The 2021 WNBA Draft is in the books, and as expected the Dallas Wings started the night by selecting Texas center Charli Collier and Finnish center
The 2021 WNBA Draft is in the books, and as expected the Dallas Wings started the night by selecting Texas center Charli Collier and Finnish center Awak Kuier. They needed depth in the frontcourt, so that was no surprise. Collier is WNBA ready and Kuier has perhaps the most potential of any player in this class.
Aari McDonald, Arizona’s NCAA Women’s Tournament star went No. 3 to the Atlanta Dream, and after that things got a little wild. The Indiana Fever rounded out the lottery by selecting West Virginia guard Kysre Gondrezick, who most expected to go in the second or third round.
There were a number of other surprises on the night, as Dana Evans (No. 13 to the Wings), Natasha Mack (No. 16 to the Sky) and Arella Guirantes (No. 22 to the Sparks) all fell to the second round.
Now that the action is all wrapped up, here are the full results along with breakdowns and grades for every first-round pick.
First round
- Dallas Wings: Charli Collier — Texas — 6-5, Junior, Center
As expected, the Wings selected Texas center Charli Collier with the No. 1 overall pick. While likely not an immediate franchise-changing talent like we’ve seen in previous drafts, Collier has WNBA-ready size and athleticism and is a talented scorer around the basket. The Wings needed frontcourt depth, and Collier made the most sense. Grade: B
2. Dallas Wings: Awak Kuier — Finland — 6-5, Center
The Wings also had the No. 2 pick on Thursday night, and they went back to the frontcourt to take Awak Kuier, the 19-year-old big out of Finland. Most American fans probably aren’t familiar with Kuier, but that will change quickly. She has a rare combination of size, athleticism and feel for the game, and has the most potential of anyone in this class. Grade: A
3. Atlanta Dream: Aari McDonald — Arizona — 5-6, Senior, Guard
McDonald was the biggest breakout star of the NCAA Women’s Tournament, but no one knew exactly how high she’d go in the draft. Turns it was all the way up to No. 3. This is a bit of a surprise, considering the Dream have a number of small guards on the roster already, but McDonald will be a big boost to their defense and allow Chennedy Carter to play off the ball. Grade: B-
4. Indiana Fever: Kysre Gondrezick — West Virginia — 5-9, Junior, Guard
Wow, this is the first major surprise of the night. Most mocks had Gondrezick going in the second or third round, and she jumps all the way up into the lottery. She’s a good 3-point shooter and has some playmaking skills, and it seemed like in the right situation she could be a good role player. Taking her at No. 4 seems like a big reach, however, especially when the Fever already have a lot of guards. Grade: C-
5. Dallas Wings: Chelsea Dungee — Arkansas — 5-11, Senior, Guard
The Wings use their third pick of the night to take Chelsea Dungee out of Arkansas. Arguably the best scorer in this class and a strong outside shooter who can play on or off the ball. This is a solid fit for a Wings team that shot just 32.3 percent from 3-point land last season. She’ll help space the floor for the Wings’ young stars, Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally. Grade: B
Courtesy: CBS Sports
