The WNBA Draft is where teams hope to find their next franchise star, but the best players don’t always come from the top picks. In fact, some players defy their draft position to become legends of the game. Here are 12 of the biggest draft steals in WNBA history.
DeWanna Bonner
DaWanna Bonner was drafted with the fifth pick of the 2009 WNBA draft and has far exceeded expectations for her draft position. She’s won the Sixth Woman of the Year award thrice and has also been an All-Star multiple times. Not to mention, her longevity in the sport is incredible!
Katie Douglas
Katie Douglas was drafted with the tenth overall pick back in 2001, but she was a key contributor throughout her entire career. In fact, she was a five-time All-Star and managed to win a championship with Dallas in 2006.
Natasha Howard
Natasha Howard started her career as a role player after being drafted fifth overall in 2014, but she quickly blossomed into a star. In fact, she even won Defensive Player of the Year in 2019!
Ariel Atkins
Ariel Atkins came into the league somewhat under the radar, but as the Washington Mystics’ seventh pick, she quickly became a star. In fact, Atkins was instrumental in the Mystics’ 2019 championship run.
Taj McWilliams-Franklin
Overlooked in the league’s inaugural draft back in 1996, Taj McWilliams-Franklin carved out a remarkable career despite being undrafted! A two-time WNBA champion and six-time All-Star, McWilliams-Franklin is proof it’s not about where you start, but where you finish.
Napheesa Collier
Drafted sixth overall by the Minnesota Lynx in 2018, Napheesa Collier is now arguably one of the best three players in the WNBA. And, as the leader of the Lynx, many feel Collier should’ve been the #1 player in that year’s draft class.
Tamika Catchings
While Tamika Catching was selected with the third overall pick in the 2001 WNBA draft, many were nervous about her health due to a knee injury that forced her to miss her rookie season. However, the Indiana Fever took a chance, and boy did it pay off! She became one the greatest players ever, winning an MVP award and five Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Dijonai Carrington
Drafted with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, there’s no question Dijonai Carrington has exceeded expectations. In fact, most WNBA second-round picks don’t even end up making the roster, but Carrington proved herself right away.
Read More: The 20 Best NFL Draft Picks of All Time
Becky Hammon
As one of the greatest undrafted players in league history, Becky Hammon proved that hard work can overcome any draft-day snub. In fact, Hammon became a six-time All-Star and is still considered to be one of the best guards in WNBA history.
Read More: The 10 Worst Number 1 Draft Picks in NFL History
Arike Ogunbowale
Much like Napheesa Collier, Arike Ogunbowale was passed over by a handful of teams in the 2018 draft and was picked fifth overall by the Dallas Wings. Ogunbowale is arguably the best shooter in the WNBA, as she averaged over 22 points this season.
Read More: The 20 Highest-Paid Players in the WNBA
Alysha Clark
Alysha Clark is undoubtedly one of the biggest WNBA draft steals of all time. In fact, she was drafted with the 17th overall pick in 2010, but was then cut and didn’t play her first year in the league until 2012. However, she’s had an incredibly long career and has managed to win three WNBA championships.
Read More: The Best Draft Picks in the History of the MLB
Sheryl Swoopes
Sheryl Swoopes was drafted fourth overall back in 1997, but truthfully, she should’ve been #1. Swoopes revolutionized the game of basketball and was one of the very first stars of the WNBA.
Read More: The 10 Worst Draft Picks in WNBA History
