The 2023 WNBA Draft is almost here, with some of the nation’s top college stars available.

Just Women’s Sports breaks down everything you need to know ahead of the big event.

When is it?

The 2023 WNBA Draft is set for 7 p.m. ET Monday, April 10, in New York City.

Where can I watch the draft?

All three rounds of the draft will air on ESPN and ESPN+.

Who are the names to know?

Aliyah Boston, South Carolina

  • Boston is one of four Gamecocks players who you should keep your eyes on heading into the draft. The presumptive No. 1 pick, the 6-5 forward swept the national player of the year awards in 2022 and finished as the runner-up for those awards in 2023.

Stephanie Soares, Iowa State

  • WNBA GMs reportedly like what they see in Soares, who was one of Iowa State’s best players before tearing her ACL in early January. After making the jump from the NAIA, Soares averaged 14.4 points and 9.9 rebounds per game through 13 games. Just Women’s Sports’ Rachel Galligan even dubbed Soares as a potential “unicorn” based on her abilities to have a long WNBA career.

Maddy Siegrist, Villanova

  • Siegrist played her way into a first-round pick this season, having a career-best year while leading the nation in scoring with 29.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. She became the Big East’s all-time leading scorer and she broke a record held by Kelsey Plum, scoring at least 20 points in every single game this season.

Diamond Miller, Maryland

  • The 6-3 guard has a ton of upside, having dominated all season long with a team-leading 19.7 points per game. She also has range on the perimeter, and she is an outstanding rebounder that could help lift any team to new heights.

What is the draft order?

First round

  • 1. Indiana Fever
  • 2. Minnesota Lynx
  • 3. Dallas Wings
  • 4. Washington Mystics
  • 5. Dallas Wings
  • 6. Atlanta Dream
  • 7. Indiana Fever
  • 8. Atlanta Dream
  • 9. Seattle Storm
  • 10. Los Angeles Sparks
  • 11. Dallas Wing
  • 12. Minnesota Lynx

Second round

  • 13. Indiana Fever
  • 14. Los Angeles Sparks
  • 15. Atlanta Dream
  • 16. Minnesota Lynx
  • 17. Indiana Fever
  • 18. Seattle Storm
  • 19. Dallas Wings
  • 20. Washington Mystics
  • 21. Seattle Storm
  • 22. Connecticut Sun
  • 23. Chicago Sky
  • 24. Minnesota Lynx

Third round

  • 25. Indiana Fever
  • 26. Los Angeles Sparks
  • 27. Phoenix Mercury
  • 28. Minnesota Lynx
  • 29. Phoenix Mercury
  • 30. New York Liberty
  • 31. Dallas Wings
  • 32. Washington Mystics
  • 33. Seattle Storm
  • 34. Connecticut Sun
  • 35. Chicago Sky
  • 36. Las Vegas Aces

UCLA senior guard Charisma Osborne is forgoing the 2023 WNBA Draft, electing instead to use her extra year of NCAA eligibility.

As a WNBA coach told Osborne and UCLA coach Cori Close, the decision could be a smart move.

To provide her players with the best possible advice about their futures, Close frequently touches base with WNBA coaches. One coach offered Close and Osborne a stark assessment about life in the professional league, the New York Times reported Sunday.

“Does Charisma want to make more money and stay in college and get massages, fly charter, have everything paid for, have a nutritionist and have her own trainers that are paid for?” Close said, quoting the coach. “Or does she want to have none of those things and fly Southwest with us?”

The latter scenario would hold true only if Osborne made the cut for a WNBA roster. The 12-team league is facing a roster crunch, with just 36 draft picks and 144 roster spots but more than 80 players on the draft entry list.

“We have all these people growing and mastering their craft, with no place to go in the United States,” Close said. “It’s just really sad that those are the conversations we’re having to have with our league and our college game being so healthy and vibrant and growing.”

Osborne had declared for the draft after UCLA’s Sweet 16 exit from the NCAA Tournament, but the 5-9 point guard has withdrawn her name. The WNBA Draft will be held at 7 p.m. ET on Monday in New York, and if draft entrants choose to withdraw, they must do so at least five days before (so, by Thursday).

Los Angeles Sparks guard Lexie Brown pushed back against some of the criticism of the WNBA, tweeting Tuesday: “Y’all really think we don’t have massage therapists, trainers, and nutritionists?”

Still, future top draft picks are weighing their options, including Iowa junior Caitlin Clark and UConn junior Paige Bueckers. Most of this season’s juniors and seniors have the option to use the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tennessee senior Tamari Key laid out reasons players might choose to stay after she and her teammate Rickea Jackson opted to return for another season with the Lady Vols. Among them was the name, image and likeness policy, which opens up NIL deals to students.

Key also mentioned chartered flights, which have been a sticking point for WNBA players over the last few seasons.

“I’m not speaking for everyone when I say this, but I’m sure if you asked collegiate women’s basketball players that are staying an extra year, you would probably get an answer similar to any of these,” she wrote.

This year’s WNBA draft class features a stacked lineup, led by Aliyah Boston and South Carolina’s “Freshies.”

The Gamecocks’ freshmen from the 2019-20 season are now primed to enter the professional ranks.

Boston is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Indiana Fever, and her teammates could follow closely behind her. Brea Beal, Laeticia Amihere and Zia Cooke all are potential first-round picks, with Beal and Amihere going in the top 12 in the latest mock draft from ESPN, while Cooke is in the top 12 in the most recent mock from Just Women’s Sports.

All four were part of a senior class at South Carolina that went 129-9 during their careers, advancing to three Final Fours and winning the 2022 national championship. 

“We wanted to be the best class to ever come in. I feel like we did that,” Beal said following the team’s Final Four loss.

Boston, Beal and Cooke were four-year starters. Beal hit career-highs in shooting 3s this season, at 38 percent. Cooke, meanwhile, had a career-best season this year with the Gamecocks, averaging 15.4 points per game. She won the Ann Meyer Drysdale Award this year as the best shooting guard in the country.

And if you ask Cooke, their time together isn’t done. 

“It’s not over, we’ve got so much success in front of us,” she told ABC 25 Columbia. “All of us. I think this was just a chapter of our life that we were able to spend together. And now we’re all gonna all divide off and go our separate ways. But I just know there’s greatness that’s going to happen throughout all of us and I can’t wait for us to get back together.”

As players declare for the WNBA draft, questions about the status of star player and projected No. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston remain.

And the South Carolina senior is not helping to quell them.

When asked if Monday’s Elite Eight win in Greenville would be her last in the state of South Carolina, Boston just smiled at the camera and then walked away.

If Boston chooses to postpone her WNBA career, she could become the face of a trend in women’s basketball as players opt to use the extra year of eligibility granted to them by the NCAA due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Most of this season’s juniors and seniors would have the option to use that extra year.

Tennessee senior Tamari Key laid out why players might want to stay for another year, as she and her teammate Rickea Jackson both opted to return for another season with the Lady Vols.

The NCAA’s new name, image and likeness policy is one of those reasons. NIL deals have changed the game for a lot of players, as they can make money while still in school.

“You don’t really have to do anything (in college) except hoop, go to school and make money,” Boston sad. “In the real world, all of the sudden everything is coming at you, so I think it plays a major decision.”

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley thinks Boston should go to the league, she told the Greenville (S.C.) News in January.

“I do think Aliyah Boston should go. I do,” she said. “I think she’s ready to take on more of one-on-one play rather than the junk defenses.”

On Tuesday, Staley said that she has met with all of South Carolina’s seniors and that she’s “planning on not having them” next season.

“Regardless if we have some come back, or all of them leave, or all of them stay, we’re still in a position where we must continue to recruit, just in case,” she said. “But I think all of our seniors have put themselves in a position to be drafted.”

There is, of course, the WNBA’s perpetual problem of limited roster spots. Currently, there are 144 available spots across 12 teams, which doesn’t leave a lot of room for rookies. 

“I know there aren’t a lot of roster spots this particular year in the WNBA,” Staley said. “We are constantly feeding them with information that will help them make that decision to go or to stay… And I’m not going to sway them. I’m not going to try to convince them to come back.”

Even current WNBA players have spoken up in favor of players staying with their schools for another year.

“If I was in college I would stay,” wrote Washington Mystics guard Natasha Cloud, who cited NIL and the limited roster spots as why college players should stay in school.

Chicago Sky guard Diamond DeShields echoed the sentiment, and even inquired if she still could use her extra year of eligibility.

“I would’ve stayed and used my 5th year under the current climate of college basketball,” she wrote.

Ultimately, whether or not Boston remains in South Carolina is up to her. But regardless of her decision, she’ll always consider the state home. 

“South Carolina has been a home for four years, somewhere where I really grew up so it’s always going to be that second home to me,” she said Monday. “And it’s going to feel so good when I come back whenever it is, visit, see everybody, see the coaches. It’s going to be really nice.”

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.

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Rickea Jackson (Calvin Mattheis/USA TODAY Sports)

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.

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Elizabeth Kitley (G Fiume/Getty Images)

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.

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Stephanie Soares (David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports)

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.

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Taylor Mikesell (Joseph Scheller/The Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Sports)

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.

Kelsey Plum isn’t just hoping for change, she’s taking an active part in it.

This April, nine of the top amateur guards in the country will descend upon IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. as part of the inaugural Dawg Class. There, they will participate in a weekend camp put on by the Las Vegas Aces guard and Under Armour.

The idea for the camp came from Plum’s own experience with the transition from college to the WNBA in 2017. The former No. 1 draft pick opened up to Just Women’s Sports’ Rachel Galligan last year about her mental health journey, which included severe bouts of depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts.

Choosing to share her story at that moment, she says, was something she felt called to do.

“I know that mental health is something that people are struggling with immensely, especially our youth, and particularly our young women,” Plum tells JWS. “It was time to really just peel back some of the layers of the onion.”

Now, Plum is taking those lessons and imparting them on the next generation of WNBA prospects. Women’s professional basketball, Plum believes, isn’t set up to help them succeed.

Currently, athletes have a short period of transition from college to the WNBA. This year’s WNBA Draft takes place just eight days after the NCAA championship game on April 2. Then, for draft picks who earn one of the limited WNBA roster spots, training camp begins on April 30 and the regular season tips off on May 19.

All the while, many incoming rookies will still be completing their final year of college.

“The women’s game has such a massive gap in the transition from college to pro, unlike any other professional sport,” Plum says, comparing it to the support NBA players receive from middle school all the way through college. “There’s a lot of money, there’s a lot of support, there’s a ton of resources to help them get to that point and be prepared.

“On the women’s side, it’s not like that. You’re just kind of thrown into the fire and you’re on your way, it’s like sink or swim.”

While much of the weekend with the Dawg Class will be about preparing the athletes for the pros, including lessons on what to look for in an agent and what to expect in the WNBA, Plum intends to treat them as she would anyone else.

“I’m there to train. I’m not above them,” she says.

“This is what I wish I would have gotten. A lot of these things I’ve learned in the last year or two, I’m like, man, how much would it have saved me, just like, quality of life, if I would have been able to learn these skills earlier? So, that’s the whole point of this class.”

Plum plans to be a resource for players beyond the weekend’s events, giving them her phone number for texts and calls. And if she can’t help them herself, she’ll find someone who can.

Launching the initiative with Under Armour, Plum says, was one of the reasons she signed with the brand in the first place.

“Even before I signed, Under Armour and I, we sat down and I said, ‘This is my number one, this is what I want to attack. I want to make an impact in young women’s lives, and I feel like this is the best way that I can do it,’” she says. “There’s a massive need that’s not being met.”

Under Armour’s proven investment in women, starting with their No. 1-ranked AAU high school circuit, was what really sold the deal.

“I’m really proud to be a representative of their brand because they really put their money where their mouth is,” she says. “For them to allow me to do this is massive, and I think it’s going to be huge for the sport.”

Throughout this process, Plum has also been thinking about her own future. The 28-year-old guard shined for the Aces last season, starting all 36 games, averaging a career-best 20.2 points per game and earning a spot on her first All-Star team, where she won All-Star Game MVP. Named to the All-WNBA First Team, Plum was also a part of the Aces’ first WNBA championship.

She attributes the success to her own mental well-being after hiring a mental health coach in her fourth year in the WNBA.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’ve felt at peace as much as I’ve ever been, and I’ve also performed at a high level,” Plum says. “For me, it’s more of a lifestyle, on the daily what I do to maintain that peace.”

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Plum and 2022 WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson are just two stars on Las Vegas' WNBA superteam. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Plum knows that the Aces have a target on their backs heading into the upcoming WNBA season. The reigning champions added new signings Candace Parker and Alysha Clark to a roster that already includes Plum, two-time MVP A’ja Wilson, Finals MVP Chelsea Gray and All-Star Jackie Young.

With one of the most talented rosters in the WNBA, Las Vegas has been dubbed one of the league’s superteams alongside the New York Liberty.

“This is the thing when you amass that much talent, the biggest kryptonite is ego. And I gotta start with myself. To try and be a good player in the WNBA, you have to kind of have an ego. You’ve got to have this, like, unfazed confidence about yourself,” Plum says.

“Everyone’s like, repeat, repeat, and I just laugh because I’m like, people don’t understand how hard it is to win. You just gotta go a day at a time. And I think that it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”

Plum is having more fun playing basketball, which she realizes now is the key to seeing beyond the pressure and enjoying success. And that’s exactly the example she wants to set for her new group of mentees.

“We have the sports world’s attention, bigger than just the W,” Plum says of her and her teammates. “When you have that, you can look at it as pressure, but I honestly think it’s a privilege, and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Emma Hruby is an Associate Editor at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @EHruby.

We are back with our second annual WNBA Top 50 Big Board. Here, you can find the top players WNBA general managers, scouts and coaches are keeping an eye on as they prepare for the 2023 draft in April.

It is still largely unknown whether these prospects will declare for the draft, use a fifth-year of eligibility or secure an NCAA waiver to return after suffering an injury. But as things stand now, here is the Just Women’s Sports WNBA Big Board.

NOTE: These players do not appear in any specific order.

Aliyah Boston, C, South Carolina

Boston is arguably the most dominant player in the country with her unique combination of size, finishing ability, defense and rebounding prowess. Boston makes the game look easy. She is patient, processes action exceptionally well and is an elite passer out of the post. Her efficiency around the rim requires opponents to game plan for her specifically. Boston demands double and triple teams, and despite what she goes up against every game, she has remained a consistent force and a walking double-double throughout her career. It will be worth watching how her game translates to the next level when opposing defenses aren’t zeroed in on stopping her.

Diamond Miller, G, Maryland

Miller might have the most potential and versatility of anyone in this draft class. As a 6-3 guard, she has the length, frame, skill and shot-creating ability to excel at the next level. Miller is putting up career numbers in her fourth year with the Terrapins, averaging 19.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 47.5 percent from the field. The senior is impacting games for Maryland on both sides of the ball with her ability to accelerate in the open floor, her lateral quickness and her wingspan. One of the more underrated aspects of Miller’s game is her ability to facilitate. It’s hard to fathom Miller landing anywhere outside of the lottery in the upcoming draft.

Haley Jones, G, Stanford

Jones is an all-round player with a phenomenal basketball IQ and passing vision. She can guard any position on the floor and has the versatility to play the coveted point forward. Her size and skill can pose all sorts of mismatch problems for opponents. Jones can score at the rim efficiently and knock down mid-range shots (though her mid-range shooting percentage is down this season). Jones’ inconsistent perimeter shooting is a concern: The senior has made just three 3-pointers for Stanford this season. Her draft position will depend on how teams envision her skill set translating to their system and whether they believe that her offensive perimeter game can expand.

Rickea Jackson, G/F, Tennessee

Jackson has draft lottery potential with the way she can impact a game at every level. She drives aggressively to the basket, making it difficult for defenders to keep her in front of them. She is also a nightmare in the paint, where she can hit shots from mid-range. At 6-foot-2, Jackson has the elite length and skill set for a pro team to leverage in a variety of ways. Where she lands in the WNBA draft could hinge on her performance with Tennessee down the stretch of the season.

Elizabeth Kitley, C, Virginia Tech

Kitley has the length and skill to go along with an elite ability to play with her back to the basket and face up. The back-to-back ACC Player of the Year is currently leading the Hokies with 18.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. She is a serviceable defender who provides rim protection as a shot blocker and uses her basketball IQ to make good decisions. She would add unique depth to any WNBA frontcourt and team that’s willing to develop her for the future.

Jordan Horston, G, Tennessee

At 6-2, Horston has the length and athleticism to impact games as a scoring threat and an elite defender. She is efficient off the dribble and explosive off the bounce, covering a lot of ground with her first step. She can score from deep, expose mismatches on the block and hit mid-range jumpers that are difficult to defend. This season, Horston has shown resilience and an ability to elevate her play in key moments while putting up the most efficient numbers of her college career. Horston certainly has first-round potential if she chooses not to use her extra year of eligibility.

Stephanie Soares, C, Iowa State

The two-time NAIA Player of the Year made an immediate impact at Iowa State, catching the eye of WNBA teams before suffering an ACL tear 13 games into the season. Regardless of whether she requests a waiver for an additional year of eligibility, Soares has made her case for the WNBA. At 6-6, she can shoot the 3, handle the ball and block shots. She has an extremely rare combination of athleticism, size and skill. Every single WNBA team is taking a good look at Soares this season and evaluating her potential. She’ll need to get stronger to compete in the pros, especially on the block, but anyone who watches her can see how high her ceiling is. Soares had draft lottery potential before the injury, and even after it, a team could select her in the first round as an asset for the future.

Maddy Siegrist, F, Villanova

Siegrist currently leads the nation in scoring at 29.0 points per game. The senior became Villanova’s all-time leading scorer against Creighton in late January and now has over 2,700 points. The 6-1 forward is also putting up her most efficient numbers this season, shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from 3. She has an intriguing skill set and impressive scoring ability, but there are concerns about how her game will translate to the WNBA. At the next level, she’ll be tested on defense and on offense against more complex defensive schemes.

Zia Cooke, G, South Carolina

Cooke is playing some of the best basketball of her career as a senior. Leading the Gamecocks in scoring at 15.5 points per game, the 5-9 guard is effective when shooting from mid-range and getting to the rim. Cooke has lacked consistency from the 3-point line at times during her career, but she is shooting 37 percent from the perimeter this season. She has proven that she can create her own shot and score in bunches. Cooke’s 2023 draft stock can climb if she remains consistent, efficient with her shot selections and continues to make good decisions.

Charisma Osborne, G, UCLA

Osborne has the attention of the WNBA as a dynamic guard able to impact games as both a high-level scorer and an elite defender. Osborne has been UCLA’s primary offensive, three-level scoring weapon for most of her career. With excellent burst and lateral speed, she creates her own shot, adjusts well depending on what defenses throw at her and makes good reads. Osborne’s on-ball defense is as strong as any other player’s in the country. At just 5-8, however, she’ll need to find the right situation to succeed at the next level.

Laeticia Amihere, F, South Carolina

Amihere is flying under the radar in WNBA draft conversations. How often do you find a 6-4 forward with length, athleticism and an ability to play nearly any position on the floor? With a loaded South Carolina team, Amihere makes the most of her 16 minutes per game, averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.1 blocks per game. Her inside-out game on both offense and defense would allow WNBA teams to go with a bigger, longer lineup — which she has become accustomed to in Dawn Staley’s system. Amihere provides rim protection, rebounds the ball and makes big plays when needed. WNBA teams should have her on their short list heading into the draft.

Taylor Mikesell, G, Ohio State

The fifth-year sharpshooter has the ability to get hot and shift momentum in her team’s favor, knocking down multiple 3s a game. WNBA teams have their eye on players who are efficient shooters and have the ability to stretch the defense with potent perimeter play. Mikesell, a career 41 percent 3-point shooter, is one of the best in the country in that category. The 5-11 guard is not just a one-dimensional scorer, which is a bonus at the next level. She’s athletic with a pro-ready build and great court vision, averaging 2.6 assists per game this season. Mikesell is set up to have a highly successful WNBA career.

Ashley Joens, G, Iowa State

Joens is a highly efficient and experienced guard, capable of exposing mismatches with her size down low. She leads Iowa State in scoring with 20.5 points per game on 34.7 percent shooting from the 3-point line. In addition to her skill set, she has displayed an exemplary work ethic during her five years in Ames. Joens’ draft stock hinges on how teams think her game will translate to the pros, especially when the offense no longer runs through her.

Celeste Taylor, G, Duke

Much of Duke’s success this season is a credit to Taylor, who is putting up the best numbers of her four-year career while earning a reputation as one of the top defenders in the ACC. Taylor leads Duke in scoring (11.8 points per game) and steals (2.0), and she is shooting a career best 40.8 percent from the field. She can score in a variety of ways, most notably from mid-range. The 5-11 guard has improved her perimeter efficiency every season, shooting over 33 percent the past two seasons. Taylor’s elite on-ball and gap defense is a result of her length, explosiveness and instincts. She also rebounds the ball well from the guard spot.

Alexis Morris, G, LSU

The fifth-year guard made stops at Baylor, Rutgers and Texas A&M before spending the last two years at LSU. Morris has been exceptional for the Tigers as a dynamic guard with a big-time motor who can defend, score and facilitate. The 5-6 point guard is putting up some of the best and most consistent numbers of her career, including from 3-point range, where she is shooting 35.2 percent. Her stock has been on the rise this season and has turned many heads in the WNBA, especially after her 23-point performance against No. 1 South Carolina on Feb. 12. If Morris maintains this level of production, she has a shot to propel herself into the first round of the draft.

Leigha Brown, G, Michigan

Leighia Brown has a versatile skill set and impressive intangibles. She can score, create, rebound and defend. The 6-1 fifth-year can play as the lead guard for Michigan and can also expose mismatches on the block with her ability to play with her back to the basket. She is a three-level scorer, and while her three-point shooting percentage is down this season, she has consistently shot above 30 percent for her career. The area of Brown’s game that is most intriguing is her elite vision and passing ability for her size — she leads Michigan in assists with 5.9 per game this season. Whichever team selects Brown in the upcoming draft will be getting a complete package.

Taylor Robertson, G, Oklahoma

Robertson is a sharp-shooting specialist, averaging 44 percent from 3-point range during her five-year NCAA career. Robertson holds the Big 12 and Oklahoma career 3-point shooting records and is arguably the best shooter in the country. Robertson’s perimeter efficiency warrants a look from any team in the league. If she can make the jump defensively to the pros, she has a shot to make a roster.

Monika Czinano, C, Iowa

Czinano is No. 4 in the country in field-goal percentage, averaging 66.5 percent from the field this season. That mark is not surprising considering the fifth-year center has shot 66 percent for her entire career at Iowa. At 6-3, Czinano could be considered undersized for a traditional five in the WNBA. But her predecessor, Iowa alum Megan Gustafson, is an example of someone who has found ways to make an impact in the league the last four years. Iowa has a strong track record of developing WNBA-ready post players, and Czinano has the tools, low-block understanding and efficiency inside to warrant a look.

Dyaisha Fair, G, Syracuse

Fair has an elite scoring mentality and ability to create her own shot despite her small stature at 5-5. She is especially successful in transition, getting downhill quickly and making it difficult for defenders to get in front of her. Fair has a smooth, steady jumper and can also shoot it from deep. The question is how WNBA teams see her lack of size and efficiency translating to the next level on both sides of the ball. Is she a true point guard and can she defend bigger guards? Can she create her own shot while not getting nearly as many attempts?

Grace Berger, G, Indiana

Berger has been one of the Hoosiers’ most consistent players her entire career. As a combo guard, Berger can play on or off the ball and is averaging the best assist numbers of her career this season at 4.8 per game, despite missing several months with a knee injury. Her offensive arsenal includes one of the best mid-range games in the country, with an ability to create off-ball screens and get off her own shot. One of Berger’s biggest strengths is her smart shot selection. She has a way to manufacture points in the paint, find her way to the rim and take over games. In the WNBA, Berger will likely play as a backup two guard who can initiate offense and provide steady defense. The biggest area of concern is her 3-point shooting, where she has averaged just 30 percent during her career.

Jessika Carter, C, Mississippi State

After redshirting last season, Carter has returned to lead Mississippi State in scoring (14.8 points per game) and blocks (2.1). At 6-5, Carter brings imposing size and one of the best wingspans in this draft class. She also has elite rim protection, rebounding abilities and mobility. Her draft stock depends on how she fares against top-level competition the rest of the season. She would have a learning curve in the WNBA, but she is an intriguing prospect for a team that could commit to developing her.

Hannah Jump, G Stanford

Jump could return to Stanford and use her extra year of eligibility, but regardless of when she enters the draft, there is a need for sharpshooting specialists in the WNBA. The 6-0 guard is ninth in the country with a 44 percent shooting percentage from the perimeter this season. She has great footwork when running off action and spotting up, a quick release, and deep range off the line. In her Stanford career, 79 percent of shots have come from the 3-point line. She is just the type of specialist WNBA teams could be looking for.

Mackenzie Holmes, F, Indiana

A highly skilled forward with great hands and finishing ability, Holmes excels at thinking two steps ahead and exposing defenders in the paint. She plays well out of pick-and-roll situations and any five-out or four-out system. At 6-3, Holmes can face up a step off the lane line and sweep and rocker off the dribble. She’ll need to continue to stretch the floor as a perimeter threat. Holmes has indicated her intention to return to Indiana next season for her fifth year, but she is worth noting regardless as one of the top players in the country.

Jacy Sheldon, G, Ohio State

Sheldon has appeared in just six games for the Buckeyes this season while recovering from a lower leg injury, but her production — over 14 points per game in each of the past three seasons — warrants consideration. The 5-10 wing has a great feel for the game as an offensive slasher and scorer. She has the passing prowess to be efficient in the half-court, with the ability to cut off the ball and be aware of floor spacing. She also can attack the rim and finish in traffic.

Lou Lopez Sénéchal, G/F, UConn

After tearing up the MAAC for three years, Lopez Sénéchal took her talents to UConn, where her production hasn’t skipped a beat. The 6-1 guard/forward is one of the best scorers in the country, and she’s gotten even more efficient at the next level. Last season with Fairfield, she was shooting 43 percent on nearly 17 shots per game for a scoring average of 19.5. With UConn this year, Senechal is taking 12.6 shots per game, boasting a higher efficiency at 46.2 percent from the field and 43.2 percent from deep, and averaging 16.7 points per game. She continues to get better and is now producing on a stage that can prepare her for the pros.

Kayana Traylor, G, Virginia Tech

Traylor is an experienced and versatile guard capable of playing multiple positions on and off the ball. She has a strong motor and explosiveness and can finish through contact at the rim. She is also a capable perimeter threat who demands respect from defenses. A solid defender who’s able to adjust to different schemes, Traylor also has the basketball IQ to contribute as a passer on the other end. She has been a steady player for the Hokies the last two years.

Ashley Owusu, G, Virginia Tech

Owusu started seven games for Virginia Tech before breaking her pinkie in early December. Since she returned in late January, the Maryland transfer has averaged just nine minutes per game. Owusu is an elite facilitator who makes great decisions in the two-man game and is constantly surveying the court for the correct read. When she’s not creating, she is a prolific scorer, capable of putting up big numbers in a variety of ways. If the 6-0 guard continues to struggle to crack the Hokies’ lineup into March, her draft stock could take a hit. While Owusu is draft eligible this season, she could opt to use her fifth year of college eligibility.

Madi Williams, F, Oklahoma

Williams has plenty of intangibles to go along with her five-years of experience as a big guard. She’s been a prolific scorer during her time at Oklahoma, but she is only a 30 percent career 3-point shooter. Williams can handle the ball, can push it in the open floor and has great open court vision. Her stock is dependent on her perimeter shooting and how teams think her game can translate to the wing full-time. Williams has second- or third-round potential.

Abby Meyers, G, Maryland

The reigning Ivy League Player of the Year transferred from Princeton to Maryland this season and made an immediate impact in the competitive Big Ten. The 6-0 guard is averaging 37.9 percent from the 3-point line, just under her career high, and a career-best 2.6 assists per game. Meyers is a natural-born leader who brings poise and composure to the court. She’s not going to turn the ball over much and could be used as a deep shooting threat in the pros. A WNBA team could target her as a late-round, backup option in the draft.

Honesty Scott-Grayson, G, Auburn

Scott-Grayson has been a key contributor for Auburn the past three years, but she’s elevated her play to another level this season. Her numbers are up across the board, with the senior shooting 40.8 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from the perimeter. The 5-9 guard has a special ability to make tough, contested shots in the mid-range. As she continues to develop her perimeter shooting, she stands out as a three-level scorer with elite athleticism and defensive abilities.

Taiyanna Jackson, C, Kansas

Jackson is an underrated prospect in this draft. At 6-6, she’s having a breakout season for Kansas, coming into her own just in time for the draft. Jackson is averaging a double-double of 15.4 points and 12.6 rebound per game to go along with three blocks per game. She is also shooting a staggering 68.1 percent from the field. Jackson has a pro-ready build with high-level potential for a team willing to develop her.

Aijha Blackwell, G/F, Baylor

Blackwell has played in just eight games for Baylor after suffering a knee injury early in the season. There’s a good chance she returns to the Bears next season, but she is technically draft eligible this year. At 5-11, Blackwell is appealing to WNBA teams because she possesses a combination of versatility and power that is hard to find. She can play within any system and the speed of the game comes naturally to her. She is skilled on the perimeter, and she can expose a mismatch with her back to the basket to go along with her elite rebounding from the guard spot.

Elena Tsineke, G, South Florida

Tsineke is an undersized guard but a dynamic scorer who can create in the full court and out of the pick and roll. She can put up a lot of points and knows how to create space for herself at the rim. She is shooting a career-best 37 percent from 3 this season. Tsineke is one of the more underrated players in the country who has a chance to be a viable, late-round draft pick.

Keishana Washington, G, Drexel

The fifth-year superstar is averaging 27.1 points per game for Drexel, good for third in the nation, and has made it clear she knows how to stuff a stat sheet. Washington’s numbers have increased in nearly every statistical category this year. The 5-7 guard has not only evolved into one of the most versatile scorers in the country, she can also create, leading Drexel with four assists per game. For a team looking for a dynamic scorer who can provide backcourt depth, Washington certainly deserves a look.

Dorka Juhász, F, UConn

Juhász is as experienced as they come, competing at a high level internationally before playing a successful three years at Ohio State and the past two at UConn. What makes Juhász so valuable is her ability to understand her role based on the system. She has the IQ and selflessness to compliment key players. At the next level, she can contribute in a multitude of ways, from scoring within 17 feet, rebounding the ball and passing out of the frontcourt.

Brea Beal, G, South Carolina

Brea Beal is intriguing when you consider what she brings as a pure defensive specialist. She has been South Carolina’s longtime leader on defense, thriving in nearly every assignment where she is matched up with the best players in the country. Beal has a strong frame, great lateral speed and elite instincts on and off the ball. She’s an effective rebounder, does not make many mistakes and se takes care of the ball. Still, she’ll need to prove she can be an offensive weapon to make a legitimate impact in the pros.

Victaria Saxton, F, South Carolina

The fifth-year forward is experienced and has been developed as well as they come under coach Dawn Staley. Saxton stands out for her length, especially when she is attacking the offensive glass and creating second and third opportunities for her team. For a team looking for a late-round asset, Saxton is a good option. She’s not going to make a lot of mistakes and could seamlessly integrate into almost any system. She’s also proven to be a solid defender on one of the top defensive programs in the country.

Diamond Battles, G, Georgia

Battles has been on WNBA teams’ radars since her four-year career at UCF. The 5-8 guard has the full package as a facilitating and scoring guard, and her game has translated to her fifth year at Georgia. Her high motor makes her an undeniable asset on both ends of the floor. Battles leads Georgia with 14.4 points and 3.1 assists per game. While her shooting percentages are down this year, she’s a capable perimeter shooter who averaged 36 percent for UCF last season. Battles could serve a WNBA team well as a late-round pick.

Jakia Brown-Turner, G, NC State

The 6-0 wing has a wealth of experience at NC State, starting 120 of 121 games and notching over 3,460 minutes in her career. A three-way scoring threat, she is primarily left-hand dominant when getting it to the rim and uses her shot fakes effectively. She is also a strong rebounder from the guard spot. Brown-Turner has been a steady factor for the Wolfpack, even though she has not had her most efficient season, shooting just 35.9 percent from the field. Her draft stock could hinge on her consistency and ability to make tough shots in March.

Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, F, USF

Mendjiadeu has been a walking double-double for South Florida this season, averaging 17 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. While she has limited range, she has elite efficiency, shooting 60.2 percent from the field this season. The effort she puts forth on the glass is desirable for any franchise looking to create second-chance opportunities. At 6-4, she has the length, strength and motor to hold her own as a proShe has a shot to go much earlier than most are considering. and has a chance to go much earlier than most are expecting her to.

Myah Selland, G/F, South Dakota State

The sixth-year guard has played more minutes than anyone else on this draft board, with over 3,860 and counting. The reigning Summit League Player of the Year impacts the game in nearly every way and is the only active Division I player in the country to score over 1,800 points, collect 750 rebounds and have over 400 assists. She also leads the Summit League in assist-to-turnover ratio. Between her experience, knowledge of the game and overall skill set, she deserves consideration as a late-round draft option.

Shaylee Gonzales, G, Texas

There were questions as to how Gonzales’ game would translate to Texas after a decorated career at BYU. The 5-10 guard has put up big numbers her entire career, and her 12.5 scoring average this season is notable considering she is getting close to five fewer shots per game with the Longhorns. Gonzales has a good handle on the ball and can serve as a great complement to a primary ball-handler in the backcourt. She can score at all three levels and has the body control and strength to finish at the rim in traffic.

Erynn Barnum, F, Arkansas

The 6-2 redshirt senior is having a great season this year for the Razorbacks, averaging 15.8 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. She is used to an up-tempo system, is an excellent rebounder and finishes strong around the rim. A WNBA team will need to see the potential to expand her ball-handling and perimeter shooting for her to stick to a roster.

Rebeka Mikulášiková, C, Ohio State

Mikulášiková has come into her own this season for Ohio State. Her confidence is at an all-time high as she hones a European skill set with her unique size and powerful game. At 6-4, she can play with her back to the basket and is efficient around the rim, but what makes her so special is her ability to stretch the floor. WNBA teams are always looking for the combination of size and perimeter shooting, and Mikulášiková is averaging a career-best 34.5 percent from deep this season. She still has NCAA eligibility and has yet to decide what she will do after this year.

Sydney Taylor, G, UMass

Taylor has great instincts as a well-rounded guard. The 5-9 sharpshooter has been a prolific scorer the entirety of her career, with half of her shots coming from the perimeter. She has proven that she can get hot and knock down multiple 3s to shift the momentum in a game. She reads defenders well and can run off different actions to create her shot. Given the consistent need for versatile, perimeter shot-makers, Taylor deserves a look in this upcoming draft.

Quinesha Lockett, G, Toledo

Having scored over 1,800 points over four years at Toledo, Lockett has demanded the attention of defensive schemes the entirety of her career. At 5-10, she has a quick first step that allows her to attack her defender’s hip, slide by and finish at the rim. While she can shoot the 3, she’s averaged only 30 percent from the perimeter at Toledo. Lockett has been a consistent scorer, rebounder and defender during her career and is a key reason the Rockets were considered preseason favorites to win the MAC. Lockett deserves a good look as a late-round option.

Lauren Ebo, C, Notre Dame

Ebo has gained considerable experience as a fifth-year grad student for the Irish after playing four years with Texas. At 6-4, Ebo has imposing size and strength on the interior. Her numbers have steadily increased every season, with the center averaging 9.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field. Ebo’s game could translate to the WNBA as a traditional, low-block presence who’s able to play out of the pick and roll.

KK Deans, G, Florida

Deans is undersized as a guard, but her strength and motor make Florida go. The way she plays the game makes her seem much bigger than her 5-8 frame. Deann has shown an ability to get hot from the perimeter, making 2.3 3-pointers per game for Florida this season. She sees the floor well and can create for her teammates. What makes Dean special is her no-quit mentality and ability to impose her will on opponents. She has definite late-round potential.

Kiki Jefferson, G, James Madison

The 6-1 guard leads James Madison with 18.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game this season. She made the midseason watch list for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. Jefferson has good body control in the lane, can see the court well and is both a versatile scorer and elite rebounder from the guard position.

Starr Jacobs, F, UT Arlington

Jacobs was also named to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year watch list as the Reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year and WAC Preseason Player of the Year. After a monster redshirt junior campaign, the 6-2 forward leads UT Arlington this season with 17.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game on nearly 50 percent shooting from the field. While she’s not a perimeter threat, Jacobs has elite length, athleticism and leaping ability. She also passes the ball exceptionally well and has good control of her length in the paint.

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.