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2018 WNBA Draft Diary: Pick-by-pick updates, analysis, news

By Ben Dull

NEW YORK - APRIL 13: WNBA President Lisa Borders and WNBA Legend Dawn Staley poses for a photo during the 2017 WNBA Draft on April 13, 2017 at the Samsung 837 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK - APRIL 13: WNBA President Lisa Borders and WNBA Legend Dawn Staley poses for a photo during the 2017 WNBA Draft on April 13, 2017 at the Samsung 837 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michelle Farsi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 23: Texas Longhorns guard Ariel Atkins (23) brings the ball up court in the first quarter of a third round NCAA Division l Women’s Championship game between the UCLA Bruins and Texas Longhorns on March 23, 2018 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 23: Texas Longhorns guard Ariel Atkins (23) brings the ball up court in the first quarter of a third round NCAA Division l Women’s Championship game between the UCLA Bruins and Texas Longhorns on March 23, 2018 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The Washington Mystics added depth on the wing for the second consecutive year in the first round of the draft. Ariel Atkins of Texas will be another versatile, hard-nosed player on the perimeter for head coach and general manager Mike Thibault.

Washington will be without Emma Meesseman in 2018 as she fulfills her overseas commitments. Atkins and several of the team’s new additions will look to step into those minutes and help the team get back to the semifinals and make a run at a championship.

Atkins is often lauded for her toughness and work ethic. Those traits ought to help her come along quickly playing for a team that has set a high bar for itself since acquiring Elena Delle Donne prior to the start of last season.

In addition to being without Meesseman, the Mystics will be bringing starting guard Tayler Hill along as she makes her way back from a torn ACL suffered last season.

Atkins may get a chance early on if Hill isn’t ready to return to the floor by opening night. She’ll be competing with Shatori Walker-Kimbrough, Monique Currie and Natasha Cloud for those minutes behind returning starters Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Kristi Toliver.

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