The Top Prospects for the 2024 WNBA Draft

The Indiana Fever, Los Angeles Sparks, Phoenix Mercury, and Seattle Storm may have missed the 2023 WNBA playoffs, but they have something to look forward to in April. These teams will have the top four picks in what is anticipated to be a highly talented and noteworthy 2024 WNBA draft.

The draft order will be determined later this year through the WNBA lottery. However, the exact prospects available won’t be known until after the women’s Final Four on April 5 and 7 in Cleveland, which concludes the college season. The senior class this year, which entered college in the 2020-21 season, is the last to have the COVID-19 waiver, allowing players to return for a fifth season.

Some prominent names in this class include Caitlin Clark from Iowa, Angel Reese from LSU, and Cameron Brink from Stanford. These players have made significant impacts on their teams and have the potential to change the fortune of any franchise.

“If you can get young players to play at a high level, that’s the ace in the hole,” says Diana Taurasi, who was the Mercury’s No. 1 pick in 2004 and intends to play her 20th WNBA season next year. “And if you can get a player that changes your franchise for the next 10 to 15 years, you’re one lucky team.”

Amidst the uncertain landscape created by name, image, and likeness (NIL) money, which has made players more inclined to stay in college, the WNBA needs to work hard to attract the top college talent.

For now, let’s take a look at a way-too-early mock draft for the 2024 WNBA draft’s first round:

1. Iowa Hawkeyes | Caitlin Clark | point guard | 6-foot-0 | senior
2. UConn Huskies | Paige Bueckers | point guard | 6-foot-0 | junior
3. Stanford Cardinal | Cameron Brink | power forward | 6-foot-4 | senior
4. UConn Huskies | Aaliyah Edwards | power forward | 6-foot-3 | senior
5. LSU Tigers | Hailey Van Lith | shooting guard | 5-foot-7 | senior
6. Tennessee Lady Vols | Rennia Davis | power forward | 6-foot-2 | senior
7. South Carolina Gamecocks | Aliyah Boston | center | 6-foot-7 | senior

Remember, this mock draft is based on the odds of the lottery picks, and the actual draft order may differ. Additionally, the list may change as more information becomes available closer to the draft.

Reference

Rachel Adams

Rachel Adams is your WNBA insider, delivering comprehensive coverage of women’s basketball. With a commitment to highlighting the talent and achievements of WNBA players, she provides game analysis, player profiles, and inspiring stories from the league.