Now that we’ve officially closed the book on the 2023 WNBA Draft, let’s take a look at what’s in store for the 2024 edition.
The best players in each of last year’s national finalists will be seniors, and the three other top-five recruits from their high school class — Paige Bueckers, Cameron Brink and Kamilla Cardoso — have all lived up to the hype in their own right. way. A trio of ACC guards have put themselves in contention for first-round picks (yes, Hailey Van Lith is an ACC guard until further notice), and there are also a handful of super seniors returning to college. for the fifth season. Put them all together, and this could be one of the best draft classes in league history.
The obvious caveat to that possibility is the bonus year of COVID-19. Every player in college during the 2020-21 season was given an extra year of eligibility, a quirk that eliminated several top prospects in this year’s class and could cause the same kind of confusion in 2024. Many players are already entertaining the prospect of using their fifth year, along with Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who LSU actually listed as a sophomore in 2022-23 — so expecting them to leave for the WNBA is probably foolish.
For the purposes of this exercise — which is just a big board and not a mock draft, since there’s no concept of a 2024 draft order — we’ll assume everyone who can declare is and put an asterisk on any player who can return. for another season. However, due to the possibility of many stars going back to college, this initial list will increase to 24 before finally dropping to 12.
The reigning player of the year and an offense in his own right, Clark got even better a year after leading the nation in scoring and assists. He has the ability to create his own shot from the perimeter and warps defensive schemes with his ability to shoot from long range. He’s also adept at running the screen-and-roll and hitting his rolling big or skipping a pass to a shooter. Clark got stronger and became a better finisher at the rim as a junior as well. He still doesn’t offer much defense and continues to struggle with managing his emotions over the course of a game. However, it’s hard to imagine a more complete offensive skill set from a point guard.
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2. Paige Bueckers | 5-11 guards | Connecticut *
This is somewhat speculative as we haven’t seen Bueckers complete a full season in two years. Still, Bueckers who dominated his freshman year, was the MVP at the U-19 World Cup and has risen to the occasion in the NCAA Tournament several times is an exciting prospect. If he can stay healthy, Bueckers should still be a formidable offensive force at the next level.
3. Cameron Brink | 6-4 forward/center | Stanford *
Brink is the archetype of a modern big. He’s a threat defensively at the rim and can defend well in space — he’ll never lose a game even if a driver thinks he’s outplayed him. Brink also has a decent shooting touch, best evidenced by his 85 percent mark from the foul line last year, and has shown a willingness to take 3-pointers, though he was less successful from distance as a junior than as a underclassman. He is versatile enough to play as a lone big or with another player in the frontcourt, making Brink an easy fit wherever he ends up.
4. Angel Reese | 6-3 forward | LSU *
Reese dominates the paint unlike anyone else in college basketball, especially on offense. He is a relentless rebounder and puts defenses in a bind in his pursuit of the basketball. Reese is already a great scorer, and he could move up a few spots in this class if he expands his game beyond the paint.
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5. Rickea Jackson | 6-2 forward | Tennessee
A professional bucket-getter, Jackson is a smooth finisher around the rim. His step-through is deadly, and he has plenty of other counters for his defender to draw upon. Even with the limitations of his jump shot, Jackson has averaged at least 19 points per game each of the last two seasons.
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6. Nyiadew Puoch | 6-1 forward | Southside Flyers (Australia)
Puoch may have been the biggest star of the inaugural women’s Nike Hoops Summit. The 18-year-old showed outstanding rim protection — his best skill in the domestic league — as well as some budding ballhandling and a smooth jumper. Puoch is firmly on her way to following in Ezi Magbegor’s footsteps in the WNBA.
7. Aaliyah Edwards | 6-3 forward | Connecticut *
Edwards is a really good defender who can match up on wings and bigs. It’s not yet clear if he’s a power forward or a center, but he has solid post footwork and extends his jumper to the rim of the paint.
8. Hailey Van Lith | 5-7 guards | Louisville (transfer portal) *
Kelsey Plum provides the best archetype for Van Lith, a bulldog of a combo guard who rushes to the rim, excels in the midrange, and gets after it defensively. The fact that Plum worked his way to third in MVP voting last season gives Van Lith a high ceiling, despite his size. Van Lith needs to work on his playmaking and prove that his 3-point shooting in 2022-23 was a blip year, but he has already shown that he can score against the toughest defenders.
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9. Kamilla Cardoso | 6-7 centers | South Carolina *
The physical tools speak for themselves with Cardoso. At his height, he can affect shots almost nonchalantly at the rim and is already a strong pick-and-roll defender. He has developed a better understanding of how to read offenses seemingly every game. His potential is through the roof if he can add any scoring moves beyond putbacks.
Sheldon is the first true two-way guard in this class. His steal percentages have obviously been inflated by playing in Ohio State’s press, but he still has great instincts in passing lanes in the halfcourt and enough speed to stay in front of drivers. His foot injury took a toll on his 3-point shooting in 2022-23, but he’s always been a 35 percent 3-point shooter who can also attack the basket, giving him every level of scoring needed by modern guard.
This positioning may be a bit high considering her three-year stint at Virginia Tech, but only 2023 Georgia Amoore is fully a WNBA player. He can survive any type of defensive pressure with his touch and quickness and generate a high volume of 3-point looks for himself and his teammates. The hope is that he can provide any effort defensively when he isn’t relied upon to run his team’s offense for 40 minutes every night.
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Already a solid backcourt defender, Osborne needs to use his super senior season to prove he can once again score at above-average efficiency. He takes care of the ball and gets to the line often, but a more consistent jumper could be the make-or-break skill for him.
Jackson is an athletic rim-protecting threat who finishes well around the rim. Once he learns how to get out of position, he will be strong offensively.
The defense is there for Taylor, and he could be even more effective defensively when his offensive role is simplified at the next level. Whatever he adds as a scorer and ballhandler is gravy at this point.
15. Elizabeth Kitley | 6-6 center | Virginia Tech
Kitley had a strong run in the NCAA Tournament and has nearly optimized his efficiency as a post hub that can score and facilitate. His defense will be the swing factor — he’s OK at the rim but needs to defend better on the move.
16. Te-Hina Paopao | 5-9 guards | Oregon (transfer portal) *
Paopao has great playmaking flair and is a good shooter. Oregon was a bit of a mess in 2022-23, so it will be interesting to see how he runs a different offense next year.
Leger-Walker really stepped onto the national stage with her MOP performance as the Cougars won the 2023 Pac-12 tournament. A complete guard who can handle, shoot and move the ball, Leger-Walker will need to continue to perform against top competition.
Statistically, Andrews’ resume resembles Amoore’s in terms of his shooting percentages and assist rates. However, Andrews is not as quick, especially with his hands, as Amoore, which explains the difference in their positions.
19. Aubrey Griffin | 6-1 forward | Connecticut
Griffin can impact the game in so many different ways: as a cutter, in transition, on the glass and especially as a defender. His individual offense was lacking, which brought him down in the second round.
Blackwell actually had a redshirt year after transferring to Baylor, playing just 95 minutes in 2022-23. Assuming he’s healthy, he’s an athletic, playmaking forward who’s a willing screener and can also play off the ball.
Ustby just knows how to play. He is a plus defender and passer and reads the floor well but his finishing needs to improve, otherwise this ranking will look silly.
22. Hannah Jump | 6-0 guard | Stanford
A knockdown shooter who can drain a 3-pointer from a standstill or off the move should always have a place in the WNBA.
As a prototypical lead guard who defends and scores well, even in low volume, Ryan fills a niche in a league lacking true point guards — as long as he can hold his own physically.
24. Deja Kelly | 5-8 guards | North Carolina *
Kelly puts pressure on the edge and steps up in tense situations. He needs to be more consistent and expand his shooting range.
(Top photo of Caitlin Clark: Bailey Hillesheim / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
