The 2024 Women's NCAA Tournament featured a number of great performances from the superstars of women's college basketball, especially the Elite Eight. Trojans star JuJu Watkins was equally impressive, while UW's Paige Backers shined in the Huskies' 80-73 victory over top-seeded USC.
Even bigger than that was the 2023 national championship rematch between No. 1 seed Iowa and No. 3 seed LSU in Albany Region 2. Superstar Caitlin Clark had another signature performance with 41 points and 12 assists in the Hawkeyes' 94-87 victory. Meanwhile, Angel Reese had 20 rebounds and 17 points in his ninth career game for the Tigers.
Did the Women's Elite Eight live up to the hype?I've done it before.Iowa State-LSU, USC-UConn deliver big results.
here we go again:Paige Backers' great performance leads to another showdown with Caitlin Clark
Bueckers and Watkins will return to the program next season, while Clark and Reese are poised to be part of the next crop of women's college stars heading to the WNBA. Clark has already declared for the WNBA Draft, and Reese will have until tomorrow to make a decision on her own future.
Follow the madness: NCAA basketball brackets, scores, schedules, teams, and more.
Here's where Clark, Reese and other women's March Madness stars are expected to rank in the WNBA Draft, according to mock drafts from CBS Sports, The Athletic and Sporting News.
CBS Sports: Caitlin Clark, guard, Iowa State
The Athletic: Caitlin Clark, guard, Iowa State
Sporting News: Caitlin Clark, guard, Iowa State
This is easy. Clark is perhaps the best college prospect in women's basketball since Diana Taurasi. She is the leading scorer in college basketball history and currently ranks fourth all-time in assists, making her a dynamic playmaker and scorer for the Fever. Indiana won the sweepstakes for Clark, and he should pair with last year's No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston. This combination could help Indiana reach the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
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CBS Sports: Cameron Brink, forward, Stanford
The Athletic: Cameron Brink, forward, Stanford
Sporting News: Cameron Brink, forward, Stanford
Again, the consensus is 2nd place overall. In a year without Clark, Brink will likely be the top pick in the draft. The Sparks have top-level defenders and consistent scorers and are making the most of it. She will need to improve her defense of not committing fouls, as she watched from the bench during the Cardinal's close call against Iowa State. Brink remains in California with this designation and could develop into the Sparks' best frontcourt player since Nneka Ogwumike.
CBS Sports: Rikea Jackson, forward, Tennessee.
The Athletic: Rikea Jackson, forward, Tennessee
Sporting News: Rikea Jackson, forward, Tennessee
The consensus continues. Volante's early exit doesn't mean the team should shy away from the pro-oriented Jackson. The two-time All-SEC forward is averaging 20.2 points and 8.2 rebounds this season and is considered the second-best scorer in the draft behind Clark. Chicago is in full rebuild mode, adding dynamic players to the offense who can score and help create for other teams.
4. Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle)
CBS Sports: Camila Cordoso, Central, South Carolina
The Athletic: Camila Cordoso, center, South Carolina
Sports News: Camila Cordozo, Central, SC
All three mocks agree that the Sparks will make two frontcourt picks at the top of the draft. The chemistry between Cordoso and Brink could be promising as the defensive-minded player spent time on the court with another big. Cordoso was named Defensive Player of the Year in both the ACC (as a freshman) and the SEC (as a senior). She has grown offensively and will be given that time in Los Angeles. The Sparks gave up a first-round pick in 2026 to get this pick, and it will pay off. Good luck to opposing teams attacking Brink and Cordoso in the paint.
Note: Cordoso has not officially declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft.
CBS Sports: Jaycee Sheldon, guard, Ohio State University
The Athletic: Georgia Amoore, guard, Virginia Tech
Sporting News: Aaliyah Edwards, forward, U.S.
It took him until he was picked in fifth place, but he finally made a difference in his predictions. Dallas is in an interesting position considering All-WNBA forward Sato Sabally underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason and the lack of a guard on the roster. The Wings could eventually trade this pick.
If they stay, Sheldon will be one of the top guards in this draft, not named Caitlin Clark. She is a good defender and three-point shooter and could be useful on both ends right away. Amoore is small at 5-foot-6, but she has plenty of experience running the Hokies' offense, and she has been an outstanding catch-and-shoot jumper (44.9 percent) this season. Edwards is probably the best player on this selection, likely able to play either forward or center as a plus defender and solid jump shooter.
CBS Sports: Aaliyah Edwards, forward, U.S.
The Athletic: Leila Raquin, Guard, Angers (France)
Sporting News: Jaycee Sheldon, guard, Ohio State University
Washington is in the midst of a rebuild after two-time MVP Elena Delle Donne stepped away from basketball and Natasha Cloud left for Phoenix in free agency.
Edwards is an easy plug-and-play starter for the Mystics if available. She is a good fit as a solid contributor on both ends of the floor. Rakan may be more within reach for 6th overall. The 5-foot-11 playmaking combo guard is solid defensively, but his availability as an international player is questionable. She will take time to develop, but she could be an All-Star in Washington. Sheldon could complement Brittney Sykes in the backcourt and help a team that ranks eighth in the league in 3-point shooting.
CBS Sports: Nyadiu Pouch, Forward, Australia
The Athletic: Aaliyah Edwards, forward, U.S.
Sporting News: Angel Reese, forward, LSU
Pauch is also the top international player in this draft. The 6-foot-1 forward is a very good rim protector and has improved his jumper and playmaking on offense. The Lynx don't have any glaring needs, and Edwards' drop to No. 7 gives the Huskies another standout player who can contribute as a rookie.
This is Reese's first choice. Like Edwards, she will be the latest LSU Tigers star to head north for the Lynx, following in the footsteps of Seimone Agustus and Sylvia Fowles. She averaged 20.9 points and 14.4 rebounds over the past two seasons with the Tigers, and will likely continue as a walking double-double in the WNBA.
Note: Reese has not officially declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft.
“I was attacked many times.”LSU's Angel Reese tearfully addresses critics after game
8. Chicago Sky (from Atlanta via Los Angeles)
CBS Sports: Angel Reese, forward, LSU
The Athletic: Angel Reese, forward, LSU
Sporting News: Nyadiu Pouch, forward, Australia
Chicago has another frontcourt player with the second pick in its top-eight selection. After the consensus was to select Jackson at No. 3, the three mock drafts would feature another big to complement her offensive skill set. Reese is a popular player here as he is athletic and an outstanding post presence. She is a proven shot blocker and one of the top rebounders on offense. She needs to improve on her offense, but Jackson's presence would make her less reliant on that aspect in this scenario.
Porch is an interesting addition here for a team that is rebuilding. She may need more time to develop offensively as well, but her defensive strength complements Jackson's prowess on offense as well.
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9. Dallas Wings
CBS Sports: Charlisse Ledger Walker, guard, Washington State.
The Athletic: Jaycee Sheldon, guard, Ohio State University
Sporting News: Georgia Amoore, guard, Virginia Tech
Once again, the consensus was that the No. 9 wing position should be guard. Sheldon and Amoore were mocked as No. 5 in Dallas, and if they've been around that long they'd be at that spot again at this point. Leger-Walker is the new name here. The 5-foot-10-inch guard from New Zealand ended his season in January with a torn ACL. Last season, she was the Cougars' leading scorer and shooter, scoring 17.7 points per game and shooting 34.9 percent from the field. This season, she further developed her game in other ways, setting career highs in rebounds (6.5) and assists (5.1) per game.
Note: Reger Walker is eligible to return to college for the 2024-25 season.
CBS Sports: Georgia Amoore, guard, Virginia Tech
The Athletic: Alyssa Pirri, forward, Utah State
Sporting News: Ayoka Lee, Central, Kansas
Sun's 10th place is in various positions. The addition of Amoore would immediately improve the Sun's poor 3-point shooting in recent years. Pili is a dynamic scorer who averaged 21.4 points per game for the Utes this season. She shot 60.9% from inside the arc, and after taking twice as many attempts as she did, she shot 40.4% from deep. She would fit in well with Sunstar's Alyssa Thomas. Lee, a four-time All-Big 12 first-team selection, is 6-foot-6 and shot 61.9 percent from the field as a senior for the Wildcats.
CBS Sports: Charisma Osborn, guard, UCLA
The Athletic: Nyadiu Pouch, forward, Australia
Sporting News: Alyssa Pirri, forward, Utah
New York is poised to make another WNBA Finals appearance in 2024 with reigning MVP Brianna Stewart. Osborn would be a perfect fit with one of the league's best defensemen, especially on the perimeter, and could complement Sabrina Ionescu in the backcourt. Porch will likely contribute defensively as well, but could be a draft-and-stash player in New York in the future. Pili can provide instant offense and could fit in well with stars Stewart and Ionescu.
12. Atlanta Dream (from Las Vegas via Los Angeles)
CBS Sports: Nika Muhl, guard, UConn
The Athletic: Charisma Osborn, guard, UCLA
Sporting News: Charisma Osborn, guard, UCLA
Atlanta struggled offensively in 2023, ranking third from the bottom in the WNBA in shots inside the arc and assists per game. Mule is a playmaker who leads a talented college offense with 6.5 assists per game. Her playing with Buccaneers and Edwards didn't leave many scoring opportunities for her 5-foot-10 guard, but she still shot 39.7% on her 3-pointers. Did. That will help Atlanta's offense. Osborne will likely be dealing with other issues with the Dream. Atlanta committed the second-most fouls in the league in 2023 and gave up the most free-throw attempts. Osborne's defensive ability can keep opponents in check without sending them to the line.
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When is the 2024 WNBA Draft?
- date: Monday, April 15th
- time: 7:30pm ET
- cable: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN+
2024 WNBA Draft Order
1st round
- indiana fever
- los angeles sparks
- Chicago Sky (from Phoenix)
- Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle)
- Dallas Wings (from Chicago)
- washington mystics
- minnesota lynx
- Chicago Sky (from Atlanta, via Los Angeles)
- dallas wings
- san, connecticut
- new york liberty
- Atlanta Dream (from Las Vegas via Los Angeles)
2nd round
- Chicago Sky (from Phoenix)
- storm in seattle
- indiana fever
- Las Vegas Aces (from Los Angeles)
- New York Liberty (from Chicago)
- Las Vegas Aces (from Washington)
- Connecticut Sun (from Minnesota)
- atlanta dream
- Washington Mystics (from Dallas)
- san, connecticut
- new york liberty
- Las Vegas Aces
3rd round
- phoenix mercury
- storm in seattle
- indiana fever
- los angeles sparks
- Phoenix Mercury (from Chicago)
- washington mystics
- minnesota lynx
- atlanta dream
- dallas wings
- san, connecticut
- new york liberty
- Las Vegas Aces
