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WNBA Mock Draft Big Board 9.0: Final calls

By Howard Megdal

ALBANY, NY - MARCH 31: Louisville Cardinals Guard Asia Durr (25) dribbles the ball and gets a blocking foul on Connecticut Huskies Guard Crystal Dangerfield (5) defending during the second half of the game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Louisville Cardinals on March 31, 2019, at the Times Union Center in Albany NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ALBANY, NY - MARCH 31: Louisville Cardinals Guard Asia Durr (25) dribbles the ball and gets a blocking foul on Connecticut Huskies Guard Crystal Dangerfield (5) defending during the second half of the game between the Connecticut Huskies and the Louisville Cardinals on March 31, 2019, at the Times Union Center in Albany NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 01: California Golden Bears center Kristine Anigwe (31) hugs California Golden Bears head coach Lindsay Gottlieb before a college basketball game between the California Golden Bears against the Washington Huskies on March 01, 2019, at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – MARCH 01: California Golden Bears center Kristine Anigwe (31) hugs California Golden Bears head coach Lindsay Gottlieb before a college basketball game between the California Golden Bears against the Washington Huskies on March 01, 2019, at Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

9. Connecticut Sun: Kristine Anigwe, 6’4 F, California

It’s an interesting position for Curt Miller at 9: there’s no obvious area of need for this team, short of an elite scorer who will take over games late if there’s any doubt about Courtney Williams assuming that role (I, for one, do not have that doubt, but it exists in some quarters). And the team is already overstuffed at the 4/5 with Jonquel Jones, Chiney Ogwumike and Alyssa Thomas, not to mention Bri Jones. But there are a few reasons you could see Anigwe head to Mohegan on draft night, and I’m not talking about Bobby’s Burger Palace. Anigwe was the best rebounder in the country — better even than McCowan. She is a legit 6’4, possibly even taller, and so strong. So one-on-one, she’s going to be difficult to stop at the rim, and when help defenders come against the Sun, well, everyone shoots it well from three. Her defensive chops would mean you could deploy her with Jones and allow Jones to avoid the wear-and-tear of guarding opposing fives, keeping her fresher down the stretch of games. Same is true for lineups with Ogwumike. And on a rookie contract, Anigwe can eventually supplant one of them to help resolve a salary cap crunch that is rapidly approaching.

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