2013 WNBA draft
The 2013 WNBA Draft was an annual player selection event held by the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) on April 15, 2013, at ESPN Headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, featuring three rounds and 36 total picks from eligible college and international players.[1] The draft is widely regarded as one of the league's most talented classes, headlined by three players who transformed their franchises and elevated the WNBA's profile.[1] The Phoenix Mercury secured the first overall pick via the draft lottery and selected Brittney Griner, a dominant center from Baylor University known for her shot-blocking and scoring prowess, marking the start of her decorated career that included a 2014 championship and multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards.[2] Immediately following, the Chicago Sky chose Elena Delle Donne from the University of Delaware with the second pick, a versatile forward whose sharpshooting and leadership helped lead her team to a 2021 championship.[2] The Tulsa Shock then picked Skylar Diggins (now Diggins-Smith) from the University of Notre Dame third overall, a dynamic point guard whose speed, playmaking, and scoring made her a perennial All-Star and key figure in the league's growth.[2] These top selections, all of whom amassed over 30 win shares in their careers as of 2025, underscored the draft's exceptional depth and immediate impact on the WNBA.[3] Beyond the top three, the draft produced other impactful players such as Emma Meesseman (Connecticut Sun, 3rd round, 19th pick), who became a one-time champion and 2019 Finals MVP, and Tayler Hill (Washington Mystics, 1st round, 4th pick), contributing as a reliable scorer early in her career.[3] Held amid growing interest in women's basketball, the event highlighted international talent and college standouts, setting the stage for a new era of star-driven competition in the league.[1]Background
Event Details
The 2013 WNBA Draft took place on April 15, 2013.[4] The event was held at the ESPN studios in Bristol, Connecticut.[5] It was televised live on ESPN networks, with coverage of the first round beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET.[4] The draft consisted of three rounds, in which each of the league's 12 teams selected one player per round, resulting in a total of 36 picks.[3] The order of selections in the first round was determined by the results of the preceding draft lottery.[5] WNBA President Laurel J. Richie announced the draft selections during the event.[6]Eligibility and Format
Eligibility in the 2013 WNBA Draft was governed by rules that allowed for the selection of players who had completed their college careers or met age requirements to forgo remaining eligibility, as well as undrafted international prospects. Specifically, U.S. college players who had exhausted their NCAA eligibility—typically seniors—or underclassmen who were at least 22 years old by December 31 of the draft year (or four years removed from high school graduation) and renounced their remaining college eligibility were eligible.[7] International players who were at least 20 years old by December 31 of the draft year and had not previously been drafted in the WNBA were also eligible, with no restrictions on the number of such players that could be selected.[7] The draft format followed a snake-style structure, where the order of selections reversed in even-numbered rounds to provide later-round teams with earlier picks in the subsequent round. Teams with the worst regular-season records received the highest picks, with the top four selections determined by a draft lottery among the non-playoff teams. This lottery system aimed to balance competitive equity by giving underperforming teams a chance at premium talent. Traded draft picks often included protections to safeguard teams from losing high-value selections, such as top-3 protections that would convey the pick to the original team if it fell within the first three spots. These protections were common in WNBA transactions and varied by agreement, ensuring strategic considerations in trades. While international players faced no numerical limits in the draft pool, scouting efforts by WNBA teams prioritized U.S. college prospects due to familiarity with their performance in domestic leagues and easier evaluation through NCAA play. This emphasis helped streamline the selection process but did not preclude the drafting of global talent.Pre-Draft Processes
Draft Lottery
The 2013 WNBA Draft Lottery was held on September 26, 2012, the day before the start of the league's playoffs, to determine the order of the first four picks among the four teams that missed the 2012 postseason.[8] This event marked the first time the WNBA televised its draft lottery, broadcast on ESPN's SportsCenter, as part of efforts to enhance league visibility and promote competitive parity by giving struggling teams a randomized chance at top talent.[9] The participating teams were the Washington Mystics (5-29 record), Phoenix Mercury (7-27), Tulsa Shock (9-25), and Chicago Sky (14-20), with odds weighted inversely to their 2012 regular-season performances.[10] The lottery process followed a format similar to the NBA's, utilizing a machine that drew four ping-pong balls numbered 1 through 14 from a total of 14 balls, creating one of 1,001 possible four-digit combinations (with one combination void).[11] Of the 1,000 assignable combinations, they were allocated to the teams based on their records: the Mystics received 442 combinations (44.2% chance for the No. 1 pick), the Mercury 276 (27.6%), the Shock 178 (17.8%), and the Sky 104 (10.4%).[12] The drawing was conducted sequentially for the top three picks, with the remaining team automatically receiving the No. 4 selection; this randomized order then formed the basis for the first round of the 2013 draft, subject to any subsequent trades.[13] In the results, the Phoenix Mercury secured the No. 1 pick despite having the second-best odds, a outcome that positioned them to select elite prospect Brittney Griner.[14] The Chicago Sky, entering with the lowest probability, surprisingly drew the No. 2 pick, while the Tulsa Shock landed No. 3 and the Washington Mystics, favorites with the worst record, were relegated to No. 4.[12] This lottery underscored the system's emphasis on chance to foster balance, as the Mystics' strong odds failed to yield a top-three selection, highlighting the inherent unpredictability designed to prevent tanking.[15]Team Transactions
Several trades involving 2013 WNBA draft picks occurred in the months and year leading up to the event, primarily exchanging future selections for established players to address immediate roster gaps. These deals had a limited impact on the top of the draft order, which remained largely intact from the lottery results, but significantly reshuffled mid- and late-round picks. No major transactions took place during the live draft on April 15, 2013.[2] The following table summarizes the key pre-draft trades affecting 2013 pick rights:| Date | Teams Involved | Details |
|---|---|---|
| February 2, 2012 | Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury | Lynx signed and traded G Alexis Hornbuckle to Mercury for Phoenix's 2013 second-round pick (No. 14 overall, used by Lynx to select G Sugar Rodgers). This allowed Phoenix to add defensive depth while parting with a future asset.[16][17] |
| March 14, 2012 | Chicago Sky, San Antonio Silver Stars | Sky acquired SF Sonja Petrovic from Silver Stars for Chicago's 2013 second-round pick (No. 16 overall, later used by Silver Stars to select F Davellyn Whyte). The move brought international experience to Chicago's frontcourt.[18][17] |
| February 19, 2013 | Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream | Mystics traded G Jasmine Thomas and No. 13 overall pick to Dream for No. 7 and No. 19 overall picks. Washington aimed to add shooting options with the higher selection while shedding Thomas's contract.[19] |
| February 27, 2013 | Washington Mystics, New York Liberty | Liberty traded C Kia Vaughn and No. 17 overall pick to Mystics for No. 7 overall pick (acquired from Atlanta). This bolstered Washington's interior presence with the veteran Vaughn, a 6-3 post player averaging 5.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in 2012.[20][21][22] |
| March 1, 2013 | Tulsa Shock, Minnesota Lynx, New York Liberty (three-team) | Shock acquired G Candice Wiggins (sign-and-trade from Lynx) and F Nicole Powell plus No. 29 pick (from Liberty); Liberty acquired F Deanna Nolan plus No. 15 and No. 27 picks (from Shock); Lynx acquired C Janel McCarville (sign-and-trade from Liberty) plus No. 18 pick (from Shock). Tulsa gained scoring punch with Wiggins (6.8 ppg in 2012) and Powell; Minnesota added familiar post depth via McCarville; Liberty repositioned for mid-round value with Nolan's return from overseas.[23][24][25][26] |
Invited Prospects
The WNBA annually invites 12 to 16 top college prospects to attend the draft in person, selecting them based on scouting reports, statistical performance, and potential impact in professional play, typically focusing on standout seniors from NCAA programs. For the 2013 WNBA Draft, held on April 15 at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut, the league extended invitations to 12 elite college players, emphasizing a mix of scoring prowess, defensive skills, and leadership that defined the year's talent pool.[27] The invited prospects included:| Player | College | Position | Height | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Bentley | Penn State | Guard | 5'7" | Three-time All-Big Ten First Team selection; two-time All-Defensive Team honoree.[27] |
| Kelsey Bone | Texas A&M | Center | 6'4" | SEC leader in field goal percentage, rebounding, and scoring during senior year; All-America Third Team.[27] |
| Layshia Clarendon | California | Guard | 5'9" | Led Cal to its first 30-win season and NCAA Final Four appearance in 2012-13.[27] |
| Elena Delle Donne | Delaware | Guard/Forward | 6'5" | Nation's leading scorer as a junior and second as a senior; fifth in NCAA career scoring with 3,039 points.[27] |
| Skylar Diggins | Notre Dame | Guard | 5'9" | Four-time All-America; Notre Dame's all-time leader in points and steals.[27] |
| Kelly Faris | Connecticut | Guard | 5'11" | Contributed to UConn's eighth national championship.[27] |
| Brittney Griner | Baylor | Center | 6'8" | NCAA all-time leader in blocks (748) and dunks (18); second in career points (3,283).[27] |
| Tianna Hawkins | Maryland | Forward | 6'3" | ACC's third-leading scorer and second in rebounding; reached 1,000 career rebounds.[27] |
| Tayler Hill | Ohio State | Guard | 6'0" | Big Ten scoring leader; fifth in Ohio State history for points.[27] |
| Lindsey Moore | Nebraska | Guard | 5'9" | Two-time finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award.[27] |
| Sugar Rodgers | Georgetown | Guard | 5'11" | Georgetown's all-time leading scorer; four-time All-BIG EAST First Team.[27] |
| Toni Young | Oklahoma State | Forward | 6'2" | Participated in 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Trials; recognized as a top overall prospect.[27] |
Draft Selections
Selection Key
The selection key outlines the notation and conventions employed in the draft listings for the 2013 WNBA draft, which consisted of three rounds totaling 36 picks.[2] Picks are presented in the following format: overall pick number, selecting team (with parenthetical notes on trades or acquisitions if applicable), player name, and college or country of origin. For instance, a hypothetical first-round selection might appear as: 1. Phoenix Mercury: Jane Doe (University of Example). International players are denoted by their country of origin in place of a college affiliation, such as Australia or Belgium, to distinguish their professional or amateur background outside U.S. collegiate systems.[2][3] Specific symbols provide additional context on post-draft outcomes: the dagger symbol "†" indicates players from this draft class who earned selection to a WNBA All-Star Game in subsequent seasons; the pipe symbol "|" marks players who were drafted but never appeared in a regular season or playoff game for any WNBA team. Undrafted players are not covered in these listings, as the focus remains on selected picks across the three rounds.[2]Round 1
The first round of the 2013 WNBA Draft, held on April 15 in Bristol, Connecticut, featured 12 selections shaped by the prior draft lottery and several trades, with teams prioritizing high-impact college stars to address roster gaps.[2] The Phoenix Mercury secured the top pick after winning the lottery, following their league-worst 7-27 record in 2012, while other franchises like the Chicago Sky and Tulsa Shock aimed to build around versatile talents with their high selections.[30]| Pick | Team | Player | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phoenix Mercury | Brittney Griner† | Baylor |
| 2 | Chicago Sky | Elena Delle Donne† | Delaware |
| 3 | Tulsa Shock | Skylar Diggins† | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Washington Mystics | Tayler Hill | Ohio State |
| 5 | New York Liberty | Kelsey Bone | Texas A&M |
| 6 | Seattle Storm | Tianna Hawkins | Maryland |
| 7 | New York Liberty (from Atlanta via Washington) | Toni Young | Oklahoma State |
| 8 | San Antonio Silver Stars | Kayla Alexander | Syracuse |
| 9 | Indiana Fever | Layshia Clarendon† | California |
| 10 | Los Angeles Sparks | A'dia Mathies | Kentucky |
| 11 | Connecticut Sun | Kelly Faris | Connecticut |
| 12 | Minnesota Lynx | Lindsey Moore | Nebraska |
Round 2
The second round of the 2013 WNBA draft reversed the selection order from round 1 in accordance with the league's snake format, allowing stronger teams from the prior season to pick earlier in this round.[2] Teams primarily targeted guards, forwards, and international prospects viewed as developmental additions to provide bench depth and future rotation options, rather than immediate starters. Several selections involved picks acquired through preseason trades, reflecting strategic roster maneuvers to address specific needs like perimeter speed or frontcourt versatility. The full list of second-round selections is as follows:| Overall Pick | Round Pick | Team (Notes) | Player | College/Previous Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1 | Atlanta Dream (from Washington Mystics) | Alex Bentley† | Penn State |
| 14 | 2 | Minnesota Lynx (from Phoenix Mercury) | Sugar Rodgers | Georgetown |
| 15 | 3 | New York Liberty (from Tulsa Shock) | Kamiko Williams | Tennessee |
| 16 | 4 | San Antonio Silver Stars (from Chicago Sky) | Davellyn Whyte | Arizona |
| 17 | 5 | Washington Mystics (from New York Liberty) | Nadirah McKenith | St. John's |
| 18 | 6 | Seattle Storm | Chelsea Poppens | Iowa State |
| 19 | 7 | Washington Mystics (from Atlanta Dream) | Emma Meesseman† | Belgium (Villeneuve d'Ascq) |
| 20 | 8 | San Antonio Silver Stars | Diandra Tchatchouang | Maryland |
| 21 | 9 | Indiana Fever | Jasmine Hassell | Georgia |
| 22 | 10 | Los Angeles Sparks | Brittany Chambers | Kansas State |
| 23 | 11 | Connecticut Sun | Anna Prins | Iowa State |
| 24 | 12 | Minnesota Lynx | Chucky Jeffery | Colorado |
Round 3
The third round of the 2013 WNBA draft, consisting of picks 25 through 36, continued the snake draft format, reversing the team order from the second round to prioritize teams with better regular-season records from the prior year.[3] These late selections typically served as roster fillers, practice squad candidates, or developmental prospects, with many players either receiving limited playing time or pursuing opportunities overseas rather than securing long-term WNBA contracts.[29] The following table lists all third-round selections, including the overall pick number, drafting team, player, and college or country of origin:| Overall Pick | Team | Player | College/Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | New York Liberty | Shenneika Smith | St. John's (USA) |
| 26 | Phoenix Mercury | Nikki Greene | Penn State (USA) |
| 27 | New York Liberty | Olcay Çakır | |
| 28 | Chicago Sky | Brooklyn Pope | |
| 29 | Tulsa Shock | Angel Goodrich | Kansas (USA) |
| 30 | Seattle Storm | Jasmine James | Georgia (USA) |
| 31 | Atlanta Dream | Anne Marie Armstrong | Georgia (USA) |
| 32 | San Antonio Silver Stars | Whitney Hand | Oklahoma (USA) |
| 33 | Indiana Fever | Jennifer George | Florida (USA) |
| 34 | Los Angeles Sparks | Alina Iagupova | |
| 35 | Connecticut Sun | Andrea Smith | South Florida (USA) |
| 36 | Minnesota Lynx | Waltiea Rolle | North Carolina (USA) |