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The WNBA Draft will take place on April 14, which is just over a month away, and there are several players who are still clawing for the distinction of being a first-round pick.
The first round is shorter than it should be this year, as the Las Vegas Aces had to forfeit their selection due to a WNBA rules violation. This means that it will be even harder for players to stand out among their peers and be selected in the first round.
While players like Paige Bueckers, Olivia Miles and Sonia Citron are already established at the top of the board, a handful of players are hovering between a first and second-round grade. Thankfully, these players will have the opportunity to go on a run in the NCAA Tournament and prove that they are worthy of a top-12 selection.
Which players could become WNBA first-rounders after March Madness?
1. Ayoka Lee, C, Kansas State
Ayoka Lee has been a force in college basketball for the last five seasons. Although she peaked during her junior year at Kansas State, averaging 22.0 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game, she has still been an incredibly effective player for the last few seasons.
She has missed a majority of the second half of this season due to a foot injury, which has caused her to slide down several draft boards. However, she is expected to be back for March Madness after a minor operation. If she and the Wildcats can go on a run in the NCAA Tournament, it would give her more opportunities to showcase why she should be a first-round pick. Lee is a polished player who was highly productive in college, and you’ll be pressed to find a player with much more experience than her. She should be able to step right onto a WNBA floor and be productive.
2. Makayla Timpson, F, Florida State
Makayla Timpson has improved in each of her four seasons at Florida State and is playing exceptionally well at the right time. She is a do-it-all-player and has stuffed the stat sheet this season with averages of 17.6 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.2 blocks, 1.8 steals and 1.0 assists per game. Her versatility and defensive prowess would indicate that she is a high first-rounder, but most mock drafts have her landing in the early second.
If she and the Seminoles can go on a deep run in March, then Timpson may very well play herself into a first-round draft selection. She has been on a tear lately, averaging 20.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per contest in a four-game stretch against nationally-ranked opponents. Timpson should be a first-rounder anyway, but it may take a strong performance in March to get there.
3. J.J. Quinerly, G, West Virginia
J.J. Quinerly is another player who has gotten better in each of her four college seasons. She too is a stat sheet stuffer, as she averages 20.1 points, 3.1 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per contest. She is also playing her best basketball at the end of the season, which could go a long way in deciding where she gets drafted.
The Mountaineers are currently projected to be a six-seed in the NCAA Tournament, which means Quinerly will have her work cut out for her if she wants to make a deep run. She is a solid size for a WNBA point guard, and if she can play well in March Madness and showcase her ability to distribute, she could easily find her way into the back half of the first round.
