Wings Add Offensive Firepower in ESPN's Latest WNBA Mock Draft

The Dallas Wings took a significant step in franchise history last season, winning 20-plus games (22-18) for the first time since 2008, when the team was the Detroit Shock (22-12). Dallas has a great core to build around, headlined by Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally.

Ogunbowale was ranked fifth in scoring last season (21.2 points per game) and was named to the WNBA All-Star Game for the third straight season. 

Meanwhile, Sabally had a tremendous 2023 season that saw her win Most Improved Player of the Year and being named first-team All-WNBA. The former second-overall pick averaged 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game – all career highs.

After losing to the Las Vegas Aces last year in the semifinals, the Wings look poised to make that leap this year under head coach Latricia Trammell. However, before we can get into this season’s action, the Wings have two picks in the first rounds (Nos. 5 and 9) in next week’s WNBA Draft.

Since the Wings are on the rise, they need players who can come in and make an impact immediately. ESPN’s Michael Voepel unveiled his latest WNBA mock draft Wednesday and found a couple of players, who could help Dallas out right now.

2024 WNBA Mock Draft: Wings Take Aaliyah Edwards, Alissa Pili in First Round

With their first selection at No. 5 overall, Voepel has Dallas taking former UConn star Aaliyah Edwards, who can play inside the post and could complement Sabally in the frontcourt.

Edwards wrapped up her final season at UConn, averaging 17.6 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. The senior forward missed a couple of easy baskets in the Final Four against Iowa but still found a way to impact the game on both ends. 

Edwards recorded 17 points (8-of-15 shooting), eight rebounds, five steals, and three assists. The former UConn star forward won’t be asked to do much in Dallas as a rookie but we could see her making an impact in whatever role Trammell has for her.

After taking Edwards at No. 5 overall, Vopel predicts that the Wings will go for Alissa Pili, who is an excellent scorer, and knock it down from beyond the arc. The 6-foot-2 small forward scored 21.4 points per game on 40.4% shooting from the field and 55% from beyond the arc. 

While Pili is a great scorer, she can also be impactful on the glass, averaging 6.6 rebounds per game this season and 6.1 for her career. Voepel mentions in his write-up on Pili that there are questions about her defense. But if she can carry over her three-point shooting prowess and help Dallas, who was ranked 12th in three-point shooting last season (31.7%), Pili will make an impact quickly.