New ESPN WNBA mock draft: 2 players make big jumps, 3 enter first round

Just a few days before the WNBA Draft, ESPN has received a new WNBA mock draft — its first post-March Madness iteration.

The biggest change between the two mock drafts is the absence of Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles. Miles was widely expected to be the No. 2 pick next season, but instead opted to enter the transfer portal and will be playing at TCU next season. As such, other players have risen, with French phenom Dominique Malonga projected to be selected second overall in the latest iteration — up from fifth just a few weeks ago.

Here’s who ESPN’s Michael Voepel currently projects will be selected in the first round on draft night on April 14:

Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers

Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga

Washington Mystics: Kiki Iriafen

Washington Mystics: Sonia Citron
Golden State Valkyries: Aneesah Morrow

Washington Mystics: Shyanne Sellers
Connecticut Sun: Ajsa Sivka
Connecticut Sun: Aziaha James
Los Angeles Sparks: Georgia Amoore
Chicago Sky: Sania Feagin
Minnesota Lynx: Justė Jocytė
Dallas Wings: Saniyah Rivers

ESPN’s previous WNBA mock draft, published on March 25th amid the NCAA tournament, projected the following draft order:

Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers
Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles
Washington Mystics: Kiki Iriafen
Washington Mystics: Sonia Citron
Golden State Valkyries: Dominique Malonga
Washington Mystics: Shyanne Sellers
Connecticut Sun: Aneesah Morrow
Connecticut Sun: Ajsa Sivka
Los Angeles Sparks: Hailey Van Lith
Chicago Sky: Georgia Amoore
Minnesota Lynx: Saniyah Rivers
Dallas Wings: Sedona Prince

Dominique Malonga, Aneesah Morrow made biggest jump draft projections

French star Dominique Malonga, who did not compete in the NCAA tournament, makes the biggest jump in Voepel’s draft, rising from No. 5 a few days ago to No. 2 in Friday’s version.

Aneesah Morrow, who had a strong NCAA tournament run with LSU, rose from No. 7 to No. 5, and is now projected to be selected by the Golden State Valkyries.

Voepel also projects three new players will be picked in the first round who weren’t previously there: South Carolina forward Saniah Feagin, NC State forward Saniyah Rivers, and French shooting guard Justė Jocytė.

On the flip side, TCU standouts Hailey Van Lith (previously 9th) and Sedona Prince (previously 12th) both fall out of the first round since the latest iteration of the mock draft was published.

Other WNBA mock drafts see Te-Hina Paopao, Serena Sundell going in the first round

The Athletic’s Sabreena Merchant currently projects the following draft order:

Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers
Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga
Washington Mystics: Sonia Citron
Washington Mystics: Justė Jocytė
Golden State Valkyries: Kiki Iraifen
Washington Mystics: Saniyah Rivers
Connecticut Sun: Aneesah Morrow
Connecticut Sun: Shyanne Sellers
Los Angeles Sparks: Serena Sundell
Chicago Sky: Te-Hina Paopao
Minnesota Lynx: Georgia Amoore
Dallas Wings: Rayah Marshall

Yahoo Sports’ Maggie Hendricks has the following first-round mock order:

Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers
Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga
Washington Mystics: Kiki Iriafen
Washington Mystics: Sonia Citron
Golden State Valkyries: Aneesah Morrow
Washington Mystics: Te-Hina Paopao
Connecticut Sun: Shyanne Sellers
Connecticut Sun: Saniyah Rivers
Los Angeles Sparks: Georgia Amoore
Chicago Sky: Hailey Van Lith
Minnesota Lynx: Justė Jocytė
Dallas Wings: Sedona Prince

The WNBA Draft is set to take place on Monday, April 14th.