2021 WNBA Mock Draft: Aari McDonald will be No. 4 Pick
As of April 7, the WNBA announced that the opt-in list for the 2021 WNBA Draft has reached 57 players. In order to be selected in the draft, players have to opt-in except international eligible players. The 2021 WNBA Draft will be virtually again this year due to Covid-19. Here’s my 2021 WNBA mock draft.
No 1. Dallas Wings: Charli Collier, F/C, Texas
Charli Collier has been chosen as a number one pick ever since she declared for the draft. She can be a good asset to this Dallas team. She will add some more height and physicality to the team. Collier averaged 19 points per game and 11.3 rebounds per game. She will be a great player that the guards can depend on to score whenever the ball is given to her.
No 2. Dallas Wings: Rennia Davis, F/C, Tennessee
Everyone is expecting the Wings to take another center but I think that the Wings needs another person who can play on all ends of the floor. She can shoot and most importantly she can defend and that’s something that this Dallas team needs. Rennia Davis averaged 17.3 points per game but only shot 23 percent from the three-point. But that’s fine because Dallas has other players who can shoot from the three.
No. 3 Atlanta Dream: Awak Kuier, C, Finland
Awak Kuier is a 19-year old who is played overseas in Italy. Kuier averaged 8.9 points per game and 6.8 rebounds. She is a center who is willing to shoot the ball from behind the arc when given to her. Kuier is a young player but with the veterans on the team, she will learn a lot and become more physical.
No. 4. Indiana Fever: Aari McDonald, G, Arizona
Although the Fever has a hefty amount of guards on their team, I think McDonald would be a good fit on this team. She is a playmaker and a great defensive player whose hunger makes her stand out. McDonald isn’t the best outside shooter, but with players like Kelsey Mitchell and Victoria Vivans, who are good shooters on the team, she has time to improve and learn. She can be a player who can change the dynamic of the team.
No. 5. Dallas Wings: Arella Guirantes, SG, Rutgers
Arella Guirantes is a beast when it comes to scoring. She averaged 21.3 points per game and 5.3 assists. She can score at any range and is someone who can find open opportunities to score. Guirantes can be another addition of scorers for the Wings with Arike Ogunbowale, Allisha Gray, and Tyasha Harris.
No. 6. New York Liberty: Kiana Williams, G, Stanford
Kiana Williams struggled in the last few games of the tournament but she’s still an overall good contender. She is a good three-point shooter and can make plays for the team. Williams is a valuable point guard that Liberty can use because they don’t have many guards. She led Stanford in scoring with 14 points per game and 3.1 assists per game.
No. 7. Dallas Wings: Chelsea Dungee, G, Arkansas
Chelsea Dungee has been a player that has been on the radar throughout her collegiate career. She is an excellent scorer averaging 22.3 points per game her senior year. If the Wings were to take both Dungee and Guirantes, the team would be stacked with scorers. I think that is definitely what Dallas needs is scorers so they can be successful.
No. 8. Chicago Sky: Dana Evans, PG, Louisville
With Chicago Sky’s roster, Evans would benefit well from the number of scorers and playmakers on the team. She’s a player that can shoot well from the arc. Evans is also a player that has proved that she can be a clutch player. She can also learn under Courtney Vandersloot. This would be a good pick for the Sky because they have a well-rounded roster they just need someone to enhance it and add more depth to it.
No. 9. Minnesota Lynx: Natasha Mack, F, Oklahoma State
The Minnesota Lynx could use another player in the frontcourt. Natasha Mack is a player who can defend at the rim and score. Mack averaged 4.0 blocks per game, 19.8 points per game, and 12.4 rebounds per game. She is one of the best defenders in this draft class. Mack was the Divison I leader in blocked shots.
No. 10. Los Angeles Sparks: Michaela Onyenwere, F, UCLA
With the trade of Candace Parker and a large number of guards on the team, the Sparks need a forward. Michaela Onyenwere would be a nice match for this team. Being that the Sparks are a scrappy team and Onyenwere would fit right in with her athleticism and ability to work hard.
No. 11. Seattle Storm: DiJonai Carrington, SG, Baylor
The Seattle Storm could use another guard. With the majority of the team being in the frontcourt positions and also with multiple veterans on the team to learn from, DiJonai Carrington could be a decent fit for this team. She averaged 14.1 points per game and 4.9 rebounds this past season. She is a strong player that can get to the basket and create opportunities for points.
No. 12. Las Vegas Aces: Jasmine Walker, PF, Alabama
The Aces have coasted to the playoffs and championships this past three years without a decent amount of forwards and centers. The Aces should definitely pick up Jasmine Walker because she is a player who can shoot the three. She also is a strong player who can get in the paint and score. Walker averaged 19.1 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game. She would be a good player to learn under A’ja Wilson.
Second Round
- Dallas Wings: Chelsey Perry, PF, UT Martin
- Las Vegas Aces: Jenna Statiti, C, Georgia
- Atlanta Dream: Iliana Rupert, C, France
- Chicago Sky: Ivana Raca, SF, Wake Forest
- New York Liberty: Unique Thompson, PF, Auburn
- Seattle Storm: Shyla Heal, PG Australia
- Indiana Fever: DiDi Richards, PG, Baylor
- Connecticut Sun: Stephanie Watts, SG, North Carolina
- Connecticut Sun: Ciera Johnson, C, Texas A&M
- Los Angeles Sparks: Lindsay Pulliam, SG, Northwestern
- Seattle Storm: Aaliyah Wilson, SG, Texas A&M
- Indiana Fever: Jenn Wirth, PF, Gonzaga
Third Round
- New York Liberty: Destiny Slocum, PG, Arkansas
- Indiana Fever: Janelle Bailey, C, North Carolina
- Atlanta Dream: Tiana Mangakahia, PG, Syracuse
- Los Angeles Sparks: Cece Hooks, SG, Ohio
- New York Liberty: Aleah Goodman, SG, Oregon State
- Connecticut Sun: Micaela Kelly, PG, Central
- Indiana Fever: Kysre Gondrezick, PG, West Virginia
- Phoenix Mercury: Tyra Whitehead, F, San Jose State
- Indiana Fever: Tesia Thompson, G, Southeast Missouri State
- Los Angeles Sparks: Chasity Patterson, G, Kentucky
- Seattle Storm: Que Morrison, G, Georgia
- Las Vegas Aces: Johanna Muzet, G, Rhode Island
