2024 WNBA Draft Grades

2024 WNBA Draft Grades

Atlanta Dream: D

Drafting three foreigners that aren’t showing up this season is questionable. On top of that, the Dream’s roster currently stands at just twelve players. Atlanta still needs depth in the backcourt and neither Lorela Cubaj nor Khadijiah Cave are suitable role players off the bench.

#12:  Nyadiew Puoch, 6’1” SF, Australia

#20: Isobel Borlase, 5’11” SG, Australia

#32:  Matilde Villa, 5’7” PG, Italy

Chicago Sky: A-

The Sky lock up a solid frontcourt by taking both Cardoso and Reese. Gonzaga’s Brynna Maxwell will be a nice replacement in their backcourt with Rebekah Gardner traded in the offseason. Finally, Chicago is in a major rebuild this season with only four players returning from last year’s team. These three WNBA rookies should get plenty of playing time.

#3: Kamilla Cardoso, 6’7” C, South Carolina

#7: Angel Reese, 6’3” C, LSU

#13: Brynna Maxwell, 6’0″ SG, Gonzaga

Connecticut Sun: B+

Lacan is a draft-and-stash pick and Kansas’ Taiyanna Jackson is a solid frontcourt addition. The two later picks will have a difficult time making this roster as Connecticut already has a crowded courtback. During free agency, the Sun added Tiffany Mitchell, Moriah Jefferson, Rachel Banham, and Shey Peddy.

#10:  Leïla Lacan, 5’11” PG/SG, France

#19:  Taiyanna Jackson, 6’6” C, Kansas

#22: Helena Pueyo, 6’0″ SG, Arizona

#34:  Abbey Hsu, 5’11” SG, Columbia

Dallas Wings: B+

Dallas’ roster was already crowded heading into the draft. Taking Ohio State’s Jacy Sheldon was the best fit for the Wings. France’s Leite is another draft-and-stash pick while Ashley Owusu will have a difficult time squeezing onto this roster. Dallas will see 2023 draft pick Lou Lopez Sénéchal this season.

#5: Jacy Sheldon, 5’10” PG/SG, Ohio State

#9:  Carla Leite, 5’9” PG, France

#33: Ashley Owusu, 6’0″ PG, Penn State

Indiana Fever: A

Taking Caitlin Clark was a guarantee since she announced her entry into the draft. Indiana has a crowded backcourt this year and both Taylor and Correa will have a difficult job making this roster.

#1:  Caitlin Clark, 6’0” PG, Iowa

#15: Celeste Taylor, 5’11” SG, Ohio State

#27:  Leilani Correa, 6’0” SG, Florida

Las Vegas Aces: A-

Fair could be the steal of the draft if she can land on the Aces’ roster. Las Vegas might be able to carry twelve players this season which may help Kate Martin sneak into their roster. Virginia Tech’s Kitley is out for the season due to a torn ACL. Angel Jackson is a big, solid defender, but the odds are slim for her to make it to opening day.

#16:  Dyashia Fair, 5’5” PG, Syracuse

#18:  Kate Martin, 6’0” SG/SF, Iowa

#24:  Elizabeth Kitley, 6’4” C, Virginia Tech

#36:  Angel Jackson, 6’5” C, Jackson St.

Los Angeles Sparks: A-

The Sparks are getting young and did so with two potential All-Star level players in Brink and Jackson. Meanwhile, McKenzie Forbes is a solid wing who stands a respectable chance of making the final roster. Additionally, both Julie Allemand and Azura Stevens will miss the first month of the season due to injuries.

#2: Cameron Brink, 6’4” PF, Stanford

#4: Rickea Jackson, 6’2” SF/PF, Tennessee

#28:  McKenzie Forbes, 6’0” SF, USC

Minnesota Lynx: A-

Minnesota locks in a young, undersized post with Utah’s Alissa Pili. Furthermore, snagging Louisville’s Kiki Jefferson in the third round could end up a steal of the draft. Minnesota made a lot of moves during free agency but Pili should be an impact player for the Lynx immediately.

#8: Alissa Pili, 6’2” PF, Utah

#31:  Kiki Jefferson, 6’1” SG, Louisville

New York Liberty: C

General manager Jonathan Kolb and head coach Sandy Brondello were very high on Ole Miss’ Marquesha Davis. However, the Liberty is once again in a tight salary cap crunch this year and will likely only be able to keep eleven players. Otherwise, Martinez or Carter could sneak into this roster as the team’s twelfth player. USC’s Kaitlyn Davis will not be available this year for New York due to overseas commitments.

#11: Marquesha Davis, 6’0″ SG, Ole Miss

#17: Esmery Martinez, 6’2″ PF, Arizona

#23: Jessika Carter, 6’5” C, Mississippi St.

#35: Kaitlyn Davis, 6’2″ PF, USC

Phoenix Mercury: B-

Phoenix made the best by having only two third-round picks. Having UCLA’s Osborne drop to 25th overall is very fortunate. Additionally, Jaz Shelley is a solid point guard with a strong three-point shot. Also, Phoenix is still lacking depth in the post but could target the waiver wire in a few weeks.

#25: Charisma Osborne, 5’9” SG, UCLA

#29: Jaz Shelley, 5’9” PG, Nebraska

Seattle Storm: D

Having acquired Skylar Diggins-Smith in the offseason locked up the Storm’s point guard issue. Drafting UCONN’s Nika Mühl is a bit questionable when they have a large need on the wing. Additionally, Indiana’s Mackenzie Holmes will miss this season due to knee surgery.

#14:  Nika Muhl, 5’11” PG, UCONN

#26: Mackenzie Holmes, 6’3” PF, Indiana

Washington Mystics: A

The Mystics are another team going through a rebuild. Elena Delle Donne is sitting out this season but UCONN’s Aaliyah Edwards is capable of jumping into that starting power forward spot immediately. Gonzaga’s Truong stands a strong chance to make this roster considering the massive hole Washington has at point guard. Belgium’s Claessens is unknown to be coming over this season.

#6: Aaliyah Edwards, 6’3” PF/C, UCONN

#21: Kaylynne Truong, 5’8” PG, Gonzaga

#30: Nastja Claessens, 6’0″ SF, Belgium

Key Dates for the 2024 WNBA season

• April 28: Training Camp Begins
• May 3: Pre-season Games Begin
• May 12: Last Possible Date for Pre-Season Games
• May 13: Final Roster Cut-down Date
• May 14:  Regular Season Begins
• June 1-13: WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Tournament
• June 25: WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Championship
• July 18-21: WNBA All-Star Break
• July 20: WNBA All-Star Game
• July 21- August 14: Olympic Break
• August 20: Trade Deadline
• September 19: Regular Season Ends
• September 22: Playoffs Begin
• October 20: Last Possible Finals Date

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