WNBA PICKS

UConn could have two players selected in the first round for the first time since 2019 when Katie Lou Samuelson went No. 4 and Napheesa Collier went No. 6.

“UConn players are always ready for the WNBA, that’s just a mere fact,” Lobo said. “And you hear that continuously when you talk to coaches and GMs who are considering UConn prospects. They know that there’s a certain standard there and there’s a professionalism that they’re going to get from these young women.”

Last year, former Huskies Lou Lopez Sénéchal

and Dorka Juhász were chosen in the first 16 picks. Lopez Sénéchal was chosen No. 5 overall by Dallas and Juhász No. 16 overall in the second round by Minnesota.

Edwards has long been projected as a first-rounder because of her size, agility and scoring efficiency. The 6-foot-3 forward is a two-time All-American and became one of UConn’s most dominant and consistent players these past two years. Edwards’ experience playing in big moments, including for Team Canada during the 2021 Olympics, further shows she’s ready for the next level.

Unlike Edwards, Mühl wasn’t projected as a firstround pick until more recently.

Mühl has developed into one of UConn’s most prolific point guards of all time. She owns the program’s single-game, single-season and all-time career assist records. Her defense is also second to none. The two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year always has the opponent’s best player as an assignment and often forces them into one of their worst performances of the season.

She proved that during the NCAA Tournament with her efforts on Fair and Clark — a master class on defense that put Mühl on notice for WNBA coaches and general managers.

“I think people were certainly aware of Nika Mühl, had watched her

play, but her performance in the tournament, I think both on Caitlin Clark defensively and on Dyaisha Fair defensively, showed people how impactful she can be on the defensive end as a guard in the WNBA,” Lobo said. “I think it was huge for her to have that kind of performance on that stage.”

Fellow ESPN analyst and former Tennessee Lady Vol Andraya Carter said Mühl’s performance may have bumped her up from a second-round pick to a first-rounder, especially for teams that need more of a defensive boost, like New York.

“I’m just a huge Nika fan,” Carter said. “There are some teams in the league that could use defensive-minded guards. …

I try to think about where players could go. I’ve talked about teams that need defense and maybe they don’t need scoring. They need someone that can come in and lock it up and that can also hit open shots. And Nika with her defensive mentality — that was one of my favorite performances I’ve ever seen.”

While showing up during big moments helps boosts a player’s draft stock, one’s whole career is measured for draft evaluation.

“I think body of work is always important because consistency is something that’s important, but I do think that there’s something to be said about meeting the moment and in a very high-pressure

situation performing well and doing exactly what your team needs for success,” Carter said. “There are times where you could fold or there are times where the pressure could be too much. And so, for players to rise to the occasion and to have that momentum, even if it was, like with Nika, in a loss — but that performance was incredible.”

Both Mühl and Edwards gave their everything to the UConn program over the last four years. They each leave lasting impressions (Mühl’s assist records and Edwards’ spot on the wall of WBCA All-Americans) and will look to do the same in the WNBA.

The 2024 WNBA season kicks off on May 14.