Karli Bell's WNBA Mock Draft 3.0

Well, well, well. New site here. Hope you all enjoy this new venture as much as you enjoy this full WNBA Mock Draft 3.0.

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FIRST ROUND

1. Dallas Wings - Paige Bueckers, PG (UConn)

I feel like I don’t need to explain this. It’s Paige Bueckers. Even if the pairing of her and Arike is something that won’t fit this season, you will have Paige for 3 more seasons guaranteed. Ogunbowale isn’t guaranteed to return after 2025. Take the risk. Go get the super star that will sell out arenas.

2. Seattle Storm (part of Jewell Loyd trade) - Dominique Malonga, C (France)

With Olivia Miles not declaring for the draft and entering the transfer portal, these mock drafts have taken a HIT, including mine. However, that move increased many players draft stock, including the 6-foot-6, 19-year-old center out of France. Malonga adds depth at the center position for Seattle and extra length which is a plus for any WNBA team.

3. Washington Mystics (part of Ariel Atkins trade) - Kiki Iriafen, PF (USC)

It's very clear that Washington is wanting to build in the draft with the trade of Ariel Atkins to Chicago. What the Mystics need more than anything is depth at just about every position. Iriafen provides that behind Aliyah Edwards as well as high offensive efficiency while crashing the boards. With Elena Delle Donne's recent retirement announcement, adding Kiki just makes the most sense.

4. Washington Mystics - Sonia Citron, G (Notre Dame)

Another position the Mystics need depth is at guard. Citron's wide shooting range will be vital for a rebuilding program, and she has the ability to learn from Brittany Sykes and grow her defensive game even moreso. She'll get heavy minutes in her rookie season which will be fundamental in her growth in the WNBA.

5. Golden State Valkyries - Aneesah Morrow, F (LSU)

Aneesah Morrow is one player who's play in the NCAAW tournament boosted her draft capital tenfold. She showed she can score on just about every level, she's got great eyes for rebounding, and she's tenacious and ferocious on the floor. For a franchise in their inaugural season, having a name like Morrow will not only help sell even more tickets, but she's a key piece that Golden State can build around moving forward.

6. Washington Mystics - Hailey Van Lith, G (TCU)

Hailey Van Lith is one player who absolutely bolstered her draft capital in the NCAAW tournament. She wasn't even projected a first round pick back in December. However, her ability to lead TCU to their first Elite Eight appearance in school history while finding ways to win throughout the season has shown just how impactful she can be on a team. Having her join a building Mystics team is a great fit for her to grow in the WNBA.

7. Connecticut Sun (part of Natasha Cloud trade) - Juste Joctye, F (Lithuania)

Connecticut is in a real interesting spot. This team is a conglomeration of honestly random players with a vast array of skill sets. With the roster having a heavy international influence, I see that continuing in the draft with the addition of Joctye. Joctye brings size and heavy shooting from a forward while also having the length to disrupt things defensively.

8. Connecticut Sun (part of Dijonai Carrington trade) - Shyanne Sellers, G (Maryland)

With Connecticut having back-to-back picks, these players could flip with Sellers at 7 and Joctye at 8. Regardless, Sellers is another player who showcased what she can bring to the WNBA in the NCAAW tournament. She can score at every level, knows how to find her teammates spots and plays very fearless.

9. Los Angeles Sparks (part of Jewell Loyd trade) - Serena Sundell, G (Kansas State)

Now LA can go any way with this pick at No. 9. I believe that they will go towards a guard of some sort with their front court already in tact with Brink, Jackson, Hamby and others. Sundell is another player who's shown what she can bring offensively and has positional size at the guard position that's really hard to pass up. I think she'd be a great option for the Sparks if they wanted to continue to develop their guard play.

10. Chicago Sky - Saniya Rivers, G/F (NC State)

Now with the Sky trading away that No. 3 pick to get Ariel Atkins from Washington, the Sky are in a position to solely focus on the forward group. Enter Saniya Rivers. She can defend just about any position, and her athleticism will translate seamlessly to the WNBA. Having her join the wing group in Rebecca Allen and Michaela Onyenwere gives her the ability to learn from vets while adding crucial depth.

11. Minnesota Lynx - Ajsa Sivka, F (Schio)

Minnesota is in an interesting position where this is more of a depth building draft. What the Lynx lacked last season was specifically depth in the size department. Sivka stands at 6-foot-4 and brings a versatile skillset where she contributes across the stat sheet. She can guard just about any position and will add more size to a veteran Lynx team looking to make a run back to the championship.

12. Dallas Wings (part of Dijonai Carrington trade) - Te-Hina Paopao, G (South Carolina)

Yes, Dallas is already getting a guard in Paige Bueckers at the top. However, you need another point guard up there. That’s where PaoPao can slide in, and getting anyone from the Dawn Staley camp provides coaches with the ability to not have to develop as heavily. PaoPao can sit back and learn from Arike, Dijonai and Ty Harris WHILE ALSO learning how to play alongside Paige for the future. Get that future back court now.

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Here’s the rest of the WNBA mock draft with just picks.

SECOND ROUND

13. Las Vegas Aces (part of Jewell Loyd trade) - Rayah Marshall, F (USC)

14. Dallas - Sania Feagin, PF (South Carolina)

15. Minnesota - Aziaha James, SG (NC State)

16. Chicago (part of Dana Evans trade) - Makayla Timpson, PF (FSU)

17. GSV - Sedona Prince, C (TCU)

18. Atlanta - Georgia Amoore, PG (Kentucky)

19. Indiana (part of Satou Sabally trade) - JJ Quinerly, SG (WVU)

20. Indiana - Maddy Westbeld, F (Notre Dame)

21. Los Angeles (part of Lexie Brown trade) - Madison Scott, F (Ole Miss)

22. Chicago (part of Dana Evans trade) - Sarah Ashlee Barker, G (Alabama)

23. Washington - Taylor Jones, F (Texas)

24. Minnesota - Bree Hall, G (South Carolina)

25. Connecticut - Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, F (Russia)

THIRD ROUND

26. Seattle (part of Lexie Brown trade) - Angela Dugalić, F (UCLA)

27. Dallas - Liatu King, F (Notre Dame)

28. Los Angeles - Harmoni Turner, G (Harvard)

29. Seattle - Aaliyah Nye, G (Alabama)

30. GSV - Alyssa Utsby, G (North Carolina)

31. Dallas - Aaronette Vonleh, F (Baylor)

32. Washington - Zaay Green, G (Alabama)

33. Indiana - Lucy Olsen, G (Iowa)

34. Seattle - Yvonne Ejim, F (Gonzaga)

35. Las Vegas - Deja Kelly, G (Oregon)

36. Atlanta - Jordan Hobbs, F (Michigan)

37. Minnesota - Reigan Richardson, G (Duke)

38. New York - Lauren Jensen, G (Creighton)