With the NCAA Tournament right around the corner and the WNBA season coming into focus, it’s time to update our 2023 WNBA mock draft.

Free agency shifted the WNBA landscape in the past couple of months. The New York Liberty and Las Vegas Aces won free agency, signing multiple superstars and forming two WNBA superteams. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx struck out, the Chicago Sky’s championship core broke up, and the Los Angeles Sparks stabilized their roster.

On the NCAA side, a number of top-ranked teams have dealt with injuries to key players, but there is plenty of pro-ready talent on the board for 2023. Nearly four months since our first mock draft, here are my projections for every first-round pick in April’s WNBA draft.

1. Indiana Fever

Aliyah Boston, F, South Carolina

Nothing to change here. The Fever still could use a dominant post presence to add to their repertoire of young, promising talent, and Boston is exactly that player.

While Boston’s numbers are down, the 6-foot-5 South Carolina center has conducted herself with poise, bearing the brunt of double and triple teams night in and night out. Her 13.3 points on 60 percent shooting from the field and 9.7 rebounds per game are impressive considering teams are focusing their defensive game plans on stopping her. Boston’s impact is felt just as much on defense as it is on offense, most notably in February when she helped hold LSU star forward Angel Reese to her lowest output of the season. South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has been adamant that, despite the deflated stat lines, Boston is still “the best player in the country.”

2. Minnesota Lynx

Diamond Miller, G, Maryland

The Minnesota Lynx failed to address their center needs in free agency, making this pick even more valuable. Beyond positional needs, the Lynx are searching for talent as they enter the 2023 with nearly the same roster from the past three years but without Sylvia Fowles. This pick will propel or haunt this franchise for years to come, and they cannot afford to miss on it.

Diamond Miller arguably has the most upside of any player on the draft board. The 6-3 guard has a pro-ready build and has been dominant all season long, leading Maryland in scoring with 19.7 points per game. She can do a little bit of everything, with her ability to pass and create, score, defend and rebound. The most impressive aspect of Miller’s game is her ability to grab a rebound, advance the ball and make decisions in the open floor. She is a major threat when going downhill. Miller’s production has been consistent throughout her senior season, and she’s taken her game to another level against top-ranked opponents. While her 3-point shooting percentage is down to 21 percent this season, she is capable of perimeter range, having shot over 30 percent during her NCAA career.

3. Dallas Wings

Rickea Jackson, F, Tennessee

The Dallas Wings own the 2023 draft with the No. 3, No. 5 and No. 11 selections, giving them the opportunity to cast a wide net between shooters, combo guards and scorers. Rickea Jackson’s ceiling is sky-high given her athleticism and scoring mentality. Jackson is tough to defend off the dribble, with a quick first step and a great combination of body control and size to finish in the paint. At 6-2, she has the skill set to slide over from wing to forward and can play inside and out. Jackson is putting up the most efficient numbers of her NCAA career this season, shooting 55.2 percent from the field and leading Tennessee with 19.6 points per game. Her stock has only risen with her performances late in the season, including a 26-point double-double to lead the Vols over LSU in the SEC tournament semifinal.

Jackson could use her fifth year of NCAA eligibility next season, but if she were to declare for this year’s draft, Dallas would be hard-pressed to pass over her all-around talent and potential at No. 3.

4. Washington Mystics

Haley Jones, G, Stanford

Washington might have the chance to add versatility, shot creation and defense with one pick. Haley Jones has long been touted as a lottery selection, and if she’s still available at No. 4, the Washington Mystics should scoop her up.

Jones is a cerebral player who has a proven ability to make those around her better. The Stanford senior is in a category of her own in this draft class. She can initiate offense as a point-forward, averaging a career-best 4.1 assists per game this season, and when she gets downhill in the open floor, her decision-making is elite. On defense, she can handle any matchup handed to her.

Jones’ downside is her perimeter shooting, with the 6-1 guard having made only three 3-pointers all season and shooting under 10 percent from deep. She will need to continue to develop her range to stretch defenses at the next level.

5. Dallas Wings

Maddy Siegrist, F, Villanova

Based on the makeup of the Wings’ roster after free agency, it is evident they need to address perimeter shooting in this draft. Maddy Siegrist is not only shooting a career-best 37.3 percent from the 3-point line this season, she is also not a one-dimensional scorer.

The 6-2 guard leads the nation in scoring, with 28.9 points per game on 51.8 percent shooting from the field. Siegrist will have a pretty steep learning curve in the WNBA, especially from a physicality standpoint, but the potential for consistent production is there. She has the length, skill and size necessary to succeed at the next level and would fill a major positional gap in Dallas’ roster.

6. Atlanta Dream

Elizabeth Kitley, C, Virginia Tech

The most glaring concern for the Atlanta Dream heading into 2023 is their lack of a strong post presence, giving them a chance to stock up on talent with their two first-round picks. Elizabeth Kitley could help strengthen that position immediately with her skill and efficiency around the basket. The 6-6 center leads Virginia Tech in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double of 18.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

The ACC Player of the Year has great length and rebounding instincts. While often pigeonholed as a traditional center, Kitley plays with a level of finesse and face-up ability that is unique to her size. She arguably is the most skilled post player in this class with her ability to play with her back to the basket, attack off the dribble, create separation with her fadeaway and execute in the high post.

While there is a chance Kitley uses her fifth year of NCAA eligibility, if she declares for the draft, she could help the Dream right away.

7. Indiana Fever

Grace Berger, G, Indiana

The Indiana Fever could go in a number of different directions with this pick. Beyond the sentiment of keeping Hoosiers star Grace Berger in state, the 6-0 guard has the “it” factor as a tough and disciplined competitor. Berger is as steady as they come at the guard spot and has elevated her play in the biggest moments this season. She is one of the most composed players in the 2023 class.

While Indiana’s roster looks a bit guard-heavy at first glance, Berger would bring a unique skill set with her mid-range efficiency and her ability to play on or off the ball and rebound from the guard spot. Berger is averaging a career-best 5.8 assists per game for Indiana this season, and while she’s not known for her 3-point shot, she’s been efficient when she’s taken them, averaging 40 percent from range. Her experience and on-court leadership would be welcome on the Fever’s young, rebuilding roster.

8. Atlanta Dream

Stephanie Soares, F/C, Iowa State

As with the Kitley selection at No. 6, the Dream have an opportunity to double down on a couple of bigs in this draft class — one with immediate potential and one for the future. Before Stephanie Soares suffered a season-ending ACL injury in early January, the 6-6 center was one of Iowa State’s best players after transferring from the NAIA, where she was the two-time league Player of the Year. WNBA teams are so high on Soares that she would likely be a lottery pick if healthy, and still could be in her current state.

Players with Soares’ skill set and size don’t come around very often. She can protect the rim with her length and athleticism while also stretching the floor with a strong 3-point shot. In just 13 games with Iowa State and at the Division I level, Soares averaged 14.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game while shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 30.6 percent from the perimeter.

WNBA GMs expect Soares to have a long pro future ahead of her, even if she is granted a waiver for an extra year of NCAA eligibility. With Soares, Atlanta could secure a potential unicorn in this class who could continue to be developed and impact the WNBA for a long time once healthy.

9. Seattle Storm

Jordan Horston, G, Tennessee

While the Seattle Storm’s biggest need is at the point guard position, they might be better-served selecting the best player available with the ninth pick. If Jordan Horston were to fall this low, Seattle has an opportunity to lock up an elite wing with next-level potential. When Horston is at her best, she is one of the most elite players in the country. She showcased that during the SEC tournament last week, averaging 19 points and 8.7 rebounds across three games.

At 6-2, Horston has elite length and athleticism that should translate well to the next level on both ends of the floor. She can rebound the ball and elevate over opponents, and her passing ability is underrated. She is also having her most efficient scoring season for Tennessee, shooting 43.6 percent from the field. Horston has top-five pick potential, but if she were to drop to No. 9, Seattle won’t want to miss out on adding a player of her talent to its retooling roster.

10. Los Angeles Sparks

Lou Lopez Sénéchal, G/F, UConn

The Los Angeles Sparks need a scoring wing who can stretch the floor and be a perimeter threat. That only escalated when Katie Lou Samuelson announced she will miss the season due to pregnancy.

Lou Lopez Sénéchal made the jump from Fairfield to UConn this season and has thrived in the high-pressure atmosphere. She has increased her efficiency while taking four to five fewer shots per game, shooting a career-best 46.7 percent from the floor and 43 percent from the 3-point line. The 6-1 grad student has been forced to step up as UConn dealt with injuries to several key players throughout the season, and she has responded, helping the Huskies capture the Big East tournament championship this week. Lopez Sénéchal is just the type of wing Los Angeles could throw into the fire her rookie season.

11. Dallas Wings

Taylor Mikesell, G, Ohio State

Taylor Mikesell has a pro-ready frame, skill set and understanding of the game. She is at her best when she can play alongside other aggressive, shot-creating guards. And when she can run off actions and get to her spots, she is one of the most efficient shooters in the country.

Mikesell has proven extremely durable over her career, especially this season as she’s helped carry an injury-ridden Ohio State team. Despite being the focal point of opposing scouting reports every night, the 5-11 guard is shooting 41 percent from deep and can also score in other ways. She has elite vision and finishing ability at the rim. Mikesell has the tools to thrive as a pro when defenses aren’t honed in on her specifically.

12. Minnesota Lynx

Zia Cooke, G, South Carolina

Minnesota needs both depth in the backcourt and scoring. Cooke is having her best and most consistent season for South Carolina. Not only is she averaging a career-best 40.8 field-goal percentage, but she is also controlling the ball better, with the fewest turnovers of her career.

Cooke thrives in big moments, and no team has played on bigger stages than the Gamecocks in recent years. Having played under head coach Dawn Staley for four seasons, Cooke will enter the WNBA with a pro-ready mentality. With Cooke, the Lynx would get a dynamic scorer and a player capable of initiating the offense alongside Lindsay Allen, two areas Minnesota desperately needs to address.

Rachel Galligan is a basketball analyst at Just Women’s Sports. A former professional basketball player and collegiate coach, she also contributes to Winsidr. Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachGall.

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins discusses the importance of the current international window for the USWNT and digs into the players who did and did not make head coach Emma Hayes's latest 24-athlete roster.

Watkins begins with those not invited to this week's senior team camp, with Hayes using the concurrent U23 camp as a "minor league" for athletes who "need a little bit more development or need to be in a different training situation or have different leadership structures."

Watkins specifically digs into the placement of midfielder Korbin Albert and forwards Jaedyn Shaw and Mia Fishel with the U23 squad, as well as the overall omission of goalkeeper Jane Campbell.

Honing in on Albert, Watkins calls her U23 spot a demotion, saying "It's wild to me that someone who started the [2024] Olympic gold-medal match for the USWNT is now playing for the U23s when the senior team is in session."

"I think we're stuck in this question of, 'is she good enough or is she not?'" explains Watkins, noting that "Albert isn't giving [Hayes] those all-around performances that validate that roster spot when there are other players that could be given a look."

In contrast, Watkins backs Hayes's decisions to place the versatile Shaw and Fishel — who's still regaining form from a 2024 ACL tear — with the youth team.

Calling her "the player truly out in the cold here," Watkins worries that 30-year-old Campbell might be facing an "always the bridesmaid, never the bride of the US goalkeeper cycle," with Hayes opting for a largely untested trio of Mandy McGlynn, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and Claudia Dickey as she continues seeking retired star Alyssa Naeher's replacement.

Top NWSL play fuels USWNT roster call-ups

The uncapped Dickey, says Watkins, is one of the players reaping the benefits of Hayes's developmental roster movements.

"She is statistically one of the highest performing goalkeepers in the NWSL this season," notes Watkins about the Seattle Reign starter. "The numbers do not lie. She is one of the best pure shot-stoppers in the league this year, if not the best."

Also snagging a shot at the senior team thanks to stellar NWSL play are Orlando Pride standout and "Swiss Army knife defender" Kerry Abello, Portland Thorns midfielder Olivia Moultrie, and Kansas City Current captain Lo'eau LaBonta.

LaBonta, who headlined this USWNT roster by earning her first-ever call-up at age 32, is a versatile midfielder with, according to Watkins, a "really, really strong" mentality as well as a "wonderful locker room presence."

Citing Hayes's previous comments about the age of certain players causing her to seek younger athletes, Watkins wonders if LaBonta's call-up isn't simply a long-overdue reward for years of top professional play, and instead, perhaps, a sign that Hayes is "learning that you need a little bit of both [youth and experience]."

"I think [LaBonta's] going to make herself hard to drop," states Watkins. "With 2027 only two years away, I'm not betting against LaBonta. She's going into this camp looking for more call-ups. This is not just a 'job well done' situation for her."

Finally, Watkins mentions that many younger players, like Kansas City's Michelle Cooper and Claire Hutton, and Utah's Ally Sentnor, are back in the mix "because they're playing too well for the U23s. They've been put into senior team camp and they've swam — they have not sunk."

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Summer friendlies serve as senior team try-outs

The stakes are high for the 24 athletes in this USWNT camp, with small windows to impress Hayes while facing two tough opponents in the upcoming days: May 31st's clash with China PR and a June 3rd date with Jamaica's Reggae Girlz.

"Who's going to be able to elevate their game even if they don't have a ton of experience?," asks Watkins. "It's up to the senior call-ups to make those players that are in the U23s harder to call back in. And those players in the U23s are going to probably have to show new sides of themselves to get back into the fold."

"This is the Emma Hayes system. And I cannot wait to say who says, 'Nope. This is not just a pat on the back. You're not dropping me.'"

About 'The Late Sub' with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on the USWNT, NWSL, and all things women's soccer. Special guest appearances featuring the biggest names in women’s sports make TLS a must-listen for every soccer fan.

Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women's Sports newsletter for more.

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The world No. 1 USWNT is back in action on Saturday, taking on No. 17 China PR in the first of two early summer friendlies as head coach Emma Hayes continues evaluating talent across the 24-player roster.

"We have two different types of opponents ahead of us, so we'll have to be creative in breaking down those teams in different ways," Hayes told reporters earlier this month.

With an average of just 30.7 caps per player, this international window is an opportunity for NWSL favorites to prove their national team value — though the USWNT will be without one up-and-comer: Due to a minor hip injury, Angel City defender Gisele Thompson departed camp on Thursday, with Hayes opting not to replace the 19-year-old in the lineup.

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Fresh faces to take on a familiar foe

The US has faced China PR a total of 60 times — more than any country other than No. 7 Canada. China also boasts the second-most US defeats with nine, though they haven't upended the USWNT since 2015.

In total, the USWNT boasts a 38-9-13 all-time record against their longtime rival, including arguably the team's most famous victory: the history-making penalty-kick win in the 1999 World Cup final at the Rose Bowl.

That said, the teams haven't squared off since December 2023 — some six months before Hayes took the helm.

"We have new faces, we have experience, we have veterans, we have young players. I think we're a really amazing blend of all of the above," said midfielder Sam Coffey this week. "I think more than anything, the common denominator in everyone here is just a hunger to get better."

How to watch the USWNT vs. China PR friendly match

The USWNT kicks off against China PR at 5:30 PM ET on Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Live coverage of the match will air on TBS.

Friday's WNBA action promises to bring the heat, delivering a major homecoming for new LA star Kelsey Plum as well as strategic veteran moves and rookies looking to right the ship while newly revamped teams continue to gel.

In the wake of significant offseason movement, the 2025 WNBA season is all about striking a balance between developing young talent and leveraging seasoned stars as former franchise players take on very familiar opponents.

Veteran-heavy teams will shoot to manage workloads this weekend, as powerhouse squads juggle shifting lineups while those that trailed last year fight to rise up the WNBA standings.

Highlighting the Friday night slate are a trio of games, all airing on ION:

• No. 1 New York Liberty (5-0) vs. No. 7 Washington Mystics (3-3), 7:30 PM ET: The reigning champion Liberty managed to eke out an 82-77 win over 2025 expansion side Golden State without injured stars Jonquel Jones and Nyara Sabally on Thursday — but can they hold off a Mystics team punching above their weight behind standout rookie duo Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen?

• No. 10 Los Angeles Sparks (2-4) vs. No. 6 Las Vegas Aces (2-2), 10 PM ET: Sparks guard Kelsey Plum will face her former teammates for the first time on Friday, taking on a Las Vegas side searching for redemption after Seattle spoiled Aces guard Jewell Loyd's own homecoming in last weekend's WNBA action.

• No. 2 Minnesota Lynx (5-0) vs. No. 3 Phoenix Mercury (4-1), 10 PM ET: Two of the league's top performers will hit the court in Arizona, as perennial MVP candidates Napheesa Collier and Alyssa Thomas go head-to-head for the first time in 2025.

A few teams have already faced adversity this year, but even more have settled into the grind as the longest-ever WNBA season rolls into June.

WNBA legend Candace Parker is gearing up for a busy summer, as two of her former franchises — the Chicago Sky and LA Sparks — recently announced plans to retire her No. 3 jersey this year.

The Chicago Sky announced on Wednesday that they will raise Parker's jersey in the Wintrust Arena rafters in an August 25th ceremony, honoring the Chicagoland product who helped them win their first-ever WNBA championship in 2021.

"I never imagined one day my jersey would hang in the rafters of my hometown team," said Parker in a statement. "Coming home to Chicago and helping bring the city its first WNBA championship here — it was personal. I'm beyond grateful to the city, the fans, and everyone who's been part of my journey. Chicago raised me, and this will always be home."

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Also in on the action is Los Angeles, where Parker spent a 13-year stint that including earning her first league title in 2016. The Sparks previously stated in late March that they would retire Parker's jersey in a June 29th celebration — during LA's game against the Sky.

The Chicago ceremony also coincides with a game against another of Parker's squads: The Sky will face the Las Vegas Aces — the final team Parker led to a WNBA championship in 2023.

Parker is the first Chicago player to have her jersey number retired, as well as the Sparks' third behind Lisa Leslie and Penny Toler.

"Candace is the best all-around player that has ever played in the WNBA," said Sparks co-owner and NBA legend Magic Johnson.

With an impact that still radiates throughout the WNBA, fans and former teammates alike are jumping at the chance to pay their respects to Parker this summer.