Atlanta Dream 2026 WNBA Draft Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

Williams' numbers this season don't leap off the page as they did in three years at Wisconsin (close to 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per matchup), but she's just as impressive. The UConn forward regularly puts on a footwork clinic that few young players master before turning pro. Williams makes her paint touches count, which is something the Dream could utilize in their big depth. The UConn forward also keeps active hands on the defensive end, which will help her stay in Atlanta's rotation.

New Dream coach Karl Smesko wants to shoot a lot of 3s, but he didn't have the personnel to properly implement that approach in his first season, and their poor shooting is one of the main reasons they were stunned in the first round of the playoffs. While Garzon has really struggled to find her footing at Maryland after transferring from Indiana, she shot over 40% from 3-point range in each of her first three collegiate seasons.

Here is what Dawn Staley had to say about Johnson's pro prospects after the veteran guard led South Carolina to a road win over USC on Nov. 15: "When you think about a winner, when you think about a consummate point guard, Raven is that. And if WNBA teams want to be like us, meaning the amount of success that we've had with her in the lineup, they're going to take Raven, they're going to take Raven in the first round."

Setting aside Staley's obvious endorsement, Johnson is a proven floor general. She sets the tone offensively and defensively. There aren't many defenders at their position in this class, considering Johnson's ability to stay attached, pressure the ballhandler and slow offenses. She is a smart passer who knows how to hit bigs and perimeter players in their preferred catch radius. Johnson hasn't consistently proven that she can generate her own offense, which she will have to in the WNBA. But given the Gamecocks' depth and the flashes Johnson has shown, she probably has enough in her bag to survive as a pro. Plus, she and Te-Hina Paopao make a great backcourt duo.

As good as the Bruins were last season in reaching the Final Four, they could be better this season. Rice is averaging 14.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 3.7 APG. Some improvement in 3-point shooting -- she's currently at 30.8% -- will help. Last season, she shot a career-best 31.3% from behind the arc.