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The 2021 WNBA Draft takes place on Thursday, April 15th, getting started at 7 p.m. on ESPN. The Dallas Wings have the first two picks, as well as four total picks in the first round,
We’ll be tracking the picks down below for all 36 picks. Follow along!
First Round
1. Dallas: Charli Collier, F, Texas
No surprise here. Collier was a double-double machine for the Longhorns, and gives plenty of rim protection for a team that struggled defensively in the paint all season.
2. Dallas: Awak Kuier, F, Ragusa Italy
The ceiling on Kuier is unlimited, and at 6’5 she’s been able to dunk for years. Once the WNBA campaign begins this will be her first extended time in America ... if she’s not a “draft-and-stash” that stays off the roster for 2021 season.
3. Atlanta: Aari McDonald, G, Arizona
‘Zona’s run to the national championship game was the story of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The 5’5 dynamo averaged over 20 points per game over her last three seasons at UofA, but wasn’t exactly a model of efficiency. She’ll likely be able to get her shot off at will in the W however.
4. Indiana: Kysre Gondrezick, G, West Virginia
The two-year starter for the Mountaineers averaged 19.5 points and 4.5 assists per game her senior season. This might be a bit of a reach according to most mocks, but if she improves her 36.4% three-point rate, she’ll be an impact right away.
5. Dallas: Chelsea Dungee, G, Arkansas
Dungee started every game in her three seasons in Fayetteville, averaging 22.3 points per game. At 5’11 she’ll add enough size and length in the backcourt, but she’s not an elite defender.
6. New York: Michaela Onyenwere, F, UCLA
A post defender and threat that can also step out and shoot the three, Onyenwere is 6’0 and averaged 19.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game for the Bruins.
7. Los Angeles: Jasmine Walker, F, Alabama
The Sparks trade away their 2022 first-round pick to select here, and help the Wings not have to bring in four picks from the first round on the same roster. And Walker might be the best talent on the board here after averaging 19.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game her senior year.
8. Chicago: Shyla Heal, G, Townsville Fire
Heal can give depth to the guard position for the Sky, and at age 19 has plenty of room to improve. in 2019-20, she was named the Most Consistent Player in the WNBL with 12.1 points and 4.1 rebounds for the Bendigo Spirit.
9. Minnesota: Rennia Davis, F, Tennessee
It’s a bit of a surprise she’s still here, as the Cheryl Miller Award finalist for the nation’s best small forward had 39 double-doubles for the Vols. She had 17.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game her senior season, and the Lynx have to feel good about her being available this late in the first round.
10. Los Angeles: Stephanie Watts, G, North Carolina
She left UNC after three seasons and came back after a four-game stint at Southern Cal. Watts was in a more limited role her senior year, but still managed 12.0 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in just 28.4 minutes. She’s got the passing gene, but will want to improve her 30.5% from three-point range.
11. UPDATE: Indiana: Aaliyah Wilson, G, Texas A&M
Wilson was traded to Indiana from Seattle after being selected by the Storm. In exchange, Seattle gets third-year player Kennedy Burke.
Only a starter her senior year, Wilson will likely have a tough time cracking the rotation for the defending champs. The 5’11 guard was All-SEC second-team, and 12.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per contest.
12. Las Vegas: Iliana Rupert, C, France
The 6’4 Frenchwoman plays for Tango Bourges, the top team in the Ligue Feminine de Basket, where she averages 6.5 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.