10: Brionna Jones, C, Dallas Wings
Sure, in this mock draft, the Wings already took Coates. But here’s why Jones makes sense, too. In Jones, they’ll have a center ready to play immediately, while Coates recovers. Jones is also an elite finisher, second in the country in effective field goal percentage behind only Napheesa Collier of Connecticut. Jones rebounds with the best, and no matter the competition, managed to impose her will—note her 12-for-14 shooting performance junior year against Breanna Stewart at Madison Square Garden. Her ability to range out beyond the basket defensively is another key, and she can shore up the Dallas defense in the high post as well. She may ultimately surpass Coates on the depth chart. And Courtney Paris has seen her stats trending the wrong direction over the past few seasons.