The 2011 WNBA Draft is Monday at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN. UConn Huskies star Maya Moore is overwhelmingly expected to be the No. 1 overall pick, following fellow Storrs products Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004) and Tina Charles (2010). There’s some intrigue after Moore, though.
WNBA Draft 2011 Predictions: Liz Cambage, Amber Harris Could Follow Maya Moore
SB Nation’s women’s basketball blog Swish Appeal has published a consensus 2011 WNBA Mock Draft based on reports and conversations with front-office executives. Using that, here are some WNBA Draft predictions:
* Liz Cambage, a 6-8 center from Australia, is expected to be the No. 2 pick, according to Swish Appeal. The 19-year-old is considered Australia’s rising star, and a young heiress to Lauren Jackson’s throne Down Under. The Tulsa Shock currently own the No. 2 pick, but could trade it if the team decides to go for a different position.
* The Minnesota Lynx, in addition to the first pick overall, have the No. 4 selection. Swish Appeal has Amber Harris, a forward from Xavier, heading to the Lynx at No. 4. Jantel Lavender from Ohio State could also be an option here.
* Either Courtney Vandersloot from Gonzaga or Danielle Robinson of Oklahoma look to be the first guards off the boad. Swish Appeal has Vandersloot going No. 3 to the Chicago Sky, and Robinson landed with the San Antonio Silver Stars at No. 6. Other guards who could go in the first round include Jasmine Thomas of Duke and Kachine Alexander of Iowa.
* The first round of the draft will be dominated with college players, as Swish Appeal has only Cambage slotted to go from the international ranks.
You can watch the first round of the 2011 WNBA Draft on ESPN at 3 p.m. ET Monday. ESPNU and NBA TV will broadcast the second and third rounds.
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