WNBA mock draft 2024: Clark nonetheless projected No. 1 decide

A surefire 2024 WNBA draft lottery decide went off the board Friday when UConn guard Paige Bueckers introduced she’s going to return to school subsequent season.

Whereas we await the choices of two different lottery locks who’ve a season of faculty eligibility left — Iowa guard Caitlin Clark and Stanford ahead Cameron Brink — it is price noting the place Tennessee ahead Rickea Jackson stands.

She missed eight video games in November and December with a leg damage however has performed each recreation since Dec. 19 and now tasks to be the No. 3 decide within the draft. Jackson is the very best participant on ESPN’s draft board who has no school eligibility left. She exercised the COVID-19 waiver from 2020-21 to play this season, her fifth in school and second at Tennessee.

If gamers similar to Clark and Brink return to high school, Jackson could be the No. 1 decide by the Indiana Fever. In that case, she could be the third Tennessee participant — following Chamique Holdsclaw in 1999 and Candace Parker in 2008 — to be chosen No. 1 general within the WNBA draft.

Jackson is averaging 18.9 factors and seven.9 rebounds for the Girl Vols (16-9). Her mobility and flexibility at 6-foot-2 ought to enable her to play completely different positions and defend at a excessive stage within the WNBA.

Trades since our most up-to-date mock draft in January have shaken up the order of the primary spherical. The Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm, who missed the playoffs final season and had been slated to select third and fourth by way of December’s lottery, traded their first-round picks.

Now the Los Angeles Sparks will decide twice within the prime 4 — at Nos. 2 and 4 — whereas the Chicago Sky transfer in to select at No. 3. The Sky additionally will decide at No. 8.

Right here is the most recent take a look at the primary spherical, noting which gamers have one other season of eligibility as a result of COVID waiver.

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

Clark set each the NCAA girls’s hoops profession scoring report and Iowa’s single-game report on the identical evening, with 49 factors vs. Michigan on Feb. 15. She additionally had 13 assists, so the sport was a microcosm of her school profession. Clark, the Division I chief in scoring (32.8 PPG) and assists (8.5 APG), is an offensive machine the Fever would like to have in Indianapolis. (Might return to school for 2024-25.)

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

With franchise stalwart Nneka Ogwumike having left for Seattle in free company, the Sparks are in reconstruction mode. Drafting one other Stanford star may also help. Brink — who averages 17.8 factors, 11.4 rebounds and a Division I-leading 3.6 blocks — has a pro-ready recreation and the power to assist reenergize the Sparks. (Might return to school for 2024-25.)

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Jackson speaks on Girl Vols’ progress in win over Vandy

Following an 86-61 win over Vanderbilt, Rickea Jackson highlights Jasmine Powell’s management and credit Tennessee’s continued enchancment.

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

Some may need been stunned Jackson returned for a fifth season in school, as she was a projected early first-round decide final season, too. However the Girl Vols are glad she did. Jackson’s offensive recreation is more likely to develop on the professional stage, particularly as she shoots the 3-point shot extra.

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Three gamers rating double digits in South Carolina’s win

No. 1 South Carolina defeats Georgia 70-56 behind Kamilla Cardoso’s 16 factors and 16 rebounds.

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

Cardoso is a strong participant who might kind a robust younger inside combo with Brink. That might give the Sparks two of one of the best rim protectors at the moment within the school recreation. Cardoso is averaging profession highs in factors (14.1 PPG) and rebounds (10.1 RPG) for the No. 1 Gamecocks. (Might return to school for 2024-25.)

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UConn goes on 32-0 run towards Xavier

UConn breaks the sport open in an enormous method with a 32-0 run vs. Xavier between the primary and second quarters.

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

The Wings, coming off a WNBA semifinals look, have roster building to proceed their success. One other 3-point shooter could be a much bigger want, however a publish of Edwards’ caliber — she’s averaging 18.1 factors and 9.2 rebounds — shouldn’t be one thing Dallas probably would need to cross up. (Might return to school for 2024-25.)

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Angel Reese racks up 27 factors, 19 boards in LSU’s victory

Angel Reese has an enormous 27-point recreation for LSU in its win over Alabama.

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

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 gave her the core designation. There have been questions on how Reese’s recreation will translate on the professional stage, however her rebounding and protection particularly are skills the Mystics may need to spend money on. (Might return to school for 2024-25.)

Australia | small ahead | 6-foot-3

The Lynx do not have an apparent gap on their roster, so it is probably they are going to search for one of the best participant out there — even when it is somebody who wants time to develop. That might be the case with the 19-year-old Puoch, who’s averaging 7.6 PPG and 4.5 RPG for the Southside Flyers in her native Australia.

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

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

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

Amoore might assist present a 3-point taking pictures enhance and extra playmaking skill for the Wings. She’s on the small aspect however has numerous ability. She has made 65 3s this season for the Hokies and is averaging 17.8 PPG and seven.5 assists per recreation. (Might return to school for 2024-25.)

Ohio State | taking pictures guard | 5-foot-10 | senior

After an injury-plagued 2022-23 season, Sheldon has been sturdy. In her fifth season, she leads the Buckeyes with averages of 17.8 factors, 3.4 assists and a couple of.1 steals. She tasks as one of many prime defensive guards within the draft.

UCLA Bruins | taking pictures guard | 5-foot-9 | senior

Like Sheldon, Osborne is a fifth-year participant who ought to be capable of contribute on the defensive finish, which is what the Liberty want. She can also be averaging 15.0 factors and 4.2 assists.

Virginia Tech | middle | 6-foot-6 | senior

It has been laborious for a lot of pure facilities to seek out their method 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 (11.8 RPG) in her fifth season — plus the truth that the Dream could be on the lookout for depth at middle — might work to her benefit.