With the ping pong balls falling the way of the Indiana Fever for the 2023 draft and the 22-23 NCAAW college season underway, it’s time to take a look at what superstars in the college game will be making their way to the League next season and where some possible landing spots for them would be at this time. Now free agency, injuries, trades and pretty much anything and everything could effective these, but this is where I feel the first round of the 2023 WNBA will look like come April.
1. Aliyah Boston/South Carolina -Indiana Fever
The Fever’s draft luck has turned around and no better time than when they can possibly add a huge franchise-level player in Boston. Championship teams in the league typically have had dominant centers like Griner, Fowles among others and the Fever could have that piece in Boston.
2. Haley Jones/Stanford -Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx start the post-Fowles era with a lot of questions but also a lot of versatility on their roster. Jones would fit that mold of a highly talented player who could slide in and play multiple positions and could fit in nicely next to Collier, McBride, and company.
3. Elizabeth Kitley/Virginia Tech -Atlanta Dream
If it wasn’t for Boston, Kitley would be the top post prospect by far in this year’s draft class. She can play inside and outside, brings a sizable 6’6 frame to the court and would bring some needed post depth for a young and rising Dream squad lead by the reigning rookie of the year Rhyne Howard.
4. Zia Cooke/South Carolina -Washington Mystics
Coach Thibault has a history of turning defensive minded guards into powerful scoring options once they reach the pro game. Cooke would give the Mystics another ball handler, a strong on-ball defender, a player with a growing offensive skillset and someone with a championship mindset.
5. Ashley Joens/Iowa State -Chicago Sky
The Sky fell short in their journey to repeat and with pending free agents and roster decisions ahead, they are going to need this pick to be a productive player right off the bat. Joens is the do-it-all player who brings versatility and physicality to the court. She is an inside-outside player who could help the Sky on multiple fronts and could be the next Cyclone great to make an impact in the league.
6. Jacy Sheldon/Ohio State -New York Liberty
The Liberty is squarely in the hands of rising superstar Sabrina Ionescu, and they are looking to get someone to provider needed guard depth. Sheldon would help them move Sabrina off the ball and give them another outside shooting option. She also is a fantastic defender and a master at coming up with steals.
7. Rickea Jackson/Tennessee -Indiana Fever
Indiana is starting the Christie Sides error with a bunch of young talent including two of the top-seven picks in 2023. With this pick, Jackson would give them versatility, rebounding, good scoring, as well as needed depth behind the returning starters for the Fever.
8. Diamond Miller/Maryland -Atlanta Dream
The Dream is a highly athletic and fast-paced team that looks to get out on the fast break as much as possible. Coming off drafting the Rookie of the year and also adding a top-four pick as well as this pick, Diamond would fit their mold of player and could be a steal for them if she falls down to the 8th spot.
9. Charisma Osborne/UCLA -Seattle Storm
With the Sue Bird era officially in the books, Seattle will be in the market for a PG either through the draft or free agency. If Osborne is available by the time they are picking, she would give them a scoring PG who is a crafty creator for both herself and for her teammates.
10. Ashley Owusu/Virginia Tech -Connecticut Sun
Ashley can provide the Sun a big, strong, physically imposing and highly athletic guard to their already super-talented core. She is capable of both creating with the ball in her hands or playing off the ball and can defend both guard positions. She would allow them to matchup with the bigger guards that have at times been thorns in the side of the Sun.
11. Jordan Horston/Tennessee -Dallas Wings
Dallas has some serious firepower on his team and now with coach Trammel, who is known as a defensive dynamo of a coach, this team appears to be on the upswing. Jordan can fit into their up-tempo style as well as is someone who can rebound the ball and handle to quickly turn to start the fast break. Injuries may be a concern, but her talent might be too much for them to pass on if she is available.
12. Dorka Juhasz/UConn -Minnesota Lynx
Dorka is poised for a productive and impressive season with UConn and could easily play her way into the first round. With her outside shooting ability and size, she would help fill some voids that the Lynx are looking to shore up both in the draft and Free Agency. Plus, the Lynx have had recent notable successful history drafting Connecticut graduates.
Also Considered:
-Aijha Blackwell- Baylor
-Tamari Key- Tennessee
-Grace Berger- Indiana
-Monika Czinano- Iowa
-Taylor Mikesell- Ohio State
*Players such as Cameron Brink, Paige Bueckers, and Anoya Lee have stated they are not entering the draft this year.
