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
7 of 13
Mar 25, 2017; Bridgeport, CT, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (32) shoots against Oregon Ducks forward Oti Gildon (32) during the second half in the semifinals of the Bridgeport Regional of the women’s 2017 NCAA Tournament at Webster Bank Arena. Oregon defeated Maryland 77-63. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; Bridgeport, CT, USA; Maryland Terrapins guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (32) shoots against Oregon Ducks forward Oti Gildon (32) during the second half in the semifinals of the Bridgeport Regional of the women’s 2017 NCAA Tournament at Webster Bank Arena. Oregon defeated Maryland 77-63. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

6: Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, F, Washington Mystics

There are plenty of reasons the Mystics will pick the Maryland star, whose best games came just up the road. There’s her three-point shooting, a seeming prerequisite to play for Mike Thibault—54 percent as a junior, 46 percent for her career. She’s a willing and effective passer, with assist percentage in 2016-17 at 19.7 percent. And her defensive strengths, off of pick and rolls and screens, is most of what she’ll face at the next level. She may struggle for playing time on a stacked Washington roster, and even more for shots, but she makes sense as a Thibault player.