WNBA mock draft 2024: Clark a lock at No. 1, however who’s subsequent?

With the information Thursday that Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark will enter the 2024 WNBA draft, one other one of many large mysteries of our ESPN mock draft has been solved. The No. 1 choose is now not theoretically Clark; it is undoubtedly her.

Clark introduced through social media that she will not be returning to Iowa for a fifth season (through the COVID-19 waiver from 2020-21). Clark is an ideal match for an Indiana Fever workforce that ought to be capable to capitalize on her sport and her character and recognition.

We already had one other large query answered for our final mock draft in mid-February: UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers will return to UConn for the 2024-25 season.

However we’re nonetheless ready for Cameron Brink’s determination. The Stanford senior is one other large identify who may return for a fifth season. For now, she and others who can declare for the draft however nonetheless have faculty eligibility stay on our board — till they are saying in any other case.

One among our high 4 picks is a fifth-year senior with no extra eligibility: Tennessee Girl Volunteers ahead Rickea Jackson missed eight video games in November and December with a leg damage however has performed each sport since Dec. 19 and tasks at No. 3. She exercised the COVID-19 waiver to play this season, her second in Knoxville.

Right here is the newest take a look at the primary spherical, with gamers who nonetheless have one other season of eligibility due to the waiver famous.

Iowa | level guard | 6-foot-0 | senior

Clark has handed Kelsey Plum (NCAA ladies’s scoring report) and Lynette Woodard (AIAW main faculty report) and is closing in on Pete Maravich (NCAA males’s report). With 18 factors on what is bound to be an emotional senior day Sunday in Iowa Metropolis, Clark is poised to move Pistol Pete.

Will she rating as a lot within the WNBA as she is now? Nobody has averaged 30 factors for a WNBA season — the highest-ever common is Diana Taurasi’s 25.29 factors per sport in 2006 with the Phoenix Mercury — so Clark’s present 32.2 PPG is probably going not sustainable within the WNBA. Nevertheless, her 8.7 assists common conceivably may carry over. That might put Clark in very uncommon firm: Solely Courtney Vandersloot (six instances) and Ticha Penicheiro (as soon as) have averaged not less than 8 assists for a WNBA season.

Stanford | energy ahead | 6-foot-4 | senior

Brink is coming off a 25-point, 23-rebound sport Thursday that clinched the final Pac-12 regular-season title outright for the Cardinal, their twenty seventh and final earlier than shifting to the ACC subsequent season. With franchise stalwart Nneka Ogwumike having left for Seattle in free company, the Sparks are in reconstruction mode. Drafting one other Stanford star might help. Brink — who averages 17.9 factors, 11.7 rebounds and a Division I-leading 3.6 blocks — has a pro-ready sport and the power to assist reenergize the Sparks. (Might return to varsity for 2024-25.)

Tennessee | energy ahead | 6-foot-2 | senior

Some might need been shocked Jackson returned for a fifth season in faculty, as she was a projected early first-round choose final season, too. However the Girl Vols are glad she did, as she leads them at 19.2 factors and seven.9 rebounds. Jackson’s offensive sport is prone to develop on the professional stage, particularly as she shoots the 3-point shot extra.

South Carolina | heart | 6-foot-7 | senior

Cardoso is a robust participant who may kind a robust younger inside combo with Brink. That might give the Sparks two of the very best rim protectors at present within the faculty sport. Cardoso is averaging profession highs in factors (14.0 PPG) and rebounds (9.8 RPG) for the No. 1 Gamecocks. (Might return to varsity for 2024-25.)

UConn | energy ahead | 6-foot-3 | senior

The Wings, coming off a WNBA semifinals look, have an excellent roster development to proceed their success. One other 3-point shooter is likely to be an even bigger want, however a submit of Edwards’ caliber — she’s averaging 18.1 factors and 9.5 rebounds — shouldn’t be one thing Dallas seemingly would need to move up. (Might return to varsity for 2024-25.)

Australia | small ahead | 6-foot-3

The Mystics franchise is in transition mode. Guard Natasha Cloud left in free company for Phoenix, and ahead/guard Elena Delle Donne is taking an indefinite break after Washington cored her. Washington could possibly be trying to spend money on a younger participant with a probably excessive ceiling, such because the 19-year-old Puoch, who’s at present averaging 7.1 PPG and 4.2 RPG for the Southside Flyers in her native Australia.

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LSU clinches 2-seed in SEC tourney with win over UGA

The No. 9 Tigers run away from Georgia, 80-54, bettering to 12-3 in convention play and securing the No. 2 spot within the SEC Match.

LSU | energy ahead | 6-foot-3 | senior

The Lynx haven’t got an apparent gap on their roster, so it is seemingly they are going to search for the very best participant out there. There have been many questions on how Reese’s sport will translate on the professional stage, however the Lynx may discover worth in her rebounding and defensive abilities. (Might return to varsity for 2024-25.)

Utah Utes | energy ahead | 6-foot-2 | senior

Chicago made a commerce to get a second choose within the first spherical, which the Sky hope contributes to their franchise rebuild. It is potential they might go together with a guard with this choose. However additionally they would possibly decide to wager on Pili’s offensive expertise as a ahead who’s averaging 21.6 factors and may rating in many alternative methods.

Virginia Tech | level guard | 5-foot-6 | senior

Amoore may assist present a 3-point capturing enhance and extra playmaking means for the Wings. She’s on the small facet however has a variety of talent. She has made 65 3s this season for the Hokies and is averaging 18.0 factors and seven.4 assists per sport. (Might return to varsity for 2024-25.)

Ohio State | capturing guard | 5-foot-10 | senior

After an injury-plagued 2022-23 season, Sheldon has been sturdy. In her fifth season, she leads the Huge Ten regular-season champion Buckeyes with averages of 18.0 factors, 3.6 assists and a pair of.1 steals. She tasks as one of many high defensive guards within the draft.

UCLA Bruins | capturing guard | 5-foot-9 | senior

Like Sheldon, Osborne is a fifth-year participant who ought to be capable to contribute on the defensive finish, which is what the Liberty want. She can be averaging 14.5 factors and 4.0 assists.

Virginia Tech | heart | 6-foot-6 | senior

It has been arduous for a lot of pure facilities to search out their means within the WNBA proper out of faculty, which is why Kitley’s first-round prospects have been questioned. However her consistency as a scorer (22.9 PPG) and rebounder (11.5 RPG) in her fifth season — plus the truth that the Dream is likely to be in search of depth at heart — may work to her benefit.