WNBA Mock Draft

[OldAlum]

Would the Sky be a good fit for Gabby? Havent seen them much.

 

[Shades]

I don't follow the others as closely, but Canada recently became the Pac 12 career leader for assists, she was named defensive co-player of the year, and has scored over 2000 career points. Is that more than one thing?

Lexie Brown was the ACC defensive player of the year. Plus she has more career steals than Alana Beard.

 

[Shades]

Would the Sky be a good fit for Gabby? Havent seen them much.

Not sure why she’d be a particularly great fit there. Gabby would be a good utility player for any team. Chicago probably takes Gabby because she would be the best available player. Chicago is a bad team but at least she’d get to play with Stephanie Dolson.

 

[DEpup]

Not sure why she’d be a particularly great fit there. Gabby would be a good utility player for any team. Chicago probably takes Gabby because she would be the best available player. Chicago is a bad team but at least she’d get to play with Stephanie Dolson.

My pipe dream is for Gabby to get traded to Minnesota in a big draft day switcharoo since I think they could use her speed coupled with their veteran players.

 

[Reypl21]

Doesn't anyone (except us lol) see the upward potential of Gabby playing in her home state? Granted Wilson will get people into seats but I would just think Gabby can be such a fresh face on a new team and with all her ability has a chance to soar to new heights. And forget about a fan base...it's already there! They want Gabby! If I was GM I'd want Gabby. I would love to see her go #1

Plus all the UCONN fans out there will have a reason to go see some WNBA games. Great for women's basketball (dare I say that?)

Ridiculous. She is very good in college, but the pros remain to be seen. I'll bet she couldn't put enough seats in the stands to see a difference. Wilson is the only choice for the first pick. You have to be delusional to think differently. She's 5-11 and can't shoot a WNBA three consistently. She's been great in college, and I'm looking forward to see how her skills function in the pros. But taking her number 1 would be a disastrous mistake.

 

[OldAlum]

My pipe dream is for Gabby to get traded to Minnesota in a big draft day switcharoo since I think they could use her speed coupled with their veteran players.

Yeah, I have hopes for Gabby to end up on a team that is already good. Then she can use her particular skills to assist and defend, as well as there being more openings for her to score. I can see her being a terrific sixth player in that situation!

 

[Orangutan]

Not sure why she’d be a particularly great fit there. Gabby would be a good utility player for any team. Chicago probably takes Gabby because she would be the best available player. Chicago is a bad team but at least she’d get to play with Stephanie Dolson.

At least she'd get to play with the finest point guard in all of Hungary.

 

[Reypl21]

Jaime Nared should be selected at best middle 2nd round.
Jaime Nared was most disappointing this year. I thought she played on average poorly. Her FG% was 39% which for someone who primarily played forward was poor. Napheesa Collier's FG% is 58% and it is viewed as a down year. Nared took 98 more shots than Russell who shot 58%. Nared shot selection is poor and she is a gunner. Many of those shots should have been feeds to Russell. She should have had more than 84 assists. She chucked up 112 3FGs at a 24% rate.

I agree. I think she's thought to highly of on this board because of her comments on Geno last summer. She was thought highly of before that because she was a hardworking player and she was tough. This year, every time I watched her she looked awful. Checking boxscores of games, a lot of her points were free throws. Against ND and Oregon ST, she tried to play hero ball but failed miserably. She could have been great, but went to Holly Warlick. When are recruits going to see that she doesn't develop any of her players?

 

[Orangutan]

My pipe dream is for Gabby to get traded to Minnesota in a big draft day switcharoo since I think they could use her speed coupled with their veteran players.

Yes, they could use a lottery pick to go with their championship-winning roster.

 

[rugbymate]

Why not the Liberty?

Stacked at center...I actually think Gabby could play small forward for the Liberty and fit quite nicely into their rotation

 

[Farney]

To me Wilson is the clear #1. But if I’m Trader Bill and Chicago offers me #3 and #4 I’d really consider it. Basically means you are getting Gabby or Kelsey plus Diamond. Obviously if it’s Kelsey and not Gabby they continue to be very perimeter heavy but he would have more pieces to flip, which he has always been good at.

Maybe keep Mitchell or Deshields (if Gabby doesn’t fall to #3) and flip the other for a #1 next year.

 

[Shades]

My pipe dream is for Gabby to get traded to Minnesota in a big draft day switcharoo since I think they could use her speed coupled with their veteran players.

She wouldn’t get much playing time in Minnesota. They’re loaded with veterans and they get almost all the playing time. Reeve avoids playing rookies.

 

[Shades]

Stacked at center...I actually think Gabby could play small forward for the Liberty and fit quite nicely into their rotation

The Liberty pick at #10. I think Gabby will be gone by then, but you never know. She’d be a nice pick up for them. Tina Charles has been playing PF for the Liberty, and they haven’t really figured out their center situation yet. Nobody at center has really stepped up to where they need to be.

 

[bballnut90]

If you can pick up an extra 1st high round pick THIS year, and get two players that can come in and help your team right away, you might do it. He might get Gabby with that extra pick. It might be worth it to pass on Wilson this year knowing that Brown and McCowan are coming out next year. Rome was not built in a day. Laimbeer will be tweaking this roster for the next few years until he has one he thinks he can win a championship with. There are 3 post players projected to go in the 2nd round.

There will be a lot of talent coming into the league this year, to wit: (first round projected draftees)

1. A’ja Wilson – (F) – Las Vegas Aces
2. Kelsey Mitchell – (G) – Indiana Fever
3. Gabby Williams (F) – Chicago Sky
4. Diamond DeShields – (G) – Chicago Sky
5. Jordin Canada – (G) – Seattle Storm
6. Lexie Brown – (G) – Dallas Wings
7. Victoria Vivians – (G) – Washington Mystics
8. Maria Vadeeva – (C) – Indiana Fever
9. Kia Nurse – (G) – Connecticut Sun
10. Ariel Atkins – (G) – New York Liberty
11. Stephanie Mavunga – (F) – Los Angeles Sparks
12. Monique Billings – (F) – Phoenix Mercury

SECOND ROUND

1. Jaime Nared – (F) – Las Vegas Aces
2. Marie Gulich – (C) – Indiana Fever
3. Tyler Scaife – (G) – Connecticut Sun
4. Shakayla Thomas – (G) – Atlanta Dream
5. Myisha Hines – Allen (F) – Minnesota Lynx
6. Brooke McCarty – (G) – Dallas Wings
7. Katelynn Flaherty – (G) – Washington Mystics
8. Vionise Pierre – Louis – (C) – Phoenix Mercury
9. Tyra Buss – (G) – Phoenix Mercury
10. Mercedes Russell – (C) – New York Liberty
11. Rebecca Greenwell – (G) – Los Angeles Sparks
12. Natalie Butler – (C) – Minnesota Lynx

It’s definirely the best and deepest draft we’ve seen in years. I think even if Vadeeva is a stud, taking any international player top 5 is incredibly risky considering how inconsistent most international players have been in regards to showing up every year for basketball season. Cambage is a perfect example of that.

Another interesting thought...I believe McCowan is eligible this year if she wants to make the jump. Realistically, Mississippi State is not going to be as strong next year as they lose 4 starters. If she makes the jump, she could easily be a top 5-10 pick. Granted, another year under Vic and being the centerpiece of the team next year could elevate her stock to top 2-3 next year, but adding her as a draftable player could shake things up.

I also think teams would be foolish to pass up Roshunda Johnson in the first 2 rounds. She’s extremely quick, a good decision maker, defends well, is a very good shooter and can beat defenders off the dribble. She’s a little small but I think she could be an excellent backup 2 guard in the pros.

 

[baggerbob]

If you can pick up an extra 1st high round pick THIS year, and get two players that can come in and help your team right away, you might do it. He might get Gabby with that extra pick. It might be worth it to pass on Wilson this year knowing that Brown and McCowan are coming out next year. Rome was not built in a day. Laimbeer will be tweaking this roster for the next few years until he has one he thinks he can win a championship with. There are 3 post players projected to go in the 2nd round.

There will be a lot of talent coming into the league this year, to wit: (first round projected draftees)

1. A’ja Wilson – (F) – Las Vegas Aces
2. Kelsey Mitchell – (G) – Indiana Fever
3. Gabby Williams (F) – Chicago Sky
4. Diamond DeShields – (G) – Chicago Sky
5. Jordin Canada – (G) – Seattle Storm
6. Lexie Brown – (G) – Dallas Wings
7. Victoria Vivians – (G) – Washington Mystics
8. Maria Vadeeva – (C) – Indiana Fever
9. Kia Nurse – (G) – Connecticut Sun
10. Ariel Atkins – (G) – New York Liberty
11. Stephanie Mavunga – (F) – Los Angeles Sparks
12. Monique Billings – (F) – Phoenix Mercury

SECOND ROUND

1. Jaime Nared – (F) – Las Vegas Aces
2. Marie Gulich – (C) – Indiana Fever
3. Tyler Scaife – (G) – Connecticut Sun
4. Shakayla Thomas – (G) – Atlanta Dream
5. Myisha Hines – Allen (F) – Minnesota Lynx
6. Brooke McCarty – (G) – Dallas Wings
7. Katelynn Flaherty – (G) – Washington Mystics
8. Vionise Pierre – Louis – (C) – Phoenix Mercury
9. Tyra Buss – (G) – Phoenix Mercury
10. Mercedes Russell – (C) – New York Liberty
11. Rebecca Greenwell – (G) – Los Angeles Sparks
12. Natalie Butler – (C) – Minnesota Lynx

The last thing Seattle needs is more guards, scoring isn't a problem, rebounding the ball for defensive stops is. The new coach is a defensive coach, he is going to find someone to help Stewie rebound, or he won't last the year.

 

[baggerbob]

This is just one person’s assessment. I have her going #6. Pretty sure I’ll be closer. Hard to imagine her going any lower than #14 to Indy, who needs size more than any other team.

You also have Seattle taking another guard, which if you have watched them, they already have too many guard types. They need a rebounding big, who can also block shots. Even with Stewie, one of the best rebounders, Seattle is next to last in rebounding.

 

[Shades]

You also have Seattle taking another guard, which if you have watched them, they already have too many guard types. They need a rebounding big, who can also block shots. Even with Stewie, one of the best rebounders, Seattle is next to last in rebounding.

I figured Seattle needs a worthy replacement for Sue Bird very soon. Dan Hughes is the new coach for Seattle. When he was with San Antonio, the PG’s he drafted were Danielle Robinson and Moriah Jefferson. He seems to prefer the smaller quicker type of PG, so I chose Jordin Canada for Seattle, even though I think Lexie Brown is the more promising WNBA player.

When you do a mock draft, it should be about predicting which team will pick which player.... not just about having all your favorite players on top of the draft.

 

[Shades]

The last thing Seattle needs is more guards, scoring isn't a problem, rebounding the ball for defensive stops is. The new coach is a defensive coach, he is going to find someone to help Stewie rebound, or he won't last the year.

He brought in Courtney Paris as a free agent. Rebounding seems to be her thing and it’s about her only thing. Who do you think Seattle should take at #5?

 

[Carnac]

The last thing Seattle needs is more guards, scoring isn't a problem, rebounding the ball for defensive stops is. The new coach is a defensive coach, he is going to find someone to help Stewie rebound, or he won't last the year.

Uhhh baggerbob, My comments were limited to what head coach Bill Laimbeer of the Las Vegas Aces might do. I did not mention Seattle or Dan Hughes anywhere in my post, but I do agree with your observation.

 

[Hayven]

Seattle picked up Natasha Howard and Courtney Paris to help with the inside game. I would like to see Vivians go to Seattle to help with scoring off the bench

 

[JSB60]

I notice Natalie Butler as a second round pick, which I love.

Z would be the #2 pick if she was in this year's draft.

 

[Shades]

I also think teams would be foolish to pass up Roshunda Johnson in the first 2 rounds. She’s extremely quick, a good decision maker, defends well, is a very good shooter and can beat defenders off the dribble. She’s a little small but I think she could be an excellent backup 2 guard in the pros.

There’s a reason nobody has yet to sign Ivory Latta as a free agent this year, and she even has some PG skills. Small players are a defensive liability in the WNBA. If a player is small, they need to make up for that lack of height in a big way. If Johnson has no PG skills, it’s going to be tough for her. Liked the rest of your post though.

 

[Shades]

Z would be the #2 pick if she was in this year's draft.

Maybe she should declare then. Won’t she be a graduate?

 

[Carnac]

Maybe she should declare then. Won’t she be a graduate?

Yes she will, (and I have no way of knowing this for sure) but I believe Stevens agreed to stay for two years if Geno agreed to take her when she was looking at other programs to transfer to. UConn had/has a glaring need for a BIG post player. Even though she was not a post at Duke (Elizabeth Williams was), she is 6'6", and can be a presence in the paint on both ends of the court.

Charli Collier decided not to come to Storrs late in the recruiting year for her class, denying UConn the possibly of recruiting another post player. That dynamic left a gaping hole at the post for UConn. ONO hadn't committed yet. Even if she had, she probably won't be ready to play until her sophomore year. Geno had Natalie Butler on the bench, but she was not living up to the expectations they had for her yet. That's why I believe Geno insisted on a two year commitment from Stevens. Having Stevens for 2 years would buy him some time to find and recruit a post player.

Stevens has made all the difference in the world for UConn this year. She took pressure off Gabby, Lou and the rest of the starting unit by being an excellent 6th man, playing down low, and blending in to the offense, thereby allowing Lou and Gabby to play positions where they are most effective.

I remember this past summer, Gabby expressing her delight at Stevens becoming eligible in that she did not have to play against post players any more, some of whom were 5-6 inches taller, and out weighted her by as much as 60 pounds. Every post player Gabby played against her junior year was taller than her.

 

[SVCBeercats]

She wouldn’t get much playing time in Minnesota. They’re loaded with veterans and they get almost all the playing time. Reeve avoids playing rookies.

Unless the rookie is Maya Moore.

 

[Ukonnfan]

Since we r all hopin and wishhin, like to see Gabby go to Seattle somehow, and see a good coach make a point guard out of her. Replace and b mentored by Sue Bird. In my opinion, she could be one of the best ever in the WNBA barring injury with the right teaching. She has the tools.

 

[nwhoopfan]

At least she'd get to play with the finest point guard in all of Hungary.

Maybe the finest PG in the U.S. as well.

 

[jdubct]

Maybe she should declare then. Won’t she be a graduate?

She wouldn't be the second pick in this year's draft, given her need to improve her skills to be WNBA-ready. Improved skills gained playing another year of Uconn basketball, will enable her to make a lot more money overseas. With continued development, she would be at or near the top of next year's draft.

 

[Shades]

Unless the rookie is Maya Moore.

That’s true. Maya transformed the Lynx organization from Day 1. Maya is going to be the greatest of all time. Is Gabby at the Maya level?

 

[Shades]

Since we r all hopin and wishhin, like to see Gabby go to Seattle somehow, and see a good coach make a point guard out of her. Replace and b mentored by Sue Bird. In my opinion, she could be one of the best ever in the WNBA barring injury with the right teaching. She has the tools.

I’ve been thinking the same thing. Gabby has great court vision and a decent handle. Her length and defensive skills are superior to most PG’s. Develop a three point shot and that would be the cherry on top. Potential animal at PG. Probably not many out there that would agree.