Who will the Storm Draft?

The WNBA Draft has arrived! Who will be the next member of the Seattle Storm?

Fresh off an incredible NCAA March Madness tournament that crowned the LSU Tigers as this year’s champions, we are now ready for the next step - the 2023 WNBA Draft. The draft takes place on Monday, April 10th, at 4:00 PM PDT on ESPN.

The Storm own four draft picks total: 9, 18, 21, and 33. That is one in the first round, two in the second, and one more in the third. Seattle will look to rebuild their roster after losing perennial MVP candidate, Breanna Stewart, in free agency. And star point guard Sue Bird to retirement.

Unfortunately, it’s a bit unclear if there will be enough talented players entering the 2023 draft to make a major impact on their teams this season. With NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) taking over the college landscape we are seeing more and more student-athletes opt to stay in college for additional years.

It’s a stark contrast from the NBA, where the best college players leave after just one season in school. We’re now seeing many of the best women athletes staying an extra 5th year in college.

Recently we had several top prospects announce that they would not enter the 2023 WNBA Draft and instead chose to return to school to play another year of college basketball. That includes multiple players that were expected to be first-round picks like Rickea Jackson, Charisma Osborne, Elizabeth Kitley, and Jacy Sheldon.

When there are only 12 WNBA teams and 12 first-round picks, having three-to-four players opt to return to college certainly hurts the depth of the 2023 WNBA Draft talent pool. Players that were likely going to be second-round selections will be moved up into the first round now. And if you have a pick towards the end of the first round (as the Storm do), they may not be getting a true first-round talent with their selection.

With that said, let’s take a look at some of the potential players that have been mocked towards the back half of the first round or the early parts of the second round. This list will only look at some of those players and won’t include players that are clear consensus Top 5 selections like Aliyah Boston, Diamond Miller, Jordan Horston, etc.

Projected Storm Depth Chart:

But before we look at the prospects. Let’s take a look at the team as currently assembled. As of this writing, the Storm have 12 players signed to deals. Some are guaranteed contracts and others are training camp invites with a chance to make the final roster. Below is how I currently view the team’s depth chart. However, there could be some tweaks to it.

PG: Yvonne Turner, Jade Melbourne, Ivana Dojkic
SG: Jewell Loyd, Sami Whitcomb, Arella Guirantes
SF: Kia Nurse, Kaila Charles
PF: Ezi Magbegor, Jasmine Walker
C: Mercedes Russell, Theresa Plaisance

I wouldn’t be surprised if the team opted for a Point Guard by committee approach and started both Jewell and Sami at the guard spots with either of them having the responsibility to bring the ball up the court. But I know Yvonne has played the point position and Jade is currently getting work in as a point guard in Australia, so for now, I have them at the one (PG) spot with Sami backing up Jewell at the two (SG).

Reviewing the depth chart, I think it’s fair to say the biggest question on the team is at the point guard position. If the team is looking to draft specifically based on need, then they’ll likely go in that direction.

However, it’s unrealistic that the 2023 Seattle Storm will seriously be competing for a WNBA Championship this season. And with having the 9th overall pick, I think the best move to make is to draft the BPA (Best Player Available).

Storm General Manager, Talisa Rhea, has signed some players that were considered top prospects a couple of years ago but have yet to make a serious impact at the WNBA Level. Namely Jasmine Walker (7th overall pick in 2021) and Arella Guirantes (projected Top 5 pick in the 2021 draft that fell to the 2nd round). I would also include Kaila Charles in this group who was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2020 draft but showed some promise during her rookie season in Connecticut.

This season the team would be smart to give some of these players legit playing time and opportunities to see if any of them can develop into solid contributors. And that can honestly be gauged in a multitude of ways. There is always the chance one of these players develops into a quality starter, maybe even with All-Star potential. If not, they could still develop into a solid role player off the bench which can be a big benefit to the team. Just look at someone like Sami Whitcomb, she wasn’t a starter in Seattle during her original stint, but she did have a huge impact off the bench. Teams need quality players like that and it’s possible that Walker, Guirantes, or Charles could develop into that for the Storm.

With Breanna Stewart gone. As an organization, you build around Ezi Magbegor and (ideally) Jewell Loyd. If the team can convince Loyd to stick around long-term then they have a multi-time All-Star player at Shooting Guard and a potential All-Star player in Magbegor at the Power Forward position. Then you add pieces and develop around them. Mercedes Russell, Kia Nurse, and Sami Whitcomb are all quality pieces to add to the team. Theresa Plaisance may fall into that category as well.

Now let’s take a look at some players that the Storm could add through the draft.

Grace Berger - PG, Indiana

2023 Stats: 12.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 5.8 APG
Career Stats: 12.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.9 APG

If the Storm are looking for another point guard prospect after Sue Bird’s retirement, Grace Berger will certainly be on their list. Berger led the Indiana Hoosiers to a #1 seed in their region.

She averaged nearly six assists per game this year which tops the list of all players on this list. That included a 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio. Berger also knocked down nearly 41% of her three-point attempts which was a significant improvement to her game.

Berger’s height (6’0”) is an asset and she is one of the stronger guards in this draft. That should help her as she competes against the top athletes in the WNBA.

Alexis Morris - PG, LSU

2023 Stats: 15.4 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.1 APG
Career Stats: 11.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.0 APG

Outside of “Bayou Barbie” Angel Reese, Alexis Morris was the next most impressive player on LSU’s National Championship team. She had an outstanding March Madness tournament averaging nearly 17 PPG during their run to the title. She capped off the title game with a 21-point performance and added nine assists for good measure.

Her strong performance in March may have moved her up into the first round of the WNBA Draft. Morris continued to get better and better as her college career went on which is a positive sign. The 15.4 PPG and 4.1 APG were both career-highs this season.

If the Storm are looking to bring someone in to compete for the starting or backup point guard position, then Alexis Morris will certainly be a player to consider.

One negative with Alexis is that she is only 5’6”. She is on the shorter side of the WNBA spectrum. However, we’ve seen other players have success at that height including former Storm first-round pick Jordin Canada.

Madi Williams - F, Oklahoma

2023 Stats: 15.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.8 APG
Career Stats: 16.1 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 2.4 APG

Madi Williams is one of the better scorers from this group. Williams uses her athleticism to get to the rim frequently. She honestly plays a little bigger than her 5’11” size would indicate. She consistently drives into the paint with relative ease.

Williams is a strong rebounder averaging nearly seven rebounds per game throughout her career. She is also a solid passer.

I feel she is a similar player to Jordan Horston who is likely a lottery pick (around the Top 5). However, Williams doesn’t have Horston’s size (6’2”) and isn’t quite as athletic. She is a more efficient shooter connecting on over 51% of her field goals this season.

If the Storm are looking for an athletic wing that can play the SG/SF position then they might select Madi Williams from Oklahoma.

Ashley Joens - F, Iowa State

2023 Stats: 21.6 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.0 APG
Career Stats: 19.4 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.6 APG

The top scorer from this list, Ashley Joens averaged nearly 22 PPG this season. She has averaged over 20 PPG in four out of her five seasons at Iowa State. Joens can score from all over the court. At 6’1” she has good height for a wing player. She can knock down the three-pointer or score in the low post against smaller guards.

Joens was expected to enter the 2022 WNBA Draft but opted to stay for her 5th year at Iowa State.

The biggest question on Joens will be whether or not she’s athletic enough at the WNBA level to still be able to score as she has in college. Scoring over 20 PPG is great. But if you can’t replicate that in the WNBA then what value do you have?

Joens will likely be a first-round pick on Monday. It’s hard to say whether she’ll be available when the Storm select with the 9th overall pick. If she is, she may be the best player available if the Storm’s front office is confident her game can translate to the pro level.

Zia Cooke – G, South Carolina

2023 Stats: 15.4 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 1.9 APG
Career Stats: 13.5 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 1.9 APG

South Carolina will have several prospects in the 2023 WNBA Draft. Aliyah Boston is almost certain to go number one overall but where will her teammates end up? I don’t think all of them will end up in the first round but any of them could.

As I’ve mentioned with Berger and Morris, if the Storm are looking for another guard they may have their eyes on Zia Cooke. Cooke is taller than Morris at 5’9” and more athletic than Berger. Does that mean she’s the best of the three? That’s difficult to say.

Cooke was arguably South Carolina’s best player during the March Madness tournament where they reached the Final Four again. She was certainly the Gamecocks’ best player in their epic clash against Iowa. She finished that game with a team-high 24 points on over 50% FG shooting (11-21 FG). Zia also pulled down eight rebounds in that game.

Zia is a legit scorer. She can knock down the corner three, drive to the rim through contact, or pull up and hit the midrange jumper. She plays with fearlessness. Cooke has been coached up by Dawn Staley over these past four years and is ready for the WNBA.

Laeticia Amihere - PF, South Carolina

2023 Stats: 7.1 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 1.3 APG
Career Stats: 6.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 1.0 APG

If there is one player on this list whom you’re looking at more about her future potential than what she accomplished in college it would be Laeticia Amihere. Amihere was a reserve player at South Carolina playing behind Aliyah Boston her entire career. She only started four games out of 127 for the Gamecocks. She never averaged more than 7.1 PPG or 5.5 RPG during her career.

But she has some physical tools that you can’t teach. And it’s certainly possible she could continue to grow and develop in the WNBA and become an even better pro player than she was in college.

Laeticia is 6’4” - she has great size and length. Her athleticism will give her a chance to succeed at the next level.

She is one of the only post prospects in this list that is likely going to be available when the Storm select (and would be worth the selection). This goes back to what the Storm are looking for. Do they draft for a need? Do they select the BPA? Or do they select a player they feel may have a higher ceiling than some of the other options?

Amihere is also Canadian-born and I have to wonder if Coach Noelle Quinn has any extra insight on her because of Quinn’s experience with Team Canada.

Seattle could select her 9th overall or if she fell to them in the 2nd round at 18, I’m sure they would seriously consider the selection then. Especially with her untapped potential.

Brea Beal - G, South Carolina

2023 Stats: 6.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 2.7 APG
Career Stats: 6.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.6 APG

If the Storm are looking for their next Alysha Clark they might want to select Brea Beal out of South Carolina. Beal was the Gamecocks’ premier defender often shutting down the opposing team’s best guard or wing player.

Beal is not an elite scorer. But at 6’1” she has great size for a wing which also makes her an above-average rebounder at the guard position.

Every team needs a good lockdown defender. For years in Seattle, it was Alysha Clark. Last season, it was Gabby Williams. Neither player is on the Storm’s roster in 2023. That’s where Brea Beal could fit in.

Stephanie Soares - PF/C, Iowa State

2023 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.4 APG

Soares is one of the more interesting prospects on this list. She was a grad-transfer and only played the 2023 season at the Division-1 level. She played in just 13 games at Iowa State before tearing her ACL. She attempted to get an additional year of eligibility due to her injury but it was denied. Instead, she will enter the WNBA Draft.

Because this draft isn’t loaded with elite talent, Soares may end up being a lottery pick. Or at least go in the Top 6. However, because she just tore her ACL in January she likely won’t be available to play this season with her new team. That leads me to believe it’s possible she could fall to Seattle. Other teams may need a player that can come in and make an immediate impact this season.

You can’t teach size and at 6’6” Soares is the tallest player on this list.

Lou Lopez-Senechal – G/F, UConn

2023 Stats: 15.5 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 1.6 APG
Career Stats: 16.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.5 APG

In a season where Paige Bueckers didn’t play at all and Azzi Fudd was injured throughout a large portion of the season, it was grad-transfer Lou Lopez-Senechal that really stepped up for the Connecticut Huskies.

Despite the fact that UConn fell in the Sweet 16 in Seattle, it was Lopez-Senechal that kept them in the game. She scored 25 points on 69% FG shooting (9-13 FG). She has a silky-smooth jumper and has the ability to provide instant offense.

If you’re going to play in the WNBA, you need to be really athletic or elite at a specific skill set. Lopez-Senechal is an elite shooter.

Dorka Juhász - PF/C, UConn

2023 Stats: 14.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 3.2 APG
Career Stats: 11.9 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.6 APG

Dorka is the other Connecticut Huskies player that will likely be drafted on Monday. At 6’5” she is one of the tallest players on this list. From what I saw of her in person, I actually thought more highly of her than Elizabeth Kitley from Virginia Tech.

Juhász seemed to be able to get into position down in the low post and wasn’t pushed around in the paint as much as I saw Kitley get knocked around. She also has a deeper range, with the ability to knock down the occasional three-point shot.

The big question for Juhász will be whether or not she’s athletic enough to compete against some of the top post players in the WNBA. Does she have enough lateral quickness to keep up with players like Breanna Stewart, A’ja Wilson, Jonquel Jones, etc?

I think there is enough there where the Storm might consider her with the 9th overall pick and would almost certainly select her in the second round (18th or 21st overall) if she were to fall to them with their second or third pick.

Final Thoughts

Are you excited to watch Monday’s draft? Let me know in the comments section if any of these players stand out more than the others! If you’re hoping Seattle selects one of these players, let me know which one you’d be most excited about. Did I miss a player that you really like and think the Storm might have a chance to select? Let me know in the comments below.

Notes: A huge thank you to all my subscribers! Also, I have a favor to ask. I’ve mentioned it in the past but I’ll do it again now. Word of mouth is extremely helpful to me. If you know other Storm or WNBA fans that aren’t aware of my work, please let them know! Thank you for your support.

Credit to Sports-Reference.com for the stat data used in this article.