WNBA
April 16, 2021

2021 WNBA Draft: Complete Results 📈

Held virtually yet again due to COVID-19, the 2021 WNBA Draft was still as fun as ever—and this year’s draft class is full of standouts. From those who dominated during the season to the ones who flexed on ’em in the NCAA Tournament (Aari McDonald, we’re talkin’ about you), this rookie class will be something to watch this upcoming season. In fact, many are the first from their collegiate programs, or teams overseas, to be drafted into the W.

Here’s a complete list of the results, as well as a look back at how each Draft pick performed during their latest seasons:

FIRST ROUND:

No. 1: Dallas Wings select Charli Collier (C, Texas)

Collier is a terrific post player, high level rebounder and rim-protector—which helped her earn Big-12 All-First Team and Big-12 All-First Team Defense honors. The 6’5 center finished the season averaging 19.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.% from the field. In a Sweet 16 upset win over No. 2 seed Maryland, she led the way with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

No. 2: Dallas Wings select Awak Kuier (PF, Finland)

The 2021 WNBA draft is loaded with international talent, highlighted by Finnish big Awak Kuier who is 6’5 and has a lot of length. While playing in Ragusa Italy, Kuier averaged 8.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.

No. 3: Atlanta Dream select Aari McDonald (PG, Arizona)

No one can forget Aari McDonald’s historic run in this past year’s NCAA Tournament, as she led Arizona to the championship game vs. Stanford. The senior guard was outstanding all season for the Wildcats as she averaged 20.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. The First-Team and Pac-12 Player of the Year, as well as the conference’s Co-Defensive Player of the Year, is extremely quick off the dribble with tremendous handle and unlimited range. The star guard also poured in 26 points and 7 rebounds in Arizona’s upset Final Four victory vs. UCONN.

No. 4: Indiana Fever select Kyrse Gondrezick (Guard, West Virginia)

No. 5: Dallas Wings select Chelsea Dungee (G, Arkansas)

Dungee, who was an All-American this past season, has a pure scoring ability that’ll transition well into the WNBA. The three-time All-SEC player put together her best season as a Razorback as she led the conference in scoring. The red-shirt senior finished the season averaging 22.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, along with shooting 42.4 % from the field, and 38.7 % from three.

No. 6: New York Liberty select Michaela Onyenwere (F, UCLA)

In four years with UCLA, Onyenwere was an excellent leader for the Bruins on and off the court. Onyenwere, who averaged 15.3 points, 1.2 assists, and 7.2 rebounds per game in 123 career game career. The unanimous First-Team All Pac-12 player, has the ability to guard one-through-three but also can match up against bigs in the post.

No. 7: Los Angeles Sparks select Jasmine Walker (PF, Alabama)

Walker is a versatile forward whose game is next-level ready and she can stretch the floor. Walker was named First-Team All-SEC as the forward is capable of scoring inside and beyond the arc. Averaging 19.1 points, and 9.4 rebounds, while shooting .398% from three this past season. Named as a Katrina McClain Award Finalist, Walker posted 22-double-doubles this past season and set the Alabama scoring record with 41 points.

No. 8: Chicago Sky select Shyla Heal (PG, Australia)

Heal is an all-around guard who can handle the basketball with confidence and score around the rim. She is only 19 but has pro experience since the age of 14 when she became one of the youngest in history to debut in the WNBL’s Queensland Stars in 2015-16. She became the first 18-year-old to score 30 points in a WNBL game since Lauren Jackson and finished her career with 16.7 points and 3.4 assists.

No. 9: Minnesota Lynx select Rennia Davis (SF, Tennessee)

Davis had a great career at Tennessee and she finished her senior season by averaging 17.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. The All-SEC First Team player and AP All-America Honorable Mention has great length and size that will help with the transition into the next level. Davis is also one of the best perimeter defenders in her respected draft class.

No. 10: Los Angeles Sparks select Stephanie Watts (G, North Carolina)

Watts battled adversity throughout her career with injuries but also proved to WNBA scouts why she can compete at a professional level. Transferring back to UNC after a season-ending injury at USC in 2020, Watts was on a mission in 2021. As a graduate student in the 2021 season, she led UNC in assists, steals, and blocks. She also put up double figures in 12 of the last 13 games. Watts was huge for UNC in the tournament, scoring a season-high 26 points in the win against Clemson. In four seasons, Watts averaged 14.8 points and 2.7 assists.

No. 11: Seattle Storm select Aaliyah Wilson (SG, Texas A&M)

Wilson is fresh off a strong four-year career with the Aggies and this season she was the team leader in points per game, blocks, and steals. The 5’11 Wilson averaged 12.7 points and 5.9 rebounds. Earning Second-Team All-SEC honors, Wilson led the team with 18 double digit scoring games. Wilson tore her ACL, MCL, and meniscus back in 2018 but has shown off her toughness and is now ready to take her talents to the next level. No.1 pick

No. 12: Las Vegas Aces select Iliana Rupert (C, France)

The 19-year-old center is highly fundamental and experienced for a young age. After an impressive season, she was named FIBA Europe Young Women’s Player of the Year. Last season, Rupert was impressive on the offensive end—putting up 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds in each game.

SECOND ROUND:

No. 13: Dallas Wings Select Dana Evans (G, Louisville)

Evans is coming off a strong senior season where she was named ACC Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Evans averaged 21.0 points and 2.7 rebounds—leading Louisville to a regular-season ACC championship. Evans, who is only the third Cardinal to earn AP All-American, had a memorable career with the Cardinals. Evans will transition well into the WNBA she’s is quick with a great ability to shoot the three at a high level.

No. 14: Las Vegas Aces select Destiny Slocum (G, Arkansas)

Slocum was a highly effective shooter for Arkansas. She had a long journey to the Draft as she transferred twice from Oregon State and Maryland—deciding to finish her collegiate career with the Razorbacks. Slocum was huge and averaged 15.0 points per game shooting 48.3% from the field in her season at Arkansas

No. 15: Atlanta Dream select Raquel Carrera Quintana (F, Spain)

The 19-year-old guard is coming off a recent Euro-Cup championship with Valencia Basket Club Sad, after a thrilling one-point victory 82-81 over Reyer Venezia. Throughout the Euro-Cup, Carrera shined: she averaged 12.6 points as she showed off her ability to finish around the rim while also grabbing 7.4 rebounds a game. Carrera also showed off her court awareness as she moves without the ball at a high level. Carrera will now look to make the transition from Spain and the Euros to the WNBA. 

No. 16: Chicago Sky select Natasha Mack (F, Oklahoma State)

Mack may possibly be the best rim-protector in this draft as she’s coming off the college season leading the country in the blocks (112). Coming off her senior season where she averaged 19.8 points and 12.5 rebounds, to go along with 3.6 blocks, Mack now owns the OSU all-time blocks record. She was also named Big-12 First Team and unanimously Big-12 All-defensive first team. To go along with that, the Second-Team All-American was also awarded WBCA Defensive Player of the Year.

No. 17: New York Liberty select DiDi Richards (G, Baylor)

Richards is known as one of the nation’s top on-ball defenders. After becoming the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Richards solidified that this season. She battled an injury that left her temporarily paralyzed. She eventually returned later in the season and finished the year with 7.3 points and 7.2 assists per game.

No. 18: Seattle Storm select Kiana Williams (G, Stanford)

Fresh off a championship season with Stanford, Williams was the perfect leader for the Cardinals during their run. She averaged 14.2 points, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals during her senior year. Also, Williams set the program record for most threes in school history (311) while also never missing a game in her four-year.

No. 19:  Indiana Fever select Unique Thompson (F, Auburn)

Thompson is considered one of the top rebounders in this draft class after becoming Auburn’s all-time rebounding leader. Last season Thompson had 22 double-doubles and averaged 17.6 points per game complemented by 12.8 rebounds.

No. 20: Connecticut Sun select DiJonai Carrington (F, Baylor)

After transferring from Stanford, Carrington had an impressive senior season for Baylor as she averaged 14.1 points and 4.9 rebounds. Coming off the bench for the Bears, Carrington took home the Sixth Player Award and the Newcomer of the Year in the Big-12. At 5’11, Carrington is a physical guard who can get it done on both ends of the floor at a high level.

No. 21: Connecticut Sun select Micaela Kelly (G, Central Michigan)

During her career at CMU, the highly athletic guard did it all during her college career. Kelly scored 2,173 points while grabbing 618 rebounds and dishing out 513 assists. She made first-team Mid-American twice in 2020 and then 2021.

No. 22: Los Angeles Sparks select Arella Guirantes (G, Rutgers)

A highly skilled guard who has a strong ability to finish around the rim with both hands, Guirantes is coming off an impressive season as she averaged 21.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists this season. She also recorded Rutgers’ first triple-double since 2011—only the third in program history.


No. 23: Seattle Storm select N’dea Jone (F, Texas A&M)

Jones had a terrific career as an Aggie and she leaves Texas A&M as the program’s all-time leader in both rebounds, (1,026) and double-doubles (41). This past season, Jones earned All-SEC First Team for the second time in her career following a strong senior season campaign. She finished the season averaging a double-double with 12.1 points, and 10.3 rebounds per game. The 6’2 forward has a high-level ability to cut to the basket hard and set screens.

THIRD ROUND:

No. 25: New York Liberty select Valerie Higgins (G, Pacific)

The red-shirt senior did a little bit of everything during her three-year career at Pacific. Since arriving in Stockton after transferring from USC, Higgins has become one of the best players in Pacific women’s basketball history. She leaves ranked in the top ten in points, assists, steals, blocks, and free throw percentage while recording 35 double-doubles. This season leading the Tiger in scoring at 16.5, Higgins earned both WCC Defensive Player of the Year and WCC All First-Team honors.


No. 26: Indiana Fever select Chelsey Perry (F, UT Martin)

Perry is the premier small school gem that can make an instant impact. At 6’2” Perry has the size to compete at the next level. Perry averaged 22.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in her senior season but has been a force since her freshman season. She has now left UT Martin as the program’s all-time shot blocker with 228 career blocks.


No. 27. Atlanta Dream select Lindsey Pulliam (G, Northwestern)

Third all-time scoring leader, Lindsey Pulliam, had an amazing career putting up a career total of 2,025 points in four seasons with the Wildcats. Pulliam was selected to All Big-Ten first team and AP All American honorable mention in 2019-2020. She is a confident guard who plays with intensity and can score at every level. The 5’10” guard averaged 15.5 during her senior season.


No. 28: Los Angeles Sparks select Ivana Raca (F, Wake Forest)

The senior out of Belgrade, Serbia was a double-double machine during her last two seasons at Wake Forest. Raca was just as impressive with her 12 points and 13 rebounds performance against No. 1 Louisville—proving her worth against top tier competition. She looks to bring her versatility to the next level.


No. 29. New York Liberty select Marine Fauthoux (G, France)

Fauthoux is a 5-foot-9 point guard from France who averaged 4.3 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the LDLC ASVEL Feminin in the EuroLeague this season. With a high basketball IQ, Fauthoux is acclaimed for being a “team-first” guard who can lead her team.


No. 30. Connecticut Sun select Aleah Goodman (G, Oregon State)

The senior guard has had an outstanding four-year career with the Beavers. Known by Oregon State fans as “AL3AH”—Goodman is the school’s all-time leader in career threes at .437%. The first-team all Pac-12 player averaged 16.2 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.


No. 31: Indiana Fever select Florencia Chagas (G, Argentina)

Chagas was a standout in Europe who recorded the first triple-double in history at a women’s U17 World Cup. She can play both the guard and point guard positions comfortably, and has been crowned the “jewel of Argentina women’s basketball.” At just 19-years-old, she is now the first Argentine player to be drafted into the WNBA and averaged 9.4 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals in 23.8 minutes per game with the USE Rossa Scotti.


No. 32. Phoenix Mercury select Ciera Johnson (C, Texas A&M)

Johnson was also a double-double machine over at Texas A&M, putting up a career 21 double doubles putting her fourth on the list in Aggie history. She had a breakout game in her senior season opener where she finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds against Lamar University. She continued to dominate on the boards all season and finished off the season averaging 10.5 points and 7.6 rebounds a game.


No. 33. Indiana Fever select Maya Caldwell (G, Georgia)

Caldwell, who is only the 24th Bulldog in the program’s history to be drafted into the W, left a legacy at Georgia. She led her squad to the SEC tournament game for the first time since 2004 and snagged Georgia’s highest NCAA Tournament seeding since 2007. Throughout her four years, she’s had 37 double-doubles.


No. 34. Los Angeles Sparks select Aina Ayuso (G, Spain)

Ayuso suited up for the Baloncesto Zaragoza in Spain this season, where she averaged 3.9 points and 2.7 rebounds in 19 minutes per game. With a strong court vision and talent, she’s had experience playing with pros in Spain and in the NCAA—where she played alongside superstar Sabrina Ionescu over at Oregon during the 2017-18 season.


No. 35. Seattle Storm select Natalie Kucowski (F, Lafayette)

The senior from Philadelphia averaged a double-double with 17.8 points and 13.3 rebounds a game. Kucowski was efficient on both sides of the court, during her 4-year career and will look to continue to improve on her game as she makes the transition into the WNBA.


No. 36. Las Vegas Aces select Kionna Jeter (G, Towson)

Jeter is the first player from Towson to be drafted in the W. That’s not the only accolade she’s snagged during her three-year career: the 2020-21 CAA Preseason Player of the Year is also the first from Towson to be named All-CAA First Team three years in a row, and she won back-to-back CAA All-Defensive Team honors.

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Jack Ravitz is a Sports Media and Journalism major at Sacred Heart University, currently interning for SLAM. Follow him on Twitter: @jravs13 and Instagram: jravs_13

Kobe Blackwell is a Sports Journalism major at Arizona State University, currently interning for SLAM. Follow him on Instagram: @kobe_blackwell.

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