WNBA Mock Draft: Big Board 5.0, filling out rounds two and three

WNBA Mock Draft Big Board 5.0: Filling out rounds two and three

COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Louisville Cardinals guard Asia Durr (25) drives past Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs guard Victoria Vivians (35) in the division I women's championship semifinal game between the Louisville Cardinals and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on March 30, 2018 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH. (Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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BOULDER, CO – JANUARY 27, 2019: University of California’s Kristine Anigwe takes a shot during a NCAA basketball game against the University of Colorado on Sunday at the Coors Event Center on the CU campus in Boulder. (Photo by Jeremy Papasso/Media News Group/Boulder Daily Camera via Getty Images) /

8. Phoenix Mercury: Kristine Anigwe, 6’4 F, California

If you need a rebounder in this draft, how do you ignore Anigwe, who is grabbing an astonishing 34.2 percent of available defensive boards this season? Phoenix finished ninth in the WNBA in rebounding percentage last season, so it’s an area of need. She provides some additional interior scoring as well, and could be a focal point of a Phoenix second unit, while providing Sandy Brondello the opportunity to go big with her next to Griner. She’s erased a lot of the doubts I heard about her last season and even early on this year. Front offices are ready to buy on her, as well they should: Lindsay Gottlieb products tend to outperform expectations in the pros (Layshia Clarendon, Brittany Boyd come to mind). Cal is very much on the NCAA bubble right now, though, and she could sure use the extra spotlight of March. Two wins last week in Arizona helped.

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