The majority of the free agency signings are now official. Here’s the latest mock draft with the adjustments made based on the recent signings and also the performances of the upcoming draft class.
FIRST ROUND
#1. Indiana Fever – Aliyah Boston, 6’5 C, South Carolina
Boston remains the top overall pick and a much-needed interior dominance to pair up with NaLyssa Smith inside. Boston showed her potential in South Carolina’s recent win over UCONN, where she posted 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Reuniting Boston with former Gamecock’s teammate, Destanni Henderson, would be a nice combo to see again on the court.
#2. Minnesota Lynx – Diamond Miller, 6’3 SF, Maryland
The Lynx have been somewhat quiet on the free agency front. Their only point guard to be signed for the season is Lindsay Allen, who played nine games for Minnesota in 2022. However, this draft isn’t all that deep with point guards, and thus, Minnesota selects the best available player with Maryland’s Diamond Miller. Miller’s a versatile offensive threat and can add needed depth for the Lynx at either forward position. Her averages for the season are currently 19.4 points per game, 6.3 rebounds per game, 1.4 blocks per game, and 2.1 steals per game.
#3. Dallas Wings – Jordan Horston, 6’2 SF, Tennessee
Horston began the season with a day-to-day injury that limited her playing time early on. Since late November, she’s been excelling in every aspect of her game. In Tennessee’s loss against UCONN, Horston put up a career-high of 27 points plus 6 rebounds and 2 blocks. The Wings lost Kayla Thornton and Allisha Gray in off-season trades which opens the door for them to draft Horston. A strong, defensive player with good hands and a hard drive to the basket.
#4. Washington Mystics – Haley Jones, 6’1 SG/SF, Stanford
Jones drops to the Mystics based on a need on the perimeter for new head coach Eric Thibault. Jones’ questionability at the next level is about which position is she best suited for. Capable of running the floor while also being able to post up and defend in the paint and rebound. As always, the Mystics’ success runs on whether Elena Delle Donne remains healthy. Jones’s ability to play multiple positions would be a bonus in Washington in this scenario. Through 25 games, her averages equate to 13.6 ppg, and 9.0 rpg while shooting 45.2 percent from the field. Her one downside is her lack of outside shooting being a career 22.8 percent three-point shooter.
#5. Dallas Wings– Maddy Siegrist, 6’1 PF, Villanova
The Wings recently traded Marina Mabrey to the Sky in exchange for this pick while also acquiring Diamond DeShields. Siegrist fills a need for the Wings, both in the post and on the wing. A versatile 6’2″ player with a solid outside shooting game (39.6 percent from three-point range). Furthermore, Maddy is a capable defender that can cover the perimeter or defend inside the paint. Siegrist would be expected to play a larger role off the bench at the small forward position in the WNBA. With their recent losses in free agency of Marina Mabrey, Izzy Harrison, and Allisha Gray, there’s a probable chance for this pick to see significant time in their rookie season.
The Dallas Wings have acquired All-Star guard Diamond DeShields, the Chicago Sky’s first round selection (fifth overall) in the 2023 WNBA Draft and Chicago’s first round selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) February 11, 2023
Details: https://t.co/9rEwtNsclZ pic.twitter.com/a9SLrodquI
#6. Atlanta Dream – Rickea Jackson, 6’2 SF, Tennessee
The Dream adding Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson would bolster their depth on the wing. The recent trade sending Tiffany Hayes to Connecticut for this pick allows Atlanta to continue their rebuild under coach Tanisha Wright. Jackson’s a solid offensive player capable of scoring from all areas of the court. Similar to her Lady Vols’ teammate, Jordan Horston, she has the range to play multiple positions. A legit rebounder that’s also capable of posting up in the paint. However, her weaknesses in turnovers and ball handling will need improvement in the WNBA.
#7. Indiana Fever – Madi Williams, 5’11 SF, Oklahoma
Hard to pinpoint the Fever’s need here with this pick. More than likely the selection of Oklahoma’s Madi Williams appears the best fit to help their need at the wing. An all-around flex player that’s currently averaging 16.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg plus shooting 52.7 percent from the field. In addition, Williams is a solid defensive player as well despite her size.
#8. Atlanta Dream – Elizabeth Kitley, 6’6 C, Virginia Tech
After drafting Tennessee’s Jackson, the Dream looks to add some needed depth to the post. Virginia Tech’s Kitley is likely the best available here for Atlanta. She’s currently averaging a double-double with 18.3 ppg and 11.1 rpg on 55.9 percent shooting. However, Kitley’s weaknesses include being slow on the defensive end and needing to work on her footwork.
#9. Seattle Storm – Jacy Sheldon, 5’10 SG, Ohio State
Sheldon could possibly be a top-five pick in this draft. However, injuries have plagued her senior year by allowing her only to play in six total games so far. Her previous year saw Jacy average 19.7 ppg, 4.2 assists per game, 3.7 rpg, and 1.9 steals per game. The Storm has a large void at the point guard spot with Sue Bird now retired and Sheldon is capable of playing either guard position. If Sheldon can remain healthy through the NCAA tournament, there’s a likelihood she may not be available for Seattle here.
#10. Los Angeles Sparks – Taiyanna Jackson, 6’6 C, Kansas
Jackson’s draft stock has continued to climb all season. Meanwhile, the Sparks have stockpiled enough guards in free agency that their only need is in the post. Adding in Jackson to their post-rotation would be a solid addition for new coach Curt Miller. A solid defensive big that could allow Nneka Ogwumike to slide over to the power forward spot at stretches. Though Nneka and her sister, Chiney Ogwumike, remain unsigned, both are expected back in Los Angeles.
#11. Dallas Wings – Charisma Osborne, 5’9 SG, UCLA
Osborne has had her ups and downs in her injury-filled senior season. However, the Wings tend to lean towards shooters and Osborne fills this need for Dallas. Averaging 15.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 2.7 apg while shooting just 38.2 percent from the field. Free agent Marina Mabrey is still unsigned but isn’t expected back in Dallas. This would open the door for Osborne to improve her game and give last year’s draft pick, Jasmine Dickey, additional playing time as well.
#12. Minnesota Lynx – Dyaisha Fair, 5’5 PG, Syracuse
By now, selecting Syracuse’s Dyaisha Fair is likely the best option for Minnesota. Needing depth at the point guard spot is a glaring void for Minnesota currently. A solid shooter, ball handler, and playmaker could be the needed addition for the Lynx here. Fair can also provide some solid defense as she’s averaging 2.5 steals per game. Some downsides are her poor shooting percentages (38.6 FG and 35.5 from the three-point range) and her high turnover ratio.
SECOND ROUND
| 13 | Indiana | Grace Berger | SG | Indiana | 6′ 0 | – |
| 14 | Los Angeles | Lou Lopez-Senechal | SG | UConn | 6′ 1 | – |
| 15 | Atlanta | Dorka Juhász | PF | UConn | 6′ 4 | – |
| 16 | Minnesota | Stephanie Soares | C | Iowa State | 6′ 6 | – |
| 17 | Indiana | Jessika Carter | C | Mississippi State | 6′ 5 | – |
| 18 | Seattle | Ashley Joens | SF | Iowa State | 6′ 0 | – |
| 19 | Dallas | Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu | PF | South Florida | 6′ 4 | – |
| 20 | Washington | Celeste Taylor | SG | Duke | 5′ 11 | – |
| 21 | Seattle | Erynn Barnum | PF | Arkansas | 6′ 2 | – |
| 22 | Connecticut | Aubrey Griffin | PF | UConn | 6′ 1 | – |
| 23 | Chicago | Ashley Owusu | PG | Virginia Tech | 6′ 0 | – |
| 24 | Minnesota | Aijha Blackwell | SG | Baylor | 6′ 0 | – |
THIRD ROUND
| 25 | Indiana | Claudia Contell | PG | Spain | 5′ 10 | – |
| 26 | Los Angeles | Zia Cooke | SG | South Carolina | 5′ 9 | – |
| 27 | Phoenix | Leigha Brown | SF | Michigan | 6′ 1 | – |
| 28 | Minnesota | Lauren Park-Lane | PG | Seton Hall | 5′ 6 | – |
| 29 | Phoenix | Antwainette Walker | SF | Eastern Kentucky | 5′ 11 | – |
| 30 | New York | Shaneice Swain | PG | Australia | 5′ 9 | – |
| 31 | Dallas | Taylor Mikesell | SG | Ohio State | 5′ 11 | – |
| 32 | Washington | Jaz Shelley | SG | Nebraska | 5′ 9 | – |
| 33 | Seattle | Alexis Morris | PG | LSU | 5′ 6 | – |
| 34 | Connecticut | Kiki Jefferson | SG | James Madison | 6′ 1 | – |
| 35 | Chicago | Keishana Washington | SG | Drexel | 5′ 7 | – |
| 36 | Las Vegas | Taylor Robertson | SG | Oklahoma | 5′ 11 | – |
The 2023 WNBA Draft is exactly two months away on April 10. Check out the recent five-part Draft Rewind Series of the 2016-2020 Drafts.
