Projected Top 10 Picks in the WNBA Draft

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Tonight is the 2020 WNBA Draft! Check out who Myicha Drakeford believes are the projected top 10 picks in the WNBA Draft below.  

1. New York Liberty: Sabrina Ionescu G, Oregon

The New York Liberty finished the 2019 season with a 10-24 record, earning them the first overall pick. Sabrina Ionescu, the prodigious PG in my opinion, will be the No. 1 overall WNBA Draft pick. Ionescu made history being the first ever NCAA player to have 2K points, 1K rebounds, and 1K assists. She led Oregon to their first ever Final Four her junior year and deciding to come back because there was “unfinished business”. Ionescu averaged 17.5 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.6 rebounds in the shortened season. Everyone is excited to see how Ionescu will transition from college to the WNBA.

2. Dallas Wings: Satou Sabally F, Oregon

The formal Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, who also played a huge role alongside Ionescu, helped lead the Ducks to their first ever Final Four where she averaged 16.6 points and 6.2 rebounds that season. The 6-foot-4 forward has amazing athleticism, quick footwork, strength/power. and handles for her tall slender frame..who can guard that? The Wings need an offensive player since they lost offense in Liz Cambridge and Skylar Diggins-Smith and Sabally can and will be that player if she does go to the Wings.

3. Indiana Fever: Lauren Cox F, Baylor

The Fever are in a rebuilding stage and Lauren Cox, the 6-foot-4 Forward from Baylor, could be apart of that where she is known for her defensive and passing ability. She’s won Pac-12 Player of the Year and also helped lead the Lady Bears to the conference title again this season. She averaged 12.5 points and 8.4 rebounds this season.

4. Atlanta Dream: Chennedy Carter G, Texas A&M

The guard from Texas A&M is definitely a lottery pick and she would be a great fit for the Atlanta Dream. They need a guard that can create her own shot and can use the pick and roll wisely while also being a distributor. Chennedy Carter can be that player and is a sure fire top lottery pick.

5. Dallas Wings: Tyasha Harris G, South Carolina

Leading the Gamecocks’ offense and being the on floor general, Harris can be the coach on the floor. Her presence is felt on the court and her leadership at South Carolina did not go unnoticed with three freshman starting. Dallas however, has more than enough guards and may decide to trade Harris to a team that needs a guard for a better post player making her available. But, until then I have Harris going No. 5 in this Draft.

6. Minnesota Lynx: Megan Walker F, UConn

Megan Walker‘s draft stock this season alone should have went up tremendously, especially with the role she played this season being the first option for the Huskies offensively. Walker, who averaged 19.7 points and 8.4 rebounds, decided to forgo her senior season and declare for the draft which I believe she is ready for. If the Lynx draft Walker she will be with an old teammate Collier who won ROY last season. If the Lynx do not get to pick up Walker, I can see her going even earlier in the draft. Walker was named American Athletic Conference Player of the Year as well as the Most Outstanding Player of the conference tournament.

7. Dallas Wings: Ruthy Hebard F, Oregon

Hebard averaged 17.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game while shooting 68.5% from the field. Hebard’s lack of range from mid-range will have to be worked on, but she’s got a terrific post-game. Dallas could use a post player who can get some easy baskets in the lane. This may be too high to rank Hebard, but she along with teammate Sabally could give the Wings that offensive motor they need.

8. Chicago Sky: Te’a Cooper G, Baylor

The transfer point guard from Baylor had an amazing season with the Lady Bears. The numbers she put up at Baylor, could be the reason she goes No. 8 in the draft. Her decision making on offense especially with the pick and roll, was outstanding. The penetration game she has opens up space for shooters. Cooper, if drafted to the Sky, will have to use the pick and roll game she demonstrated at Baylor and knock down 3’s for the Sky and turn into a true offensive threat.

9. Dallas Wings: Crystal Dangerfield G, UConn

Who’s to say that the Wings will keep all of their picks from the draft? Dangerfield from UConn is a quick guard who does the majority of her damage on the perimeter. Though she is undersized as a guard at only 5’5, Dangerfield uses her speed to get passed defenders when they guard her lightly. Dangerfield averaged 14.9 points in her senior season, while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 41 percent from 3-point range. Dangerfield can light it up from the 3 since she is a natural shooter. Again, Dallas should be looking for offensive weapons since they are currently lacking that and if they decide to take a risk for Dangerfield it will be be okay since they have 4 first round picks. If they decide to keep these 4 picks, grabbing Crystal Dangerfield will be a great pickup for the Wings.

10. Phoenix Mercury: Bella Alarie F, Princeton

Bella Alarie is a forward who plays like a guard with a smooth shooting form. Alarie has made a name for herself at Princeton and her draft stock for the 2020 WNBA Draft has continued to rise. Winning Player of the Year last year and having possibly won it this year if it was not from injuries, Alarie’s playing style is undoubtedly impressive. She can play as a stretch four since her 3PT% is 37.5%, she can post up a player and shoot a fadeaway, and also moves well without the ball and her back-cuts are timed perfectly with her teammates. Alarie would fit well into any offense, but I feel as though she would be a great steal in the draft. If the first 9 teams aren’t looking for her, the Mercury should definitely draft this skilled forward with the potential the team has.

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