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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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) /

8. Phoenix Mercury: Arike Ogunbowale, 5’8 G, Notre Dame

Talk about running through the tape: the one concern about Ogunbowale’s 2018-19 stat profile was the three-point shooting. Well, over the last eleven games, she’s 30-for-63 from deep, 47.6 percent. There’s a lot of Diana Taurasi in Ogunbowale, from embracing the big moment to the titanic confidence, and so the Merc are an awfully good landing spot for her to come learn from the woman who always rises to the moment. But the thing that makes Ogunbowale such a good fit for Sandy Brondello’s team is what she can do to replicate both the playmaking production of Taurasi when she needs to rest, or serve as a Briann January complement off the ball next to Taurasi as well. Phoenix was unstoppable last season with the starting five on the floor, but things slowed when they relied on their bench, which only produced in fits and starts. The relentless competitiveness and endless attacks of the basket that represent the Arike Ogumbowale experience will come in handy as the Mercury look for the last four wins they need to get another WNBA title.

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