College Basketball

Women’s Final Four 2023: 5 Best WNBA Prospects Left In March Madness

Author photo
By
James Foglio
Author photo
James Foglio Sports Editor

James is a Basketball Insiders contributor. He earned his bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. James enjoys watching sports and helping gamblers win money.

All posts by James Foglio
Sports Editor

Updated27 Mar 2023

Womens Final Four 2023 5 Best WNBA Prospects Left In March Madness

With the 2023 NCAA Women’s Tournament Final Four scheduled for this Friday, March 31, five of the best WNBA prospects left in March Madness are on the minds of many college basketball fans. For a reminder, the 2023 WNBA Draft is set for Monday, April 10 at Spring Studios New York. This will be the 28th draft in WNBA history.

5.) Angel Reese, 6-foot-3 forward | LSU

Sophomore forward Angel Reese is projected to be a late first-rounder to early second-round pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft. She recorded 28 double-doubles this season, breaking Sylvia Fowles’ school record of 27. Through 34 starts this season, the Maryland native is averaging career highs of 23.2 points, 15.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.6 blocks, and 33.6 minutes per game.

Plus, she’s shooting career bests of 52.6% from the field and 70.8% beyond the arc. Reese led the SEC in points per game, points (790), total rebounds (533), 2-point field goals (277), free throws (233), win shares (12.6), offensive win shares (8.6), and defensive win shares (4.0).

She was selected 2022-23 SEC All-Defense and named to the All-SEC First Team. On another subject, No. 3 LSU will play either No. 1 Virginia Tech or No. 3 Ohio State this Friday, March 31 in the Final Four.

4.) Brea Beal, 6-foot-1 guard | South Carolina

Next, the Indiana Fever are projected to select Brea Beal at No. 7 in the 2023 WNBA Draft. The senior guard would be a solid defensive addition for the Fever. Through 35 starts this season, Beal is averaging 6.3 points, 2.7 assists, and a career-high 1.1 blocks per game.

Additionally, she’s also shooting career bests of 42.7% from the floor and 38.7% outside the arc. Beal ranks 15th in the SEC in assists (93), 13th in blocks (37), and 12th in win shares (5.2). Not to mention, the Illinois native leads her conference in defensive box plus/minus (7.7).

However, a few WNBA mock drafts show Beal as a potential early third-round pick. At the moment, scouts are undecisive. Will South Carolina appear in another Final Four this Friday? The odds are in their favor.

3.) Jacy Sheldon, 5-foot-10 guard | Ohio State

Furthermore, senior guard Jacy Sheldon is expected to get selected No. 9 overall by the Seattle Storm in this year’s draft. Although the Ohio native only appeared in 12 games this season due to a lingering leg injury, she still has the skill and NCAA experience needed to succeed at the WNBA level. During her junior 2021-22 season, Sheldon averaged career highs of 19.7 points, 7.0 field goals, and 33.9 minutes per game.

In 2022, she was named to the All-Big Ten First Team and Big Ten All-Defensive Team. To add to these statistics, the guard shot a career-best 36.6% from 3-point range during her junior year. Through 12 starts in her senior season, she averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 boards, 3.7 assists, and 3.8 steals per contest. Some WNBA scouts are anticipating Sheldon to fall as low as an early second-round pick.

2.) Diamond Miller, 6-foot-3 guard | Maryland

As for Maryland standout Diamond Miller, a number of mock drafts show the senior guard from Somerset, New Jersey, being second overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2023 WNBA Draft. In 33 starts this season, the 22-year-old averaged career highs of 19.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 dimes, 2.1 steals, 1.3 blocks, and 28.8 minutes.

Miller finished third in the Big Ten in points (647), 11th in total rebounds (214), 19th in assists (97), third in steals (70), and fourth in blocks (43). The Maryland guard was then selected to the All-Big Ten Tournament.

Following her junior year, she was sidelined for multiple months after undergoing knee surgery. So, can No. 2 Maryland upset No. 1 South Carolina on Monday night to advance to the Final Four? Bettors don’t think so.

1.) Aliyah Boston, 6-foot-5 forward | South Carolina

Lastly, senior forward Aliyah Boston of South Carolina is the projected top overall pick in this year’s draft. At 6-foot-5, the four-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year, four-time SEC All-Defensive Team member, and two-time SEC Player of the Year is more than ready for the WNBA.

Last year, Boston and the Gamecocks won 64-49 over UConn to win the national championship. Boston won NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player and Naismith College Player of the Year as well. In the 2021-22 season, the top prospect averaged career highs of 16.8 points, 12.5 boards, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.4 blocks in 37 starts.

While her senior season has not been as dominant, two NCAA championships would look nice on any player’s rĆ©sumĆ©. And at least Boston led the SEC in offensive rating (134.1), defensive rating (68.8), and box plus/minus (19.2). Injuries aside, the No. 1 prospect has nothing left to prove.

She has averaged 12.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 dimes, and 2.0 blocks in 35 starts this season. Moreover, will No. 1 South Carolina defeat No. 2 Maryland on Monday night to advance to the Final Four? The Gamecocks enter as 14.5-point favorites.

Check More of Our March Madness College Gambling 2023 Guides