The 2022 WNBA draft is in the books. After trading their No. 3 and No. 14 picks for the No. 1 selection ahead of the draft, the Dream selected what could become their franchise player in Kentucky’s Rhyne Howard. Elsewhere, Fever general manager Lin Dunn sought to restore Indiana to Eastern Conference contention as the franchise became the first team in WNBA draft history to have four first-round picks, which were used on NaLyssa Smith, Emily Engstler, Lexie Hull and Queen Egbo. The Mystics returned Ole Miss center Shakira Austin closer to home by selecting her at No. 3, while the Aces pulled off perhaps the biggest steal of the night in selecting Florida Gulf Coast star Kierstan Bell at No. 11.
While the draft was centered on new players entering the league and witnessing their dreams come true, the night also focused on efforts of bringing home Mercury center Brittney Griner, who has been detained in Russia since February. WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert called Griner’s situation a “top priority” in her opening statement of the night and that “everybody in our ecosystem” wants to ensure Griner’s safe return from Russia.
In a draft that featured a ton of talent at various positions, here are the winners and losers of Monday night.
