Smith, who averaged . . Questions the prospect raises: While Austin is listed as a center, her offensive game is more suited to power forward. Its a departure from what Fowles gave the Lynx, but lets be real: Theres only one Sylvia Fowles. While South Carolina came out victorious in the national championship game against UConn, the concerns were mainly about the Gamecocks' spacing, which was an issue during the regular season and the SEC tournament. The 2022 WNBA Draft is in the books, and as expected the Atlanta Dream got the night started by selecting Rhyne Howard out of Kentucky with the No. Even when Smith has a defender with similar size guarding her, what makes her unique is her ability to elevate above the defense and score at 6'4". It's possible this has impacted her explosiveness and lateral quickness. Projected draft position: Draft lottery pick to mid-first round. In four of her five collegiate years, Sjerven finished in the 93rd percentile or higher in total field-goal percentage. While Smith also can defend well, according to. Another versatile prospect, Edwards will be a good get for any team. The 2022 WNBA Draft is one day away, but the drama has already started. A Sun-Aces WNBA Finals Feels Fated. She's also proved she can take and make threes, although her shots have been more contested as the No. (For teams with picks in multiple rounds, the possible fits focus on the first-round selection.). Their luck turned around in the lottery, though, as they won the No. Questions the prospect raises: While the 5'7" Pointer has proved herself as a talented scoring guard, her push passes at point guard could use work. In her final collegiate season, Gray shot. Pro-ready skill: When Mystics head coach and general manager Mike Thibault was asked to speak about Naz Hillmon's upside as a WNBA prospect, he praised her motor and ability to finish around the rim and rebound at a high level using her 6'7" wingspan. Questions the prospect raises: She began the season with a leg injury, which she might not be completely healed from. Phoenix finally got back to the Finals last season, but came up short against Chicago. And then on the flip side, there were games when Westbrook looked hesitant and afraid to play aggressively. 1 pick.After going just 8-24 in the 2021 season, Atlanta now gets its first choice of a player from the incoming draft class. Aside from adding Angel McCoughtry, the Lynx didn't make any notable changes this winter, and for good reason after they finished with the fourth-best record and fourt-best net rating last season. Offensively, Williams can score at all three levels and can be hard to guard when she's slashing through the paint. 2022-04-10. Projected draft position: Middle of the third round, 1. She's slow to change angles to get better positioning. The top two 2022 WNBA Draft picks are all but certain. During the 2021-22 collegiate season, she shot, Throughout her college career, Wells was both turnover and foul prone. Defensively, she's used her length and quickness to force turnovers and score off them in transition. those of Louisville legend and WNBA superstar Angel McCoughtry. But with Stewart healthy, and re-signed alongside Jewell Loyd and Sue Bird, the Storm should jump right back into the contender ranks. Accordingly, the WNBA and the WNBPA previously agreed on an opt-in process for NCAA players who are otherwise eligible for the 2022 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm. After going just 8-24 in the 2021 season, Atlanta now gets its first choice of a player from the incoming draft class. She has trouble finishing at the rim, has limited post moves on the block and shot. My 2022 WNBA Draft betting preview will give you early information on the key details, contenders for the No. Pro-ready skill: Defense is what makes Burton pro-ready, and her three consecutive Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors is convincing evidence. Her basketball IQ is very high, allowing her to make the proper reads on both sides of the floor. Cunane isn't known for imposing her will physically, but Dodson struggled against her in the Sweet 16. Pro-ready skill: Cunane is a solid post scorer who thrives with her back to the basket. While Hollingshed's shot has improved, it's still not mechanically as sound as it could be. Meanwhile, some good teams bided their time. 6-keys: media/spln/wnba/reg/free/stories, at Games. Howard Megdal is editor-in-chief of The Next, a womens basketball site, and founder of the womens sports newsletter The IX. She grabbed 115 offensive rebounds last season, finishing within the top 20 in the country. A big, athletic two-way. Eligible international players (as that term is defined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement) also are not required to opt in to the 2022 WNBA Draft in order to beselected. 1 pick. ", While the 5'7" Pointer has proved herself as a talented scoring guard, her push, at point guard could use work. The top-two prospects of the 2022 draft class are Baylor University forward NaLyssa Smith and University of Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard. But before they could add a potential franchise-changing talent, head coach and GM Mike Thibault made a stunning trade to send the first pick to the Dream in exchange for the Nos. Despite losing two All-Stars, the Aces still have one of the most talented rosters in the league and are among the contenders heading into next season. 1 pick. "You would expect she would certainly be in a camp.". They also added Gabby Williams and Briann January this winter in moves that should make their defense even stingier. While Smith has developed her game quite quickly after only a season under former WNBA coach Nicki Collen, her perimeter play still has a ways to go if she is to reach her potential. In any case, the Liberty will likely look for a defensive-minded player after finishing with one of the worst defenses in the league last season. Lifelong dreams will be fulfilled as this year's talented pool of prospects finally hear their names called and find out where they will . Her ability to read the opposing offense has set her apart. Thats 11 players that finished among the top 12 in more than half of the mock drafts surveyed. To that front it's worth noting that their roster looks largely set, they have 15 players coming to training camp and only about $12,000 in cap space and are all-in to win in Fowles' final season. Questions the prospect raises: I had to do a double take when I saw that Sjerven is listed as a center. She'll also struggle to defend post-ups because of her slender 6'3" frame and how strong her pro opponents will be. Las Vegas. Averaging five three-point attempts per game, Smith shot 36.7 percent, which. Allen-Taylor has proved to be a staunch defender, playing in a system that is predicated upon its high-pressure defense. Possible fits: Destanni Henderson, Christyn Williams, Veronica Burton. Questions the prospect raises: Throughout her college career, Wells was both turnover and foul prone. 2022 WNBA draft lottery odds The four teams that do not make the playoffs are put in the lottery and odds are based on records over the past two regular seasons. Home; Tickets; Schedule. Meanwhile, Chennedy Carter was suspended for most of the season due to conduct detrimental to the team, while multiple players, including Courtney Williams and Crystal Bradford, were involved in a brawl outside a club. The draft is set to air Monday, April 11, exactly. They responded by overhauling the entire organization, hiring Tanisha Wright as head coach and Dan Padover as general manager. Then at No. Expect that number to go up in the pros not down because Boston wont face triple-teams in the WNBA. According to Em Adler at, Sheppard is an excellent shooter who can make shots off the dribble and on catch-and-shoot attempts. Lorela Cubaj (Georgia Tech, Forward, Fifth Year). Kayla Jones (NC State, Combo Forward, Graduate Student). 1 overall pick from the Washington Mystics. She also has the qualities of a tweener, a player who can theoretically play both power forward and small forward. Every WNBA draft has the potential to reshape the league. 14 overall pick, plus rights to swap 2023 draft picks. While scoring most likely won't be what she hangs her hat on at the next level, she can be relied upon to set a solid screen, roll and find the best look. It all made for a fascinating reshuffling of the leagues talent base, just a week after the NCAA Final Four and a little over a month until the 2023 season begins on May 19. Every WNBA draft has the potential to reshape the league. Even now, I know I have so much more to develop. With a crowded frontcourt and backcourt, this team could really use some help on the wing. Still, though the Sparks are much more talented than they were last season, they could still use some help in the draft. section: | slug: wnba-draft-2022-biggest-needs-and-potential-prospect-fits-for-all-12-teams | sport: wnba | route: article_single.us | Pro-ready skill: Hull's pro-ready skills are mostly based upon her intangibles, or the attributes that she has that can't be taught. After a trade with the Aces on Sunday, they now have two first-round picks and five selections overall. 1 to Fever, An inside look at the Wings' draft process, 2022 WNBA Draft: Teams needs and best fits, Aces' owner Davis denies improper payment reports, Brady acquires ownership stake in WNBA's Aces, Ionescu card sets new WNBA record for highest price. They head into draft night with just one meaningful pick, but at No. But adding Breanna Stewart and Courtney Vandersloot did that back in free agency for the Liberty (along with the trade for Jonquel Jones earlier in the offseason), while Candace Parker and Alysha Clark did the same for the Aces. Pro-talent evaluators will value that she has a shot from beyond the arc, although she wasn't always allowed to play as often on the perimeter. She's an elite rebounder (11.1 per game in 2021-22) and has impressive anticipation as a help defender. Jenna Staiti (Georgia, Center, Graduate Student). While Henderson is well-built and muscular, she's listed at 5'7" and will be bound for mismatches. Apr 11, 2022. Canada Canada. She can drive with the ball well, can spot up shots and can especially score at the short corner. Rhyne Howard, Kentucky senior guard/wing. Projected draft position: Middle to late third round, 11. Brian Martin March 27, 2022 With the 2022 WNBA Draft less than three weeks away, it's time to start marking projections on how things may play out on Monday, April 11 (7:00 p.m., ESPN) in. 8 and 13 picks to the Aces for Las Vegas' first and second-round picks in 2023. The Ping-pong balls have dropped, and the official order of the 2022 WNBA draft has been set. The 2022 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft is approaching in April, and teams are preparing for what is sure to be an eventful draft day full of talented prospects. They could use depth at every position group, and if said players can shoot, then even better. Cunane isn't known for imposing her will physically, but Dodson struggled against her in the Sweet 16. Their remaining two picks are unlikely to make the roster, but it won't hurt to bring a few extra players into camp. 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