2006 WNBA Mock Draft Version 1

Sunday 15 January 2006

It's only a three and a bit months till the draft so it's mock draft season again.

The 2006 WNBA draft is at a similar level to the 2005 draft pool, except there's an elite class of four players at the top, who would have been easy #1 picks last year if they were eligible.

I'm sure trades will happen but for simplicity's sake, I'm going to use the current draft order and not worry about any potential trades.

#1 Minnesota - Seimone Augustus (6'1"/guard/LSU)

I think the #1 is a choice between the best perimeter scorer in the draft and the best point guard in the draft. Pondexter would add a lot to the Lynx but Augustus is well, something else. She's extremely hard to guard due to her length and her shot is amazing - automatic from 15-17 feet. Such a player would be a great boon to the Lynx offence which struggled a bit last year, with and without Katie Smith. The Lynx still need a point guard but that could be obtained later on or maybe Chandi will be pressed into service at the 1 again (she still need to bulk up a bit if she wants to play the 2).

#2 Phoenix - Cappie Pondexter (5'9"/point guard/Rutgers)

A pretty easy choice for Phoenix - they really need a point guard and already have a good 2 guard and wing. It's been argued than Cappie Pondexter isn't really a point guard but I think she is and proved so at the Young Women's World Championship in 2003, where she paired up successfully with Alana Beard.

#3 Charlotte - Monique Currie (6'0"/wing/Duke)

Mo into rookie hell? I think Currie will have a much easier adapting to the pro game than Powell or McCarville and it's likely they'd start her at the 2 straight away, with Perkins off to Chicago and Feaster dealing with her pregnancy. I'm not sure whether she could do much for the anemic Charlotte attendance though.

#4 San Antonio - Sophia Young (6'1"/forward/Baylor)

Young could end up being a forward with a Swin Cash-type effect. Or she could be the next Jocelyn Penn. Or somewhere in between. She is a lot more polished than Cash though and still plays with that kind of grit. She'll get the chance to prove herself with Ferdinand out for at least half the season.

#5 Washington - Tamara James (5'9"/wing/Miami)

Washington needs a centre/post but there's not one worth taking here. They do need depth and some scoring punch off the bench as well and James can fulfil this role. She's among the leaders in college scoring and can also board and grab some steals. She has a bit of a resemblance to Shereka Wright in that she's a scorer who was an undersized 4 in college but has to make the transition to the 2 in the pros. Wright's been an ok utility player in the pros and while that doesn't sound too exciting, she probably would have gone at this position if she was in this draft.

#6 Chicago - Megan Duffy (5'7"/point guard/Notre Dame)

Poor Chicago - if they had entered the league next year or any year after that, this pick would probably be worth a lot more. Chicago's roster seems to be full of mainly 2/3 types and a good 5 prospect in Bernadette N'goyisa. Chicago needs a 4 forward but I don't think there's anything too enticing though hometown girl Khara Smith will elicit a good look.

I think Chicago should go for one of the PGs as Elaine Powell's game is deteriorating(insert snark about deteriorating sense of decorum) and Stacey Dales-Schuman is more of a 2. I think Megan Duffy will be preferred over Grant because of her stronger shooting ability.

#7 Minnesota - Erin Grant (5'8"/point guard/Texas Tech)

... and Minnesota will take the other PG. Grant will be a good fit for Minnesota as they will look for her to run the offence and feed the scorers, which is what her specialty is. She has developed her perimeter game over the years though.

#8 Los Angeles - Nikki Blue (5'8"/guard/UCLA)

I think L.A's big weakness is their backcourt - it's a case of quantity over consistency there. I don't think they're going to find the solution at the #8 position in the 2006 draft but hey, why not add another guard of indeterminate position to the mix. She's even a local! Blue's got talent but she's a bit small for a 2 and doesn't seem to have the decision making to be a 1 at the next level. However with good coaching, she may be able to make slow strides to becoming a good pro (see: Ebony Hoffman/Angelina Williams).

#9 New York - Tye'sha Fluker (6'5"/centre/Tennessee)

Oh don't look so shocked.

Blaze's pick are always fun to watch - they're usually semi-obscure and invariably turn out to be disappointments. Shameka Christon was a good one but it would have been very hard to stuff up a high pick in that draft.

Fluker is like Moore last year - a LV with raw, undeveloped talent in a key position. She could develop into something more... but it will be a tough road.

As a sidenote, I wouldn't be surprised to see Barbara Turner go here.

#10 Charlotte - Ann Strother (6'2"/wing/Connecticut)

Strother is having a fine senior season and her size, shooting ability and pedigree will attract teams. She'd be a decent fit for Charlotte who needs perimeter shooting in a bad way. There are questions about whether she's strong enough and quick enough (ala Starbird) but as mentioned before, her pedigree will get her a first round pick.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Charlotte trade up a bit to try and get one of the PGs (or hope one of them drop).

#11 Seattle - Khara Smith (6'2"/post/DePaul)

I think Anne will be looking sure up her post depth, especially since Suzy Batkovic is no guarantee to return for 2006. I know Anne also wants a backup PG but I think there might still be a decent prospect in the second round (Kendrick/Wilburn). Or she might resort to the 2 guard at the point thing again (see: Zara and Bibby)

#12 Indiana - Zane Teilane (6'7"/centre/Western Illinois)

Teilane is quite obscure but is an interesting player. She's a 6'7" Latvian centre who leads her team (Western Illinois) in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Her team is in Mid-Continent conference and they're currently unbeaten in conference play. Katie Feenstra mark II perhaps? Indiana's always good for a surprise pick or two.

#13 Sacramento - LaTangela Atkinson (6'1"/forward/North Carolina)

While Latta and Larkins get a lot of the credit, Atkinson is an unsung hero for the Tar Heels. She does a lot of the dirty work, has a good floor game, can play several positions and is efficient from the field. Sounds like a Whisenant type of player.

#14 Sacramento - Lisa Willis (5'11"/shooting guard/UCLA)

With her size and defensive ability, could be a good replacement for Chelsea Newton. Her individual D may not be as good as Newton but she is also a great outside shooter.

Other players to watch out for:

Kari Koch 5'8"/guard/Missouri State
Aya Traore 6'1"/forward/Purdue
Kim Smith 6'1"/forward/Utah
Liz Shimek 6'2"/forward/Michigan State
Sherill Baker 5'8"/guard/Georgia
Debbie Merrill 6'1"/post/Ohio State