WNBA Draft 2023 🏀
The night of the WNBA Draft is one where dreams come true. Even though not all 90 candidates will make it, it is still a major moment in their lives that should be celebrated. These women have worked hard for years just to get the recognition and opportunity to make it into the WNBA. With the WNBA only having 12 teams there is surely not enough room for everyone. This draft for 2023 will be the 28th draft were 36 women will be added to the Freshman class. The draft took place on April 10, 2023 at 7pm EST in New York at the Spring Studios. This venue is beautiful with large glass windows overlooking parts of the city and the water. It is picturesque from the sunset view to the decor added by the committee to make this moment one to remember. With the draft being a small ceremony it allows for a more intimate moment as family members, coaches, agents, and friends are allowed to watch their draftees walk to the stage for their moment of fame.
Within this year’s draft class was elite player Aliyah Boston, Diamond Miller, and Haley Jones. These women had been making noise since their freshman year in college and now they will be making their marks in the league. Aliyah Boston from the South Carolina Gamecocks went first overall as expected and it was well deserved. Boston has been nothing short of amazing with her collegiate career being named the Honda Cup Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year for 2022 among other accolades. Speaking of the Gamecocks Women’s Basketball team they had a total of 5 women drafted the year. Headed by Coach Dawn Staley the Gamecocks are no strangers to making history so this draft was nothing short of that for them. I think it is safe to say that being coach by Dawn Staley is bound to enhance your career one way or another.
Another notable moment from the draft is having the National Champion from LSU, Alexis Morris, get drafted. What a moment for her coming off a championship win to being drafted in the same month! That is something extraordinary to say the least.
Overall, the talent that the draft had was unmatched. Which only makes you want more teams and opportunities for these young women to get into the league. After 3 rounds of selections you really wish there could be a 4th, 5th, etc. We all wish that dreams could come true but unfortunately they cannot. However, it is with huge congratulations to the 36 women who lived out a dream. The women were dressed and looked beautiful and we cannot wait to see how their careers develop overtime leading into camp.
Here are the names of the 36 women who make up the 2023 Freshman Class for the WNBA.
First round
1. Indiana Fever: Aliyah Boston, F, South Carolina
2. Minnesota Lynx: Diamond Miller, G, Maryland
3. Dallas Wings (via Atlanta): Maddy Siegrist, F, Villanova
4. Dallas Wings (from Washington via Los Angeles): Stephanie Soares, F/C, Iowa State
5. Dallas Wings (via Phoenix): Lou Lopez-Senechal, G/F, UConn
6. Atlanta Dream (via New York): Haley Jones, G, Stanford
7. Indiana Fever (via Dallas): Grace Berger, G, Indiana
8. Atlanta Dream (via Washington): Laeticia Amihere, F, South Carolina
9. Seattle Storm: Jordan Horston, G, Tennessee
10. Los Angeles Sparks (via Connecticut): Zia Cooke, G, South Carolina
11. Dallas Wings (via Chicago): Abby Meyers, G, Maryland
12. Minnesota Lynx (via Las Vegas): Maia Hirsch, F, France
Second round
13. Indiana Fever: Taylor Mikesell, G, Ohio State
14. Los Angeles Sparks: Shaneice Swain, G, Australia
15. Atlanta Dream: Leigha Brown, G, Michigan
16. Minnesota Lynx: Dorka Juhasz, F, UConn
17. Indiana Fever: LaDazhia Williams, F, LSU
18. Seattle Storm: Madi Williams, F, Oklahoma
19. Dallas Wings: Ashley Joens, G/F, Iowa State
20. Washington Mystics: Elena Tsineke, G, South Florida
21. Seattle Storm: Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, F, South Florida
22. Connecticut Sun: Alexis Morris, G, LSU
23. Chicago Sky: Kayana Traylor, G, Virginia Tech
24. Minnesota Lynx: Brea Beal, G, South Carolina
Third round
25. Indiana Fever: Victaria Saxton, F, South Carolina
26. Los Angeles Sparks: Monika Czinano, F/C, Iowa
27. Phoenix Mercury: Destiny Harden, F, Miami
28. Minnesota Lynx: Taylor Soule, F, Virginia Tech
29. Phoenix Mercury: Kadi Sissoko, G, USC
30. New York Liberty: Okako Adika, G/F, USC
31. Dallas Wings: Paige Robinson, G, Illinois State
32. Washington Mystics: Txell Alarcon, G/F, Spain
33. Seattle Storm: Jade Loville, G/F, Arizona
34. Connecticut Sun: Ashten Prechtel, F, Stanford
35. Chicago Sky: Kseniya Malashka, F, Middle Tennessee
36. Las Vegas Aces: Brittany Davis, G, Alabama
Let’s hear it for the girls!
Sources: https://gamecocksonline.com/sports/wbball/roster/player/aliyah-boston/ ; https://www.nbcsportschicago.com/wnba/heres-a-list-of-every-2023-wnba-draft-pick/348879/
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