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2016 WNBA draft
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| 2016 WNBA draft | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Sport | Basketball |
| Date | April 14, 2016 |
| Location | Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, Connecticut |
| Networks | ESPN2 (first round) ESPNU (second and third rounds) |
| Overview | |
| League | WNBA |
| First selection | Breanna Stewart Seattle Storm |
The 2016 WNBA draft is the league's draft for the 2016 WNBA season. It was held on April 14 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.[1]
The draft was most notable for Connecticut producing the top three picks, with #1 pick Breanna Stewart followed by Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck.[2] This is the first time in history that the top three draft picks came from the same school.[3]
Draft lottery
[edit]The lottery selection to determine the order of the top four picks in the 2016 draft occurred on September 24, 2015.[4] For the first year, team's lottery chances were based on combined records from the 2014 and 2015 WNBA seasons.[5]
Lottery chances
[edit]The 2016 lottery was held on September 24, 2015.[6]
The Seattle Storm won the lottery for the second straight year. This was the third time that the lottery was won by the team that had the highest odds. Seattle Storm held the worst two-year record and was guaranteed at least the third pick for the 2015 draft.
Note: Team selected for the No. 1 pick noted in bold text.
| Team | Combined 2014–15 record | Lottery chances | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle Storm | 22–46 | 44.2% | 1st pick |
| San Antonio Stars | 24–44 | 27.6% | 2nd pick |
| Connecticut Sun | 28–40 | 17.8% | 3rd pick |
| Atlanta Dream | 34–34 | 10.4% | 4th pick |
Notable prospects
[edit]On September 24, 2015, WNBA.com posted notable prospects for the draft. The list included:[7]
- Moriah Jefferson - UConn
- Tiffany Mitchell - South Carolina
- Breanna Stewart - UConn
- Jillian Alleyne - Oregon
- Jonquel Jones - George Washington
- Morgan Tuck - UConn
- Courtney Williams - South Florida
Draft invitees
[edit]The WNBA also selected twelve players to be in attendance at the draft. Those twelve were:[8]
Rachel Banham, Minnesota
Imani Boyette, Texas
Kahleah Copper, Rutgers
Moriah Jefferson, Connecticut
Jonquel Jones, George Washington
Tiffany Mitchell, South Carolina
Aerial Powers, Michigan State
Breanna Stewart, Connecticut
Morgan Tuck, Connecticut
Courtney Walker, Texas A&M
Talia Walton, Washington
Courtney Williams, South Florida
Key
[edit]Draft
[edit]





Round 1
[edit]| Pick | Player | Nationality | Team | School / club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Breanna Stewart * | Seattle Storm | Connecticut | |
| 2 | Moriah Jefferson | San Antonio Stars | ||
| 3 | Morgan Tuck | Connecticut Sun | ||
| 4 | Rachel Banham | Connecticut Sun (from Atlanta)[a] | Minnesota | |
| 5 | Aerial Powers | Dallas Wings (from Los Angeles)[b] | Michigan State | |
| 6 | Jonquel Jones * (traded to Connecticut)[11] | Los Angeles Sparks (from Dallas)[c] | George Washington | |
| 7 | Kahleah Copper * | Washington Mystics | Rutgers | |
| 8 | Courtney Williams + | Phoenix Mercury | South Florida | |
| 9 | Tiffany Mitchell | Indiana Fever | South Carolina | |
| 10 | Imani Boyette | Chicago Sky | Texas | |
| 11 | Bria Holmes | Atlanta Dream (from Minnesota)[d] | West Virginia | |
| 12 | Adut Bulgak | New York Liberty | Florida State |
Round 2
[edit]| Pick | Player | Nationality | Team | School / club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Rachel Hollivay | Atlanta Dream (from San Antonio)[e] | Rutgers | |
| 14 | Jazmon Gwathmey (traded to San Antonio)[12] | Minnesota Lynx (from Seattle)[f] | James Madison | |
| 15 | Whitney Knight | Los Angeles Sparks (from Connecticut) | Florida Gulf Coast | |
| 16 | Courtney Walker # | Atlanta Dream | Texas A&M | |
| 17 | Jamie Weisner[g] | Connecticut Sun (from Los Angeles) | Oregon State | |
| 18 | Ruth Hamblin | Dallas Wings | ||
| 19 | Lia Galdeira # | Washington Mystics | Washington State | |
| 20 | Jillian Alleyne | Phoenix Mercury | Oregon | |
| 21 | Brene Moseley | Indiana Fever | Maryland | |
| 22 | Bashaara Graves | Minnesota Lynx (from Chicago)[h] | Tennessee | |
| 23 | Brianna Butler # | Los Angeles Sparks (from Minnesota via Connecticut)[i] | Syracuse | |
| 24 | Ameryst Alston | New York Liberty | Ohio State |
Round 3
[edit]| Pick | Player | Nationality | Team | School / club team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | Brittney Martin # | San Antonio Stars | Oklahoma State | |
| 26 | Lexi Eaton Rydalch # | Seattle Storm | BYU | |
| 27 | Aliyyah Handford # | Connecticut Sun | St. John's | |
| 28 | Niya Johnson # | Atlanta Dream | Baylor | |
| 29 | Talia Walton # | Los Angeles Sparks | Washington | |
| 30 | Shakena Richardson # | Dallas Wings | Seton Hall | |
| 31 | Danaejah Grant # | Washington Mystics | St. John's | |
| 32 | Nirra Fields | Phoenix Mercury | UCLA | |
| 33 | Julie Allemand | Indiana Fever | Castors Braine (Belgium) | |
| 34 | Jordan Jones # | Chicago Sky | Texas A&M | |
| 35 | Temi Fagbenle | Minnesota Lynx | USC | |
| 36 | Shacobia Barbee # | New York Liberty | Georgia |
Footnotes
[edit]- ^ The Dream traded this pick to Connecticut in exchange for Elizabeth Williams.[9]
- ^ Dallas and Los Angeles traded first-round picks in this draft; Dallas also received Erin Phillips.[10]
- ^ Los Angeles and Dallas traded first-round picks in this draft; Los Angeles also received Riquna Williams and a 2017 first-round pick.[10]
- ^ The Dream received this pick from the Minnesota Lynx as part of a three-way trade involving the Sky:
- Chicago received Érika de Souza from Atlanta
- Atlanta received Damiris Dantas, Reshanda Gray and this pick from Minnesota
- Minnesota received Sylvia Fowles and Chicago's second-round pick in this draft
- ^ The Dream received this pick from San Antonio in exchange for Samantha Logic.
- ^ The Lynx received this pick and Renee Montgomery from Seattle in exchange for Monica Wright.
- ^ Weisner was born and raised in the USA to an American mother and Canadian father. At the time of the draft, she had represented Canada internationally at both youth and senior level.[13]
- ^ The Lynx received this pick from Chicago, see note d
- ^ The Sun received this pick from Minnesota in exchange for the rights to Asjha Jones
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "WNBA Draft 2016 Presented by State Farm to Be Held on April 14" (Press release). WNBA. February 22, 2016. Retrieved February 29, 2016.
- ^ "Breanna Stewart top pick in WNBA, leading 1-2-3 UConn sweep". ESPN.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ "Stewart leads 1-2-3 UConn sweep at WNBA draft". ESPN.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Seattle Storm Wins Top Pick For 2016 WNBA Draft Presented By State Farm". WNBA. September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ "WNBA Announces Rules Changes To Draft Lottery Format". WNBA. August 5, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
- ^ "Storm wins top pick for 2016 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm". NBA Communications. September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ Notable Prospects in the 2016 WNBA Draft
- ^ "Meet the 12 Players Attending WNBA Draft 2016 - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA". WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Seattle Connecticut Sun trade F/C Elizabeth Williams to Dream for No. 4 draft pick". ESPN. ESPN. February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
- ^ a b "Sparks acquire Riquna Williams in swap of high picks with Wings". ESPN. ESPN. March 2, 2016. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
- ^ "Sparks Acquire Chelsea Gray from Connecticut Sun in Exchange for the Draft Rights to Guard Jonquel Jones and 2017 First Round Pick – Los Angeles Sparks". Los Angeles Sparks. April 14, 2016. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017.
- ^ "Lynx Acquire WNBA All-Star Jia Perkins From San Antonio - Minnesota Lynx". Minnesota Lynx. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Bio: #15 Jamie Weisner". Oregon State Beavers. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
2016 WNBA draft
View on GrokipediaEvent overview
Date, location, and format
The 2016 WNBA Draft took place on April 14, 2016, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.[1][5] The event followed a three-round format, in which each of the league's 12 teams held one pick per round, resulting in 36 total selections.[2][6] The draft order was established primarily by the reverse order of the 2015 regular-season standings, with the top four picks among non-playoff teams determined by a pre-draft lottery among Seattle Storm (44.2% odds for No. 1), San Antonio Stars (27.6%), Connecticut Sun (17.8%), and Atlanta Dream (10.4%).[7][8]Broadcast and eligibility rules
The 2016 WNBA Draft was broadcast live on ESPN2 for the first round, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET on April 14, with coverage continuing on ESPNU for the second and third rounds.[5][9] Held at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, the event was open to the public, with free admission for Connecticut Sun season-ticket holders, fostering an energetic atmosphere highlighted by interactions with WNBA legends such as Rebecca Lobo, Dawn Staley, and Sheryl Swoopes.[10][11] Pre-draft ceremonies featured a two-day player orientation in Bristol, Connecticut, where the 12 invitees networked, learned about professional basketball, and met pioneers including Lisa Leslie and Swoopes to mark the league's 20th anniversary.[12] Eligibility for the draft required U.S. college players to be at least 22 years old during the 2016 calendar year or to have graduated from a four-year college program (or equivalent) by three months after the draft date.[13][14] International players were eligible if they turned 20 during the 2016 calendar year and had not previously been selected in a WNBA draft.[13][14] Players not selected during the three rounds became undrafted free agents, eligible to sign contracts with any WNBA team immediately following the event.[14] The draft order incorporated rules updated in 2015 to discourage tanking, with lottery odds based on cumulative two-year records (2014–2015) among non-playoff teams, guaranteeing the team with the worst record at least the third pick.[15][7]Draft lottery
Process and participating teams
The 2016 WNBA Draft Lottery, the 15th annual event presented by State Farm, was held on September 24, 2015, at ESPN's headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.[7] The lottery determines the order of the first four picks in the draft by randomly selecting among the four teams that did not qualify for the playoffs in the prior season.[16] The process involves assigning each team a set of unique four-ball combinations from a pool of ping-pong balls numbered 1 through 14; the balls are drawn one at a time using a lottery machine to identify the winning combination for the No. 1 pick, with subsequent draws assigning picks 2 through 4 to the remaining teams.[17] The participating teams were the San Antonio Stars, who finished the 2015 season with the league-worst 8–26 record, the Seattle Storm (10–24), and the Atlanta Dream and Connecticut Sun, both at 15–19.[18][19] This lottery win would mark the third time in franchise history that the Seattle Storm secured the No. 1 overall pick through the lottery process.Odds and results
The odds for the 2016 WNBA draft lottery were determined by the four teams with the worst two-year records from the 2014 and 2015 seasons, assigned in reverse order of cumulative performance using a total of 1,000 ping-pong balls. The Seattle Storm, with a combined 22–46 record, received 442 balls (44.2%); the San Antonio Stars, at 24–44, got 276 balls (27.6%); the Connecticut Sun, with 28–40, were allotted 178 balls (17.8%); and the Atlanta Dream, holding a 34–34 mark, had 104 balls (10.4%).[20] The lottery drawing took place on September 24, 2015, in Bristol, Connecticut. The Seattle Storm won the lottery, securing the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive year. With the top selection assigned, the remaining lottery teams retained their order based on two-year records: San Antonio at No. 2, Connecticut at No. 3, and Atlanta at No. 4. The picks from No. 5 through No. 12 were then set in reverse order of the 2015 regular-season standings among the other teams.[7] This outcome preserved the anticipated top-four draft positions without any shuffling, allowing the Storm—already holding the worst two-year record—to select first as expected. It represented the third instance in WNBA lottery history where the team with the highest odds claimed the No. 1 pick, underscoring the system's tendency to favor the least successful franchises in that era. No significant controversies arose from the draw, though it drew attention for continuing Seattle's recent lottery dominance amid the league's efforts to balance competition through the two-year record format.[21]Pre-draft analysis
Notable prospects
The 2016 WNBA draft class was headlined by a trio of standout players from the University of Connecticut, marking the first time a single school produced the top three projected picks in league history.[5] Pre-draft evaluations from ESPN and WNBA scouts emphasized UConn's dominance, with the Huskies' senior class having pursued a fourth consecutive national championship.[22] This group was seen as ready to translate their college success into immediate professional impact, blending elite scoring, playmaking, and versatility. Breanna Stewart, a 6-foot-4 forward from UConn, entered the draft as the consensus No. 1 prospect and the 2016 Naismith College Player of the Year, her third such award in four seasons.[23] She led UConn to back-to-back undefeated national titles in 2015 and 2016, earning NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors each year while averaging 16.0 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game in her final season.[24] Scouts praised Stewart's all-around game, drawing comparisons to NBA star Kevin Durant for her scoring efficiency from multiple ranges and defensive prowess, positioning her as a franchise-altering talent.[22] Moriah Jefferson, UConn's 5-foot-7 elite point guard, was projected as the No. 2 pick, renowned for her speed, vision, and defensive tenacity.[5] She set UConn's all-time assists record with 659 over her career, including 204 in her senior year, while amassing over 100 steals in each of her final two seasons. Jefferson's ability to orchestrate offenses and disrupt opponents made her a coveted backcourt leader, with pre-draft analyses highlighting her potential to excel in transition and pick-and-roll situations.[22] Rounding out UConn's top trio, Morgan Tuck, a 6-foot-2 forward, was eyed for her scoring versatility and basketball IQ as the projected No. 3 selection.[5] As part of the Huskies' championship core, she averaged 13.6 points and 6.5 rebounds in 2015-16, showcasing efficient mid-range shooting and rebounding instincts. Scouts valued Tuck's ability to score from the perimeter or in the post, anticipating her as a reliable secondary option on contending teams.[22] Beyond the UConn stars, Jonquel Jones emerged as a key international prospect from George Washington University, a 6-foot-6 center from the Bahamas who led the nation in rebounding at 14.6 per game during the 2015-16 season.[25] Her dominance on the boards (ranking fourth nationally in double-doubles with 20) and shot-blocking ability (2.3 per game) marked her as a projected lottery pick with rim-protecting potential.[26] Kahleah Copper, a 6-foot-1 athletic wing from Rutgers, drew attention for her explosive scoring and rebounding, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors in 2015-16 after averaging 17.7 points and 8.0 rebounds per game.[27] Pre-draft buzz centered on her transition play and defensive versatility, positioning her as a high-upside perimeter threat. Courtney Williams, a 5-foot-8 guard from the University of South Florida, rounded out notable names as a WBCA First Team All-American in 2016, leading the AAC in scoring with 23.6 points per game while guiding her team to the NCAA Tournament's second round.[28] Her quickness, three-point shooting (40.2 percent), and rebounding prowess (8.9 per game) highlighted her as a dynamic combo guard prospect.[29]Draft invitees
The 2016 WNBA Draft featured 12 official invitees, all of whom were top collegiate prospects invited to attend the event in person and potentially walk across the stage during live selections broadcast on ESPN2.[30] These players were selected by the league based on scouting evaluations highlighting their elite skills, achievements, and projections as first-round draft candidates, allowing them to participate on-site at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.[30][5] The invitee class was headlined by the University of Connecticut trio of Breanna Stewart, Moriah Jefferson, and Morgan Tuck, who had just led their team to an undefeated season and fourth consecutive NCAA championship.[30] Other notable invitees included record-setting scorer Rachel Banham from Minnesota and versatile forward Aerial Powers from Michigan State, representing a mix of guards, forwards, and one center from 11 different universities.[30]| Player Name | Position | Height | School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rachel Banham | Guard | 5'9" | Minnesota |
| Imani Boyette | Center | 6'7" | Texas |
| Kahleah Copper | Guard | 6'1" | Rutgers |
| Moriah Jefferson | Guard | 5'7" | Connecticut |
| Jonquel Jones | Forward | 6'6" | George Washington |
| Tiffany Mitchell | Guard | 5'9" | South Carolina |
| Aerial Powers | Forward | 6'0" | Michigan State |
| Breanna Stewart | Forward | 6'4" | Connecticut |
| Morgan Tuck | Forward | 6'2" | Connecticut |
| Courtney Walker | Guard | 5'8" | Texas A&M |
| Talia Walton | Forward | 6'2" | Washington |
| Courtney Williams | Guard | 5'8" | South Florida |
Draft selections
First round
The first round of the 2016 WNBA Draft, held on April 14 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, featured a historic sweep by the University of Connecticut, with its players taken as the top three selections for the first time in league history. This opening round highlighted teams' efforts to bolster rosters with high-potential talent, including sharpshooting guards and versatile forwards, amid a lottery-determined order that rewarded rebuilding franchises like the Seattle Storm. The Connecticut Sun emerged as a major beneficiary, acquiring three first-round picks through pre-draft maneuvers and an on-stage trade, signaling their aggressive rebuild strategy following a 7-27 season in 2015.[1][4] The selections unfolded as follows:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/University |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle Storm | Breanna Stewart | F | Connecticut |
| 2 | San Antonio Stars | Moriah Jefferson | G | Connecticut |
| 3 | Connecticut Sun | Morgan Tuck | F | Connecticut |
| 4 | Connecticut Sun (from Atlanta via trade) | Rachel Banham | G | Minnesota |
| 5 | Dallas Wings (from Los Angeles) | Aerial Powers | F | Michigan State |
| 6 | Connecticut Sun (from Los Angeles via trade) | Jonquel Jones | F | George Washington |
| 7 | Washington Mystics | Kahleah Copper | G/F | Rutgers |
| 8 | Phoenix Mercury | Courtney Williams | G | South Florida |
| 9 | Indiana Fever | Tiffany Mitchell | G | South Carolina |
| 10 | Chicago Sky | Imani Boyette | C | Texas |
| 11 | Atlanta Dream (from Minnesota) | Bria Holmes | G | West Virginia |
| 12 | New York Liberty | Adut Bulgak | C | Florida State |
Second round
The second round of the 2016 WNBA draft, comprising picks 13 through 24, saw teams prioritize depth additions, particularly in bench scoring, perimeter shooting, and interior defense, as franchises sought to complement their first-round selections with versatile role players.[3] Several teams addressed specific positional gaps, such as backcourt shooting and post presence, while navigating trades to optimize roster fits.[3] The following table lists the second-round selections:| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College/Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Atlanta Dream | Rachel Hollivay | C | Rutgers University |
| 14 | Minnesota Lynx (traded to San Antonio Stars) | Jazmon Gwathmey | G/F | James Madison University |
| 15 | Los Angeles Sparks | Whitney Knight | G | Florida Gulf Coast University |
| 16 | Atlanta Dream | Courtney Walker | G | Texas A&M University |
| 17 | Connecticut Sun | Jamie Weisner | G | Oregon State University |
| 18 | Dallas Wings | Ruth Hamblin | C | Oregon State University |
| 19 | Washington Mystics | Lia Galdeira | G | Washington State University |
| 20 | Phoenix Mercury | Jillian Alleyne | F | University of Oregon |
| 21 | Indiana Fever | Brene Moseley | G | University of Maryland |
| 22 | Minnesota Lynx | Bashaara Graves | F | University of Tennessee |
| 23 | Los Angeles Sparks | Brianna Butler | G | Syracuse University |
| 24 | New York Liberty | Ameryst Alston | G | Ohio State University |
Third round
The third round of the 2016 WNBA draft, encompassing picks 25 through 36, featured selections primarily from mid-major college programs and overlooked prospects, with teams seeking potential depth or developmental talent.[2] This round highlighted players who often flew under the radar during scouting, including guards and forwards from conferences like the Big 12 and Big East.[4] The selections were as follows:| Pick | Team | Player | College/Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | San Antonio Stars | Brittney Martin | Oklahoma State |
| 26 | Seattle Storm | Lexi Eaton Rydalch | BYU |
| 27 | Connecticut Sun | Aliyyah Handford | St. John's |
| 28 | Atlanta Dream | Niya Johnson | Baylor |
| 29 | Los Angeles Sparks | Talia Walton | Washington |
| 30 | Dallas Wings | Shakena Richardson | Seton Hall |
| 31 | Washington Mystics | Danaejah Grant | St. John's |
| 32 | Phoenix Mercury | Nirra Fields | UCLA |
| 33 | Indiana Fever | Julie Allemand | Castors Braine (Belgium) |
| 34 | Chicago Sky | Jordan Jones | Texas A&M |
| 35 | Minnesota Lynx | Temi Fagbenle | USC |
| 36 | New York Liberty | Shacobia Barbee | Georgia |
