2024 WNBA Mock Draft: Who's made the Top 12?

MIES (Switzerland) - The upcoming 2024 WNBA draft is about to land and there's going to be a real FIBA flavor running through it. with most of the prospects having played in international competitions.

With a strong focus on the global game and international prospects, here's our list of ballers who could get the green light. Having already covered prospects from 20-13, it's now time to check out the coveted Top 12 spots in our 2024 WNBA Mock Draft.

#12 Mackenzie Holmes - USA

 

There's excitement around Holmes, since the forward has managed to tear up the history books with Indiana and steps into the professional arena as all-time leading scorer for the College. Her shooting and finishing numbers are so consistently good that along with her defense, there's a lot to love for a team looking to add her to the roster this year.

#11 Dyaisha Fair - USA 

 

 

A relentless guard with a hard-nosed outlook at both ends of the floor, Fair wrapped up her NCAA career with almost 3,500 points at more than 22 per game which means she is on the first round radar. Even if she is on the smaller scale for a WNBA guard, her gutsy play and the fact she certainly knows how to drop buckets means she could be an appealing prospect. A top 12 pick potentially now that two or three high profile alternatives have dropped out?

#10 Charisma Osborne - USA 

 

A gold medalist at youth level with USA when stepping out at the FIBA U17 Women's Basketball World Cup five years ago in 2018, she has since worn a senior team vest for the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2023. Seen very much as a very nice all-around player, it is the defensive side of the game where observers believe she can have the biggest impact at the next level if she gets selected as anticipated. 

#9 Jacy Sheldon - USA

 

Knocked out for much of the 2022-23 season with injury issues, Sheldon has spent the last 12 months showing her best face. With over 18 points for the Buckeyes, she has jumped back into the mix again and one of her biggest qualities is the maturity and leadership she brings onto the floor. Throw in her defensive qualities and she is another baller who looks like she will make a smooth transition to the pros.

#8 Alissa Pili - USA 

 

Such an exciting offensive player. Pili has shown her array of scoring moves across her college career, but especially this past season. The Alaskan star has been so consistent with her extended shooting range, but questions have been posed by some observers about the defensive side of her game and that is probably the crunch and determining factor on where she will be picked. But there are so many upsides for any team. 

#7 Angel Reese - USA 

A big character and a rebounding machine at College level, this is unlikely to change and there'll always be plenty to talk about with Reese when she steps into the pro-game. Her strength and dominance of the glass is hugely appealing, it boils down to who believes she can take her offensive game to the required level and develop her repertoire. She has already shown her potential by balling with the USA senior side at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2023. 

#6 Nyadiew Puoch - Australia

 

The different mock drafts have been all over the place when it comes to Puoch and where she might be drafted. Most have her as a first round option, but those projected spots have differed wildly. The Australian small forward has shown what she can do on the global stage by appearing at consecutive FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup tournaments. The Southside Flyers player has big potential and it's why clubs might scramble for her services.

#5 Aaliyah Edwards - Canada

 

The UConn forward is absolute money when it comes to consistently putting scoring and rebounding numbers on the board. She has already done the business extensively for Canada at youth level and with the senior team. She's balled at the FIBA U17 and U19 Women's Basketball World Cups and has two FIBA Women's AmeriCup appearances as well. She might even be in consideration for a call up to the Women's Olympic Basketball Tournament Paris 2024.

#4 Kamilla Soares Cardoso - Brazil

The Brazilian forward is an absolute colossus and has led the Gamecocks to the national title with a near College season double-double of more than 14 points and 9 rebounds per game. Of course she has already shown the world what she is capable of after she was crowned MVP of the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2023 when taking Brazil to a record sixth title at the event. She will be in hot demand in the draft for sure after winning MOP of the NCAA Final Four.

#3 Rickea Jackson - USA 

The Tennessee forward used her fifth year of eligibility and is averaging superb numbers across the board since her transfer from Mississippi State. Bringing a beautifully balanced contrast between such tenacity and a ferocious competitive streak, she is also a smooth operator. Something that led to her being handed a place on the roster for last year's senior USA side at the FIBA Women's AmeriCup where she excelled with almost 15 points per game on her debut. If she was not a top three, or at least a top five pick, it would be a huge surprise. 

#2 Cameron Brink - USA 

Brink is triple gold medal winner at FIBA global events, having completed the double at the U17 Women's Basketball World Cup and then at the U19 Worlds too. Perhaps most noticeably from an individual standpoint, she played for USA at the 2023 FIBA 3x3 World Cup in Austria and was named MVP. Not just a multi-skilled forward, Brink is also the newly named Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, meaning she is surely nailed on to be the number two pick.

#1 Caitlin Clark - USA 

Described by some analysts as a generational player and the best scoring machine since the GOAT Diana Taurasi, the Iowa star is a phenomenon and already making further strides as the only College player to get the nod for a Paris 2024 training camp spot recently with USA. But some of the roots of her vertical trajectory are based in having stepped out at international events and not least when she was crowned MVP of the FIBA U19 Women's Basketball World Cup - an event she appeared at twice. Has there ever been a bigger lock for number one draft pick?

The opinions expressed are purely those of the author and for fan entertainment purposes only. These are not in any way an official ranking. 

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