SI’s 2023 WNBA Mock Draft Features Post–Aliyah Boston Intrigue

The bright lights of the Big Dance have dimmed, LSU has been crowned national champion and now attention turns to the WNBA draft. The world’s top players, along with the league’s 12 teams, will gather in New York City on Monday for this year’s selections. While the first two picks are near locks, the rest of the draft features a plethora of talent and plenty of intrigue. The draft will feature three rounds with 12 picks each, for a total of 36 selections.

Here’s a rundown of all the names you need to know, including projected first-round picks, ahead of Monday’s festivities.

1. Indiana Fever: Aliyah Boston, C, South Carolina

Boston has been the unanimous No. 1 pick for some time, with the South Carolina star not only the most talented player in this draft class, but also likely the most pro-ready. At 6'5", she provides a dominant presence around the rim. More than her physicality, though, what makes Boston unique is her stoicism and creativity in the paint. After a banner 2021–22 campaign, sweeping the end-of-year awards and clinching a national championship for the Gamecocks, the senior’s numbers took a slight dip this season, averaging 13 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. However, equating the statistical drop-off to a slump in Boston’s performance would be a mistake—with the star attracting the attention of defenses across the country, often double-, triple- or even quadruple-teamed. “She’s ready to see single coverage,” said South Carolina coach Dawn Staley. “She’s ready to make the next step to the league.”

In Indiana, Boston will find a young, hungry and eager team—presenting the rookie with a starting opportunity from the jump, making the center position her own. She’ll also be reunited with former Gamecocks teammate Destanni Henderson, only helping Boston’s transition to the W—an added plus for a player who already possesses strong leadership skills, high basketball IQ and the overall confidence needed to make it at the professional level. In need of a commanding post talent, Boston and the Fever are a match made in draft heaven.

2. Minnesota Lynx: Diamond Miller, G, Maryland

Like Boston, Miller is a consensus lottery pick—and has been for a while. The Terps star solidified herself as the No. 2 selection after a compelling showing this season, averaging 19.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, propelling Maryland’s offense with a punishing transition game. Miller also dazzles on the perimeter behind 47.6% shooting, with the vision to create, and the guard is also a reliable finisher. No doubt, her offensive capabilities are enticing for any WNBA team, but Miller’s dogged defense is another essential part of her game, notching 1.3 blocks per contest. At 6'3", the 22-year-old also has the size and athleticism to be a disrupter, able to guard a range of positions.

The Lynx, fresh off sending star center Sylvia Fowles into retirement, are in a moment of transition as Napheesa Collier returns for her first full W season since giving birth. With a multifaceted game, Miller has plenty of pro potential, and her defensive prowess is definitely something coach Cheryl Reeve will value and hone.

3. Dallas Wings: Maddy Siegrist, F, Villanova

Siegrist improved her stock with a strong showing in the NCAA tournament, leading Villanova to the Sweet 16, averaging 32.3 points per outing. The Wildcats star capped off a breakout year on an emphatic note, with Siegrist notching a whooping 1,081 points—the second-most ever recorded in a Division I women’s basketball season, with the first being Kelsey Plum’s 1,109 with Washington in the 2016–17 season. Averaging 29.2 points per game behind 51% shooting, Siegrist’s finishing ability at her size is a big upside for the pros.

Aside from the 22-year-old simply being too enticing a prospect to leave on the board, Siegrist also fits Dallas’s mold. New Wings coach Latricia Trammell will be looking for someone to reinforce her emphasis on defense, and the 6'1" forward’s 3.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game in the Big Dance would fit that bill.

4. Washington Mystics: Haley Jones, G, Stanford

Jones’s stock may have fallen since winning a national championship with Stanford in 2021, but the guard is still likely a lottery pick. The 6'1" guard is a playmaker with excellent court vision and a distinct ability to get out in transition. Averaging four assists this season, Jones has established herself as an elite facilitator. The blemish on the Cardinal star’s résumé: her lack of an outside shot, averaging 9.4% from beyond the arc.

Able to guard almost position, however, Jones is an attractive pick for a Mystics team that finished last season with the WNBA’s top-ranked defense. If she can work on her three-point shot, Jones will be a great addition to a roster anchored by Natasha Cloud and Ariel Atkins, who led Washington to a league-best 45.7% from three.

5. Dallas Wings: Jordan Horston, G, Tennessee

Horston is an exciting pick, with her size and athleticism major pluses for most pro teams. At 6'2", she provides a commanding presence on the perimeter, and her defensive skills back it up, with the Tennessee star able to guard almost anyone you throw at her. Trammell and the Wings will undoubtedly appreciate adding an authoritative piece to the team’s backcourt, having lost stars Allisha Gray and Marina Mabrey during the offseason.

While Horston’s shot selection and three-point shot could be improved, she is an excellent playmaker who can energize most offenses. Averaging 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds on the season, the Lady Vols guard’s stats speak for themselves. It’s very unlikely Horston will fall out of the top five.

6. Atlanta Dream: Stephanie Soares, C, Iowa State

Despite missing most of the season after sustaining an ACL tear in January, Soares is still enjoying the hype of a potential first-round pick. At 6'6", Soares has size and athleticism that are tough to pass up. On top of being a dependable big, Soares can finish from the perimeter, shooting 54.4% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc before her injury.

The Dream are in need of a center, and Soares can provide depth to the roster’s frontcourt while adding a prolific offensive presence. The potential of Soares linking up with 2022 Rookie of the Year Rhyne Howard may be tempting enough for Atlanta to look past the Iowa State star’s injury concerns.

7. Indiana Fever: Brea Beal, G, South Carolina

Beal is one part of the heralded “Freshies”—the 2019 recruiting from South Carolina who won a national title together in ’22. After a heartbreaking loss in this year’s Final Four ended the Gamecocks’ undefeated season, the seniors are now taking their talents to the next level. Beal may not fully be bidding farewell to her Gamecocks crew, though, with the potential for her to be reunited with teammate Boston looking like a real possibility. With new Indiana coach Christie Sides emphasizing defense, Beal is an obvious choice as the best perimeter defender available in the draft.

Should Boston and Beal end up in Indiana, they will join former Gamecocks guard Henderson, providing the young team with some built-in chemistry.

8. Atlanta Dream: Grace Berger, G, Indiana

Berger’s tenure at Indiana ended in disappointment after the Hoosiers were bounced from the Big Dance in the second round. Despite her team falling short, Berger dazzled, averaging 17 points and five assists per game, building on her 12.9 points and 5.8 assists on the season. Berger also showed what makes her special—and capable of a jump to the pros—playmaking and running the floor. Her strength and size at six feet are certainly pluses on Berger’s résumé as well.

Dream coach Tanisha Wright will also be impressed with the guard’s zealous commitment to defense, with Berger particularly strong around the perimeter. Boasting a solid jumper, Berger has the makings of a WNBA rookie with tons of upside.

9. Seattle Storm: Charisma Osborne, G, UCLA

Osborne is a versatile guard who can play at the one and two positions, making her an appealing pick for the Storm. Seattle needs to build depth across the roster, especially at guard after Sue Bird’s retirement. If not a typical floor general, the UCLA star has the vision necessary to invigorate an offense.

While her 38.7% shooting from the floor and 20% from the three-point line are knocks against Osborne, she makes up for them with her impressive defensive presence. As one of the strongest defensive guards in a class of talented perimeter defenders, Osborne’s work on both sides of the ball makes her an attractive first-round selection.

10. Los Angeles Sparks: Lou Lopez Sénéchal, G-F, UConn

The graduate transfer from Fairfield came up huge when UConn needed her most, as the team struggled with injuries throughout the season. Averaging 15.5 points and 3.1 rebounds, Sénéchal offered the Huskies a reliable look on offense. She shot 47.6% from the field and 44% from beyond the arc, draining a total of 77 three-pointers in her year with UConn. That range will catch the eye of most teams, including Los Angeles, which was last in three-pointers made per game last WNBA season.

With a 10th-ranked offense, the Sparks could use some size and firepower on the perimeter. At 6'1", Sénéchal does the trick.

11. Dallas Wings: Celeste Taylor, G, Duke

Keeping in the theme of drafting strong defensive players, Trammell and the Wings will likely be interested in Taylor if she’s available late in the first round. With the ability to cause problems on the perimeter, Taylor is a relentless and energetic defender.

While defense is her bread and butter, the Duke guard is also impressive offensively, with solid off-ball movement and an ability to finish. Shooting 39.4% from the field and 32.1% from three, Taylor is an offensive engine, even with her strenuous commitment on the other side of the ball.

12. Minnesota Lynx: Ashley Joens, G, Iowa State

Joens’s production will be hard for WNBA GMs to look past, perhaps allowing the Iowa State star to sneak into the first round. Averaging 41.1% from the field, shooting 35.3% from beyond the arc and making 89 total threes on the season, Joens is a compelling shooter.

At 6'1", Joens has great size for a guard, and the 23-year-old’s Big 12 Player of the Year award only adds to her first-round case.