WNBA Draft Order 2015: 1st-Round Mock Draft Predictions and Full Selection List

Recent editions of the WNBA draft have been highlighted by top-end talent. Whether it was the Ogwumike sisters, Brittney Griner, Elena Delle Donne or Skylar Diggins, teams drafting early had a chance to significantly improve. Now, the question is whether the same will hold true in 2015.

Perhaps sensing the lack of elite prospects in the class, underclassmen Jewell Loyd and Amanda Zahui B. decided to declare for the draft. It's a far less common occurrence in women's basketball, which has different age requirements (age 22 in rookie season), despite being a popular option in the men's game.

The league announced the results of the draft lottery back in August. The Seattle Storm ended up winning the right to select first overall. Let's take a look at where they may decide to go with that selection along with a mock draft for the rest of Round 1.

2015 WNBA Round 1 Mock Draft

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Seattle Storm	Jewell Loyd, G, Notre Dame
2	Tulsa Shock	Amanda Zahui B., C, Minnesota
3	Seattle Storm (from Connecticut)	Elizabeth Williams, F, Duke
4	Connecticut Sun (from New York)	Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis, G, UConn
5	Chicago Sky	Reshanda Gray, F, California
6	San Antonio Stars (from Indiana)	Isabelle Harrison, C, Tennessee
7	Los Angeles Sparks	Dearica Hamby, F, Wake Forest
8	Washington Mystics	Ally Malott, F, Dayton
9	San Antonio Stars	Samantha Logic, G, Iowa
10	Atlanta Dream	Crystal Bradford, F, Central Michigan
11	Minnesota Lynx	Aleighsa Welch, F, South Carolina
12	Phoenix Mercury	Brittany Boyd, G, California

Breaking Down Top Selections

1. Seattle Storm: Jewell Loyd, G, Notre Dame

Loyd had nothing left to prove at the collegiate level from a basketball perspective. She averaged nearly 20 points while also chipping in five rebounds and three assists per game this past season. And with the opportunity to go first overall on the table, it's hard to fault her decision.

The dynamic offensive guard is capable of knocking down outside shots but is at her best when attacking the paint. The Chicago Tribune passed along her comments about her time at Notre Dame and the decision to move on.

"I am incredibly grateful for my experience at Notre Dame and the support I have received from Coach (Muffet) McGraw, our staff, my teammates and the entire ND community," Loyd said. "I have grown as a woman and as a basketball player and I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to be a part of such an inspiring community."

She should provide an immediate boost to a Storm squad that hasn't advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs since winning the title in 2010. The team missed the postseason altogether last season. Loyd will go a long way to reverse that troubling trend.

2. Tulsa Shock: Amanda Zahui B., C, Minnesota

Zahui B. was an instant-impact player for Minnesota and continued to make positive strides in her second season. She tallied nearly 19 points, 13 rebounds and an eye-popping four blocks per game before deciding to make the early jump.

Just like Loyd, it should pay off, with her going within the first few picks. She could still use more polish with her low-post offense, but her defensive contributions should be noticeable right away. Brooke Weisbrod of ESPN thinks the center is ready for the next level:

The Shock haven't made the playoffs since moving from Detroit for the 2010 season. Adding a reliable post presence like Zahui B. to a roster that already includes Skylar Diggins and Courtney Paris should bring an end to that drought in the near future.

3. Seattle Storm (from Connecticut): Elizabeth Williams, F, Duke

After taking Loyd with the first pick, Seattle could select Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis from UConn here and totally revamp its backcourt. While it's an intriguing possibility, the safer route is going with Williams to provide a new inside-outside combination.

The Duke product is a top-tier defender and rebounder who made strides offensively during her time with the Blue Devils. Matthew Hatfield of Virginia Preps pointed out her individual accomplishments in college leave her in rare air:

Seattle, which also features Sue Bird, would have the foundation in place for a big bounce-back campaign by adding Loyd and Williams to the mix. The good news for the No. 3 pick is that the presence of those two guards would take a lot of the offensive pressure off her shoulders.