Charli Collier was selected first overall in the 2021 WNBA Draft.
So it was the second virtual WNBA draft in the pandemic. Hopefully, we get to have everyone in the same room next year. Either way, there was so much talent that was waiting to be picked by 12 WNBA teams.
In an unprecedented situation, the Dallas Wings had the first two picks of the draft. Dallas already has Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally. And with the first pick, they selected Charli Collier of Texas, a 6’5″ frontcourt player that can score anywhere but specializes in the post, which is still very much prevalent in the women’s game. And with the second pick, the Wings added another frontcourt player in Awak Kuier, who is a Finnish player doing her thing in the Italian league. Exciting times ahead for Dallas.
The Atlanta Dream, who had made big news in the offseason with the change of ownership, made a splash by selecting Aari McDonald of Arizona at #3, whose stock soared in the NCAA tournament a couple of weeks ago. The Indiana Fever also made a surprising pick in Kysre Gondrezick of West Virginia at #4. Then the Wings had another pick at #5; they chose Chelsea Dungee from Arkansas.
Other noted picks were Michaela Onyenwere of UCLA going to New York at #6. Jasmine Walker of Alabama was selected by the Sparks at #7. Shyla Heal (if that sounds familiar, yes, that is Shane Heal‘s daughter) of Australia got selected by the Chicago Sky at #8.
Some players like Arella Guirantes were expected to be picked high in the draft but she fell all the way to #22 in the second round; the Sparks selected her. DiDi Richards, the tireless defensive guard from Baylor, went to New York at #17. Kiana Williams (from the national champions Stanford) went to Seattle at #18. We also remember DiJonai Carrington in that controversial ending between Baylor and UCONN; she got picked #20, ironically, by the Connecticut Sun.
Here is the draft board for all three rounds. Congrats to all the talented women selected!
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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R.I.P. Nala.