WNBA Mock Draft 2024: Where Caitlin Clark, Top March Madness Stars Will Land in April

While the top of the 2024 WNBA draft is pretty settled, there could be plenty of movement on prospect boards on the basis of how the NCAA tournament unfolds.

Iowa's Caitlin Clark is a lock to land No. 1 overall to the Indiana Fever. That has been true from the moment the Fever won the lottery in December, and Clark's status as the best player in the class dates back to the preseason.

With Paige Bueckers returning to UConn, Stanford's Cameron Brink is equally assured of going second overall to the Los Angeles Sparks.

Once the Chicago Sky are on the clock, the room for debate emerges. Five of the 10 picks after No. 2 have changed hands, which is a sign of how this was viewed as a three-player and then a two-player draft with Bueckers' withdrawal.

There's plenty of value to be had beyond Clark and Brink, but there may not be another major difference-maker available.

March Madness can only do so much to boost a player's résumé, but a few strong performances along with a deep tourney run could help tip the scales in favor of one over another.

Here's a projection for the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft along with three players from different points on the board who stand to gain a lot over the next few weeks.

2024 WNBA Mock Draft

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PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 02: Cameron Brink #22 of the Stanford Cardinal reacts after scoring against the USC Trojans during the second quarter at Stanford Maples Pavilion on February 02, 2024 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark, G, Iowa

2. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink, F, Stanford

3. Chicago Sky (via Phoenix): Rickea Jackson, F, Tennessee

4. Los Angeles Sparks (via Seattle): Kamilla Cardoso, C, South Carolina

5. Dallas Wings (via Chicago): Aaliyah Edwards, F, UConn

6. Washington Mystics: Angel Reese, F, LSU

7. Minnesota Lynx: Nyadiew Puoch, F, Australia

8. Chicago Sky (via Atlanta, Los Angeles): Jacy Sheldon, G, Ohio State

9. Dallas Wings: Georgia Amoore, G, Virginia Tech

10. Connecticut Sun: Charisma Osborne, G, UCLA

11. New York Liberty: Alissa Pili, F, Utah

12. Atlanta Dream (via Las Vegas, Los Angeles): Elizabeth Kitley, C, Virginia Tech

Angel Reese, LSU

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GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 09: Angel Reese #10 of the LSU Lady Tigers takes a free throw against the Ole Miss Rebels in the third quarter during the semifinals of the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena on March 09, 2024 in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

Angel Reese's stock was at an apex in the immediate aftermath of LSU's national championship victory last spring. She was the biggest star in women's basketball thanks to her prodigious on-court performance and equally impressive trash talk.

Reese's profile as a draft prospect doesn't necessarily align with her list of achievements in the college game, though.

The 6'3" forward hasn't displayed much range, only knocking down five three-pointers through her four seasons, and she doesn't make up for that by being an unstoppable scorer in the post.

The counting stats are there. Reese is averaging 21.2 points, 14.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 65 games with the Tigers. Whether she can match that kind of production against WNBA talent is another matter.

The reigning SEC Player of the Year should have a high floor at the next level, which will guarantee her a first-round position in April. With another monster NCAA tournament, perhaps she can inch her way toward the lottery.

Conversely, Reese could decide it's in her best interests to stay one more year in Baton Rouge if she doesn't like her draft projection. Coming back to LSU might allow her to silence her skeptics once and for all.

Jacy Sheldon, Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OHIO - FEBRUARY 25: Jacy Sheldon #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes walks off of the court at half time during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Value City Arena on February 25, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)

Clark aside, this is a draft that will be dominated by frontcourt players in the first round.

In the battle to be the second guard off the board, Ohio State's Jacy Sheldon could make a definitive case if the Buckeyes rebound from a lackluster showing in the Big Ten tournament and advance to the Elite Eight or further.

Staying in Columbus for a fifth season was a savvy decision for Sheldon. She averaged 18.1 points and 3.8 assists while shooting a career-best 38.3 percent from the field. She was named to the Associated Press' All-American second team Wednesday.

Sheldon is a genuine three-and-D talent who would fit with just about any team in the WNBA because her skill set is so well suited to a complementary role.

Beyond solidifying her position in the first round, a good enough NCAA tournament could make a top-six pick realistic.

Ayoka Lee, Kansas State

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MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 19: Ayoka Lee #50 of the Kansas State Wildcats reacts after scoring a basket against the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at Bramlage Coliseum on November 19, 2023 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)

Much like in the NBA, traditional centers in the WNBA have increasingly fallen out of vogue with more emphasis on spacing the floor and defensive switchability. Thanks to that, a productive big such as Kansas State's Ayoka Lee has no assurances of landing in the first round.

Lee missed all of 2022-23 due to a torn ACL — the second ACL tear she suffered in her career — and has come back to largely be the same player she was before the injury. She's putting up 20.1 points on 62.2 percent shooting along with 8.4 rebounds per game.

The 6'6" center is offensively limited, having made and attempted only one three-pointer in college. She's also likely to be exploited on defense in pick-and-rolls away from the basket.

A WNBA team won't be looking to Lee to anchor its frontcourt. Through the NCAA tournament, she might be able to convince a general manager she's worthy of a late first-rounder and a roster spot for 2024.