WNBA Mock Draft: Big Board 7.0, and how to measure

GREENVILLE, SC - MARCH 10: Teaira McCowan (15) center of Mississippi State enters the arena during player introductions during the SEC Women's basketball tournament finals between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the Mississippi State Bulldogs on Sunday March 10, 2019, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC. (Photo by John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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STORRS, CT – MARCH 22: UConn Huskies Forward Napheesa Collier (24) on the defensive side of the ball during the game as the Towson Tigers take on the UConn Huskies on March 22, 2019 at the Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut. (Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Chicago Sky: Napheesa Collier, 6’1 F, Connecticut

Collier, like Samuelson, comes with UConn pedigree, a very high basketball IQ, ability to score at each level, and don’t lose sight of her defensive prowess, either. She earned American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors, and no wonder — per Synergy, she is 93rd in the country in defensive points per possession, minimum 150 possessions, out of 1225 Division I qualifiers. Watching her in person last weekend in Storrs, it served as a reminder: Geno Auriemma could switch her onto bigs, onto wings, onto guards, and she handled it all seamlessly. It’s going to be an easy translation to the WNBA for Napheesa Collier, and James Wade can utilize her in virtually any capacity he wishes. That defense needs an infusion of versatility, and teams trying to score on Collier/Diamond DeShields/Gabby Williams at the wings won’t have an easy time of it.

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