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) /

2 of 15

KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 25: Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs center Teaira McCowan (15) lets out a yell after making a basket and getting fouled with 0:55 left in the fourth quarter of a quarterfinal game in the NCAA Division l Women’s Championship between the UCLA Bruins and Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs on March 25, 2018 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO. Mississippi State won 89-73 to advance to the Final Four. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

1. Las Vegas Aces: Teaira McCowan, 6’7 C, Mississippi State

Her career ended in spectacular fashion — a loss, yes, but 19 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks against Oregon in a classic regional final. She finished second to Kristine Anigwe in rebounding percentage, but her overall presence in the lane is at a different level than Anigwe. She’s a rim protector, strength and size, and she’s going to have an impact defensively right away. But don’t miss how efficient she’s become finishing around the rim. Her effective field goal percentage of 66.3 percent ranked sixth in the country. And she finished strong: 72 percent from the field over her final nine games, in the biggest games. She’s smart, she’s going to be loved in Las Vegas, and lord help anyone who tries to come into the lane and score on McCowan and A’ja Wilson. This would be your prototype Bill Laimbeer interior team.

Home/WNBA