WNBA mock draft 2019: Sabrina Ionescu’s return to Oregon shuffles top pick
Sabrina Ionescu returning to Oregon for her senior season changes what many thought might happen on Wednesday in the WNBA draft: The Oregon junior was expected to go No. 1.
So, we have a new top pick, but there are things to keep in mind. Might Las Vegas Aces coach/general manager Bill Laimbeer trade the top selection? Don’t be surprised if he does.
Also, could a Liz Cambage trade still happen before the draft to affect the selections? It’s a possibility.
Oregon star guard Sabrina Ionescu is returning for her senior season, writing in a bylined story on The Players’ Tribune that the Ducks have “unfinished business” after losing in the Final Four on Friday.
The WNBA draft will be held April 10 at Nike New York Headquarters in Manhattan, the league announced Tuesday.
And we still have draft-eligible junior Jackie Young of Notre Dame on the board, now as a lottery pick. She is playing in the national championship game on Sunday (ESPN/ESPN App, 6 p.m. ET), then she’ll have 24 hours to make a decision about whether she will return to the Fighting Irish.
There’s still a lot of intrigue for the 2019 draft, but one thing is for sure: Ionescu won’t be in it.
1. Las Vegas: Asia Durr, Louisville, 5-foot-10 guard
2. New York: Jackie Young*, Notre Dame, 6-0 guard
3. Indiana: Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State, 6-7 center
4. Chicago: Kristine Anigwe, Cal, 6-4 forward
5. Dallas: Napheesa Collier, UConn, 6-2 forward
6. Minnesota: Arike Ogunbowale, Notre Dame, 5-8 guard
7. Los Angeles: Katie Lou Samuelson, UConn, 6-3 guard
8. Phoenix: Alanna Smith, Stanford, 6-4 forward
9. Connecticut: Jessica Shepard, Notre Dame, 6-4 forward
10. Washington: Sophie Cunningham, Missouri, 6-1 guard
11. Atlanta: Kalani Brown, Baylor, 6-7 center
12. Seattle: Megan Gustafson, Iowa, 6-3 center
13. Phoenix: Ezi Magbegor, Australia, 6-4 forward
14. New York: Brianna Turner, Notre Dame, 6-3 forward
15. Chicago: Paris Kea, North Carolina, 5-9 guard
16. Minnesota: Caliya Robinson, Georgia, 6-3 forward
17. Dallas: Han Xu, China, 6-9 center
18. Minnesota: Kiara Leslie, N.C. State, 6-0 guard
19. Los Angeles: Kennedy Burke, UCLA, 6-1 guard
20. Minnesota: Naomi Davenport, West Virginia, 6-0 guard/forward
21. Connecticut: Natisha Hiedeman, Marquette, 5-8 guard
22. Dallas: Anriel Howard, Mississippi State, 5-11 forward
23. Atlanta: Cierra Dillard, Buffalo, 5-9 guard
24. Seattle: Bridget Carleton, Iowa State, 6-1 guard
25. Indiana: Kianna Ibis, Arizona State, 6-1 forward
26. New York: Kenisha Bell, Minnesota, 5-9 guard
27. Chicago: Marina Mabrey, Notre Dame, 5-11 guard
28. Indiana: Allazia Blockton, Marquette, 6-0 guard
29. Dallas: Maite Cazorla, Oregon, 5-10 guard
30. Minnesota: Sam Fuehring, Louisville, 6-3 forward
31. Los Angeles: Li Yueru, China, 6-7 center
32. Phoenix: Megan Huff, Utah, 6-3 forward
33. Connecticut: Taylor Emery, Virginia Tech, 5-10 guard
34. Washington: Alexis Jennings, South Carolina, 6-3 forward
35. Atlanta: Chloe Jackson, Baylor, 5-8 guard
36. Seattle: Teniya Page, Penn State, 5-7 guard