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WNBA Mock Draft Big Board 4.0: The best-laid plans

By Howard Megdal

NEW LONDON, CT - MAY 21: Lee Watrous of Habitat for Humanity and Connecticut Sun Assistant Coach Bernadette Mattox and Connecticut Sun Head Coach Mike Thibault review the floorplan at a Habitat for Humanity work site on May 21, 2011 in New London, 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 Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW LONDON, CT - MAY 21: Lee Watrous of Habitat for Humanity and Connecticut Sun Assistant Coach Bernadette Mattox and Connecticut Sun Head Coach Mike Thibault review the floorplan at a Habitat for Humanity work site on May 21, 2011 in New London, 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 Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TOLEDO, OH – DECEMBER 8: Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) drives to the basket 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)
TOLEDO, OH – DECEMBER 8: Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Arike Ogunbowale (24) drives to the basket 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) /

2. New York Liberty:  Arike Ogunbowale, 5’8 G, Notre Dame

It is easy to coast on thinking about Ogunbowale as she was last year — a killer, who understands the moment and gets to the basket at will — and miss what she’s done this season, which is to become a complete playmaker. The assist rate keeps rising, up to 21.1 percent on the year, while the turnover rate, always a strength, remains so, at 11.9 percent. The three-point percentage has dipped a bit, but the free throw percentage near 80 remains a better long-term indicator, not to mention she shot north of 38 percent from deep last year and 45.4 percent as a sophomore. For the Liberty, this means a dynamic duo of Ogunbowale and Tina Charles to create inside-outside matchup nightmares, and maximizes shooters around them, with Amanda Zahui B. and Rebecca Allen (just-resigned) natural fits they can retain for the job. Kia Nurse can be a legit third offensive option and defensive stopper. It’s a pretty strong starting five, along with whichever other options New York chooses to bring along for the ride in free agency.

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