We have now arrived at the end of the women’s college basketball season and the time for the WNBA Draft. The Draft will tip one week from now on ESPN. Make sure you tune in and support the next crop of young women that will enter the WNBA.
Since last releasing my WNBA Mock Draft Version 3.0, not much has changed since then. Some draft prospects have moved up, and some have moved down. We also know now who exactly will be in the draft, so that makes writing a WNBA Mock Draft much easier. If you would like to check out more previous versions, you may do so below.
First Round (Draft Order courtesy of Across the Timeline – 2021 WNBA Draft Picks – Across the Timeline – Stats, facts, and memories from the storied history of women’s basketball)
I also got full rosters, plus salary cap information from Her Hoop Stats – 2021 WNBA Salary Cap Summary by Team and Key WNBA CBA Info | Her Hoop Stats
- Awak Kuier – Finland – Dallas Wings
One month later, and I am not changing my mind on the #1 overall pick. Awak Kuier is only 19 years old and will get better over time. She has the highest amount of potential greatness in this WNBA Draft. Either way, it does not really matter because the Dallas Wings have the top 2 picks. Between Charli Collier and Awak Kuier, I’m taking Awak Kuier first.
2. Charli Collier – Texas – Dallas Wings
Charli Collier still has some work to do to become the player she can be because she just has so much potential to be better. She did not play all that well towards the end of the NCAA tournament, which lowers her WNBA Draft stock just a bit. She absolutely made the right decision to declare early for the WNBA Draft, because next year, she would have been a late first round pick, rather than a top 2 pick this year. With all that being said, she’s still a great pick and the Dallas Wings should take her. If Awak Kuier does not show up, Charli Collier will have more opportunity to prove herself in the WNBA.
3. Dana Evans – Louisville – Atlanta Dream
From last month, Dana Evans moves up two spots. It’s not because I think she outplayed Aari McDonald, it’s because of the fit in the Atlanta Dream roster. They already have similar players that resemble Aari McDonald’s playing style. Therefore, Dana Evans is a better fit for the Dream. The Atlanta Dream have suspended Maite Cazorla for this season and Dana Evans could help fill in that point guard role for them. She can help them off the bench with her shooting and her ability to assist players. From time to time, she may be able to help the starters as well.
4. Aari McDonald – Arizona – Indiana Fever
Aari McDonald moves down a spot from last month and that is not because of her play, it’s because of the fit and the team needs. Looking at both rosters after one month has passed, and the Indiana Fever have a better opportunity for Aari McDonald to not only make the roster, but to contribute as well. Aari McDonald’s ability to be a two player will greatly help her in the WNBA, especially when it comes to the Indiana Fever because their general manager, Tamika Catchings greatly values defense. She still has some competition, especially from some good guards the Fever has, but she has better odds of making this roster than the Dream’s roster.
5. Chelsea Dungee – Arkansas – Dallas Wings
Chelsea Dungee moves down a spot from last month because the NCAA tournament did not help improve her stock. It went down just a bit to push her down a spot. Still, the Dallas Wings have to be thrilled that they get a player like Chelsea Dungee with their third first round pick and 3rd overall in the top 5. Chelsea Dungee is a great slasher, good defender and can help the Wings immediately. Great spot to land in for Dungee.
6. Arella Guirantes – Rutgers – New York Liberty
Arella Guirantes moves up two spots from last month, because her play towards the end of the season and her play in the NCAA tournament was good enough to move her up. Arella Guirantes has a really good shot of making the Liberty roster and can help the Liberty bench right away. She’s a good defender, a good playmaker and the Liberty would be wise to pick her up.
7. Rennia Davis – Tennessee – Dallas Wings
Rennia Davis moves down a spot from last month, because her play in the NCAA tournament did not improve her stock, but it also did not decrease her stock. She’s still a very solid player and the Dallas Wings have gotten yet another great player in the first round. She can help off the bench, but she may not get that many minutes right away as there are several great players ahead of her in the rotation. It’s going to be tough and it will most likely be a learning year for Rennia Davis to grow and improve in.
8. Michaela Onyenwere – UCLA – Chicago Sky
Michaela Onyenwere moves down a spot from last month, because like Davis, Onyenwere was solid in the NCAA tournament but the players ahead of her were much better. Michaela Onyenwere will have to prove herself in the Chicago Sky training camp, but she has a good shot because her athleticism can help the Sky bench. This Sky team is preparing for a possible Finals run after they added Candace Parker to their roster, so Onyenwere might not get many minutes, or none at all if she cracks the roster. She’s still a very good player and if there is one player who can improve herself and become even better, it’s Michaela Onyenwere.
9. Natasha Mack- Oklahoma State – Minnesota Lynx
Natasha Mack stays in the 9th spot because this is a great spot for Natasha Mack to land in. Head coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve greatly values defense and rebounding, which are the two traits Natasha Mack excels in. It’s going to be tough for her to earn major minutes on this roster, but she can help off the bench and give them a lift. She can also help relieve both Napheesa Collier and Sylvia Fowles for when they need breaks or are in foul trouble.
10. Didi Richards – Baylor – Los Angeles Sparks
Didi Richards was not in my previous drafts because I felt like her lack of offense would greatly deter her from making an impact in the WNBA, but I was very wrong about that and some readers pointed that out to me. So, for that, I say that I was wrong and Didi Richards proved herself in the NCAA tournament run for Baylor. Her ability to defend will help the Sparks bench and she would be reunited with her former Baylor team mate Te’a Cooper.
11. Kiana Williams – Stanford – Seattle Storm
Kiana Williams had a great senior season for the 2021 NCAA tournament champions, the Stanford Cardinal. In the NCAA tournament, she helped the Stanford reach the Final Four thanks to her leadership. The Seattle Storm could use a player like her off the bench, where she could help relieve Jordin Canada for some minutes.
12. DiJonai Carrington – Baylor – Las Vegas Aces
DiJonai Carrington earned herself a spot in the first round after a great showing in the NCAA tournament for Baylor. It seemed as if Baylor relied on her a ton during the stretch of close games and she was able to answer the call a few times for them. Las Vegas Aces are looking to get back into the WNBA Finals and so they will be looking for immediate help from their bench. DiJonai Carrington can help the Aces and it will help fill their needs for a backup point guard/shooting guard.
Second round
- Destiny Slocum – Arkansas – Dallas Wings
- Trinity Baptiste – Arizona – Las Vegas Aces
- N’dea Jones – Texas A&M – Atlanta Dream
- Jasmine Walker – Alabama – Chicago Sky
- Unique Thompson -Auburn- New York Liberty
- Jill Townsend – Gonzaga – Seattle Storm
- Deja Church- DePaul – Indiana Fever
- Ivana Raca – Wake Forest – Connecticut Sun
- Aleah Goodman – Oregon State – Connecticut Sun
- Kysre Gondrezick – West Virginia – Los Angeles Sparks
- Micaela Kelly – Central Michigan – Seattle Storm
- Aaliyah Wilson – Texas A&M – Indiana Fever
Third round
- Petra Holesinka – North Carolina- New York Liberty
- Gabby Connally – Georgia – Indiana Fever
- Chelsey Perry – UT Martin – Atlanta Dream
- Shyla Heal – Australia – Los Angeles Sparks
- Iliana Rupert – France – New York Liberty
- Tiana Mangakahia – Syracuse – Connecticut Sun
- Jenn Wirth – Gonzaga – Indiana Fever
- Lindsey Pulliam – Northwestern – Phoenix Mercury
- Ciera Johnson – Texas A&M – Indiana Fever
- Selena Lott – Marquette – Los Angeles Sparks
- Chasity Patterson – Kentucky – Seattle Storm
- Janelle Bailey – North Carolina – Las Vegas Aces
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