With the 2022 WNBA All-Star game draft broadcasting live tomorrow, July 2nd at 3 p.m ET. on ESPN, it means it’s time for a mock draft. Like any mock draft, mine will most likely not look identical to the actual draft on Saturday. If it does, I might just have to buy some lottery tickets.
Since A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart were the highest vote-getters among fans, they will be the two captains for the All-Star game. Joining Wilson as co-captain will be Sue Bird, while Sylvia Fowles will join Stewart. Bird and Fowles, two legends who were voted in as starters, are being honored as captains in light of this season being their last.
It’s also important to note that Britney Griner, will also be honored by the league as an All-Star starter, as she is currently on trial in Russia for drug smuggling charges.
Note that Team Wilson will be picking first. Without further ado, let’s get started.
Starters
Team Wilson – Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
In her first career All-Star appearance, Plum has no business still being on the board after the first pick. She’s currently second in the league in scoring at 20.5 PPG and not afraid to shoot it from deep, attempting the third-most threes in the league per contest (7.6). She backs up her high volume by making the most threes a game (3.3), which results in the league’s sixth best three-point percentage (42.8%). Oh, and let’s not forget, she’s teammates with Wilson in Las Vegas.
Team Stewart – Nneka Oguwmike, Los Angeles Sparks
While voters may take into account the team a player plays for, I don’t expect the captains to. Although the Sparks are having a rough year, Oguwmike isn’t. This season, she’s top 10 in the WNBA in points and steals per game, second in field goal percentage, and 11th in rebounds per game. She’s just 0.2 rebounds per game shy of being one of three players in the league to be top 10 in scoring and rebounding. The others are A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart.
Team Wilson – Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
Should Young be the third selection? Probably not, but I find it hard to believe that Wilson would pass up on adding another one of her teammates to her All-Star squad. She’s eighth in the league when it comes to scoring (17.5 PPG), and surprisingly enough the only top 10 scorer to average at least four rebounds per game and four assists per game. Team Wilson should be nothing short of Aces.
Team Stewart – Candace Parker, Chicago Sky
The All-Star game is in Chicago, so you know the fans will be loud for Parker. With this pick, Team Stewart adds another forward, but Parker is different. She isn’t afraid to take the ball up and put on a show. With the hometown crowd behind her, the reigning champ will be ready.
Team Wilson – Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun
With three guards already on the roster, Team Wilson needs a big. Insert Jones, the 2021 WNBA MVP. She would be a perfect pick to round out Team Wilson’s starting lineup. When going up against Sylvia Fowles, it’s always important to make sure you have rebounders, and Jones fits that description, as she’s third this season in rebounds per game (9.2). The tandem of Wilson and Jones should be a nightmare on the boards.
Team Stewart – Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
The final starter off the board is the flashy New York guard. On June 12th, Ionescu became the youngest player in WNBA history to record multiple triple-doubles in a career. Her game was built for the big stage and there will be plenty of eyes on her in Chicago, hoping for a display of elite playmaking. Team Stewart will certainly not be mad about this selection.
Reserves
Team Stewart – Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
Team Wilson – Dearica Hamby, Las Vegas
Team Stewart – Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury
Team Wilson – Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Team Stewart – Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky
Team Wilson – Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
Team Stewart – Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun
Team Wilson – Kahleah Copper, Chicago Sky
Team Stewart – Ariel Atkins, Washington Mystics
Team Wilson – Emma Meesseman, Chicago Sky
Team Stewart – Natasha Howard, New York Liberty
Team Wilson – Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun
Final Results
Team Wilson:
Starters
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Sue Bird, Seattle Storm
Kelsey Plum, Las Vegas Aces
Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
Jonquel Jones, Connecticut Sun
Reserves
Dearica Hamby, Las Vegas Aces
Arike Ogunbowale, Dallas Wings
Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream
Kahleah Copper, Chicago Sky
Emma Meesseman, Chicago Sky
Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun
Team Stewart
Starters
Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx
Nneka Oguwmike, Los Angeles Sparks
Candace Parker, Chicago Sky
Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
Reserves
Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm
Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury
Courtney Vandersloot, Chicago Sky
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun
Ariel Atkins, Washington Mystics
Natasha Howard, New York Liberty