The draft lottery was created in large part to combat tanking when generational talents were coming out of college and turning professional. Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark is one of those once-in-a-generation players, but she’s not the only big name in our 2024 WNBA mock draft before March Madness.
Clark headlines a class of 2024 WNBA Draft prospects that is very strong at the top. While only one team will land Clark, plenty of other WNBA clubs can find impact players in this year’s incoming crop of players.
Related: Best women’s college basketball players 2024
Let’s dive into our WNBA mock draft 2024 with Round 1 projections.
2024 WNBA mock draft: Round 1 projections
1. Indiana Fever: Caitlin Clark, PG, Iowa
Caitlin Clark is one of the most decorated college basketball players ever. The 22-year-old finished her career with the Iowa Hawkeyes as a two-time AP Player of the Year and a three-time unanimous first-team All-American selection. On the court, the 6-foot point guard provides shooting range and confidence from deep that is really only seen in the NBA. However, she is also a very adept passer (8.9 APG this season). Paired with last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Aliyah Boston, the Indiana Fever now has a star duo that can dominate.
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2. Los Angeles Sparks: Cameron Brink, C/PF, Stanford
Stanford Cardinal star Cameron Brink certainly isn’t as well-known as Clark to the average basketball fan across the country. However, the 6-foot-4 big is a national champion (2021) and her resume boasts a lot more accolades than just that. The 22-year-old won Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year in three consecutive seasons and earned the conference’s Player of the Year honors twice (2022 and 2024). This past season, she set career-highs in scoring (17.8 PPG) and rebounding (12 RPG), while blocking 3.5 shots per contest for the second consecutive year. With Nneka Ogwumike now signed with Seattle, Brink is the perfect replacement at center for the retooling Los Angeles Sparks.
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3. Chicago Sky (via Phoenix): Rickea Jackson, F, Tennessee
The 2024 WNBA Draft class took a bit of a hit when UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers announced she’s returning to school next season. With that top option off the board, the rebuilding Chicago Sky pivot in our WNBA mock draft to one of the top women’s college basketball players over the last three seasons. At Tennessee, Rickea Jackson averaged over 19 points per game for the third consecutive year and she set a career-high in rebounding (8 RPG). Heading into her age-24 season, the 6-foot-2 forward can provide Chicago with an excellent multi-dimensional scoring presence for years to come.
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4. Los Angeles Sparks (via Seattle): Kamilla Cardoso, center, South Carolina
Our philosophy will always be that you take the top players atop a draft class and worry about the rest later. Kamilla Cardoso, at 6-foot-7, is easily one of the top prospects in the 2024 WNBA Draft. While the pairing with Cameron Brink might not be perfect, the Sparks can easily make it work. A frontcourt of Cardoso and Brink would provide Los Angeles with a foundation to build on and the dominance near the paint would be tough to match for other up-and-coming WNBA teams.
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5. Dallas Wings (via Chicago): Aaliyah Edwards, PF/C, UConn
The run on bigs continues in our 2024 WNBA mock draft. Aaliyah Edwards, heading into her age-22 season has shined this year for UConn, averaging 17.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Edwards has demonstrated that she can play a variety of roles, which is something that a contender like the Dallas Wings would like to have from a rookie. Plus, with the amount of size coming into the WNBA, it’s a good thing to start loading up.
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6. Washington Mystics: Angel Reese, C, LSU
The Washington Mystics roster has been gutted this offseason, which forces the franchise to make wholesale changes. Some star power is needed for Washington, which invites a willingness to take a risk on LSU Tigers center Angel Reese. While there is plenty of uncertainty regarding Reese’s overall skill set translating to the WNBA, it’s always wise to bet on athleticism and defense. Plus, Reese is a Maryland native who started her collegiate career with the Terrapins and starred at Saint Frances Academy in Baltimore.
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7. Minnesota Lynx: Jacy Sheldon, G, Ohio State
Jacy Sheldon had to work her way back from injuries last season, but her final run with the Ohio State Buckeyes has gone even better than anyone could hope for. Sheldon, an Ohio native, averaged 18 points and 2.1 steals per game, hitting 38 percent from the perimeter. After making the playoffs this past season, the Minnesota Lynx can significantly improve their overall effectiveness and versatility next season with Sheldon’s combination of perimeter defense and outside shooting.
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8. Chicago Sky (via Atlanta): Nyadiew Puoch, SF, Australia
In a rebuild, you have to be willing to take chances. For the Chicago Sky, that means betting on 19-year-old forward Nyadiew Puoch in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Playing overseas, Puoch was away from the spotlight that women’s college basketball offers. However, the combination of length, size, athleticism and untapped potential provides Puoch with an extremely high ceiling that if achieved would greatly exceed the value of this draft slot.
9. Dallas Wings: Georgia Amoore, PG, Virginia Tech
After snagging Aaliyah Edwards with their earlier first-round pick, the Dallas Wings now deepen their rotation with point guard Virginia Tech. While she is undersized at 5-foot-6, Amoore was one of the best guards in college basketball this past season. She has outstanding vision, knows how to create for her teammates and she averaged 2.7 three-pointers made this past season while contributing nearly 7 assists per night. All of that is beneficial to improve the depth of one of the best teams in the WNBA.
10. Connecticut Sun: Alissa Pili. PF, Utah
Last season, the Connecticut Sun attempted the fourth-fewest three-pointers (20.0) in the WNBA, but they still managed to finish with the third-best record. If the Sun want to take that next step forward, they need more shooting. Not only does Alaskan native Alissa Pili offer some size (6-foot-2), but she’s shot over 40 percent from the perimeter in the last two seasons and has averaged 1.6 three-pointers made per game this past year.
11. New York Liberty: Charlisse Leger-Walker, G, Washington State
We’re certainly straying from the pack here in comparison to other 2024 WNBA mock drafts. Adding perimeter defense would certainly help the New York Liberty immediately, but there’s also a case to be made that the amount of talent on New York’s roster opens the door to taking a risk. Before tearing her ACL, Washington State guard Charlisse Leger-Walker had elevated her game on the defensive end and her playmaking ability is undeniable. Viewing her as a draft-and-stash, the Liberty could help Leger-Walker get healthy and then later flip her when her trade value is even higher for a win-now piece.
12. Atlanta Dream (via Las Vegas): Elizabeth Kitley, C, Virginia Tech
It’s no secret that the Atlanta Dream need to improve their options at center. While the top options will be long gone at this point, the need could push Elizabeth Kitley into the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft. Kitley, at 6-foot-6, averaged career-highs in rebounds (11.4 per game), points (22.8 per game) and Win Shares per 40 Minutes (.322) this season with Virginia Tech. She gives Atlanta its secondary option at center and could surpass expectations.
WNBA Draft order 2024
Here is the WNBA Draft order for 2024 for all three rounds.
Round 1
- Indian Fever:
- Los Angeles Sparks:
- Chicago Sky (via PHX):
- Los Angeles Sparks (via SEA):
- Dallas Wings (via CHI):
- Washington Mystics:
- Minnesota Lynx:
- Chicago Sky (via ATL):
- Dallas Wings:
- Connecticut Sun:
- New York Liberty:
- Atlanta Dream (via LV):
Related: 2024 NFL Draft order, picks by team
Round 2
- Chicago Sky (via PHX):
- Seattle Storm:
- Indiana Fever:
- Las Vegas Aces (via LA):
- New York Liberty (via CHI):
- Las Vegas Aces (via WAS):
- Connecticut Sun (via MIN):
- Atlanta Dream:
- Washington Mystics (via DAL):
- Connecticut Sun:
- New York Liberty:
- Las Vegas Aces:
Round 3
- Phoenix Mercury:
- Seattle Storm:
- Indiana Fever:
- Los Angeles Sparks:
- Phoenix Mercury (via CHI):
- Washington Mystics:
- Minnesota Lynx:
- Atlanta Dream:
- Dallas Wings:
- Connecticut Sun:
- New York Liberty:
- Las Vegas Aces:
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2024 WNBA Draft FAQ
When is the 2024 WNBA Draft?
The 2024 WNBA Draft is on April 15 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn New York. You can watch the WNBA Draft on ESPN.
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Who is the best player in the 2024 WNBA Draft?
Caitlin Clark, the all-time leading scorer in NCAA history, is the best WNBA draft prospect in 2024.
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Who has declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft?
Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark and Stanford Cardinal star Cameron Brink have declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft.
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When will Caitlin Clark be drafted?
Caitlin Clark will be drafted in 2024 with the first overall pick by the Indiana Fever.
