota—Myah Selland/Forward/South Dakota State
2.5 Indiana—Maïa Hirsch/Center/France
2.6 Seattle—Laeticia Amihere/Forward/South Carolina
2.7 Dallas—Monika Czinano/Forward/Center/Iowa
2.8 Washington—Alexis Morris/Guard/LSU
2.9 Seattle—Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu/Forward/South Florida
2.10 Connecticut—Destiny Littleton/Guard/USC
2.11 Chicago—Victaria Saxton/Forward/South Carolina
2.12 Minnesota—Shaneice Swain/Guard/Australia
Third Round
3.1 Indiana—Madi Williams/Forward/Oklahoma
3.2 Los Angeles—Kayana Traylor/Guard/Virginia Tech
3.3 Phoenix—Abby Meyers/Guard/Maryland
3.4 Minnesota—Elena Tsineke/Guard/South Florida
3.5 Phoenix—Lasha Petree/Guard/Purdue
3.6 New York—Destiny Harden/Forward/Miami
3.7 Dallas—Taylor Soule/Forward/Virginia Tech
3.8 Washington—Anastasia Hayes/Guard/Mississippi State
3.9 Seattle—Emily Kiser/Forward/Michigan
3.10 Connecticut—Brooke Flowers/Forward/Center/Saint Louis
3.11 Chicago—Tishara Morehouse/Guard/FGCU
3.12 Las Vegas—Diamond Battles/Guard/Georgia
The 2023 WNBA draft takes place on Monday, April 10.
