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Michael Voepel, ESPN.com
The 2024 WNBA draft is Monday (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) and Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark is actually thought of a lock because the No. 1 decide by the Indiana Fever. In that case, she’s going to be a part of an inventory of 27 different gamers who’ve had their title chosen first within the WNBA draft, which started in 1997, the league’s inaugural yr.
The vast majority of No. 1 picks have paid off for the WNBA groups that chosen them. Eight former No. 1 picks have mixed to win 13 MVP awards; 16 have received a minimum of one WNBA championship.
The No. 1 picks come from 16 totally different U.S. faculties and three international nations. Clark could be the primary No. 1 decide from Iowa and the second from a Huge Ten college.
Among the high picks spent their whole careers with one group, others have moved round. The much less profitable No. 1s usually got here in draft courses that weren’t sturdy general. There are a couple of circumstances the place the highest decide did not grow to be the very best participant in her draft class.
After we beforehand ranked the No. 1 picks, which was earlier than the 2020 draft, some large names had been nonetheless within the early phases of creating their WNBA careers. They’ve moved up on this record, as they’ve lived as much as the promise of being No. 1s. For example, A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart, each outdoors the highest 10 within the 2020 rating, at the moment are within the high six, their careers nonetheless on the ascent.
That is no knock on all of the proficient teammates she has had. However if you consider the Mercury, you assume firstly of Taurasi. She is the face of the franchise in a approach few athletes are. She gave the Mercury their swagger and id, which has influenced the whole lot in regards to the group — from the eagerness of the X issue fan base to the best way teammates resembling Brittney Griner, additionally a No. 1 decide, credit score her with shaping them as professionals. Taurasi can also be a three-time WNBA champ and the league’s all-time main scorer (10,108 factors). The previous UConn star will likely be enjoying in her twentieth WNBA season this yr; she turns 42 in June.
The one participant to win Rookie of the 12 months and MVP in the identical season, Parker took the handoff from Lisa Leslie — whom she performed alongside for 2 seasons — because the signature participant for the Sparks. She received a second MVP award in 2013, was a WNBA champion in 2016 and was Defensive Participant of the 12 months in 2020. The Former Tennessee star went to Chicago, profitable a WNBA title in 2021, after which Las Vegas, profitable a championship final yr (though she was injured for the latter a part of the season). Parker has averaged 16.0 factors, 8.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.5 blocks in her 16 seasons.
Simply as her buddy and former UConn teammate Taurasi has been the face of the Mercury, Fowl stuffed that function for the Storm for 19 seasons, retiring after the 2022 season. She was the constant presence for all 4 of Seattle’s championships, and was not solely a terrific ambassador for the Storm, but in addition for the league. Fowl was a 13-time All-Star and completed because the WNBA’s all-time chief in assists (3,234) and video games performed (580 within the common season, 60 within the playoffs).
Moore’s Lynx profession was quick however practically immaculate: six journeys to the WNBA Finals in eight seasons, with 4 championships. Throughout her MVP season in 2014, Moore averaged 23.9 factors, 8.1 rebounds and three.4 assists. She stepped away from the WNBA after the 2018 season to give attention to social justice and to assist a prisoner, Jonathan Irons, struggle a wrongful conviction. Irons was freed in 2020; he and Moore then married and have a son. Moore, 34, formally introduced her retirement in January 2023.
Simply six seasons into her WNBA profession, Wilson is already on the trail to being one of many all-time greats. She has received two MVP awards and two WNBA championships with Las Vegas. A five-time All-Star out of South Carolina, she has had the identical form of influence on the Aces that she did the Gamecocks, with whom she received the 2017 NCAA title. Wilson has averaged 19.9 factors and eight.7 rebounds and has been the WNBA Defensive Participant of the 12 months twice.
6. Breanna Stewart, F, Seattle Storm, 2016
Stewart made a seamless adjustment to the professional sport after profitable 4 NCAA titles at UConn. She has received two WNBA championships and two MVP awards. Stewart missed the 2019 season after tearing her Achilles tendon abroad, however damage has been the one factor that has slowed her. After six seasons with Seattle, she went as a free agent to New York final yr and led the Liberty to the WNBA Finals. A five-time All-Star, Stewart has averaged 20.8 factors and eight.7 rebounds in her WNBA profession.
7. Lauren Jackson, C/F, Seattle Storm, 2001
For 10 seasons, she was an unstoppable power on offense and protection and have become a part of a dynamic duo with Sue Fowl in profitable two WNBA championships. Her 2007 season is perhaps the very best individually in WNBA historical past: 23.8 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.0 BPG and practically a 50/40/90 capturing share from the sphere, 3-point vary and foul line. She was good whereas incomes her third MVP in 2010 because the Storm took the title, however that was her final full season within the league. Accidents piled up and she or he performed simply 28 extra video games in a Storm uniform. However when Jackson was wholesome, there was nobody higher within the WNBA.
8. Tina Thompson, F, Houston Comets, 1997
Thompson was overshadowed a bit by older Comets teammates Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper, however make no mistake: Houston wouldn’t have received its 4 championships with out her. The Comets set the tone for excellence within the WNBA’s first 4 years, so Thompson’s success was essential not only for Houston (the franchise dissolved in 2008) however for the league. She was the primary decide within the first faculty draft and by the top of her 17-year profession she was the WNBA’s all-time main scorer. Solely Taurasi has since handed her.
9. Nneka Ogwumike, F, Los Angeles Sparks, 2012
After 12 seasons as a stalwart presence for the Sparks, Stanford graduate Ogwumike left in free company this season for Seattle. Will probably be odd seeing her in a special uniform than the purple and gold during which she was 2016 MVP and was an eight-time All-Star. Ogwumike, Rookie of the 12 months in 2012, received a WNBA title with Los Angeles in 2016 and has additionally been some of the lively gamers in league historical past within the union, the place she serves as president of the manager committee.
10. Seimone Augustus, G, Minnesota Lynx, 2006
The 2006 Rookie of the 12 months out of LSU, Augustus was there within the lean years for Minnesota, setting the stage for the approaching dynasty. She might have been territorial about her scoring alternatives when Moore got here aboard in 2011, however as an alternative was the consummate teammate in welcoming her. Augustus was a part of 4 Lynx championship groups, was an eight-time All-Star and completed her profession after spending the 2020 season with Los Angeles. She averaged 15.4 factors and three.1 rebounds in 15 seasons.
11. Brittney Griner, C, Phoenix Mercury, 2013
She has a WNBA title (2014) and has established herself as one of many nice inside scorers in league historical past in addition to being a premiere rim-protector. After serving to Phoenix attain the WNBA Finals in 2021, Griner missed the 2022 season as she was wrongfully detained in Russia. She made an astonishing comeback after that ordeal, averaging 17.5 factors, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in 2023. An eight-time All-Star, Griner is now 33 and stays one of many league’s greatest. She hopes to get Phoenix again to that stage, too.
The 2012 MVP and an eight-time All-Star out of UConn, Charles spent her first 4 WNBA seasons in Connecticut, then the subsequent six in New York. She did not play the 2020 pandemic-impacted season, and spent 2021 in Washington, the place she led the league in scoring (23.4 PPG). Charles cut up 2022 between Phoenix and Seattle after which did not play within the WNBA in 2023. She is again within the league this season with Atlanta, and at age 35 continues to be in search of a WNBA title, the one factor her résumé lacks.
13. Jewell Loyd, G, Seattle Storm, 2015
She stunned many individuals by leaving Notre Dame a yr early and going to the WNBA as a draft-eligible junior in 2015. It allowed her to be the No. 1 decide — she would not have been in 2016 due to Stewart — and Loyd proved prepared, profitable Rookie of the 12 months honors. Stewart then joined her in Seattle and in 2018 and 2020 they had been starters on WNBA championship groups. Stewart left for New York in 2023, however Loyd anchored Seattle, main the league in scoring final season (24.7 PPG). The five-time All-Star has averaged 16.6 PPG in her profession.
14. Angel McCoughtry, G, Atlanta Dream, 2009
The face of the expansion-team Dream for 9 seasons, McCoughtry performed a key function in Atlanta’s three journeys to the WNBA Finals. However the Dream did not win a sport in any of them. She suffered her first main damage late in 2018 and could not compete within the playoffs that season. She went to Las Vegas in 2020 and helped the Aces make the WNBA Finals, the place they misplaced to Seattle. Due to accidents, she has performed simply three WNBA video games since 2020.
Loads of strain was placed on the 21-year-old to show the Mystics — who debuted as an growth group with a 3-27 report in 1998 — shortly right into a contender. Holdsclaw put up terrific numbers — averaging a double-double in 2002 and ’03 — however the Mystics had little continuity in management. Holdsclaw performed for 5 totally different coaches in six seasons in Washington. She additionally dealt together with her psychological well being, a trigger for which she has change into a spokesperson and advocate. She completed her 11-year WNBA profession with stints in Los Angeles, Atlanta and San Antonio. Statistically, she was an distinctive participant, however by no means acquired the possibility to play for a championship.
16. Kelsey Plum, G, San Antonio Stars, 2017
Plum set the NCAA scoring report at Washington (since handed by Caitlin Clark) however had a troublesome rookie yr for a San Antonio franchise that was dying on the vine. Plum benefited from the Stars shifting to Las Vegas to change into the Aces in 2018. She missed 2020 with an Achilles damage, however has come into her personal since then. She has began the previous two seasons for the Aces championship groups (averaging 20.2 and 18.7 PPG) and is a two-time All-Star.
17. Jackie Younger, G, Las Vegas Aces, 2019
After we ranked the No. 1 picks earlier than the 2020 draft, Younger was final as a result of she had only one season of expertise then. 4 years later, it is a totally different story: She has dramatically improved all elements of her sport to change into a premiere participant. Drafted after her junior season at Notre Dame, Younger retooled her 3-point shot and have become one of many key contributors to the Aces’ championships the previous two seasons, in addition to being an All-Star each years.
18. Margo Dydek, C, Utah Starzz, 1998
At 7-foot-2, she was a powerful defensive presence who led the league in blocked photographs 9 occasions. She spent her first seven seasons with the Starzz/Stars group that moved from Utah to San Antonio, then performed three seasons in Connecticut earlier than ending her WNBA profession with a short keep in Los Angeles. A local of Poland, she was within the first wave of European gamers to assist construct up the WNBA in its early years. She shortly grew to become a fan favourite who additionally was beloved by teammates and opponents alike. Her demise after a coronary heart assault at 37 whereas pregnant together with her third youngster in 2011 was mourned within the girls’s basketball world.
After an NCAA-record 26 triple-doubles at Oregon, Ionescu was restricted to 3 video games due to an ankle damage her rookie season. Issues have gone a lot better since. The previous two seasons, she has been an All-Star and on the all-WNBA second group. She helped the Liberty attain the WNBA Finals in 2023. Ionescu additionally made headlines together with her record-setting victory within the 3-point contest on the 2023 All-Star Sport. For her profession, she is averaging 15.7 factors, 6.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists.
20. Rhyne Howard, G, Atlanta Dream, 2022
Howard was anticipated to adapt shortly to the WNBA’s fashion of play and she or he did. She was Rookie of the 12 months in 2022 after a profitable faculty profession at Kentucky and is a two-time WNBA All-Star. Howard has averaged 16.9 factors, 4.8 rebounds and three.2 assists within the league and helped lead the Dream again to the WNBA playoffs final season after a four-year absence.
21. Ann Wauters, C, Cleveland Rockers, 2000
Like Australia’s Jackson a yr later, Belgium’s Wauters was a international participant simply 19 years outdated when drafted. It took awhile to seek out her footing within the WNBA. And together with her abroad commitments, she performed simply 9 seasons (with 5 totally different groups) within the WNBA between 2000 and 2016. However when she was at her greatest, she was superb. That included the 2005 season with New York and 2008 with San Antonio, when the Stars reached the WNBA Finals. She was a little-used reserve in her remaining season, 2016 in Los Angeles, however was a terrific veteran to have in apply and on the bench. It was additionally a pleasant end, as she received her solely WNBA championship with the Sparks.
22. Lindsey Harding, G, Phoenix Mercury, 2007
Harding is the one WNBA No. 1 decide who by no means performed a sport for the group that drafted her; she was traded on draft day to Minnesota. The previous Duke star performed for six groups in 9 seasons, and wasn’t with any of them for greater than two years. Her profession general was strong; individually, it is in all probability higher than a couple of folks ranked above her. However she by no means discovered the precise match for very lengthy, and she or he did not get a WNBA title. She has efficiently moved on to an NBA teaching profession.
23. Aliyah Boston, F/C, Indiana Fever, 2023
Boston has only one season of WNBA expertise. Give her a couple of extra years and she’s going to transfer up this record. She was Rookie of the 12 months and an All-Star final season, averaging 14.5 factors, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocked photographs. The previous South Carolina star helped Indiana get to double-digit victories (13) for simply the second time previously seven seasons.
Accidents have been her greatest impediment. They value her the 2014 and ’17 seasons with the Solar. Following the 2018 season, upon listening to the Solar would possibly commerce her, she requested a deal to hitch older sister, Nneka Ogwumike, in Los Angeles. New coach Derek Fisher by no means appeared to settle totally on how greatest to implement Chiney. She did not play within the 2020 season within the bubble. Then she appeared in seven video games in 2021, 26 in 2022 and 10 in 2023. We’ve not had the possibility to see a wholesome Chiney Ogwumike for 2 seasons in a row, though she has averaged 11.6 factors and 6.5 rebounds in her profession.
25. Janel McCarville, F/C, Charlotte Sting, 2005
The 2005 draft class wasn’t impactful and McCarville averaged lower than 5.0 PPG her first two seasons. However then Charlotte disbanded and she or he was taken by New York within the dispersal draft. With the Liberty, she hit her stride, together with her greatest seasons in 2007-09, averaging double-figure scoring in every. McCarville then went again to Minnesota, the place she’d starred in faculty, and completed her WNBA profession with three seasons with the Lynx, profitable a league title in 2013.
26. LaToya Thomas, F, Cleveland Rockers, 2003
A case research in how circumstances can have an effect on careers. A four-time WBCA All-American at Mississippi State, she was the highest decide in one of many WNBA’s weakest drafts. Nonetheless, she had a very good rookie season for a Rockers group that misplaced a detailed convention semifinal to eventual champion Detroit. However she was by no means capable of set up roots. The Rockers folded after her first yr and Thomas went to San Antonio within the dispersal draft. After three years there, she left as a free agent to Los Angeles, however a yr later she was chosen within the 2008 growth draft by Atlanta. The Dream instantly traded her to Detroit, which throughout the season dealt her to Minnesota, for which she performed simply 13 video games earlier than being launched. After 5 groups in six seasons, she was performed within the WNBA after 2008, however saved enjoying professionally abroad by means of 2014.
27. Charli Collier, C, Dallas Wings, 2021
Maybe the COVID-19 pandemic — which prompted the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA event and impacted the whole 2020-21 season — is a part of why the 2021 draft class was so ineffective. Regardless of the causes, it has been one of many least profitable draft courses in league historical past. Solely 5 gamers drafted in 2021 have accomplished three WNBA seasons, and Collier is not one in all them. The previous Texas star, chosen after her junior yr of school, performed in 45 video games with the Wings, averaging 2.9 factors and a couple of.5 rebounds. She was waived in Could 2023 by Dallas.
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