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

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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Connecticut’s Katie Lou Samuelson (33) celebrates a teammate’s basket from the bench against Southern Methodist at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. UConn won, 79-39. (Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/TNS via Getty Images)
Connecticut’s Katie Lou Samuelson (33) celebrates a teammate’s basket from the bench against Southern Methodist at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn., on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019. UConn won, 79-39. (Brad Horrigan/Hartford Courant/TNS via Getty Images) /

4. Chicago Sky: Katie Lou Samuelson, 6’3 G/F, Connecticut

This isn’t an easy pick to peg—there’s no obvious place for a rookie to come in and start, with Allie Quigley and Courtney Vandersloot (should they re-sign, Vandersloot, at least, is now cored) at the guard positions, Gabby Williams and Diamond DeShields at the wings, and Stef Dolson occupying the middle. Which is why Katie Lou Samuelson, whose slump doesn’t concern anyone I spoke to, and who broke out of it in a big way against East Carolina anyway, might be the best way to go. Samuelson’s height, rim protection, varied offensive skills and ability to shoot the three mean Chicago can do plenty with her. Put her with Dolson and DeShields and you have a five-out matchup nighmare. Pop her into the game in place of, say, Allie Quigley, and there’s an insoluble size problem for an opposing shooting guard. It’s a tantalizing prospect for James Wade, that’s for sure.