There is no doubt that Paige Bueckers will be the No. 1 selection of Monday’s WNBA draft in New York.
The Dallas Wings own that pick and hope Bueckers will pump energy into the franchise the way Caitlin Clark did last season for the Indiana Fever.
In other words, be a big hit on and off the court.
“I think obviously Caitlin had an unbelievable impact on the court, and her adjustment was quick and very, very productive,” Dallas general manager Curt Miller said on a teleconference. “You saw how hot Indiana was and how dangerous they were late in the year, and a lot of that was a credit to Caitlin’s quick adjustment, which is not always easy in this league.”
Bueckers, a 6-foot guard, capped her college career by leading UConn to the national title. She was a three-time All-American as well as one of the most popular players in women’s basketball.
Bueckers averaged 19.9 points and 4.6 assists a game and shot 53.4 percent from the field this past season.
The mystery arrives after she comes off the board, as there is no sure No. 2 pick.
The Seattle Storm own that selection while the Washington Mystics possess the third, fourth and sixth picks. The expansion Golden State Valkyries sit at No. 5.
One player mentioned as a possible No. 2 selection is Dominique Malonga of France.
The 6-foot-6 center helped France win the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and has been playing professionally in France.
“I think that there are quite a few really talented international players in this draft, Dom being one of them,” Seattle general manager Talisa Rhea said. “I think the ‘W’ is doing a great job of bringing over talent and making them want to stay here and making the ‘W’ a priority.”
Other players forecast to go early in the draft are Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron, Southern California forward Kiki Iriafen, Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers, LSU forward Aneesah Morrow and Kentucky guard Georgia Amoore.
The Mystics could end up with three players from that group and quickly revitalize their roster.
“I think it actually creates an opportunity for us to build strength in a couple of different ways,” Washington general manager Jamila Wideman said. “Obviously with just one pick, maybe you can do one thing at a time. But I think we have a chance to build depth. I think we have a chance to build on strength positionally at the same time.
“I think we’re really excited about bringing in a group of young players into an environment that we think will essentially inspire growth and development.”
Among the probable second-round picks is TCU guard Hailey Van Lith, who previously played at Louisville and LSU.
“I’m very willing and open to adapting, and that’s necessary for the next level,” Van Lith said recently.
But the star of the show on Monday will be Bueckers, who understands expectations will be high.
“Wherever that is, whatever that looks like,” she said recently. “Just to be able to play in the WNBA, it’s a dream come true.”
–Field Level Media
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