The 2021 WNBA draft is in the books, and as expected, Dallas Wings started the evening by selecting Texas center Charli Collier and Finnish center Awak Kuier. They needed depth in the forecourt, so it was no surprise. Collier is ready for WNBA and Kuier has perhaps the greatest potential of any player in this class.
Aari McDonald, Arizona’s star of the NCAA Women’s Tournament, is number 3 after the Atlanta Dream, and after that things got a little wild. The Indiana Fever rounded out the lottery by selecting Kysre Gondrezick, waiting for West Virginia, who was most likely to go into the second or third round.
There were a number of other surprises on the night as Dana Evans (No. 13 to the wings), Natasha Mack (No. 16 in the air) and Arella Guirantes (No. 22 in the Sparks) all fell to the second round has. .
Now that the action is complete, here are the full results, along with division and grades for each choice in the first round.
First round
- Dallas Wings: Charli Collier – Texas – 6-5, Junior, Downtown
As expected, the Wings selected center Charli Collier in Texas with the no. 1 overall choice. Although Collier is probably not an immediate franchise-changing talent, as we have seen in previous concepts, he has a WNBA readiness and athleticism and is a talented scorer around the basket. The wings needed depth in the lane, and Collier made the most sense. Grade: B
2. Dallas Wings: Awak Kuier – Finland – 6-5, Downtown
The Wings also won the no. 2, and they returned to the forecourt to take Awak Kuier, the 19-year-old great from Finland. Most American fans are probably not familiar with Kuier, but that will change soon. She has a rare combination of size, athleticism and feel for the game, and has the greatest potential of all in this class. Grade: A
Atlanta Dream: Aari McDonald – Arizona – 5-6, Senior, Guard
McDonald was the biggest breakaway of the NCAA Women’s Tournament, but no one knew exactly how high she would be in the draft. This turns out to be a surprise, as the Dream already have a number of small guards on the rankings, but McDonald will give their defense a big boost and allow Chennedy Carter to play. from the ball. Grade: B-
4. Indiana Fever: Kysre Gondrezick – West Virginia – 5-9, Junior, wait
Wow, this is the first big surprise of the night. Most spotters let Gondrezick go in the second or third round, and she jumps into the lottery. She is a good 3-point shooter and has some skills to play, and it seemed like she could be a good role player. Taking her to number 4, however, seems like a big accomplishment, especially when the fever already has many guards. Grade: C-
5. Dallas Wings: Chelsea Dungee – Arkansas – 5-11, Senior, Guard
The Wings use their third pick of the night to take Chelsea Dungee out of Arkansas. Ultimately the best scorer in this class and a strong shooter from outside who can play on or off the ball. This is a good fit for a Wings team that shot just 32.3 percent of the 3-point country last season. She will help space the floor for the Wings’ young stars, Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally. Grade: B
6. New York Liberty: Michaela Onyenwere – UCLA – 6-0, Senior, Forward
The Liberty takes Onyenwere out of UCLA. She is a strong and athletic wing who plays very hard and can guard various positions. She will be able to help improve the Liberty’s defense, but she will be a bit between the pros and need to improve her outside shooting. Grade: B
7. Los Angeles Sparks: Jasmine Walker – Alabama – 6-3, Senior, Forward
The Sparks swapped their first round in next year’s draft to move up and get this spot at the wings, so you thought there was someone they really wanted. It turns out that Walker is the best floor space in this class. She can really shoot the ball and will fit well with this Sparks team. Grade: B +
8. Chicago Sky: Shyla Heal – Australia – 5-6, Guard
Everyone knew Sky would take a point guard here to help Courtney Vandersloot, it was just a matter of which one. They decide to go with Heal, the young Australian who made her professional debut at 14. She is a smart attacking player and has a lot of potential. It feels like a perfect place for her to learn under one of the league’s best point guards. Grade: A
9. Minnesota Lynx: Rennia Davis – Tennessee – 6-2, Senior, guard / forward
Many projections have left Davis in the lottery, but she falls to no. 9. This is surprising, but Lynx will certainly not complain. Davis is a great athlete who can guard various positions and fall against the glass. She needs to improve her three-point shooting, but will fit in well with the defensive culture in Minnesota. Grade: A
10. Los Angeles Sparks: Stephanie Watts – North Carolina – 5-11, Senior, Guard
With their second pick of the evening, the Sparks take Watts out of North Carolina. This is another one that is a bit out of nowhere, especially with some of the point guards still on the board. She is already 24 years old and was an extremely ineffective attacking player at university. Grade: D
11. Indiana Fever: Aaliyah Wilson – Texas A&M – 5-11, senior, wait
The fever returned to the first round and swapped Kennedy Burke for selection for the Storm. While it is understandable that they wanted a different choice in the first round, it is surprising that they went with Wilson considering the other names that were still on the board. She will manage it defensively and improve her three-point shot as a senior, but with limited efforts. Grade: D
12. Las Vegas Ace: Iliana Rupert – France – 6-4, Downtown
The Aces needed a little depth and they got it in Rupert. Another international player, Rupert, has several years of professional and international experience in France. With her size, athleticism and touch around the basket, she undoubtedly has the greatest potential of all in this class. It could end up being a steal for the Ace. Grade: B +
Second round
1. Dallas Wings: Dana Evans – Louisville – 5-6, Senior, wag
2. Las Vegas Ace: Destiny Slocum – Arkansas – 5-7, Senior, wag
3. Atlanta dream: Raquel Carrera – Spain – 6-3, Attack / Center
4. Chicago Sky: Natasha Mack – Oklahoma State – 6-4, Senior, Downtown
5. New York Liberty: Didi Richards – Baylor – 6-1, senior, wag
6. Seattle Storm: Kiana Williams – Stanford – 5-9, Senior, wag
7. Indiana Fever: Unique Thompson – Auburn – 6-3, Senior, Forward
8. Connecticut Sun: DiJonai Carrington – Baylor – 5-11, Senior, wag
9. Connecticut Sun: Micaela Kelly – Central Michigan – 5-6, Senior, wait
10. Los Angeles Sparks: Arella Guirantes – Rutgers – 5-11, Senior, Guard
11. Seattle Storm: N’dea Jones – Texas A&M – 6-2, Senior, Forward
12. Indiana Fever: Trinity Baptiste – Arizona – 6-0, Senior, Forward
Third round
1. New York Liberty: Valerie Higgins – Pacific – 6-1, Senior, Forward
2. Indiana Fever: Chelsey Perry – UT-Martin – 6-2, Senior, Forward
3. Atlanta dream: Lindsey Pulliam – Northwest – 5-10, Senior, wait
4. Los Angeles Sparks: Ivana Raca – Wake Forest – 6-2, Senior, Forward
5. New York Liberty: Marine Fouthoux – France – 5-9, wait
6. Connecticut Sun: Aleah Goodman – Oregon State – 5-9, Senior, wag
7. Indiana Fever: Florencia Chagas – Argentina – 5-10, wait
8. Phoenix Mercury: Ciera Johnson – Texas A&M – 6-4, Senior, Downtown
9. Indiana Fever: Maya Caldwell – Georgia – 5-11, Senior, Guard / Forward
10. Los Angeles Sparks: Aina Ayuso – Spain – 5-9, wait
11. Seattle Storm: Natalie Kucowski – Lafayette – 6-3, Senior, Forward
12. Las Vegas Ace: Kionna Jeter – Towson – 5-8, Senior, wag