Charlie Cummings is here to update on the top picks in the WNBA draft, analyze the fit, and profile the players selected. Stay tuned as the first round unfolds tonight.
Pick No. 1: Dallas Wings select UConn G Paige Bueckers
DK No. 1 Pick Odds:
Surprise, surprise.
What can you even say about the UConn guard at this point? Bueckers won a Wooden Award as the best player in WCBB as a true freshman, was an All-American three times, and sealed off an all-time college career with a ring for the Huskies in this year’s tournament. On resume alone, she’d be a slam-dunk top pick.
Then you look at the skills. A career 53/42/85 shooting split is jaw-dropping. Considering the offensive workload she shoulders, it’s nearly impossible. What astounds me even more is that you can essentially divide her career in half – before and after her ACL tear in February 2022 – and it becomes even more impressive.
She averaged roughly 30 points per 100 possessions pre-tear. Post-tear, it rose to 38 points per 100. She took more threes per 100 and doubled her free throw rate while improving her eFG%. Assist rates dipped slightly, but she became a more impactful defender with a rise in rebound, steal, and block rates. Getting that much better after being a Wooden Award winner is crazy enough. Doing so after an ACL tear on top of it is rarified air.
Suffice it to say, Dallas is getting a good one. Bueckers forms a dynamic backcourt trio with three-time All-WNBA selection Arike Ogunbowale and last year’s Most Improved Player award winner DiJonai Carrington. The Wings just skyrocketed up the ranks of teams to watch.
Pick No. 2: Seattle Storm select C Dominique Malonga (Lyon)
In almost any draft, Malonga would be a No. 1 pick candidate. It’s no knock on her to be second fiddle to Paige Bueckers.
At 6’6″, the Cameroon-born center immediately becomes one of the most physically imposing players in the W. It’s no wonder that she averaged a 15 and 10 for Lyon this past season, and at only 19 years old. She recorded 57 combined steals and blocks across 22 games. The traditional center production is all there. What impresses me even more is how she produces outside of center norms. Malonga has touch from distance, smooth movement skills, and shows plenty of skill as a passer.
Seattle is getting incredible value for the second overall pick. Malonga has the potential to anchor on both sides of the ball, a la Jonquel Jones.
Pick No. 3: Washington Mystics select Notre Dame G Sonia Citron
Great value for Washington as the Mystics take Sonia Citron with the third overall pick.
The four-year Notre Dame guard comes into the W with an extremely impressive resume. Citron was a three-time All-ACC player and one of the more accomplished defenders in the class. At 6’1″, she has tons of size for a guard and is extremely polished when it comes to guarding on the perimeter. Her career average of 1.8 steals per game speaks to that.
On the other end, Citron profiles as an excellent off-ball shooter. Her outstanding touch and size make her a potent weapon off a primary creator. Perhaps she has more on-ball juice in the bag, but Washington would be just fine with her being a high-level offensive role player. A great way to launch a rebuild post-Elena Della Donne.
Pick No. 4: Washington Mystics select USC F Kiki Iriafen
The Washington Mystics went all-in on this draft. They own the third, fourth, and sixth overall picks. An infusion of talent is needed, and it began with Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron. Now they take another excellent defender with offensive upside.
A major riser in her three years at Stanford, Iriafen stamped herself as a top tier W talent during her senior year at USC. Kiki posted an 18/8/2 stat line with 1.5 stocks per game, looking like an elite defensive prospect. At 6’3″, she is mobile and can guard multiple spots along with her crucial rebounding.
Offensively, Iriafen has great touch around the rim and a budding midrange game. She may even extend out to the three-point line in the coming years. Her 36-point performance in the tournament to advance USC after a heartbreaking injury to JuJu Watkins opened a lot of eyes. As far as fourth-overall picks go, this is excellent value for Washington.
Pick No. 5: Golden State Valkyries select G/F Juste Jocyte (Lyon)
The first-ever draft selection for the Golden State Valkyries is in the books, and it was a surprise to our oddsmakers at DraftKings, but those watching this Golden State offseason had an inkling.
The expansion draft made their priorities clear. The Valkyries targeted international players who are athletic and can get out and run. Jocyte, the 19-year-old Lithuanian, fits this to a T. She’s an electric shooter and passer that fits in well with the style coach Natalie Nakase wants to implement. Jocyte was the second leading scorer on her Lyon squad behind second overall pick Dominique Malonga.
There’s work to do defensively, but she has good size if she can stick at guard. It’s an exciting pick for the Valkyries, and she will receive plenty of playing time if the skills translate.
Other Notable Picks
Pick No. 7: Connecticut Sun select LSU F Aneesah Morrow
Connecticut owns back-to-back picks and goes with one of the most accomplished rebounders in NCAA history here. WCBB’s second all-time leader in double-doubles, Morrow brings instant impact on the glass. On top of that, Morrow may be a legit stretch 4 at the next level. Her three-point attempts dipped in Kim Mulkey’s system at LSU, but Washington will push her to recapture her form at DePaul by getting shots up from deep. They practically sprinted to the podium to make this pick.
Pick No. 10: Chicago Sky select F Ajsa Sivka (Tarbes)
Yet another team with back-to-back picks and another international selection in the top ten. Sivka, 19, has excellent positional size and tons of shooting potential. She burst on the scene at the 2023 U18 FIBA tournament with a 20-point, 12-rebound performance in the gold medal game. As if Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso needed any more help on the glass, Sivka will be a major threat on the boards and will space the floor for Chicago’s exciting frontcourt. This could be an excellent fit for the Sky.
Pick No. 11: Chicago Sky select TCU G Hailey Van Lith
After going for youth and potential with Ajsa Sivka, the Sky target experience and production with Hailey Van Lith. No player in WCBB history suited up for more games than HVL. After a breakout junior season at Louisville, Van Lith teamed up with Angel Reese, Flau’jae Johnson, and Aneesah Morrow on a stacked LSU roster. They made it to the Elite 8 before being bounced by Caitlin Clark’s Iowa squad. Van Lith opted for one more season in college at TCU and was extremely productive on a 34-win squad before another Elite 8 exit.
Van Lith joins an exciting backcourt with Ariel Atkins and will benefit from the tutelage of Courtney Vandersloot and Rebecca Allen. More spacing for their dynamic frontcourt will open things up, and more playmaking will help Cardoso and Reese find their spots. These back-to-back picks project a clear vision that will be extremely entertaining on the court.
