2015 WNBA Mock Draft: Analyzing Elite Prospects and Hidden Gems
The most talented collegiate stars have not only been trying to get their teams in the NCAA tournament; they're also trying to impress WNBA scouts.
Unlike some of the more recent drafts, this year's talent pool isn't very deep, nor does it feature one or two players who stand head and shoulders ahead of their class.
You're not going to see a repeat of 2013, with Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne and Skylar Diggins going first, second and third overall. It's also doubtful that any 2015 rookie will have the same immediate impact that Chiney Ogwumike had with the Connecticut Sun.
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The players underlined are the two best players in the draft, while the two italicized players offer high upside outside of the first few picks.
Note: Draft order is courtesy of WNBA.com.
1. Seattle Storm: Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, SF, Connecticut
As with most teams that own the No. 1 overall pick, the Seattle Storm have a few different options, and they're not tipping their hand as to what they have in mind.
"We know we're going to get a quality player," said Brian Agler, at the time Seattle's head coach and general manager, per espnW.com's Mechelle Voepel. "This selection is going to create a big opportunity for us, one way or another."
In the event the Storm hold on to their selection, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis would add a ton of space to the offense. The Connecticut Huskies star was a career 44.7 percent three-point shooter. Despite averaging 6.5 attempts per game in 2014-15, she still shot an insane 48.8 percent from behind the arc.
Seattle finished second in made threes in 2014, so the Storm know how valuable a long-range specialist can be. They also finished 11th in offensive rating (98.0), so they could use some scoring help from this draft.
2. Tulsa Shock: Reshanda Gray, PF, California
The Tulsa Shock have more than enough guards, so they will almost certainly target a forward with their first-round pick.
Reshanda Gray could easily be the first player taken in the draft. She's a solid inside scorer who can hit the glass with the best of them. Gray averaged 17.4 points and 7.1 rebounds a game during the 2014-15 season.
She did average 3.3 fouls a game, which is a bit of a concern, but that's not enough to weigh down her draft stock.
3. Seattle Storm: Jewell Loyd, PG, Notre Dame
The Storm aren't shy about acknowledging that they're pushing the reset button.
In January, Seattle shipped Camille Little and Shekinna Stricklen to the Connecticut Sun for Renee Montgomery and the third and 15th picks in the 2015 draft.
"We have a clear vision and game plan for the direction of this team," said Alisha Valavanis, team president and general manager, in the press release confirming the trade. "Both have been important to the growth and success of the Storm over the past few years."
Having already grabbed a forward, Seattle would be smart to look to the guard position with its other first-rounder.
Jewell Loyd surprised many when she decided to forgo her senior season and head to the WNBA, per ESPN.com. She immediately shot near the top of the board and is arguably the best point guard available.
The junior averaged 19.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and three assists a game last year and was a big reason the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were runners-up in the NCAA tournament.
Analyst LaChina Robinson believes Loyd was overlooked when it came to the postseason awards:
This feels like a no-brainer for the Storm.
4. Connecticut Sun (via New York Liberty): Amanda Zahui B., C, Minnesota
Before Loyd's jump to the WNBA, Amanda Zahui B. made waves by announcing that she decided to bolt Minnesota. ESPN's Rebecca Lobo believes that Zahui and Loyd have helped to make this year's crop of incoming rookies extremely intriguing:
You can't blame Zahui for her decision. She averaged 18.8 points, 12.9 rebounds and 4.1 blocks a game this past season and is one of the best centers available in the draft.
The Sun would be getting a skilled player on both ends of the court. Zahui has the potential to be a force in the league.
5. Chicago Sky: Elizabeth Williams, PF/C, Duke
What Loyd and Zahui have indirectly done is bump talented players like Elizabeth Williams a little further down the board. Williams was originally penciled in as the No. 2 player overall in this mock but got moved to No. 5.
The Duke Blue Devils star excels on the defensive end. She averaged nine rebounds and just a shade under three blocks a game during her senior season. That was enough to get Williams the National Defensive Player of the Year Award:
Since the Chicago Sky aren't desperate to address one key area on the court, they can afford to take the best player available. If she's still there, Williams would certainly fit the bill.
6. San Antonio Stars: Isabelle Harrison, C, Tennessee
Rebounding was a problem for the San Antonio Stars in 2014. They averaged 31.7 a game, which was 11th in the league. Isabelle Harrison is a force on the glass, grabbing 9.3 and 8.6 boards a game over the last two years.
7. Los Angeles Sparks: Brittany Boyd, PG, California
Brittany Boyd is the proverbial jack of all trades. She averaged 13.4 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.9 steals a game in 2014-15. There's little on the court that Boyd can't do.
What might limit her in the WNBA is her shooting. She shot 41.1 percent from the field and 34.3 percent from three-point range, neither of which is particularly impressive.
While that does somewhat dampen Boyd's stock, she's able to impact the game in so many ways that she doesn't need to shoot the lights out to help her team. The Los Angeles Sparks would be a better team with Boyd on the roster.
8. Washington Mystics: Aleighsa Welch, SF, South Carolina
Aleighsa Welch didn't offer a ton on the offensive end in college. Her season-best scoring average was 13.7 in 2014-15. With that said, she's a solid rebounder and defender. Plus, outside of Dawn Staley's offense, maybe Welch can thrive. She shot a healthy 57.7 percent from the floor in her four years at South Carolina.
9. San Antonio Stars: Dearica Hamby, PF, Wake Forest
Dearica Hamby was one of the few bright spots on a 15-16 Wake Forest team of a year ago. She averaged a double-double per game (22 points, 11 rebounds). Her numbers were a bit inflated considering the talent gap on the Demon Deacons, but she'd be a solid addition in the first round.
10. Atlanta Dream: Crystal Bradford, SF, Central Michigan
Throughout her career at Central Michigan, Crystal Bradford has shown herself to be a dynamic playmaker capable of filling a variety of roles. Entering this year, she averaged 16.7 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game.
Bradford's numbers dipped a bit in 2014-15, but that was in large part because opposing teams didn't need to worry so much about her supporting cast.
Make no mistake, Bradford is a talented player whose offensive deficiencies are well-masked.
11. Minnesota Lynx: Martha Alwal, C, Mississippi State
While a bit limited in terms of athleticism, Martha Alwal is among the best rebounders and shot-blockers in this year's WNBA draft. The Minnesota Lynx don't have a wide variety of needs, so they could afford to draft a low-ceiling, immediate-impact prospect like Alwal.
12. Phoenix Mercury: Samantha Logic, PG, Iowa
Samantha Logic fits the mold of a floor general. She's not a great shooter—32.6 percent from behind the arc—but she dished out 8.1 assists and turned the ball over only 3.9 times a game, which was impressive considering how much she handled the ball for the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Few will argue that Logic is the best guard in the draft, but she'd provide a ton of value this late in the first round.
Note: All stats are courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
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