WNBA Draft 2017: Start Time, Schedule, Round 1 Order and Mock Predictions

The top prospects in women's basketball are ready to make the leap to the WNBA, and Thursday they will find out where they will begin their careers.

While the regular season is only about a month away, each team will look to improve their roster through three rounds of the 2017 WNBA draft. Unlike last year when the top three players all came from Connecticut, there should also be a lot more balance this time around.

There are talented players from all over the college basketball landscape, creating what could be a drama-filled night in New York City. 

WNBA Draft

When: Thursday, April 13

Where: Samsung 837, New York, N.Y.

Time: 7 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN2 (First Round), ESPNU (Second and Third Rounds)

Pick	Team	Player	Pos.	Team
1	San Antonio Stars	Kelsey Plum	G	Washington
2	Chicago Sky (via Washington)	Brionna Jones	C	Maryland
3	Dallas Wings	Alaina Coates	C	South Carolina
4	Dallas Wings (via Connecticut)	Alexis Peterson	G	Syracuse
5	San Antonio Stars (via Phoenix)	Allisha Gray	G	South Carolina
6	Washington Mystics (via Seattle)	Shatori Walker-Kimbrough	G	Maryland
7	Atlanta Dream	Alexis Jones	G	Baylor
8	Connecticut Sun (via Indiana)	Chantel Osahor	F	Washington
9	Chicago Sky	Kaela Davis	G	South Carolina
10	Dallas Wings (via New York)	Nia Coffey	F	Northwestern
11	Los Angeles Sparks	Sydney Wiese	G	Oregon State
12	Minnesota Lynx	Erica McCall	F	Stanford

Top Picks

1. San Antonio Stars: Kelsey Plum, Washington

There are no certainties in a draft, but it would be a major mistake if the Stars passed on the top scorer in women's college basketball history.

Kelsey Plum set an NCAA record with 3,527 points in her career as well as a new record for points in a season at 1,109. Unsurprisingly, she also took home the Associated Press Player of the Year award after averaging 31.7 points per game.

At just 5'9", she can score from anywhere on the court. Plum has a knack for attacking the basket, scoring in the paint or getting to the line and getting points from there. She also hit 42.8 percent from three-point range to keep defenders from giving her space.

San Antonio had virtually no offense last season and simply need someone who can score points.

Plum will not only be a quality addition, she should become a go-to option offensively right out of the gate.

2. Chicago Sky: Brionna Jones, Maryland

G Fiume/Getty Images

After trading away Elena Delle-Donne, the Sky need help wherever they can find it.

Brionna Jones could provide an immediate boost thanks to her consistency on both ends of the court. She tallied 25 double-doubles last season, averaging 19.9 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

The 6'3" center doesn't have a lot of range, but she knows how to finish around the basket, leading the NCAA in field-goal percentage in each of the last two seasons.

Along with Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, who also should be a first-round pick, Jones helped lead Maryland to over 30 wins in each of the last three years.

With her size and athleticism, the center can become a star early in her career.

3. Dallas Wings: Alaina Coates, South Carolina

Mike Carlson/Getty Images

The Wings finished just 11-23 last season, with the league's worst defense. The team can help turn this around in the draft with three first-round picks.

Alaina Coates missed South Carolina's championship run due to an ankle injury, but she was a consistent scorer throughout her career, averaging at least 11 ppg in all four years. Perhaps more importantly, she is excellent on the defensive end as a rebounder and a shot-blocker.

This could fit well with the Wings, who are in need of a center.

"Everybody knows we need a stretch 5 player who can be mobile, rebound and run the floor," Dallas coach Fred Williams said, per Mechelle Voepel of ESPNW. "That is something we're going to look for strongly."

Although the injury remains a concern, the team should be looking more at the long-term ability for Coates.

By also adding Syracuse's Alexis Peterson—who is not only an elite scorer, but can also change the game with her on-ball defense—the Wings will hopefully be able to turn things around in a hurry.