WNBA Mock Draft: Big Board 3.0 with Liz Cambage knock-on effects

WNBA Mock Draft Big Board 3.0: Knock-on effects as free agency arrives

BRISTOL, CT - APRIL 11: Elizabeth Cambage and Maya Moore pose for a photo during the 2011 WNBA Draft Presented By Adidas on April 11, 2011 at ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Potthieiser/NBAE/Getty Images) /

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TOLEDO, OH – DECEMBER 8: Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jessica Shepard (32) looks to shoot over Toledo Rockets center Kaayla McIntyre (15) during a regular season non-conference game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Toledo Rockets on December 8, 2018, at Savage Arena in Toledo, Ohio. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

6. Minnesota Lynx: Jessica Shepard, 6’4 F, Notre Dame

Should the draft shake out as above, I see Cheryl Reeve with two options here: Shepard, or Alanna Smith of Stanford. Both are the kinds of player Reeve sees as the future of the game, do-it-all scorers capable of inside or outside work, the kind of player she somehow retrofitted Rebekah Brunson (who also deserves HUGE credit for doing it) into a few years back. I’ll bet the answer is Shepard in this case, due to an extra bit of defensive versatility and next-level passing, someone who fits comfortably next to Sylvia Fowles, rim-protector enough that Smith’s edge on that score isn’t reason for the Lynx to pick her over Shepard. Reeve also coached Shepard this past fall in USA Basketball camp, so the two know each other already. And if Brunson returns, Shepard can learn from a five-time WNBA champion at her position.

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