WNBA Draft Board

[From France]

WNBA Draft Big Board: Top 50 prospects in the 2023 class - Just Women's Sports

Aliyah Boston, Diamond Miller and Haley Jones headline our big board of the top 50 prospects in the upcoming 2023 WNBA Draft.

justwomenssports.com

Lou Lopez Sénéchal, G/F, UConn​

After tearing up the MAAC for three years, Lopez Sénéchal took her talents to UConn, where her production hasn’t skipped a beat. The 6-1 guard/forward is one of the best scorers in the country, and she’s gotten even more efficient at the next level. Last season with Fairfield, she was shooting 43 percent on nearly 17 shots per game for a scoring average of 19.5. With UConn this year, Senechal is taking 12.6 shots per game, boasting a higher efficiency at 46.2 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from deep, and averaging 16.7 points per game. She continues to get better and is now producing on a stage that can prepare her for the pros.

Dorka Juhász, F, UConn​

Juhász is as experienced as they come, competing at a high level internationally before playing a successful three years at Ohio State and the past two at UConn. What makes Juhász so valuable is her ability to understand her role based on the system. She has the IQ and selflessness to compliment key players. At the next level, she can contribute in a multitude of ways, from scoring within 17 feet, rebounding the ball and passing out of the frontcourt.

 

[HopJim]

Lou in particular is a no brainer for the pros. Unlike some players, she can create her own shot from anywhere on the court and has proven she gets better in the big games. While not always considered, she is a relatively tall guard that plays relatively solid defense and can stick her nose into contact and rebound.
Dorka has improved her outside game and now is at threat to score from anywhere. At 6'5", she can defense bigs or wings. Not sure if she will be an All Star but forecast a long, successful career.

 

[From France]

Hope they don't end up with Indiana or Dallas, then it will be up to them to make the roster

 

[HuskyNan]

Dorka Juhász, F, UConn​

Juhász is as experienced as they come, competing at a high level internationally before playing a successful three years at Ohio State and the past two at UConn. What makes Juhász so valuable is her ability to understand her role based on the system. She has the IQ and selflessness to compliment key players. At the next level, she can contribute in a multitude of ways, from scoring within 17 feet, rebounding the ball and passing out of the frontcourt.

I guess she’ll play in the W as long as she flatters the team superstar.

Spell check only works when you use the right word

 

[cohenzone]

I guess she’ll play in the W as long as she flatters the team superstar.

Spell check only works when you use the right word

And in the case of that sentence even grammar check would be good with it.

 

[Rowdy831]

Dorka has the size but I think she will need to hone her post skills to play in the WNBA. She isn't quick enough to defend the perimeter players and doesn't shoot the ball well enough to make it on offense alone. If she works on her strength and hands she would have a nice advantage on other post players who would have to match up with her.

Both of these players are good offensively but both will have to get a lot stronger. The WNBA is tough with the limited number of teams. You almost have to hit the ground running or you are left in the cold. A deep run in the NCAA and some success individually will help them both.

 

[topogigio]

I predict both will go in the first round of the draft. Lou, just because, and Dorka because she is 6'5", has a decent 3 pt shot, played 2 years for UConn, has proven in the last 3 games that she can actually jump!

 

[MilfordHusky]

Dorka's primary weakness is that she needs to get stronger in her arms and hands. That's fixable. She has decent range on her shot, good footwork, height/length, intelligence, experience, and desire. She'll be an asset. There aren't many in the W taller than her.

 

[Bone Dog]

I think Dorka is even more pro-ready than Lou... and that's saying something. She's got better ball handling skills than ONO did when she was drafted, and a better outside shot, and better post moves. She's not quite the passer and rebounder ONO was last year, but she's closing in. Or compare her to someone like Elissa Cunane, who was a force in D1, was drafted and then promptly cut. I'd pick Dorka over her for the W any day. Cunane had better post moves and a better perimeter shot, but Dorka is a better defender, rebounder and passer, and I'd add better ball handling skills.

 

[Gus Mahler]

I think Dorka is even more pro-ready than Lou... and that's saying something. She's got better ball handling skills than ONO did when she was drafted, and a better outside shot, and better post moves. She's not quite the passer and rebounder ONO was last year, but she's closing in. Or compare her to someone like Elissa Cunane, who was a force in D1, was drafted and then promptly cut. I'd pick Dorka over her for the W any day. Cunane had better post moves and a better perimeter shot, but Dorka is a better defender, rebounder and passer, and I'd add better ball handling skills.

As "they" say, she can really put the ball on the floor for a woman her size. Now, if she could just make a few when she gets to the basket.

 

[wingsfan055]

Lou would be a great fit in NY. Not sure if the Liberty still have their picks for this year.

 

[HopJim]

As "they" say, she can really put the ball on the floor for a woman her size. Now, if she could just make a few when she gets to the basket.

 

[Dillon77]

I've liked Dorka as a pro prospect since she was at Ohio State and she's only refined those skills since she made the move to UConn.
The summary provided is accurate and I'll add two things: when engaged, she's good on weak-side protection (especially with the block); and, I like her ability to find seams on cutting from the weak-side. Keep working on keeping the ball up high and her hand strength: players in the W are strong. Use Megan Gustafsson as an example: kid just keeps adding elements to her game and working on them. Went from a denizen of 10-day contracts to season-long stay and more-than-decent stay in Greece this year.

As mentioned, Lou has great technical skills and is very tenacious. However, she does need to get stronger to compete against veterans who are going to bring it on the defensive end. A lot depends on what team she's drafted by and where she plays internationally to up/refine her game.

Good luck to them both!

 

[The deacon]

I think Dorka is even more pro-ready than Lou... and that's saying something. She's got better ball handling skills than ONO did when she was drafted, and a better outside shot, and better post moves. She's not quite the passer and rebounder ONO was last year, but she's closing in. Or compare her to someone like Elissa Cunane, who was a force in D1, was drafted and then promptly cut. I'd pick Dorka over her for the W any day. Cunane had better post moves and a better perimeter shot, but Dorka is a better defender, rebounder and passer, and I'd add better ball handling skills.

Agreed, Bone Dog, re Dorka more so pro-ready than Lou. I'd question only whether ONO was really a better rebounder than Dorka. The numbers state clearly otherwise. Dorka's averaging 10.0 per, while ONO's best season was her sophomore year at 8.5. She averaged 7.5 as a senior.

 

[Bone Dog]

Agreed, Bone Dog, re Dorka more so pro-ready than Lou. I'd question only whether ONO was really a better rebounder than Dorka. The numbers state clearly otherwise. Dorka's averaging 10.0 per, while ONO's best season was her sophomore year at 8.5. She averaged 7.5 as a senior.

I was thinking of last season. But you’re right to compare ONO’s senior season to this season for Dorka. That’s what counts for the draft.

 

[From France]

Agreed, Bone Dog, re Dorka more so pro-ready than Lou. I'd question only whether ONO was really a better rebounder than Dorka. The numbers state clearly otherwise. Dorka's averaging 10.0 per, while ONO's best season was her sophomore year at 8.5. She averaged 7.5 as a senior.

I thiink that Lou is a better guard than Dorka is a forward, JMO

 

[Forego]

I've liked Dorka as a pro prospect since she was at Ohio State and she's only refined those skills since she made the move to UConn.
The summary provided is accurate and I'll add two things: when engaged, she's good on weak-side protection (especially with the block); and, I like her ability to find seams on cutting from the weak-side. Keep working on keeping the ball up high and her hand strength: players in the W are strong. Use Megan Gustafsson as an example: kid just keeps adding elements to her game and working on them. Went from a denizen of 10-day contracts to season-long stay and more-than-decent stay in Greece this year.

As mentioned, Lou has great technical skills and is very tenacious. However, she does need to get stronger to compete against veterans who are going to bring it on the defensive end. A lot depends on what team she's drafted by and where she plays internationally to up/refine her game.

Good luck to them both!

When it comes to being highly talented in multiple game skills, Dorka is already light years ahead of where Megan was when she graduated. Diversification of one’s talents and learning the game are just two of the reasons why UConn players have an edge in making and sticking in the WNBA and why most of us on this forum consider UConn should be the first and only choice for highly ranked high school players.

 

[Bigboote]

Dorka's primary weakness is that she needs to get stronger in her arms and hands. That's fixable. She has decent range on her shot, good footwork, height/length, intelligence, experience, and desire. She'll be an asset. There aren't many in the W taller than her.

It seems to me that Dorka's hands have gotten better in the last few weeks. I wonder how much the recent broken bones in her thumb and wrist have affected that. I've noticed her snagging rebounds that would have bounced off her hands a month ago.

I think she has all the tools to be a stretch-4 in the W who fills in some at the 5.