Just for fun i know its early but with the playoffs under way i was wondering what would all the posters here 2023 mock draft look like ? Early entries , redshirt Jrs , international players included. Of course the lottery has not yet been decided as to whom will choose in what order so i'm sure this won't be the order they go but based off WNBA potential and current talent how would you rank them?
#1 . Aaliyah Boston
#2 . Jordan Horston
#3. Haley Jones
#4. Tamari Key
#5. Ayoka Lee
#6. Diamond Miller
#7. Zia Cooke
#.8 . Ashley Joens
#9. Aija Blackwell
10. Rickea Jackson
11. Sedona Prince
12. Latecia Amihere
Great list. My thoughts are:
Franchise Player Draft picks:
1. Boston-obvious #1 pick
Likely future All Star:
2. Haley Jones-very proven collegiate player, not sure she has major star power in the pros but is well built to be a very good pro player with her size and attributes. Will be a great pickup for whoever gets her.
3. Diamond Miller-phenomenal athlete, a true 6-3 guard with great perimeter skills. She has all the tools to be a great WNBA player and a big senior year could push her up to #2. She was absolutely electric as a sophomore and has sky high potential.
Could develop into an All Star, could be a bust:
4. Rickea Jackson-another player with great skill, size and physicality. I think she'll be a high pick with a solid year at Tennessee. Hasn't had the smoothest collegiate experience though which could indicate some cause for concern.
5. Ashley Owusu-didn't have a great junior season but looks like Chelsea Gray 2.0. Exceptional at creating her own shot in the mid range, great passer and floor leader. If she gets into better shape she could go higher. Curious to see how she does at Virginia Tech.
6. Tamari Key- 6-6, athletic and long. Should be able to carve out a spot in the pros as a defensive player. Honestly she should be a much better player than she is offensively.
7. Ashley Joens-solid frame, good shooter and good overall skills. Not sure how easily she'll find her way based on lack of speed/quickness compared to WNBA players.
8. Jordan Horston-physically there aren't many better physical specimen in this class. She has the skills and ability to be an absolute star in the league, but her decision making just isn't good and hasn't improved at Tennessee. Worth a gamble if she goes to a team that will give her a year or 2 to develop since her potential upside is higher than anyone in this tier besides maybe Jackson.
9. Ayoka Lee-has great size and a great frame as well as good touch inside. Had a big drop in production at the end of last year and I don't see her as a sure fire pick like some do.
10. Lavender Briggs-need to see more of her at Maryland but has the physical tools and perimeter skills to be a great WNBA guard.
Intriguing but not sold on their ability to last in the pros:
11. Elizabeth Kitley-someone will take a gamble on her. Great arsenal of post moves but hasn't produced well against good bigs.
12. Aijha Blackwell-to be fair I haven't seen enough of her game but she's a great athlete so she could wind up carving out a nice career for herself.
Other good athletes worth acknowledging but with bigger question marks:
Laeticia Amihere-best athlete in the class without question, but still quite raw skill wise and I think needs more development to last as a pro.
Jessika Carter-great size, off the court issues and hasn't played in 2 years
Sedona Prince-one of the most fluid 6-7 athletes I've ever seen, but should be MUCH better than she is right now. Plays soft and has never seemed to have a great attitude.
Fran Belibi-stellar athlete, undersized though and I don't see her game translating well to the W.
Zia Cooke-great athlete with a lot of hype but is undersized, doesn't contribute much offensively besides shooting for a mediocre percentage. People seem higher on her than I am though, so maybe there's something I'm missing.
Brea Beal-outstanding defender, needs more offense to make it in the W though
Charisma Osborne-good scoring prowess, not efficient enough right now but has potential
Taylor Jones-excellent interior player, hasn't wowed though since her freshman season
Madi Williams-tbh I'm not sure why she isn't getting more hype than she does. She's been excellent at Oklahoma all 4 years.
Great collegiate players but probably too small or not athletic enough for the W:
Mackenzie Holmes-very skilled post player, but if Megan Gustafson is struggling this much to find her spot in the league, I think it's a tough battle for Holmes.
Monika Czinano-similar to Holmes but has even more of an uphill battle IMO
Jacy Sheldon-great player for Ohio State, not sure she's up to par defensively
Maddy Siegrist-not sure how well her game translates to the W where players are far bigger and more athletic than in the Big East
Tayler Mikesell-similar to Sheldon. One of the best shooters in the country
Grace Berger-another one who I think is a great collegiate player but wont transition well to the pros.
Jaz Shelley
Dre'Una Edwards
Honestly, this is really solid draft class IMO. You have a few sure-fire stars and a slew of others that have potential to be stars. This class and the 2024 draft class will both be loaded.
