WNBA Mock Draft: Where will Angel Reese land? Who will be picked after Caitlin

The last time we checked in on the WNBA Draft, the Indiana Fever had just won the No. 1 pick and were deliriously excited, even before knowing if Caitlin Clark would declare. That hope has been realized: Clark’s decision to go pro fulfills the Fever’s dream and sets up this draft to be one of the most impactful in league history.

Clark isn’t the only fourth-year to explicitly state her intentions for next season. Stanford’s Cameron Brink will be joining Clark in the pros in 2024, while Paige Bueckers will be playing for UConn for at least one more season. Three other players (Te-Hina Paopao, Aubrey Griffin, and Emily Ryan) on The Athletic’s 2024 Big Board will also be staying in college for a fifth year, removing them from draft consideration. We’re still awaiting the decisions of Angel Reese, Aaliyah Edwards and Kamilla Cardoso, among others, but we’ll assume they’re headed to the WNBA until further notice.

GO DEEPER

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The league also has gone through its free-agency period since the last mock draft, which clarified team needs and shook up the draft order. Four picks have changed hands — some multiple times — via trade. Overall, a third of the 36 total draft picks have been traded at least once, marking the ninth time in league history that has happened, according to Across the Timeline.

For all the change that has taken place during the WNBA offseason, one thing remains the same: The Las Vegas Aces are still the team to beat, but the Indiana Fever got one giant step closer. The draft takes place on April 15 in New York.

1. Indiana Fever

Caitlin Clark | 6-0 guard | Iowa

The Fever drafted a frontcourt star with the No. 1 pick a year ago, and now they get to pair her with arguably the greatest guard prospect to come out of college since Diana Taurasi. Clark is the leading scorer in college basketball history, and she’s fourth (and rising) on the all-time assists list, so she’ll be able to impact Indiana’s offense in a variety of ways. She’ll improve the Fever’s spacing with her limitless range, she’ll increase the tempo with her hit-ahead passes, and she’ll add to the entertainment factor.

Last season, Indiana had the second lowest home attendance in the league, ahead of only Atlanta, where the Dream averaged 85 percent capacity but were limited by the size of their arena. Now, the Fever are experiencing a spike in ticket sales since Clark declared for the draft, and other teams are seeing dramatic upswings — even in season ticket sales — so that fans can be present when Indiana comes to town. Clark is an offense and an economic force melded together. The 2024 draft will be a franchise-changing day for Indiana.

No. 1 ⏳

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) February 29, 2024

Cameron Brink | 6-4 forward/center | Stanford

After Bueckers announced she would be staying in school for a fifth year, Brink became the second best…