2021 WNBA Mock Draft Version 1.0

It’s that time of year again! The WNBA Draft is in three months, which means it’s time to start releasing my version of the WNBA Mock Drafts. This draft class is not as deep or strong as last year’s class and some players may or may not change their mind about staying an extra year so there’s a layer of uncertainty surrounding the draft this year. It’s not as clear cut as it was in previous years. With a ton of cancellations/postponements in the women’s college basketball season, a lot of coaches/GM’s can’t evaluate players as well as they would like, so it shall be interesting on how they draft players this year.

I have put explanations for the top 5 picks and left the rest in ranking form. Keep in mind, I will have three more versions of this draft before a final WNBA Mock Draft that will come out one week before the actual draft. As always, I look forward to reading your comments / disagreements on my WNBA Mock Draft, so comment away and let me know what you think of my first version of the WNBA Mock Draft.

2021 WNBA MOCK DRAFT VERSION 1.0

FIRST ROUND

1. New York Liberty – Charli Collier – Texas

The New York Liberty have the first pick for the second straight year after they selected Sabrina Ionescu with the first pick last year. For the first overall pick, teams should select the best player available regardless of position. This year, that player is Charli Collier from Texas. She’s got a ton of potential to be really great and a future star player. She will not be as pro ready as Sabrina Ionescu or some other former No. 1 overall picks, but she is, in my opinion, the best player to be taken overall and the Liberty should pick her.

2. Dallas Wings – Aari McDonald – Arizona

The Dallas Wings are loaded with so many talented young players and are a team on the rise. They’ve got promising young stars in Bella Alarie, Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, just to name a few. As the team that will pick second, it’s hard to ignore the talent of Aari McDonald and is just too hard to pass up. Aari McDonald is a great scorer and has become better every year and has helped Arizona reach top 10 in the AP rankings and put Arizona on the map. Aari McDonald won’t be asked for a lot as the Wings already have a loaded roster, but she can help the bench and give them a good guard off the bench. She may or may not get minutes right away, but is absolutely deserving of the second overall pick.

3. Atlanta Dream – Rennia Davis – Tennessee

The Atlanta Dream have a mix of a ton of great veteran forwards in Elizabeth Williams, Glory Johnson as well as young forwards/centers in Monique Billings and Kalani Brown. However, they could still use some great back up off the bench and for the third overall pick, that belongs to Rennia Davis of Tennessee. She has gotten better over the years and has been a consistent and steady player for the Lady Vols this season. The Dream could always use some help in the center/forward position off the bench and Rennia Davis is the perfect player for it.

4. Indiana Fever – Dana Evans – Louisville

The Indiana Fever have some great young star guards in Kelsey Mitchell, Tiffany Mitchell, Julie Allemand and veteran star Erica Wheeler. However, they could use a point guard off the bench to help lead the bench and this where Dana Evans comes in. Dana Evans has been on a tear lately to help lead Louisville and she’s been the leading guard off some very promising young future star freshmen in Hailey Van Lith and Oliva Cochran. She’s been a great leader for them and she can help do the same for the Indiana Fever. She may or may not get minutes right away and she may struggle early as some rookies do, but she is a great fit for the Indiana Fever.

5. Dallas Wings (via the Washington Mystics) – Awak Kuier – Finland

The Dallas Wings already have the second pick and now are selecting fifth overall. Awak Kuier of Finland is just 19 years old and has already garnered so much attention overseas in international competition. She has just got some potential that it’s hard to see her not drafted top 5. She may or may not go earlier than fifth overall but if the Wings get lucky, they definitely should draft her despite being already loaded at the forward/center position. Since this season be filled with uncertainty, there’s a chance she may not show up at all and the Wings could have her next season. We just don’t know yet. But we do know that, there have been great international picks in the past (Liz Cambage and Lauren Jackson) come to mind and Awak Kuier seems to be another future great international draft pick.

SECOND ROUND

1. Dallas Wings – Ciera Johnson – Texas A&M
2. Indiana Fever – Jenna Staiti – Georgia
3. Atlanta Dream – Aaliyah Wilson – Texas A&M
4. Dallas Wings – Natasha Mack – Oklahoma State
5. New York Liberty – Kysre Gondrezick – West Virginia
6. Connecticut Sun – Jaelynn Penn – Indiana
7. Chicago Sky – Erin Boley – Oregon
8. Connecticut Sun – Chloe Bibby – Maryland
9. Indiana Fever – Destiny Pitts – Texas A&M
10. Los Angeles Sparks – Hailey Brown – Michigan
11. Seattle Storm – Ali Patberg – Indiana
12. Las Vegas Aces – Kristin Scott – Iowa State

THIRD ROUND

1. New York Liberty – Kayla Jones – NC State
2. Indiana Fever – Didi Richards- Baylor
3. Atlanta Dream – Que Morrison – Georgia
4. Dallas Wings – Jenn Wirth – Gonzaga
5. New York Liberty – Nancy Mulkey – Rice
6. Connecticut – Bethy Mununga – South Florida
7. Chicago Sky – Lindsey Pulliam – Northwestern
8. Phoenix Mercury – Jasmine Walker – Alabama
9. Minnesota Lynx – Lauren Heard – TCU
10. Los Angeles Sparks – Moon Ursin – Baylor
11. Seattle Storm – Jill Townsend – Gonzaga
12. Las Vegas Aces – Lexi Gordon – Texas Tech