WNBA mock draft 2024: Who’re the lottery picks after Clark?

After Iowa fell to South Carolina within the NCAA championship recreation Sunday, Caitlin Clark mentioned it was good to know the WNBA was forward as one thing to stay up for. Clark is anticipated to be the No. 1 choose by the Indiana Fever within the April 15 draft in Brooklyn.

“She’s going to have nice folks round her,” Iowa coach Lisa Bluder mentioned of Clark. “And should you put nice folks round her, that helps her succeed a lot. If she’s with the Fever, taking part in with any person like Aliyah Boston, I feel they might actually have enjoyable collectively.”

However Bluder additionally expressed some concern on the Closing 4 about how robust it may be for Clark and soon-to-be WNBA rookies to go from the faculty season to the league so shortly.

“She’s going to be actually drained after this season. That is what considerations me essentially the most,” Bluder mentioned Saturday on the Closing 4 in Cleveland. “Rookies go into the WNBA, which is such a difficult time, at their most exhausted time.

“I simply know that Caitlin has stepped as much as each problem that we have posed to her. And I count on the identical factor on the subsequent stage. Though I do know … she’s going to need to pay her rookie dues.”

Who may hear their names known as within the first spherical of the draft? Right here is our up to date projection. The WNBA season suggestions off Might 14.

First spherical

Iowa | PG | 6-foot-0 | senior

Clark completed her Iowa profession with 3,951 factors, 1,144 assists and 990 rebounds, main Iowa to 2 NCAA championship video games. Now comes the following step. Clark should undergo tough therapy from WNBA veterans, however as Bluder mentioned, she could have some proficient teammates round her. Her passing expertise may be certainly one of her greatest attributes in her rookie season.

Stanford | PF | 6-foot-4 | senior

We have stored Brink within the No. 2 spot, as her capability on each ends of the court docket might make her a foundational piece for a Sparks staff that is establishing a brand new id now with out longtime star Nneka Ogwumike. However middle Kamilla Cardoso performed nicely within the NCAA event. We’ll see if the Sparks persist with Brink, who has extra offensive versatility than Cardoso.

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

We have moved Cardoso up a spot. We noticed how efficient she might be when she will get the ball in scoring place and the way a lot she will be able to management the boards. That is going to be a difficult season of change and new faces in Chicago, so the Sky would wish endurance with Cardoso, identical to with the remainder of the staff.

Tennessee | SF | 6-foot-2 | senior

Jackson was Tennessee’s star the previous two seasons and might be a lift to the Sparks along with her scoring capability. She made a career-high 22 3-pointers this season, which is an efficient signal for her continued progress as she enters the WNBA. She additionally ought to be a top-notch defensive participant for Los Angeles coach Curt Miller.

UConn | PF | 6-foot-3 | senior

If Edwards remains to be out there, the Wings do not appear more likely to bypass her. Among the strengths of Edwards’ recreation had been on show within the Closing 4 semifinal loss to Iowa, as had been issues she must work on. However she has the look of a professional put up participant.

Ohio State | SG | 5-foot-10 | senior

If the Mystics go together with a guard, Sheldon might be the one to assist with the franchise’s rebuilding interval. She has a ton of vitality and a hard-nosed dedication to protection. Plus, she averaged 17.8 PPG this season.

Australia | PG | 5-foot-11

The 19-year-old seems to have a vivid future forward and already has performed professionally with the Adelaide Lightning within the WNBL this season in Australia. Even when the Lynx do not know for certain if she’s going to play within the WNBA this season, Minnesota may need to add Borlase for 2025 and past.

LSU | PF | 6-foot-3 | senior

Reese had 17 factors, 20 rebounds and 4 assists in her remaining school recreation, the Tigers’ Elite Eight loss to Iowa. Rebounding is her prime energy, and it is a huge one. How Reese’s offensive recreation interprets to the following stage is the query. Regardless that she and Cardoso had been rivals — not pleasant ones — within the SEC, may they be rookie teammates for the rebuilding Sky?

Utah | SF | 6-foot-2 | senior

Dallas seems to have a stable core, so might Pili add slightly extra scoring punch? She averaged 21.4 PPG this season and shot 40.4% from 3-point vary. There are questions on her protection, however she’s removed from the one rookie who will face that.

Syracuse | PG | 5-foot-5 | senior

Honest averaged 22.2 PPG in her five-season profession, first at Buffalo after which Syracuse. She held her personal within the ACC, regardless of her small stature. That mentioned, it is a matter of if the Solar see her all-around expertise as ok, alongside along with her capability to shoot.

UCLA | SG | 5-foot-9 | senior

Osborne, like Honest, performed 5 seasons in school — in her case all at UCLA. The Liberty may be on the lookout for a guard who can rating at an honest stage, however extra importantly actually defend nicely. That may assist the guards that New York already has.

Mississippi State | C | 6-foot-5 | senior

The Dream may need some room for depth at middle, and Carter completed her Bulldog profession as a second-team All-SEC participant. She had her greatest total season with averages of 14.9 PPG and 9.9 rebounds.

Second spherical

13. Chicago Sky: Nyadiew Puoch, Australia, PF, 6-3

14. Seattle Storm: Nika Muhl, UConn, PG, 5-10

15. Indiana Fever: Javyn Nicholson, Georgia, PF, 6-2

16. Las Vegas Aces: Celeste Taylor, Ohio State, PG, 5-11

17. New York Liberty: Jaz Shelley, Nebraska, SG, 5-9

18. Las Vegas Aces: Jakia Brown-Turner, Maryland, SF, 6-0

19. Connecticut Solar: Mackenzie Holmes, Indiana, PF, 6-3

20. Atlanta Dream: Leila Lacan, France, PG, 5-11

21. Washington Mystics: Elizabeth Kitley, Virginia Tech, C, 6-6

22. Connecticut Solar: Taiyanna Jackson, Kansas, C, 6-6

23. New York Liberty: Quay Miller, Colorado, PF, 6-3

24. Las Vegas Aces: Desi-Rae Younger, UNLV, PF, 6-1

Third spherical

25. Phoenix Mercury: Carla Leite, France, SG, 5-9

26. Seattle Storm: Abbey Hsu, Columbia, SG, 5-11

27. Indiana Fever: McKenzie Forbes, USC, SF, 6-0

28. Los Angeles Sparks: Marquesha Davis, Ole Miss, SF, 6-0

29. Phoenix Mercury: Aijha Blackwell, Baylor, SF, 5-11

30. Washington Mystics: Brynna Maxwell, Gonzaga, SG, 6-0

31. Minnesota Lynx: Hannah Bounce, Stanford, SG, 6-0

32. Atlanta Dream: Honesty Scott-Grayson, Auburn, SG, 5-9

33. Dallas Wings: Kiki Jefferson, Louisville, SG, 6-1

34. Connecticut Solar: Sara Scalia, Indiana, SG, 5-10

35. New York Liberty: Rebeka Mikulášiková, Ohio State, PF, 6-4

36. Las Vegas Aces: Jaylyn Sherrod, Colorado, PG, 5-7