Disregard Paige Bueckers. Disregard Caitlin Clark. This yr’s WNBA draft arrives with out a generational headliner to set the web on fireplace.
However there are nonetheless actual abilities accumulated in New York. Awa Fam (Spain), Olivia Miles (TCU), Azzi Fudd (UConn) and Lauren Betts (UCLA) are all particular in their very own proper: Miles for her passing, Fudd for her taking pictures, Betts for her protection, Fam for her uncooked doable. An All-Superstar or two may just emerge from this team.
It’s too dangerous the Sky are choosing at No. 5!
To not fear, despite the fact that, Sky fanatics. With the splashy strikes they’ve already made in loose company (hi, Skylar Diggins; hello, Rickea Jackson; welcome, Azura Stevens), there’s much less force using in this select. The Sky don’t desire a franchise-changer (despite the fact that touchdown one can be great!). This draft is set including a work to what’s already shaping as much as be a playoff-caliber roster.
Right here’s the Solar-Occasions’ tackle how it will play out.
If the entrance administrative center needs to shoot for the moon…
Then Flau’jae Johnson (LSU) is the transfer. Johnson is a brilliant athlete with the prospective to develop into a real three-level scorer. Her breakout efficiency helped LSU to a countrywide championship as a sophomore, and she or he averaged 18.6 issues in keeping with sport as a junior on 38.3% three-point taking pictures. Pairing Johnson with the skill and veteran revel in the Sky have already assembled is attractive.
The only cautionary notice: Johnson’s enlargement flattened in her senior season, with some inconsistency in giant video games. The Solar-Occasions requested analysts Rebecca Lobo and Ryan Ruocco about it, and neither used to be involved. Ruocco thinks professional festival will lift Johnson’s sport; Lobo stated the dip in scoring moderate merely mirrored her taking part in a job on a stacked LSU group.
In the event that they need to take any other swing at some extent guard of the long run…
Then it’s Kiki Rice (UCLA). She’s sensible, explosive and makes the best performs on each side of the ball. She has some creating to do — including a floater and a extra constant mid-range, for starters — however who higher to mentor her than Skylar Diggins and Courtney Vandersloot?
The Sky have struggled to nail the placement the previous 3 years, biking thru Courtney Williams, Dana Evans and Lindsay Allen. Even Rachel Banham needed to play the purpose remaining season.
They’ve since signed Diggins to a two-year deal and traded a 2028 first-round select for 25-year-old level guard Jacy Sheldon. Does that push Rice out of the image, or may just Sheldon play the 2?
In the event that they get fortunate…
As is continuously the case within the WNBA draft, the juiciest skill sits within the best 4 alternatives. Fam, Fudd, Miles and Betts are all anticipated to be long gone ahead of the Sky’s title is known as, however what if one slips?
The Wings, Lynx, Hurricane or Mystics may marvel us, and abruptly a best prospect lands within the Sky’s lap. Believe Fudd added to a lineup with Diggins, Jackson, Stevens and Kamilla Cardoso.
Most certainly now not going to occur! But when the previous couple of days have taught us the rest, it’s that conserving onto a bit hope can pay off every so often.
In the event that they get cause satisfied…
This research assumes the Sky dangle onto their select, however basic supervisor Jeff Pagliocca loves a pre-draft transfer. In 2024, he traded with the Lynx to transport up one spot and draft Angel Reese. In 2025, he traded with the Lynx once more so as to add a overdue first-rounder, which become Hailey Van Lith.
The Solar-Occasions isn’t anticipating it this time round, however with Pagliocca, it’s important to stay your eyes peeled.
After assembling a playoff-caliber roster in loose company, the Sky now upload an do-everything wing from UCLA’s loaded championship roster.
Coulibaly used to be the group’s No. 22 select (overdue 2d around) within the 2025 draft, however used to be getting better from an ACL damage at Texas A&M and not reported to coaching camp.
The Dream see a key piece of a championship run. The Sky noticed a participant who now not are compatible their long term.