WNBA mock draft: Notre Dame’s Jackie Young the new No. 1
Wednesday’s WNBA draft could go many different ways. There were several exceptional college players this past season, but all of those who are entering the draft have a question mark attached in regard to how they will adapt to the pro game. That was even the case with Oregon’s Sabrina Ionescu, who was originally predicted as the No. 1 draft pick before her announcement Saturday that she will return for her final season with the Ducks.
Jackie Young, another draft-eligible junior, made the opposite decision and will leave Notre Dame after three years. She has taken over espnW’s No. 1 spot, but keep in mind the possibility of Las Vegas trading the pick. And there is still a chance that Liz Cambage’s status — she does not want to play with Dallas and is still hoping for a trade to Los Angeles — impacts the draft.
Tune in at 7 p.m. ET Wednesday for the first round on ESPN2, followed by the second and third rounds on ESPNU.
1. Las Vegas: Jackie Young, Notre Dame, 6-foot-0 guard
2019 stats: 14.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 5.1 APG
She didn’t have a great NCAA championship game scoring-wise, but she has all the tools on both ends of the court and impacts the game in many ways. That might be enough to elevate her to No. 1.
2. New York: Asia Durr, Louisville, 5-10 guard
2019 stats: 21.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.3 APG
She can create her own shot and has big-game capability. She’s also a strong team player who will fill whatever role is asked of her.
3. Indiana: Teaira McCowan, Mississippi State, 6-7 center
2019 stats: 18.4 PPG, 13.5 RPG, 2.4 BPG
The SEC Player of the Year, she’s a solid rim protector who is tough on the low block and might have more shooting range than we saw in college.
Asia Durr’s relentless pursuit of hoop dreams landed her in the Louisville history books. Now she’s headed for stardom as a top pick in the WNBA draft.
Notre Dame guard Jackie Young is foregoing her final year of eligibility at Notre Dame and will enter the WNBA draft as a projected lottery pick.
Oregon star guard Sabrina Ionescu is returning for her senior season, writing on The Players’ Tribune that the Ducks have “unfinished business” after losing in the Final Four on Friday.
4. Chicago: Kristine Anigwe, Cal, 6-4 forward
2019 stats: 22.5 PPG, 16.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG
She was shortchanged in not making the WBCA All-American team, and she has consistently produced big numbers her entire college career.
5. Kalani Brown, Baylor, 6-7 center
2019 stats: 15.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG
No first-rounder has moved up and down our draft board as much as Brown, partly due to team needs and partly to questions about how her style will fit in the WNBA. Her Final Four showing likely helped her a lot.
6. Minnesota: Arike Ogunbowale, Notre Dame, 5-8 guard
2019 stats: 21.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.8 APG
Especially with Maya Moore not playing this year, the Lynx could use a pure scorer from the perimeter. If Ogunbowale is still available, she perfectly fits that bill.
7. Los Angeles: Napheesa Collier, UConn, 6-2 forward
2019 stats: 20.8 PPG, 10.8 RPG, 3.5 APG
Another player who has moved around a lot on the draft board, she could be picked higher. UConn pedigree and her relentless motor are her two best qualities.
8. Phoenix: Alanna Smith, Stanford, 6-4 forward
2019 stats: 19.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.2 BPG
This isn’t just because she’s Australian, as is Mercury coach Sandy Brondello. Smith should fit a team need and is still growing in her game.
9. Connecticut: Katie Lou Samuelson, UConn, 6-3 guard
2019 stats: 18.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 3.9 APG
Her 3-point shooting is her calling card, but she’s also a reliable passer. Plus, UConn standouts virtually always adapt well to the pro game.
10. Washington: Sophie Cunningham, Missouri, 6-1 guard
2019 stats: 17.8 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 2.8 APG
She’s a versatile offensive player who finds a way defensively because she understands the game well and is a tough-minded competitor.
11. Atlanta: Han Xu, China, 6-9 center
2019 stats: 16.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 1.0 APG (Playing for Xinjiang Magic Deer in WCBA)
Great size and potential, and she doesn’t even turn 20 until October. Can she be the first real breakthrough player in the WNBA from China?
12. Seattle: Megan Gustafson, Iowa, 6-3 center
2019 stats: 27.8 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 1.8 BPG
Great footwork inside with ability to seal defenders and score almost at will when she gets the ball where she wants it. Yeah, that will be tougher in the WNBA, but she can adjust.
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: Jessica Shepard, Notre Dame, 6-4 forward
18. Minnesota: Kennedy Burke, UCLA, 6-1 guard
19. Los Angeles: Kiara Leslie, N.C. State, 6-0 guard
20. Minnesota: Naomi Davenport, West Virginia, 6-0 guard/forward
21. Connecticut: Natisha Hiedeman, Marquette, 5-8 guard
22. Dallas: Chloe Jackson, Baylor, 5-8 guard
23. Atlanta: Anriel Howard, Mississippi State, 5-11 forward
24. Seattle: Bridget Carleton, Iowa State, 6-1 guard
25. Indiana: Allazia Blockton, Marquette, 6-0 guard
26. New York: Cierra Dillard, Buffalo, 5-9 guard
27. Chicago: Marina Mabrey, Notre Dame, 5-11 guard
28. Indiana: Kianna Ibis, Arizona State, 6-1 forward
29. Dallas: Kenisha Bell, Minnesota, 5-9 guard
30. Minnesota: Sam Fuehring, Louisville, 6-3 forward
31. Los Angeles: Li Yueru, China, 6-7 center
32. Phoenix: Maite Cazorla, Oregon, 5-10 guard
33. Connecticut: Taylor Emery, Virginia Tech, 5-10 guard
34. Washington: Megan Huff, Utah, 6-3 forward
35. Atlanta: Alexis Jennings, South Carolina, 6-3 forward
36. Seattle: Teniya Page, Penn State, 5-7 guard
Previous mock drafts: April 6 | April 2 | March 13 | Jan. 30