The 2021 WNBA Draft got underway earlier tonight. The Dallas Wings controlled the No. 1 overall pick heading into the draft and made a home run with the pick. It was obvious heading into the draft, but the obvious doesn’t always happen. So let’s break down the picks and where the future stars of the WNBA are headed.
First Round
No.1 Dallas Wings: Charli Collier – Texas
Charli Collier of Texas is going to be staying in the Longhorn state. This season, she was absolutely phenomenal averaging 20.9 points and 12.2 rebounds a game. At 6’5″ the center from Texas is going to have an instant impact for the Wings.
The league better watch out.
Charli is ready for the league ? #WNBADraft
(via @charlicollier) pic.twitter.com/PILFQRD9uc
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 15, 2021
The moment Charli Collier was announced as the no. 1 pick in the #WNBADraft ??pic.twitter.com/IXLHSbPfez
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) April 15, 2021
No.2 Dallas Wings: Awak Kuier – Finland
The Dallas Wings have quite the selection of draft picks tonight with three selections in the top-5 picks. Awak has already had quite the European career and fans should expect nothing less here in the WNBA.
Watch some highlights here:
Awak Kuier went no. 2 to the Dallas Wings and she is a BALLER ? #WNBADraft
(via @EuroBasketWomen) pic.twitter.com/KZwigyD6cH
— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) April 15, 2021
No.3 Atlanta Dream: Aari McDonald – Arizona
The Atlanta Dream has their next star player in Aari McDonald and you better get her name right. AIR-e, as she proudly showed after being selected, will bring experience and offense with her. After playing four years in the NCAA, one at Washington and three at Arizona, she is selected as the top guard in the 2021 WNBA Draft.
McDonald averaged 19.4 points and 5.0 rebounds along with 4.4 assists a game this season. She won the Pac-12 POY Award, DPOY, was selected All-Pac-12, and Second Team All-American. Atlanta made a great pick here.
Aari said “Get it right ?” ? pic.twitter.com/lHbw84tWs7
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 15, 2021
No.4 Indiana Fever: Kysre Gondrezick – West Virginia
The senior from West Virginia went to the Indiana Fever. Her time as a Mountaineer allowed her game to evolve. While she has always been talented, averaging over 16 points in her career, this season she averaged 20 points for the first time ever. Gondrezick dished out 4.7 assists a game and her All-Conference accolades prove she’s ready for this next level.
At 5-9, she has good size for a guard position and shoots the ball well. She knocked down 37.6% of her three-point shots over her career. Let’s get the No.4 pick a graphic though, right?
With the No. 4 pick in the #WNBADraft 2021 presented by @StateFarm, the @IndianaFever select @KysreRae from @WVUWBB! #CountIt
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 15, 2021
No.5 Dallas Wings: Chelsea Dungee – Arkansas
The first SEC product goes off the board at fifth overall. This also happened to be the third pick in five for the Wings. This season, Dungee was great. At 5’11” she scores the ball very well from the two-guard position. She averaged 22.2 points and 4.0 rebounds this season.
On February 19 against Mississippi, Dungee scored 38 points while getting to the free-throw line for 17 shots. There are slight turnover concerns, but her offensive potential is real. When she gets to the basket and draws fouls she can be absolutely deadly.
With the No. 5 pick in the #WNBADraft 2021 presented by @StateFarm, the @DallasWings select @chelsea_dungee from @RazorbackWBB! pic.twitter.com/QG1Ukx5y9t
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 15, 2021
No.6 New York Liberty: Michaela Onyewnwere – UCLA
There weren’t many forwards as good as Michaela Onyenwere this season in the NCAA. She was a force in the Pac-12 at times. She put up 30+ points on three occasions and pulled down 15 rebounds on another game. She averages quite a few shots per game, which won’t be as plentiful on the next level. At least not right away. It was common for her to put up 16+ shots a game.
A third-team All-American, Onyenwere took UCLA to the second round of the NCAA tournament this season. They ultimately fell to Texas. Now she heads to New York where she will anchor the post.
With the No. 6 pick in the #WNBADraft 2021 presented by @StateFarm, the @nyliberty select @monyenwere_ from @UCLAWBB! #CountIt pic.twitter.com/kIWotWzoLc
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 15, 2021
Michaela Onyenwere (@monyenwere_), welcome to New York! #OwntheCrown ?? pic.twitter.com/2dxrj2eaRI
— New York Liberty (@nyliberty) April 15, 2021
No.7 LA Sparks: Jasmine Walker – Alabama
Another forward taken in the first round of the 2021 WNBA Draft. Alabama’s Jasmine Walker is headed to Los Angeles. A team that made it to the second round of the Wubble Playoffs, Walker is going to be welcomed to the already talented roster.
Walker almost averaged a double-double this season. Averaging 20 points and 9.9 rebounds a game earned her this high draft selection. At 6’3″ the senior forward averaged 37% from the three-point line in her career. That shot will only make her more valuable. She likes to hang on the wing and likes to shoot the deep ball, taking 7.5 shots per game from beyond the arc this season.
With the No. 7 pick in the #WNBADraft 2021 presented by @StateFarm, the @LASparks select @TheRealJuice40 from @AlabamaWBB! #CountIt pic.twitter.com/qU31wJxPo4
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 15, 2021
Head coach Derek Fisher should be happy with his draft selection.
No.8 Chicago Sky: Shyla Heal – Australia
Another international pick in the first round. Shyla Heal, just 19 years old, will come to America after playing for a while in Australia. Since she was 14 years old in fact. This last season she put up 16.7 points per game in the WNBL (Australian women’s league). The guard has the mystique of some European players such as Luke Doncic. The question is always, yes they can do it THERE but can they do it HERE?
The Chicago Sky is going to be very happy with this selection.
With the No. 8 pick in the #WNBADraft 2021 presented by@StateFarm, the @chicagosky select @shylaheal1 from Australia! pic.twitter.com/abKZVRziDU
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 15, 2021
No.9 Minnesota Lynx: Rennia Davis – Tennessee
A very unique player, Rennia Davis hinges on being a guard and a forward. The Lady Volunteer is a great free throw shooter and reliable offensive weapon. Her real value is in her versatility. She not only averaged 16.9 points a game, but she also put up 8.7 rebounds and 2.5 assists a game as well.
With the No. 9 pick in the #WNBADraft 2021 presented by @StateFarm, the @minnesotalynx select @Legend_Hooper from @LadyVol_Hoops! #CountIt pic.twitter.com/cYnytodAYr
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 15, 2021
No.10 LA Sparks: Stephanie Watts – North Carolina
This is a pick that some fans may find controversial. However, the standout from UNC put up steady numbers this season, this was a move the Sparks made because they believe there is something here that others don’t see. They better hope they are right. At 5’11” she plays the guard and some on the wing. Averaged 11 points per game and 5.5 rebounds.
Many mock drafts had her not drafted or as a late third-round pick. This pick makes me think of the Cam Johnson pick the Phoenix Suns made. Johnson, also a Tar Heel, has proved his worth since. Watts deserves to do the same here. Congrats!
With the 10th pick in the 2021 @WNBA Draft, Sparks select Stephanie Watts (@swatts15) out of @uncwbb. #RootedInLA | #CountIt pic.twitter.com/LA15YYP7YY
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LASparks) April 15, 2021
No.11 Seattle Storm: Aaliyah Wilson – Texas A&M
Another pick, another SEC selection. Aaliyah Wilson, the guard from Texas A&M has now been drafted to the defending WNBA champions, Seattle Storm but she won’t stay in Seattle. Indiana acquired her via trade. She averaged 13.2 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest last season. Pesky on defense, she averaged almost 2.0 steals a game and controlled the perimeter.
There is a concern with field goal percentage, but she isn’t going to be your go-to offensive option. Indiana is building a solid roster and should be building up a roster to make a playoff run. Wilson sure seemed happy about being a member of the Fever.
Indiana what’s gooodd!!? #JustAKidFromMuskogee https://t.co/eZzOQEqMff
— Aaliyah Wilson (@aaliwilson2) April 16, 2021
No.12 Las Vegas Aces: Iliana Rupert – France
The first round ends with another international selection. Iliana Rupert comes to Las Vegas after being named the EuroLeague Young Player of the Year award this season. 19-years old and standing at 6-4, Rupert is a young but talented player. She averaged 9.3 points and 2.7 rebounds for Bourges (FRA) this season.
The international players have added some talent and depth to this draft. They should be wonderful additions to the WNBA.
With the No. 12 pick in the #WNBADraft 2021 presented by @StateFarm, the @LVAces select @Iliana_rups from France! #CountIt pic.twitter.com/oGmf90fJvs
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 16, 2021
Second Round
No.1 Dallas Wings: Dana Evans – Louisville
No.2 Las Vegas Aces: Destiny Slocum – Arkansas
No.3 Atlanta Dream: Raquel Carrera – Spain
No.4 Chicago Sky: Natasha Mack – Oklahoma State
No.5 New York Liberty: Didi Richards – Baylor
No.6 Seattle Storm: Kiana Williams – Stanford
No.7 Indiana Fever: Unique Thompson – Auburn
No.8 Connecticut Sun: DiJonai Carrington – Baylor
No.9 Connecticut Sun: Micaela Kelly – Central Michigan
No.10 Los Angeles Sparks: Arella Guirantes – Rutgers
No.11 Seattle Storm: N’dea Jones – Texas A&M
No12 Indiana Fever: Trinity Baptiste – Arizona
#WNBADraft Board Round 2 ?? pic.twitter.com/361Ad2VtiX
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 16, 2021
