Caitlin Clark will headline the 2024 WNBA draft, but she’s not the only defender who will make it to the league. As the skilled game modernizes, franchises are looking for more perimeter playmakers in an effort to enhance pace and spacing. Clark is the most prolific and recognizable defender on this group, and is joined by a broad class – including several international prospects – of scorers, pure-scoring defenders and combo guards trying to make an impact at the next level.
The draft is lower than three weeks away and will happen on April 15 in Brooklyn, New York, just eight days after the national championship. In anticipation of the event, eight WNBA general managers shared their honest opinions on the upcoming draft class ahead of the NCAA Tournament. They were granted anonymity in order that they may speak freely. We’ll air one other installment on Thursday that will feature their unvarnished takes on frontcourt players like Cameron Brink, Kamilla Cardoso and Angel Reese.
DEEPER
WNBA Mock Draft: Where will Angel Reese land? Who will be chosen after Caitlin Clark?
After the tournament, we will release our final mock draft and GM report on potential picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
18.8 points per game (ppg), 6.8 assists per game (apg), 33.5 percent 3-point shooting (3-pt fg%), 85.9 percent free throws (ft%).
• “I think most people will be willing to take on Amoore because she is clear on her position. Worst case scenario, they might be able to convert her to a reserve, and solidifying that position is no small thing in this league. A backup player who can stretch the floor is a nice piece to add to your team. He may be the safest choice of all (Jacy Sheldon, Jaylyn Sherrod and Hailey Van Lith).”
• “Amoore’s question is about size. The question is, can she do the same things offensively in college that she would have to do in the pros? Because the length hinders her in some pick-and-rolls. I think she knows very well how to lead a team.
• “He has that ability that I think top-level point guards have – he knows not only who needs the ball, but he knows how to manipulate the defense to get him the ball in the best situations to be successful and with the best timing.”
Just @georgia_amoore things 👏#MarchMadness x 🎥ESPN 2 / @HokiesWBB pic.twitter.com/4p1yw8K8XY
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 22, 2024
Isobel Borlase | 5-11 guard | Adelaide Lightning (WNBL, Australia)
15.6 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game (rpg), 2.5 points per game, 1.8 steals per game (spg)
• “Borlase has the right game for Australia. I don’t know if it affects our game.
• “I think he does a really good job of creating for himself. He can score in a way that shows he has what I call international maturity. It is obvious that he plays professional basketball. … From what I’ve seen, I think she could easily be in the first round.”
Caitlin Clark | 6-0 defender | Iowa
31.8 ppg, 8.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 37.9 3-pt fg%
• “I think the same as the rest of my colleagues: a generational talent that can be the basis of a franchise. Clearly the No. 1 choice.”
• “A phenomenal player. Arguably one of the most attack-ready defenders entering the draft we’ve seen in a long time.
• “I think what will be most beneficial to her team, and we all know which team it will be, is her ability to pass and distribute the ball and spread the love to the amazing players on her team. I think she’ll compete more offensively because of the strength of the guards that will defend her, and the speed of those guards is something she wasn’t used to in college. However, I think the biggest impact will be on passing skills.
DEEPER
What makes Caitlin Clark the best scorer in college basketball? The physics behind her shot
Leila Lacan | 5-11 guard | Angers (France)
11.8 parts per minute, 2.7 parts per minute, 3.1 parts per minute, 3.3 parts per minute
• “I’m not sure about her speed, quickness and endurance at this level, but I think she’s probably in the first round.”
• “I really like Leila’s size. It’s quite the complete package. I think she’s really good in the pick-and-roll. I think he has a really good vision, but he can also create for himself. He is an attractive prospect. It’s a bit difficult when you have no idea about overseas commitments, the national team and things like that.
Carla Leite | 5-9 guard | Tarbes (France)
15.9 ppg, 5.8 ppg, 1.4 ppg, 87.4 ft%
• “I’m only 19 years old, but I have the forensic knowledge to become an elite professional quarterback. Great ability to get to the hoop, great change of pace, great ability to hold the ball in his hands, sees the floor exceptionally well. Decent size, gets to the line often for a PG and converts a high percentage of free throws. We need to continue to work on improving our three-point shooting.”
14.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 4.0 ppg, 89.2 ft%
• “She is a combo guard. I think she’s more of a two-one than a one-two. She has shown that she is good at many things. Can you shoot a 3 at mid-range? He can get to the rim. Physical defender. But I would say that out of the three, I would probably give Amoore a slight edge and then (Jacy) Sheldon right behind her.
• “Charisma is simply a constant, great leader, high basketball IQ, willing to do anything to make the team successful. … I think her midfield play is one of the best in the league. It does a great job of pulling up in the midrange. He needs to shoot 3s consistently, but he’s a great defender.
• “Charisma has worked really hard on her shot and has made significant progress over the first two-thirds of the season. She struggled with this in her third defense. She will need to find some consistency. I think she’ll have to take a step in Jackie Young’s development in her take. He’s got a nice pull-up, a really nice pull-up, like a second-layer feed on a ball screen. He can really take it to the next level and time his release into the competition really well. This three-point shooting skill needs to become truly consistent in the way Jackie has developed it.
Jacy Sheldon | 5-10 guard | Ohio State
17.8 pts, 3.8 pts, 1.9 pts, 37.3 3 pts. fg%
• “The ceiling may be higher than Amoore’s, but there is also a risk that the physicality of our league may be too much for her.”
• “An amazing athlete. What worries me about her is the physicality of the game. Ohio State is a really physical team, but whenever you have a look at her physique, I’m a bit of anxious she will be able to handle the physicality. Great vision though, passer, shooter.
• “Could she develop an Allie Quigley-style game? Has a fast release. He plays rather well in a quick system. I feel he shows great half-court IQ off the ball and with the ball. I consider her an elite speaker. Her ability to go from first to 3rd so seamlessly is outstanding.
• “He has rather a lot of freedom in selecting shots, so he can really engage his entire team. And I feel they go like she did. Of course, one of the most vital parts of her game is defense. She’s very athletic and knows when to make a dangerous move, especially in the press, but she’s a very disciplined defender and I feel that is going to be her biggest influence at the next level, no less than in the league. fast.”
What a option to get your 2,000th point! Congratulations @JacySheldon ! pic.twitter.com/prWeRXtTt5
— Ohio State Women’s Basketball (@OhioStateWBB) March 22, 2024
Jaylyn Sherrod | 5-7 guard | Colorado
12.9 ppg, 4.9 apg, 2.2 spg, 49.8 2 pts fg%
• “An amazing defender. Every time I watch them, he catches my attention together with his defensive tenacity and talent to intimidate anyone he guards. He plays hard. She seems really smart and has obviously added some offensive skills to her game. I like its durability.
• “She’s just not knowledgeable shooter immediately. Maybe he’s one of those players who must go abroad, work on his offensive game and shoot jump shots frequently, because nowadays you possibly can’t be a defender in our league and never be a superb shooter. He can attack the basket and do all that stuff, but people learn to cheat you when you cannot shoot.
Hailey Van Lith | 5-7 guard | LSU
11.8 ppg, 3.6 apg, 35.5 3-pt fg%, 82.7 ft%
• “Good outside shooter, good at attending to the rim, but his midfield play is a sticking point. Plays hard – full of life, competitive, loves fire. She jogs my memory a bit of Dana Evans. Probably a more natural 2nd than 1st, but her size will require her to play mostly 1st. However, questions still arise as as to if it may possibly be as effective as she is.
• “She didn’t shoot the ball like people thought she did. I do not know if it’s good or bad for her to go to LSU and be forced to play quarterback. However, she needed to work on her ball control and passing skills because that was what their team needed.
