2019 WNBA draft
The 2019 WNBA Draft was an annual player selection event held by the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) on April 10, 2019, at the Nike New York headquarters in New York City, consisting of three rounds and 36 total picks across the league's 12 teams.[1][2] The draft class was marked by exceptional depth and talent, particularly from the University of Notre Dame, which had a record five players selected—including the entire starting lineup from their 2018 national championship team—and produced multiple All-Stars and award winners in subsequent seasons.[3][1] The Las Vegas Aces held the first overall pick, selecting guard Jackie Young from Notre Dame, who became just the third junior taken at No. 1 in WNBA history and went on to earn four All-Star selections (2022–2025), the 2022 Most Improved Player award, and help lead the Aces to three championships (2022, 2023, 2025).[3][4] Following Young, the New York Liberty chose scoring guard Asia Durr from Louisville at No. 2, while the Indiana Fever selected center Teaira McCowan from Mississippi State at No. 3; both players contributed immediately as rookies, with McCowan earning All-Rookie honors in her debut season.[2][3] Other standout selections included Arike Ogunbowale (No. 5, Dallas Wings, Notre Dame), who has since become a four-time All-Star and one of the league's top scorers, with a career-high 22.8 points per game in 2020, and Napheesa Collier (No. 6, Minnesota Lynx, UConn), a five-time All-Star, 2024 Defensive Player of the Year, and key contributor to the Lynx's 2024 championship.[5][2] The draft also featured historic moments, such as Han Xu becoming the first NBA Academy graduate selected (No. 14, New York Liberty) and teams like the Phoenix Mercury and Minnesota Lynx earning high post-draft grades for additions such as Alanna Smith (No. 8, Phoenix, Stanford) and Collier, bolstering their frontcourts for future contention.[1][6] Overall, the 2019 class has proven one of the most impactful in league history, with draftees accumulating over 1,000 combined games and multiple franchise records by 2025.[7]Background
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for the 2019 WNBA draft, domestic players—those who attended U.S. colleges—were required to either turn 22 years old by December 31, 2019, graduate from a four-year college program (or be on track to graduate within three months of the draft date), or be at least four years removed from their high school graduation class.[8][9] This ensured that participants had completed sufficient academic or post-high school progression before professional entry. Seniors in their final year of college eligibility were automatically eligible without further declaration, while underclassmen seeking early entry had to formally renounce their remaining NCAA eligibility.[10] International players faced a lower age threshold, needing to turn at least 20 years old by December 31, 2019, or demonstrate equivalent professional experience, such as participation in professional leagues under FIBA governance.[8] This distinction allowed for broader global talent inclusion, with prospects from overseas professional circuits often qualifying based on their competitive history rather than solely age or academic status. Special provisions existed for early entry among domestic underclassmen, who could declare for the draft by notifying the league and renouncing college eligibility, though such decisions carried the risk of forfeiting amateur status.[9] Hardship waivers, typically used for team roster needs rather than player entry, were not a primary mechanism for draft eligibility in 2019 but could apply in exceptional circumstances for immediate professional signing post-draft. The declaration process for underclassmen culminated in a deadline approximately 10 days prior to the April 10 draft—March 31, 2019—for those not involved in the NCAA tournament, with extensions granted to tournament participants up to 24 hours after their season concluded.[10] In 2019, the eligibility rules remained unchanged from prior years under the existing collective bargaining agreement, with no notable controversies arising from declarations or qualifications.[8] This stability facilitated a straightforward pool of candidates, primarily comprising graduating college seniors and select early entrants.Date, location, and broadcast
The 2019 WNBA draft took place on April 10, 2019.[11] It was held at the Nike New York Headquarters (NYHQ) in New York City, marking the second consecutive year at this venue following the 2018 draft.[11][2] The event featured live on-stage selections, a red carpet arrival for top prospects and guests, and post-selection interviews with draftees, highlighting the league's efforts to enhance fan engagement and visibility following the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement in January 2020 that included marketing and revenue-sharing improvements.[12][13] Broadcast coverage began with the first round on ESPN2 at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by rounds two and three on ESPNU starting at 8:00 p.m. ET, with streaming available on the ESPN app.[11]Draft lottery
Procedure and odds
The WNBA draft lottery determines the selection order for the first four picks among the four teams that failed to qualify for the playoffs in the prior season, promoting parity by giving rebuilding franchises priority access to top talent. The remaining eight first-round picks are allocated to the playoff qualifiers in reverse order of their regular-season winning percentages from that season. This structure applies to the 2019 draft based on the 2018 season outcomes.[14] The 2019 WNBA Draft Lottery took place on August 28, 2018, in Secaucus, New Jersey, and was televised on ESPN2 during halftime of a playoff game between the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream. The process uses a ping-pong ball machine containing 14 balls numbered 1 through 14. The balls are mixed, and four are drawn without replacement to form a unique four-digit combination, one of 1,000 possible outcomes pre-assigned proportionally to the teams based on their records. The team corresponding to the drawn combination secures the No. 1 overall pick. The balls are returned to the machine, and the drawing is repeated among the remaining three teams to determine the No. 2 pick. The Nos. 3 and 4 picks are then awarded to the final two teams in inverse order of their two-year records. The entire event is overseen by an independent accounting firm, Ernst & Young, to maintain integrity.[15][14] Lottery odds are calculated using the teams' combined regular-season records from the 2017 and 2018 seasons, with poorer performances assigning more combinations to increase the probability of higher picks. This weighted system, modified in 2015, aims to deter intentional underperformance (tanking) by favoring struggling teams while guaranteeing the worst-performing team no lower than the No. 3 pick overall. The Las Vegas Aces entered with heightened stakes, having secured the No. 1 pick in the prior two lotteries (for the 2017 and 2018 drafts as the San Antonio Stars in 2017). The participating teams and their odds for the No. 1 pick were as follows:[15][16]| Team | Two-Year Record (2017–18) | Chances out of 1,000 | Probability of No. 1 Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Fever | 15–53 | 442 | 44.2% |
| Las Vegas Aces | 22–46 | 276 | 27.6% |
| Chicago Sky | 25–43 | 178 | 17.8% |
| New York Liberty | 29–39 | 104 | 10.4% |
Results
The 2019 WNBA draft lottery was held on August 28, 2018, in Secaucus, New Jersey, with the results announced live on ESPN2 during halftime of Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Atlanta Dream and Washington Mystics.[17][16] The drawing process, overseen by a representative from Ernst & Young, determined the order for the top four picks without any ties or redraws required.[17] The Las Vegas Aces secured the first overall pick, marking their third consecutive lottery victory despite entering with a 27.6% chance based on their two-year record.[17][16] The full top-four order was: 1. Las Vegas Aces (276/1,000 chances), 2. New York Liberty (104/1,000 chances), 3. Indiana Fever (442/1,000 chances), and 4. Chicago Sky (178/1,000 chances).[17] The remaining first-round picks were assigned in reverse order of the 2018 regular-season standings, with the Dallas Wings receiving the fifth pick, followed by the Minnesota Lynx at sixth.[18][7] This outcome notably impacted the draft by allowing the Aces to select Notre Dame guard Jackie Young with the first overall pick on April 10, 2019, bolstering their backcourt after missing the 2018 playoffs.[19][16]Pre-draft process
Top prospects and scouting
The 2019 WNBA draft class was headlined by a deep pool of U.S. college talent, with consensus top prospects including Notre Dame guard Jackie Young, UConn forward Napheesa Collier, Notre Dame guard Arike Ogunbowale, and Louisville guard Asia Durr. These players were frequently projected in the lottery range due to their polished skills and immediate impact potential, drawing significant attention from scouts evaluating backcourt and frontcourt needs across the league.[20][21] Jackie Young stood out for her versatility as a 6-foot guard capable of playing multiple positions, excelling in perimeter defense and transition play while averaging 14.7 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists in her junior season at Notre Dame.[22] Napheesa Collier impressed with her rebounding prowess and efficient scoring inside, complemented by strong decision-making and defensive versatility as a 6-foot-1 forward who averaged 20.8 points and 10.8 rebounds at UConn.[23] Arike Ogunbowale showcased elite scoring ability, leading the nation with 21.8 points per game in her senior year at Notre Dame through her quick first step and mid-range pull-up game.[22] Asia Durr was lauded for her scoring versatility and playmaking, averaging 21.2 points and 1.6 assists at Louisville while demonstrating high basketball IQ and on-ball defense despite her 5-foot-10 frame.[24] Notably, all five starters from Notre Dame's national championship runner-up team—Young, Ogunbowale, Jessica Shepard, Brianna Turner, and Marina Mabrey—were projected as high selections, highlighting the program's dominance in producing pro-ready talent.[25][26][21][27][21] Pre-draft mock drafts from outlets like ESPN reflected evolving trends, with Young initially slotted around No. 5 but rising to the No. 1 projection in the final ESPN mock due to her all-around game addressing teams' backcourt depth needs; Durr and Collier were consistent top-four selections across mocks. The emphasis on guard play underscored league-wide priorities for perimeter creators and defenders amid a talent surge from programs like Notre Dame and UConn.[21][28] International prospects had limited projected impact in the top tiers, with the draft spotlight firmly on domestic college stars and no non-U.S. collegians expected in the top 10; players like Stanford's Australian forward Alanna Smith were noted for their shooting but ranked outside the consensus elite group.[27][20]Draft invitees
On April 9, 2019, the WNBA announced the 12 top prospects invited to attend the draft ceremony at Nike New York Headquarters, an invite-only event limited to elite eligible players who had declared for the draft.[29][30] These invitees, primarily U.S. college seniors and early entrants, represented the league's focus on high-potential talent, with attendees walking the stage upon first-round selection to celebrate their entry into professional basketball as part of the WNBA's marketing efforts.[30] The invited players were:| Player | Position | College/Country | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kristine Anigwe | C/F | California | 6-4 |
| Kalani Brown | C | Baylor | 6-7 |
| Napheesa Collier | F | Connecticut | 6-1 |
| Sophie Cunningham | G | Missouri | 6-1 |
| Asia Durr | G | Louisville | 5-10 |
| Megan Gustafson | F/C | Iowa | 6-3 |
| Teaira McCowan | C | Mississippi State | 6-7 |
| Arike Ogunbowale | G | Notre Dame | 5-8 |
| Katie Lou Samuelson | G | Connecticut | 6-3 |
| Alanna Smith | F | Stanford | 6-4 |
| Han Xu | C | China | 6-9 |
| Jackie Young | G | Notre Dame | 6-0 |
Draft selections
First round
The first round of the 2019 WNBA draft, held on April 10, 2019, at Nike New York headquarters in New York City, featured 12 selections determined by the preceding draft lottery and prior trades.[3] The Las Vegas Aces, holding the first pick for the third consecutive year as the franchise (formerly the San Antonio Stars), selected Notre Dame guard Jackie Young to anchor their young core alongside previous No. 1 picks A'ja Wilson and Kelsey Plum.[3] The selections emphasized versatile guards and forwards, with 11 of the 12 picks hailing from U.S. colleges, highlighting the draft's focus on domestic talent development.[3] Below is the complete list of first-round picks:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas Aces | Jackie Young | G | Notre Dame |
| 2 | New York Liberty | Asia Durr | G | Louisville |
| 3 | Indiana Fever | Teaira McCowan | C | Mississippi State |
| 4 | Chicago Sky | Katie Lou Samuelson | G/F | UConn |
| 5 | Dallas Wings | Arike Ogunbowale | G | Notre Dame |
| 6 | Minnesota Lynx | Napheesa Collier | F | UConn |
| 7 | Los Angeles Sparks | Kalani Brown | C | Baylor |
| 8 | Phoenix Mercury | Alanna Smith | F | Stanford |
| 9 | Connecticut Sun | Kristine Anigwe | C/F | California |
| 10 | Washington Mystics | Kiara Leslie | G | NC State |
| 11 | Atlanta Dream | Brianna Turner | C | Notre Dame |
| 12 | Seattle Storm | Ezi Magbegor | C | Australia |
Second round
The second round of the 2019 WNBA draft featured picks 13 through 24, where teams focused on adding versatile guards and forwards to provide bench depth and long-term potential following the higher-profile selections of the first round.[7] This round highlighted a blend of domestic college standouts and international talent, with no draft-day trades altering the pick order.[34] The selections are as follows:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Phoenix Mercury | Sophie Cunningham | G/F | Missouri |
| 14 | New York Liberty | Han Xu | C | China |
| 15 | Chicago Sky | Chloe Jackson | G | Baylor |
| 16 | Minnesota Lynx | Jessica Shepard | F | Notre Dame |
| 17 | Dallas Wings | Megan Gustafson | F/C | Iowa |
| 18 | Minnesota Lynx | Natisha Hiedeman | G | Marquette |
| 19 | Los Angeles Sparks | Marina Mabrey | G | Notre Dame |
| 20 | Minnesota Lynx | Cierra Dillard | G | Buffalo |
| 21 | Connecticut Sun | Bridget Carleton | G/F | Iowa State |
| 22 | Dallas Wings | Kennedy Burke | G | UCLA |
| 23 | Atlanta Dream | Maite Cazorla | G | Oregon |
| 24 | Seattle Storm | Anriel Howard | F | Mississippi State |
Third round
The third round of the 2019 WNBA draft, encompassing picks 25 through 36, focused on developmental prospects, international talents, and players targeted for training camp competitions rather than immediate roster contributions. Teams selected athletes with potential for depth roles, often emphasizing size, defense, or overseas experience, as the pool of top domestic college talent had largely been depleted in earlier rounds.[3] The selections are detailed below:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | School/Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Indiana Fever | Paris Kea | G | North Carolina |
| 26 | New York Liberty | Megan Huff | F | Utah |
| 27 | Chicago Sky | Maria Conde | F | Spain |
| 28 | Indiana Fever | Caliya Robinson | F | Georgia |
| 29 | Dallas Wings | Morgan Bertsch | F | UC Davis |
| 30 | Minnesota Lynx | Kenisha Bell | G | Minnesota |
| 31 | Los Angeles Sparks | Ángela Salvadores | G | Spain |
| 32 | Phoenix Mercury | Arica Carter | G | Louisville |
| 33 | Connecticut Sun | Regan Magarity | F | Virginia Tech |
| 34 | Washington Mystics | Sam Fuehring | F | Louisville |
| 35 | Atlanta Dream | Li Yueru | C | China |
| 36 | Seattle Storm | Macy Miller | G | South Dakota State |