WNBA mock draft: Morrow rising after big NCAA tourney
The Dallas Wings own next year's first overall pick after winning the WNBA Draft Lottery and are expected to select UConn star Paige Bueckers.
Here, theScore projects the first 12 picks for the marquee event in New York City on April 14.
All stats are from the 2024-25 collegiate and combined European seasons.
Paige Bueckers, PG/SG (UConn)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 53.4 | 41.9 | 88.9 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 19.9 |
It would be an enormous shock if the Wings passed on Bueckers at No. 1. The All-American guard finished just shy of becoming the first player in NCAA, WNBA, and NBA history to register 50/40/90 shooting splits and lead all players in assist-to-turnover ratio. She cemented her status as the top player in this draft during UConn's championship run, passing Maya Moore for the most NCAA Tournament points scored by a Husky. Bueckers is poised to make an immediate impact with her shotmaking, unselfish play, defense, and leadership. She's got all the traits teams look for in a franchise player.
Dominique Malonga, C (ASVEL - France)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 51.5 | 28.8 | 68.6 | 10.6 | 1.47 | 16.6 |
A 6-foot-6 rim protector who plays for one of Europe's elite sides, Malonga is among this draft's most intriguing prospects and arguably its most talented in terms of upside. The 19-year-old is active around the basket and has the tools to be a three-level scorer thanks to above-average athleticism for her size. While it's highly unlikely that Malonga can fill a lead role immediately, she does fit the profile of a future franchise cornerstone.
Sonia Citron, SG/SF (Notre Dame)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 48.4 | 37.2 | 89 | 5.4 | 2.7 | 14.1 |
The surprising decision by ex-Notre Dame backcourt partner Olivia Miles to forgo the draft and transfer to TCU makes Citron the second-highest-ranked guard on the board. Citron is a ready-made talent whose transition to the professional ranks is aided by her proficiency at both ends, especially as a perimeter defender, where her size gives her an advantage over smaller opposition. With three of the next six picks, it's almost certain Citron will not be on the board by the time the Golden State Valkyries pick fifth.
Kiki Iriafen, PF (USC)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 49 | 28.6 | 81.1 | 8.4 | 1.8 | 18 |
Iriafen would be another nice building block for the Mystics. The USC forward's 36-point performance in the Round of 32 against Mississippi State was further evidence that she can lead an offense. She's an elite offensive rebounder, has the speed to blow by opposing bigs off the bounce, and can go to work in the post. Iraifen may just be scratching the surface with her developing face-up game and passing ability, and she can contain guards on the perimeter with her athleticism and length.
Aneesah Morrow, PF (LSU)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 49 | 28.9 | 73.4 | 13.5 | 1.6 | 18.7 |
Morrow's high motor on the glass made her one of the most prolific rebounders in women's college basketball history. The 6-foot-1 forward's 1714 career boards rank third on the NCAA's Division I all-time list. She's also one of two players in NCAA history with 100 career double-doubles. Morrow showed the potential to hit threes and create for others during LSU's run to the Elite Eight. There are concerns about Morrow's size at the four, but the same doubts existed last year for ex-Tigers teammate Angel Reese.
Georgia Amoore, PG (Kentucky)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 42.3 | 33.6 | 83.7 | 2.3 | 6.9 | 19.6 |
Amoore enjoyed a stellar season with Kentucky after following former Virginia Tech coach Kenny Brooks to Lexington. Even though she's just 5-foot-6, Amoore proved her worth as a playmaker with 213 total assists, the sixth-highest mark in Division I, and a tidy 2.24 assist-to-turnover ratio. She also logged an SEC-high 36.7 minutes per game and flexes elite basketball IQ and court vision. The Australian's performances against talent-rich competition in the ACC and SEC speak volumes about her skill set and capabilities.
Shyanne Sellers, G/F (Maryland)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | 46.2 | 40.8 | 86.8 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 14.4 |
Sellers' strength is her versatility - the Maryland standout is capable of playing three positions at a high level. Sellers is a strong shooter who excelled beyond the arc this season - albeit from a small sample size - and can get a bucket any number of ways, something she displayed in a 28-point barrage in the come-from-behind second-round victory over Alabama in the NCAA Tournament. Sellers is a good building block for a rebuilding Sun side that's working with a relatively blank canvas.
Ajsa Sivka, F (Tarbes Gespe Bigorre - France)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 38.7 | 35.6 | 66.6 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 8.5 |
Teams seeking a perimeter threat with high upside needn't look any further than 19-year-old Slovenia native Ajsa Sivka. The 6-foot-4 wing thrives as a catch-and-shoot option and pulling up off the dribble. Sivka's also a gifted passer and surprisingly nimble for her size. Owning a pair of first-round selections this season gives the Sun wiggle room to swing big on a draft-and-stash candidate like Sivka, whose tremendous upside might be too much to pass up on at No. 8.
Hailey Van Lith, PG (TCU)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 45.2 | 33.8 | 82.7 | 4.6 | 5.4 | 17.9 |
Van Lith's strong fifth year, along with TCU's deep March run, has rebuilt her draft stock. The reigning Big 12 Player of the Year has settled in at the point, ranking 10th in the nation with 204 assists. She's flourished in the pick-and-roll and has the shooting range to burn defenders who go under screens. Van Lith's also been a winner at every stop of her collegiate career, helping three different schools reach the Elite Eight. That will serve her well at the next level.
Te-Hina Paopao, G (South Carolina)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 44.4 | 37 | 73.7 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 9.4 |
Paopao could be the Sky's long-term solution at the point. She's a career 40% 3-point shooter and would instantly provide some much-needed floor spacing alongside Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Paopao's chemistry with Cardoso, her former college teammate, is an added bonus. There wouldn't be much pressure for Paopao to start right away, with Chicago bringing back veteran floor general Courtney Vandersloot and acquiring two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins. She can learn from both guards and fill in for either player.
Juste Jocyte, G/F (ASVEL - France)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 41.8 | 34.8 | 78 | 3.2 | 2.71 | 12 |
The U.S.-born Lithuanian 19-year-old is eligible for the draft because she grew up overseas. Otherwise, we'd have to wait until 2027 to see this much-hyped combo guard who boasts great size at her position. What Jocyte lacks in athleticism, she makes up for with deft movements off screens and creativity as a scorer. Despite her age, Jocyte has proven herself in Europe: she made her Lithuanian debut at 13 and became the youngest player in EuroLeague history at 14 years, 29 days.
Saniya Rivers, G (NC State)
| GP | FG% | 3PT% | FT% | REB | AST | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 41.9 | 27.2 | 67.4 | 6.6 | 3.8 | 11.9 |
Rivers is arguably the best athlete available in this draft, and the Wings will hope that her standout showings on the defensive end might one day be matched by more polished and diverse play at the other end. That's not to say she can't get to the bucket and exploit one-on-one scenarios, but for Dallas - a team that was last in defensive rating in 2024 - Rivers' addition would cover an immediate area of need.