The Dallas Wings’ loss Sunday to the Chicago Sky featured two ejections and a fight during a chippy WNBA weekend, one which has resulted in one suspension and seven fines for players.

Wings star Arike Ogunbowale, one of the players ejected Sunday, gave voice afterward to a question that has echoed across the league this season: What is going on with the referees?

Ogunbowale received her second ejection of the season for making unnecessary contact with an official with 52 seconds left in the game. The 26-year-old guard’s shoulder knocked against the referee’s shoulder, which led to the technical foul and ejection.

“[The referee] was looking for something. I just watched it back a million times,” Ogunbowale said after the game. “I don’t know what’s going on this year with the refs but that was the worst call I’ve ever seen in my life.”

While Ogunbowale avoided a suspension, she did receive a fine for her contact with the official and for her postgame comments. Sky forward Ruthy Hebard received a one-game suspension and a fine for leaving the bench area during an on-court altercation earlier in the game, and her teammate Courtney Williams received a fine for doing the same.

The WNBA also handed out punishments for an altercation during Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Sparks and Washington Mystics. Los Angeles’ Layshia Clarendon and Washington’s Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes and Shakira Austin all received fines.

Mystics players Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Cloud both have expressed frustration with WNBA officiating this season. In May, Delle Donne criticized the referees for treating her “like a rookie with calls.” In July, Cloud had even harsher words for the referees.

“I don’t care what pipeline refs we have coming through. I don’t care,” she said. “We have to do our job every single night. You need to do yours. This is bull—t. This is f–king bull–t.”

In June, Atlanta Dream coach Tanisha Wright questioned the officiating in one of her team’s games, particularly a flagrant-one call on New York Liberty guard Stefanie Dolson that Wright believes warranted a flagrant-two and an ejection.

“We’re expected to play at a high level every single night… The officials need to be able to rise to that same occasion. They should be held to that same standard,” Wright said. “They’re going to fine me for this, but I’m challenging them to raise their standards… Officiating needs to get better, period.”

Also in June, Seattle Storm guard Jewell Loyd — after scoring a career-high 41 points — took time to call out officiating issues.

“Protect the players,” Loyd said. “It’s not just us. Every single team has said something about the refs. That tells you that something is going wrong in that department. You expect high-level players, we expect high-level refs. We’re not getting that every single night.”

Arike Ogunbowale did not let an ejection get her down in the Dallas Wings’ 85-73 win over the Atlanta Dream.

The game featured 10 technical fouls, including two on Ogunbowale. But as she exited the game with less than two minutes remaining and 21 points to her name, she took time to hype up the crowd. The 26-year-old guard raised her arms to elicit cheers before signing a fan’s autograph as she entered the tunnel.

“I definitely have never seen anything like it,” Dallas coach Latricia Trammell said of the 10 technical fouls, which was the most ever in a WNBA regular-season game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Five of the technicals were defensive 3-second calls, four of which were called against the Dream. One was a delay of game on Dallas, and the other four were all individual calls against the Wings. Trammell herself even picked up a technical.

“I’ve heard about 10 different things, but I’m not exactly sure,” Trammell said about her technical. “We’ll turn some clips in (to the league); that’s usually how we do it. (Wings president and CEO) Greg (Bibb) will get some clarity on certain parts of the game. We’ve just got to continue to keep our composure no matter what call is made and just continue to move forward.”

Despite her cheerful exit from the victory, Ogunbowale also commented on the deluge of technical calls.

“I don’t know how much I can even say,” she said. “I just feel like all around, from top to bottom, coaches, refs, I don’t know, everybody just needs to be able to control their emotions. Everybody’s going to be emotional in the game and I just feel like everybody needs to learn how to control their emotions.”

The 2023 WNBA season is here.

After much waiting and an eventful preseason, the 27th season of the league got underway Friday. With a busy few days of both regular season and commissioner’s cup action, Just Women’s Sports lays out how to watch every WNBA game this weekend, plus results and scores.

*All times are listed in ET
**Denotes a Commissioner’s Cup matchup

WNBA Games Today — Sunday, May 21

Washington Mystics vs. Connecticut Sun**

1 p.m. on WNBA League Pass (Local: NBC Sports Boston, NBC Sports Washington/Monumental Sports)

After sending a message with a win against the Liberty on Friday, the Mystics face the Sun on the road.

Indiana Fever vs. New York Liberty**

2 p.m. on Twitter, (Local: YES, Facebook.com/Indiana Fever); Replay on WNBA League Pass

After falling to the Mystics on Friday, the Liberty’s new “superteam” will look to rebound in their home opener at Barclays Center.

Chicago Sky vs. Phoenix Mercury

4 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN+

Brittney Griner’s homecoming game comes against the Sky. The eight-time WNBA All-Star competed in her first official WNBA game in 579 days on Friday night, playing 25 minutes in the Phoenix Mercury’s 94-71 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks.

WNBA Results — Friday, May 19

Connecticut Sun 70, Indiana Fever 61**

7 p.m. on WNBA League Pass (Local: Bally Sports Indiana, NECN)

New York Liberty 64, Washington Mystics 80**

7 p.m. on NBA TV (Local: NBC Sports Washington/Monumental Sports, WWOR-My9)

Chicago Sky 77, Minnesota Lynx 66

8 p.m. on WNBA League Pass (Local: Bally Sports North Extra, Marquee Sports Network/CW 26)

Phoenix Mercury 71, Los Angeles Sparks 94**

11 p.m. on ESPN and ESPN+

WNBA Results — Saturday, May 20

Atlanta Dream 78, Dallas Wings 85

1 p.m. on ABC 

Las Vegas Aces 105, Seattle Storm 64**

3 p.m. on ABC

The Aces defeated the Storm, 105-64, breaking the WNBA record for largest margin of victory by any WNBA team in a season opener. Read more here.

The first day of the 2023 WNBA season has arrived. Yet of the 36 college stars drafted in April, just 15 appear on opening day rosters.

From No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston to No. 29 pick Kadi Sissoko, here are the draftees who will be suiting up for their teams.

Atlanta Dream

Haley Jones, No. 6 pick

The Stanford product has long been praised for her versatility, as she can play nearly every position on the court. That made Jones an attractive draft pick for the Dream as they build a roster around last year’s No. 1 pick, Rhyne Howard. Jones also brings a high basketball IQ, another important quality for a team looking to establish itself.

Laeticia Amihere, No. 8 pick

Former South Carolina sixth woman Amihere may take a bit longer to develop than some rookies, but her physical skills and high ceiling are worth the wait. Versatility was clearly a priority for the Dream in this draft, as Amihere is another player that does a bit of everything on the court. At 6-4, her length is a major strength that can help the Dream on both ends of the floor.

Indiana Fever

Aliyah Boston, No. 1 pick

Seeing Boston on an opening day roster is no surprise. The No. 1 overall pick is a player to build around, and someone we will likely see in the WNBA for years to come. Boston was pro ready a season ago when South Carolina won the NCAA title, and she will continue to develop as a WNBA player. The 6-5 post has the physical skills – strength and height – as well as impeccable footwork that makes her a tough guard inside.

Grace Berger, No. 7 pick

As the Fever continue to build their identity, the former Hoosier is another player who can contribute right away. Berger is an efficient scorer who excels in the midrange, an offensive style that compliments the rest of the Fever roster. When it comes to guards, Berger is also on the stronger side, so she will likely adjust quickly to the WNBA level.

Victaria Saxton, No. 25 pick

The last Gamecock to be drafted, Saxton will need some time to develop, but again, the Fever are a young team, playing the long game. At 6-2, Saxton is an undersized forward particularly on the defensive end, where she made her mark in college, but she impressed Fever coach Christie Sides in the preseason. Sides cited Saxton’s hustle and attention to detail as two qualities that stood out.

Minnesota Lynx

Diamond Miller, No. 2 pick

Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said during the preseason that Miller might be the most athletic player she’s ever coached. That, plus her length and versatility, made Miller an obvious choice for the No. 2 pick. Miller can score in the half court, on the fast break, and from both inside and outside. She’s an all-around player that will likely be on a WNBA roster for years to come.

Dorka Juhász, No. 16 pick

The former UConn player can make an immediate impact for the Lynx as they continue to rebuild. After the retirement of Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota needs help defending in the paint, and at 6-5, Juhasz offers the kind of length they need. She served as a rim protector at UConn, and recorded 1.4 blocks per game as a senior. Juhasz uses polished footwork to score around defenders, and can impact the Lynx offense as well.

Phoenix Mercury

Kadi Sissoko, No. 29 pick

One of two third round draftees to make opening day rosters, Sissoko may end up being a steal for the Mercury. The 6-2 Sissoko is listed as a forward, but she has guard skills that will transfer well to the WNBA. She can run the floor and create shots off the bounce. Being on the court with players like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner will leave openings that Sissoko can capitalize on.

Los Angeles Sparks

Zia Cooke, No. 10 pick

The former South Carolina guard is in a great position for success with the Sparks. She can learn from two established guards in Jasmine Thomas and Jordin Canada while polishing her game for the WNBA level. At 5-9, Cooke will have to work to score, but body control and angles are her strong suit, something that will help the guard create around bigger defenders.

Seattle Storm

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, No. 21 pick

The former South Florida player is one of three bigs on the Storm roster. Standing at 6-3, Fankam Mendjiadeu gives the Storm a needed post presence on both ends of the floor. Fankam Mendjiadeu finishes well in the paint and is deft at finding seems without the ball. She averaged a double-double during her senior season with 16.5 points and 12.3 rebounds.

Jordan Horston, No. 9 pick

After losing Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird, the Storm are in a rebuild. Horston likely will play big minutes for Seattle this season, and the 6-2 guard is ready for the challenge. A strong finisher who can elevate around the rim, Horston does a little bit of everything, and she is capable of setting up teammates and crashing the boards for rebounds.

Connecticut Sun

Leigha Brown, No. 15 pick

The Michigan product was drafted by the Dream before being traded to the Sun just days before final rosters were announced. Brown brings toughness, defensive ability and a versatile offensive skill set to the Sun. The 6-1 guard can lead a fast break and create for herself or others. Brown averaged 17.5 points, 5.8 assists and 5.1 rebounds during her senior season.

Dallas Wings

Maddy Siegrist, No. 3 pick

The Wings needed to get more scoring in the 2023 draft, and they certainly secured that in Siegrist, who led the NCAA with 29.2 points per game as a senior. The 6-2 Siegrist is listed as a forward but plays more like a guard. The Villanova star can use her strength and ability to shoot from any angle to score in the WNBA.

Lou Lopez Sénéchal, No. 5 pick

Former UConn standout Lopez Sénéchal will start the season on the injured list, as she is set to undergo knee surgery that will cause her to miss six to eight weeks. When healthy, Lopez Sénéchal provides outside shooting that the Wings will need now that Marina Mabrey is playing for the Sky. She shot 44% from beyond the arc in her final collegiate season.

Ashley Joens, No. 19 pick

Joens played five years at Iowa State and was the focal point of the Cyclone offense every season. Joens is a strong guard who can score over defenders in the paint or shoot from outside. Another player who can bring needed scoring to the Wings, Joes averaged 21.6 points per game as a fifth-year senior.

Just 15 of the 36 selections from the 2023 WNBA Draft appear on opening day rosters, a sign of the league’s roster squeeze.

Stars from each of this year’s Final Four teams — including LSU’s Alexis Morris and LaDazhia Williams, Iowa’s Monika Czinano, South Carolina’s Brea Beal, and Virginia Tech’s Kayana Traylor — were among the cuts.

Not all the players left off the opening day rosters were waived by their teams. No. 4 overall pick Stephanie Soares, for example, is out for the season for the Dallas Wings as she recovers from an ACL tear, while No. 12 overall pick Maia Hirsch out of France is a draft-and-stash pick by the Minnesota Lynx.

Still, the lack of available spots has become a pressing issue as both rookie and veteran players alike find themselves on the wrong side of the cuts, with just 15 players from the 2022 draft and just eight from the 2021 draft on rosters for the 2023 WNBA opening weekend.

Which 2023 WNBA Draft picks appear on opening day rosters?

  • First round
    • 1. Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
    • 2. Diamond Miller, Minnesota Lynx
    • 3. Maddy Siegrist, Dallas Wings
    • 5. Lou Lopez Sénéchal, Dallas Wings
    • 6. Haley Jones, Atlanta Dream
    • 7. Grace Berger, Indiana Fever
    • 8. Laeticia Amihere, Atlanta Dream
    • 9. Jordan Horston, Seattle Storm
    • 10. Zia Cooke, Los Angeles Sparks
  • Second round
    • 15. Leigha Brown, Atlanta Dream
    • 16. Dorka Juhász, Minnesota Lynx
    • 19. Ashley Joens, Dallas Wings
    • 21. Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, Seattle Storm
  • Third round 
    • 25. Victaria Saxton, Indiana Fever
    • 29. Kadi Sissoko, Phoenix Mercury
  • Total: 15 players

Which 2022 WNBA Draft picks appear on opening day rosters?

  • First round
    • 1. Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
    • 2. NaLyssa Smith, Indiana Fever
    • 3. Shakira Austin, Washington Mystics
    • 6. Lexie Hull, Indiana Fever Round 1, Pick No. 6 
    • 7. Veronica Burton, Dallas Wings
    • 10. Queen Egbo, Indiana Fever
    • 11. Kierstan Bell, Las Vegas Aces
    • 12. Nia Clouden, Los Angeles Sparks
  • Second round
    • 15. Naz Hillmon, Atlanta Dream
    • 18. Lorela Cubaj, Atlanta Dream
    • 19. Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Connecticut Sun
    • 21. Evina Westbrook, Phoenix Mercury
  • Third round 
    • 29. Sika Koné, Chicago Sky
    • 30. Jasmine Dickey, Dallas Wings
    • 33. Jade Melbourne, Seattle Storm
  • Total: 15 players

Which 2021 WNBA Draft picks appear on opening day rosters?

  • First round
    • 2. Awak Kuier, Dallas Wings
    • 3. Aari McDonald, Atlanta Dream
    • 6. Michaela Onyenwere, Phoenix Mercury
    • *12. Iliana Rupert, Atlanta Dream
      • *Contract suspended to start season due to overseas commitment.
  • Second round
    • 13. Dana Evans, Chicago Sky
    • 20. DiJonai Carrington, Connecticut Sun
    • 22. Arella Guirantes, Seattle Storm
  • Third round 
    • 33. Maya Caldwell, Indiana Fever
  • Total: 8 players

Rhyne Howard and Haley Jones are not strangers to one another, which could spell trouble for teams facing the Atlanta Dream in the upcoming WNBA season.

In an interview with reporter Mark Schindler, Jones revealed that the pair were texting on her draft night. The Dream selected the 6-foot-1 guard with the No. 6 overall pick, and they picked Howard with the No. 1 overall pick in 2022.

Howard and Jones played together on the U.S. youth national team, and their moms are friends, which has led to even more excitement as Jones makes her way to Atlanta.

“Me and Rhyne have talked a bit since I’ve been drafted. She texted me while I was at the draft,” Jones said. “We were chatting on draft night about our excitement to play together again. I think that the way that we play works very well.”

According to Jones, Howard already has their handshake picked out. She has a different one for every player on the team, and she’s excited to welcome Jones with her own special greeting.

“Fun fact: I have one ready for almost everybody,” Howard wrote on Twitter.

For her part, Jones is ready to hit the ground running with her new team.

“I think that we play very well together. We’re great friends off the court, Rhyne is an even better person which is hard to imagine with how great of a player she is,” Jones said. “I’m just excited to get there, play with Rhyne and play with everybody on this team.”

A lot has happened since the Las Vegas Aces won the 2022 WNBA championship. Superstars Breanna Stewart and Candace Parker left their teams in free agency, and the 2023 WNBA draft introduced future stars like Aliyah Boston and Diamond Miller to the league.

The 2023 season is just a month away, but before we dive into the slate of games, let’s take a look at who came out of free agency and the draft best positioned to succeed. Here are the offseason power rankings for all 12 teams.

1. New York Liberty

2022 regular-season finish: 7th (16-20)

The Liberty didn’t need to do anything in the draft to win the offseason — and they couldn’t, really, with one third-round pick. Their work in free agency was enough to give New York the top spot in the offseason power rankings. They traded for 2021 WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones before signing two-time champion Breanna Stewart and WNBA assists leader Courtney Vandersloot. That’s two former MVPs and an elite facilitator. Plus, the Liberty managed to do all of that without giving up Sabrina Ionescu, Betnijah Laney or Marine Johannès.

2. Las Vegas Aces

2022 regular-season finish: 1st (26-10)

Like the Liberty, the Aces had already cemented themselves atop this list thanks to a major free-agency signing. Picking up Candace Parker puts the defending champions in position to win another title. They also signed standout defender Alysha Clark and added roster depth, which was their lone weakness last season. The one knock against the Aces this offseason is the investigation into their handling of Dearica Hamby, who was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in January. Hamby, the two-time Sixth Player of the Year, accused the Aces in an Instagram post of mistreating her due to pregnancy. The organization later came under more scrutiny for allegations that they circumvented the salary cap.

3. Washington Mystics

2022 regular-season finish: 5th (22-14)

While the Liberty and the Aces had splashy offseasons, the Mystics made subtler moves. They return a core that includes Elena Delle Donne, Ariel Atkins, Natasha Cloud and last year’s No. 3 draft pick, Shakira Austin, who is only going to get better after a great rookie campaign. In this month’s draft, the Mystics selected Stephanie Soares with the fourth pick and then traded her to Dallas in favor of 2024 and 2025 draft picks. That move could pay off for the future, as the next two draft classes are loaded with talent. Later in the second round of the 2023 draft, Washington selected South Florida guard Elena Tsineke, who has a lot of upside and could end up being a steal.

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The Sparks put together a strong offseason, including trading for Dearica Hamby. (Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

4. Los Angeles Sparks

2022 regular-season finish: 11th (13-23)

While other teams dominated free agency headlines, the Sparks quietly had an excellent offseason. Los Angeles re-signed Nneka and Chiney Ogumike, traded for Hamby and veteran guard Jasmine Thomas, and lured Azurá Stevens away from Chicago in free agency. The Sparks continued their string of good moves by drafting a playmaking point guard in South Carolina’s Zia Cooke with the 10th pick. They also grabbed Monika Czinano in the third round. The Iowa center could end up being a solid contributor off the bench and a complement to the Sparks’ less traditional bigs.

5. Atlanta Dream

2022 regular-season finish: 10th (14-22)

The Dream started their offseason by signing an elite guard in Allisha Gray, giving them one of the best backcourt duos in the league alongside 2022 Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard. Then they arguably had the best draft in the league, picking up two versatile players in Stanford guard Haley Jones and South Carolina forward Laeticia Amihere. The Dream are clearly building for the future, with a young core that can be dominant in a few seasons’ time. The one thing Atlanta is missing is a reliable big. Currently, they are relying on the development of players like Naz Hillmon to fill the hole in the post.

6. Indiana Fever

2022 regular-season finish: 12th (5-31)

Drafting Aliyah Boston is an automatic win, as the South Carolina star has the potential to be an all-time great for the Fever. Also in this year’s draft, Indiana added Grace Berger, Taylor Mikesell, LaDazhia Williams and Victaria Saxton. The 2022 draft included Destanni Henderson, Emily Engstler and NaLyssa Smith, three other players full of promise. After stocking up on college talent, the Fever have a young roster with potential for the future that could use veteran complements. The Fever already have one experienced guard in Kesley Mitchell, and in February they signed 2019 All-Star Erica Wheeler, who can contribute right away.

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After drafting Maddy Siegrist with the third pick, the Wings made some head-scratching decisions. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

7. Dallas Wings

2022 regular-season finish: 6th (18-18)

The Wings made a flurry of moves in the offseason and during the draft — some good, some bad and some puzzling. Starting with the good, Dallas traded for Diamond DeShields and re-signed Teaira McCowan. Losing Marina Mabrey to Chicago could be considered bad, but it allowed Dallas to acquire DeShields. The bad and confusing stems from the way the Wings used their plethora of draft picks. After selecting NCAA leading scorer Maddy Siegrist at No. 3, the Wings questionably drafted two shooters in Lou Lopez-Sénéchal and Abby Meyers while also trading for Stephanie Soares, who is coming off an ACL injury. That pick itself wouldn’t be considered bad if it wasn’t for the uncertainty the Wings already have at the post position.

8. Phoenix Mercury

2022 regular-season finish: 8th (15-21)

The best thing to happen to the Mercury this offseason wasn’t a free-agency signing or a draft pick. It was the safe return of Brittney Griner from Russia, where she was wrongfully imprisoned on drug charges. The fact that Griner wants to play in 2023 is a bonus for the Mercury. They also re-signed Diana Taurasi and Sophie Cunningham in free agency, and added Moriah Jefferson and Michaela Onyenwere, both of whom will be important while Skylar Diggins-Smith is on maternity leave.

9. Minnesota Lynx

2022 regular-season finish: 9th (14-22)

The Lynx were quiet in free agency, which was a concerning start to the offseason. But a successful draft has them in a good position to build for the future. With the No. 2 pick, Minnesota selected Maryland guard Diamond Miller, a player who is pro-ready and can contribute for years to come. They also added Maia Hirsch, a 6-foot-5 French prospect with guard skills and massive upside, UConn’s Dorka Juhász and South Carolina’s Brea Beal.

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Seattle selected a pro-ready guard in Tennessee's Jordan Horston with the No. 9 pick. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

10. Seattle Storm

2022 regular-season finish: 4th (22-14)

The Storm had a rough offseason, losing Sue Bird to retirement and Stewart to free agency. That left Jewell Loyd as the piece around which to build their roster. Other than retaining agent Ezi Magbegor and acquiring Kia Nurse, things were quiet in Seattle. The Storm found success at the draft, picking up Jordan Horston with the ninth pick and South Florida’s Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeau, another intriguing prospect, in the second round.

11. Connecticut Sun

2022 regular-season finish: 3rd (25-11)

The Sun’s offseason also started poorly as they lost head coach Curt Miller and star player Jonquel Jones. But they did re-sign Brionna Jones, who was a priority in free agency, and they return a talented core of Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Natisha Hiedeman. The Sun also drafted LSU guard and national champion Alexis Morris, who fell to the second round of the draft but could end up being a major steal in the 2023 class.

12. Chicago Sky

2022 regular-season finish: 2nd (26-10)

Whether or not coach James Wade wants to admit it, the Sky are rebuilding. They lost Candace Parker, Courtney Vandersloot, Azurá Stevens, Allie Quigley and Emma Meesseman after last season. Chicago did re-sign Rebekah Gardner and acquired Marina Mabrey and Isabelle Harrison, but they certainly lost more than they added. The Sky also had a quiet draft outside of selecting Virginia Tech guard Kayana Traylor, who has the skills to make an immediate impact despite falling to the late second round.

Eden Laase is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @eden_laase.

Not even an hour after she was drafted, Haley Jones received a taste of her busy WNBA life.

After the Atlanta Dream selected her with the No. 6 overall pick, the Stanford star was speaking at her post-draft press conference when a reporter brought to her attention a social media post from Dream head coach Tanisha Wright.

“Hey Girl!! Just trying to reach ya to congratulate ya on coming to the A! #PickUpYourPhone @haleyjoness19,” Wright wrote on Twitter.

Jones laughed at the tweet, noting that she forgot to grab her phone when she went up to the stage after her selection.

“Oh my god. Hopefully she’s listening or going to see this interview. I’m so sorry,” she said. “I literally got called. Didn’t even think to grab my phone. I hugged my mom and dad, my brother. So when I get to my phone I will call her back immediately. 

“That is like the worst first impression to have is missing a call from your new boss. The second I get to my phone, no matter how many missed calls I have, missed texts, calling her immediately. But I hope she knows how excited I am to get to the A, make an impact, get to training camp, just get ready to work. I will tell her profusely all of that as soon as we get on the phone.”

The exchange was all in good fun. Wright later tweeted that the team will “make an exception today” for Jones. After all, it was a big night for Jones and the rest of the draftees. 

Like any draft, the 2023 WNBA Draft on Monday night had both sure things and surprises.

South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston going first overall to the Indiana Fever came as a surprise to no one, while Maryland’s Abby Meyers creeping into the first round caught most people off guard. Some WNBA teams had excellent draft nights, while others left question marks and more to be desired.

We grade the first round of the draft based on the good, the bad and the in between.

No. 1: Indiana Fever

Aliyah Boston, F, South Carolina

Since the moment the 2022 draft wrapped and the 2023 draft came into focus, Boston has been the consensus choice for the No. 1 pick. Indiana didn’t have to think too much about this one, drafting the 2022 National Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, a likely cornerstone for the team for years to come.

Grade: A+

No. 2: Minnesota Lynx

Diamond Miller, G, Maryland

Making another obvious pick, the Lynx got it right with Miller. The Maryland star is WNBA-ready, with an athletic 6-foot-3 frame and the skills to go along with it. Minnesota is in a rebuilding phase after recording a losing season in 2022 and missing the playoffs for the first time in 11 years, and Miller is the perfect foundation. She is versatile, so they have options when it comes to building a roster. Ten years from now, Miller might be considered one of the best players in this draft.

Grade: A+

No. 3: Dallas Wings

Maddy Siegrist, F, Villanova

I don’t love everything the Wings did in this draft, but picking Siegrist at No. 3 was the right move. She’s a dynamic scorer who can complement the pieces Dallas already has. The Wings need point production, and the NCAA’s leading scorer certainly brings that in spades. Siegrist had the ball in her hands a lot at Villanova, a role that will change on a Wings team led by Arike Ogunbowale, but she shouldn’t have an issue adjusting.

Grade: A

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The Mystics traded No. 4 pick Stephanie Soares to the Wings for future draft picks. (Evan Yu/Just Women's Sports)

No. 4: Washington Mystics

Stephanie Soares, F/C, Iowa State
(Traded to Dallas for 2024 second-round pick and 2025 first-round pick)

Soares is a player with loads of potential. She’s 6-6 and can shoot from outside, which is an attractive quality in a league that is moving away from traditional bigs. But she’s also had two ACL injuries, so the pick is a gamble. For a team that has the luxury of developing Soares, this is an excellent pick. Dallas is not that team. At this point, the Wings have too many players with promising potential but no sure future, especially on the inside with Kalani Brown, Charli Collier and Awak Kuier.

Meanwhile, the Mystics made a great choice here, because the 2024 and 2025 draft classes are going to be stacked with NCAA talent.

Wings grade: C-

Mystics grade: A

No. 5: Dallas Wings

Lou Lopez Sénéchal, G/F, UConn

Lopez Sénéchal wasn’t at No. 5 on anyone’s draft board, but I understand the pick for the Wings. Already armed with shot creators like Ogunbowale and Diamond DeShields, the Wings need shooters. They especially need 3-point shooters, and the UConn product is one of the best long-range weapons in the draft, averaging 44 percent from deep this past season.

Grade: B

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Haley Jones speaks to the media after going to the Atlanta Dream as the sixth pick. (Evan Yu/Just Women's Sports)

No. 6: Atlanta Dream

Haley Jones, G, Stanford

A lot has been made of Jones’ lack of a 3-point shot. And while I understand the criticism, she’s still a pro-ready player who impacts the game positively in every other way and has a high basketball IQ. Getting her at No. 6 is still a steal for Atlanta, and don’t be surprised as she develops her 3-point in the next couple seasons, as she alluded to Monday night.

“I’m just excited to get to the next level and show what I’ve been working on. I think at Stanford it wasn’t really my role to 3-point shoot. It was to playmake, rebound and run, facilitate, run the offense, play out of the high post,” Jones said. “I’m excited to get to the A, bring it there, and just kind of prove people wrong in a way.”

Grade: A

No. 7: Indiana Fever

Grace Berger, G, Indiana

The Indiana product managed to stay underrated for most of her college career, but Berger has WNBA-level skills. Her midrange game is particularly strong, and she is strong enough to hold her own with other guards in the league. The Fever are a young team, but they have great pieces to build around coming off last year’s and this year’s drafts, and Berger only adds to that foundation.

Grade: B

No. 8: Atlanta Dream

Laeticia Amihere, F, South Carolina

Amihere never started for the Gamecocks, but that is more a testament to their depth than a knock on her skills. At 6-4, she gives the Dream much-needed height and athleticism. We never saw her full potential at South Carolina, but the ceiling is high for the forward. Atlanta is able to take a risk on a player like Amihere because they are confident in their other top selections — 2022 No. 1 pick and WNBA Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard and 2023 No. 6 pick Haley Jones.

Grade: A

No. 9: Seattle Storm

Jordan Horston, G, Tennessee

The Storm organization is in the midst of a transition period after Sue Bird retired and Brenna Stewart left in free agency. Jewell Loyd is now the centerpiece of the team, and Horston is a complementary guard with top-five draft potential who could wind up being a steal. She has size at 6-2 and does a little bit of everything, from passing to rebounding. Together, Loyd and Horston make a backcourt Seattle can build around.

Grade: A

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South Carolina guard Zia Cooke heads to Los Angeles as the No. 10 draft pick. (Evan Yu/Just Women's Sports)

No. 10: Los Angeles Sparks

Zia Cooke, G, South Carolina

The Sparks have managed a solid offseason under new head coach Curt Miller, re-signing Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike, signing Azurá Stevens and trading for Dearica Hamby. They also signed veteran guard Jasmine Thomas, but they needed another. Cooke can score at all three levels and, despite being 5-9, knows how to use her body and find angles to get the ball to the rim. She’s a perfect fit for the Sparks.

Grade: A

No. 11: Dallas Wings

Abby Meyers, G, Maryland

Dallas already selected a shooter in Lopez Sénéchal and went for a player with great potential in Soares. With the 11th pick, they selected a player who falls into both categories. I think Meyers could be a good WNBA player, but drafting her in the first round seems like a reach for the Wings.

Grade: D

No. 12: Minnesota Lynx

Maia Hirsch, C, France

The French prospect is 6-5 with guard skills. In the limited game highlights available, it’s clear Hirsch can play both ends of the floor, making her an attractive prospect. Plus, she’s only 19 years old and her ceiling is high. She might not pan out in the WNBA, but it’s a risk worth taking.

Grade: B

Eden Laase is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @eden_laase.

Allisha Gray is on the move to the Atlanta Dream.

The 2017 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Gray averaged 13.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game for the Dallas Wings in 2022. The Wings are sending Gray to the Dream in exchange for the No. 3 overall pick this year and a 2025 first-round pick. The trade was first reported by ESPN’s M.A. Voepel on Wednesday night.

The 28-year-old guard was selected by Dallas with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 draft. She averaged 13.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game as a rookie.

While she saw a dip in production in her sophomore season, her stats have remained relatively consistent through her six seasons in Dallas. For her career, she has averaged 11.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists across 180 games. She also won an Olympic gold medal in 2021 as part of Team USA’s 3×3 basketball team.

She will join a Dream squad that went 14-22 last season under first-year coach Tanisha Wright. But she could find more stability in Atlanta than she had in Dallas. Wright is signed through 2027, and the team has a franchise player in 2022 top draft pick and Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard.

The Wings enter 2023 with yet another new coach.

Los Angeles Sparks assistant Latricia Trammell took the helm from Vickie Johnson, who held the position for two seasons. The team opted not to exercise the option on Johnson’s contract after she led the Wings to back-to-back playoff appearances — but also back-to-back first-round exits.

In Gray’s six seasons in Dallas, she worked with four different head coaches — not including Trammel.