2019 WNBA Draft: Big Board 8.0, pre-Final Four edition

PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 31: Mississippi State Bulldogs center Teaira McCowan (15) gets fouled by Oregon Ducks forward Ruthy Hebard (24) during the NCAA Division I Women's Championship Elite Eight round basketball game between the Oregon Ducks and Mississippi State Bulldogs on March 31, 2019 at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 02: Missouri Tigers guard Sophie Cunningham (3) screams as she runs down the court after making a big three point shot against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second period between the Georgia Lady Bulldogs and the Missouri Tigers in a SEC Women’s Tournament game on March 2, 2018, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Steve Roberts/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

11. Atlanta Dream: Sophie Cunningham, 6’1 G/F, Missouri

I think there’s just too much here for Atlanta to pass on Sophie Cunningham. Reeve agrees that she won’t fall much beyond this, saying Tuesday she doesn’t expect Cunningham to be available when Minnesota picks at 16. She’s capable of playing anywhere 1-3, guarding mostly wings, facilitating offense as necessary, hitting threes and providing max effort every single moment. Atlanta has the surrounding talent to mix her in and weather her defensive limitations, while allowing Cunningham to bring her offensive skills to bear upon an offense that finished eleventh in true shooting percentage in 2018. Atlanta did not, in my opinion, overachieve in 2018, which means thinking about title runs should be part of the Dream equation. Cunningham, as rookies go, looks like one who can enter the rotation for such a team. Learning when not to foul will be her biggest lesson in year one at the next level, but Cunningham’s basketball IQ makes that evolution a safe bet.

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