Projecting the 2017 WNBA Draft: It Starts with Kelsey Plum

Apr 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Huskies guard Kelsey Plum (10) shoots the ball between Syracuse Orange guard Alexis Peterson (1) and forward Bria Day (55) during the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington Huskies guard Kelsey Plum (10) shoots the ball between Syracuse Orange guard Alexis Peterson (1) and forward Bria Day (55) during the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 7, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Evelyn Akhator (13) passes the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Nikki Hegstetter (13) in the second half at Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky defeated Alabama 73-48. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Evelyn Akhator (13) passes the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide forward Nikki Hegstetter (13) in the second half at Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky defeated Alabama 73-48. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

11: Evelyn Akhator, F/C, Los Angeles Sparks

For a roster that seemingly has everything—virtually all major contributors, save Kristi Toliver, return from the championship season of 2016—the Sparks are a bit thin behind Jantel Lavender in the true center category. So it would be unsurprising to see Los Angeles invest in the longer-term project that is Akhator, every bit as vital to Kentucky’s 22-win campaign as the more-celebrated Mikayla Epps. Akhator improved her offensive performance considerably in 2016-17, turning her elite athletic tools into skills more often. Picturing her under the tutelage of Brian Agler and Nneka Ogwumike is an easy win for the Sparks in this spot.