The 2022 WNBA Draft is completed. All 36 picks have been selected and now teams must dwindle their rosters down to 12 by opening day (May 6). The first order of business is to reduce roster sizes down to 15 by April 17, as that’s the limit on training camp rosters. In addition, some teams may have players arriving late due to overseas commitments, which could enable some wiggle room on having a few extra players for the beginning of training camp (see Indiana’s 22-player roster). Here’s a team-by-team breakdown and grade of how everyone faired for the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Atlanta Dream: A-
1. Rhyne Howard, F/G, Kentucky
15. Naz Hillmon, F, Michigan
Howard’s the future of this franchise and a projected All-Star. It should be the Dream’s starting small forward. Hillmon might be the steal of the draft and could see quality minutes behind Monique Billings. This is still a team going through a complete rebuilding and shouldn’t be expected to make the playoffs.
“𝗪𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿.”@AtlantaDream head coach Tanisha Wright discusses the selection of Rhyne Howard with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/UAoAV9IyRd
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) April 12, 2022
Chicago Sky: DNP
The Sky did not have any draft picks due to various trades.
Connecticut Sun: B-
12. Nia Clouden, CG, Michigan State
24. Jordan Lewis, PG, Baylor
36. Kiara Smith, PG, Florida
Hard to tell if any of these picks actually stand a chance at cracking the roster. Based on her offensive abilities, Clouden should over either Kaila Charles or DiJonai Carrington. But their salary cap issues might prohibit her from making the roster. Florida’s Kiara Smith is a deferral pick due to being injured and will miss the entirety of the 2022 season.
Nia Clouden, Jordan Lewis, and Kiki Smith are headed to Connecticut. #WNBADraft
— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) April 12, 2022
🔗: https://t.co/fyIqIXxHLS pic.twitter.com/h5pvQMptRm
Dallas Wings: B+
7. Veronica Burton, PG, Northwestern
30. Jasmine Dickey, G/F, Delaware
31. Jazz Bond, F, North Florida
Nice pick of Burton to potentially groom into their future starting point guard. Dickey, a strong offensive player, and Jazz Bond face an uphill battle to make the final roster.
⭐️ LUCKY NO. 7 ⭐️
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) April 11, 2022
Welcome to Dallas, @Veronicaab22! pic.twitter.com/jIrEyGtSUu
Indiana Fever: B
2. NaLyssa Smith, F, Baylor
4. Emily Engstler, F, Louisville
6. Lexie Hull, G/F, Stanford
10. Queen Egbo, C/F, Baylor
20. Destanni Henderson, PG, South Carolina
25. Ameshya Williams-Holliday, C, Jackson State
34. Ali Patberg, PG, Indiana
Smith and Engstler could end up as immediate starters. Lin Dunn said she needed shooters and picked Hull with the sixth pick despite Indiana stacked at the guard position. Queen Egbo in the first round and Henderson in the second? The picks should have been reversed. Fever are still incredibly weak upfront and should be a top candidate to land South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston in the 2023 draft.
7 picks, 1 draft
— Indiana Fever ⛹️♀️🏀 (@IndianaFever) April 12, 2022
last night was one for the history books #FeverDraft | @AnthemBCBS
Las Vegas Aces: A+
8. Mya Hollingshed, F, Colorado
11. Kierstan Bell, F/G, FGCU
13. Khayla Pointer, PG, LSU
23. Aisha Sheppard, SG, Virginia Tech
35. Faustine Aifuwa, C, LSU
The Aces’ bench was looking very thin heading into draft night. Becky Hammon also wanted to add three-point shooters. Hollingshed, Bell, Pointer and Sheppard can all shoot from long range. The assumption is that Dearica Hamby will start alongside A’ja Wilson. Hollingshed then becomes their new sixth woman. Kierstan Bell becomes a solid backup for Jackie Young at small forward. Pointer competes with Sydney Colson for that backup point guard position. Sheppard will have to shoot lights out during training camp to make their final roster. Aifuwa might be a cheaper alternative to Plaisance as their fifth post option.
Los Angeles Sparks: B-
9. Rae Burrell, F/G, Tennessee
16. Kianna Smith, G/F, Louisville
19. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F/C, UConn
27. Amy Atwell, F/G, Hawaii
Derek Fisher was quoted after the draft saying Burrell was the player he wanted with the ninth pick. An already crowded roster strongly limits the chances of Smith, Nelson-Ododa and Atwell.
Los Angeles Sparks GM and head coach Derek Fisher on Rae Burrell: “It’s who we circled and watched closely at all four years at Tennessee. You don’t know if the player you circled will be there when you’re selecting. We are excited that’s how it worked out.”
— Karthik Venkataraman (@KarthikV_) April 12, 2022
Minnesota Lynx: C
22. Kayla Jones, F, NC State
28. Hannah Sjerven, F/C, South Dakota
The Lynx roster was nearly set even before the draft. Making the trade with Las Vegas to rid of two early picks helped Cheryl Reeve for this season. One of Jones or Sjerven could squeeze into that final roster spot of last year’s first-round pick, Rennia Davis or Jessica Shepard.
New York Liberty: A
5. Nyara Sabally, F/C, Oregon
18. Lorela Cubaj, F/C, Georgia Tech (received from Seattle in exchange for NY’s 2023 2RP)
29. Sika Koné, F, Mali
Liberty picked up three strong post players in their draft. Sabally going fifth gives them a solid post-rotation to pair up with Natasha Howard, Stefanie Dolson and 2021 Rookie of the Year, Michaela Onyenwere. Acquiring Cubaj from the Storm furthers their depth in the post. Cubaj can come in stretches, bang inside, defend and rebound. After the draft, general manager Jonathon Kolb said that Sika Kone won’t be coming over this season and is viewed as an asset for the future. Potentially could have used this pick for a backup point guard, but if Marine Johannes comes over [likely late], then the role gets filled between her and Sami Whitcomb.
With our @WNBA draft #5 overall pick, @sabally2000! We can’t for you to join us in New York! 🗽👑 pic.twitter.com/D7WObjqt6p
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) April 11, 2022
Seattle Storm: C+
17. Elissa Cunane, C, NC State
21. Evina Westbrook, CG, UConn
33. Jade Melbourne, PG, Australia
Debatable if either of these picks have a shot. Cunane essentially needs to beat out veteran Jantel Lavender for a spot. Westbrook could be the team’s fifth guard option and give the aging backcourt some much-needed youth.
Phoenix Mercury: B
26. Maya Dodson, F/C, Notre Dame
32. Macee Williams, F/C, IUPUI
Mercury clearly needed post help with the likely absence of Brittney Griner this season. If Griner’s given some roster exemption, one of Dodson or Williams could squeeze onto the roster.
Washington Mystics: A
3. Shakira Austin, C, Ole Miss
14. Christyn Williams, G/F, UConn
Austin gives the Mystics some youth to their frontcourt that’s currently loaded with veterans. There’s still the question of Delle Donne’s health this season. Austin could be forced into a starting role alongside Myisha Hines-Allen in the post if she’s out for a long stretch. Williams could fill the hole of back-up to Alysha Clark at small forward. At UCONN, she would often be put into this role while playing alongside Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd. If this team can remain healthy, they should be considered a top-three team to contend for the WNBA championship this season.
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