Draft tiers at forward/center
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Andre Snellings, ESPN
To build a winning fantasy women’s basketball team, you don’t have to spend tons of time preparing. You just need a plan.
That’s where breaking the positions into draft tiers can be extremely helpful. Those fantasy managers who do a little extra work to know which players and positions to focus on early in the draft and which to leave until the middle or later rounds gain a big advantage.
On the basis of our projections and tiers, the forward/center position is much deeper than the guard position this season, so be sure to factor that in when making your selections.
With that in mind, here are our draft tiers at forward/center for this season.
Tier 1
Breanna Stewart, New York Liberty
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
These are two at the top, and by a wide margin. The reigning WNBA MVP (Breanna Stewart) and Finals MVP (A’ja Wilson) finished 1-2 in fantasy points last season, with a gap of more than 140 fantasy points between them and third place (Alyssa Thomas). They are projected to finish 1-2 again this season, but the projected gap is well over 200 FPs between them and the rest with each expected to again post more than 40 FPs/game.
Tier 2
Alyssa Thomas, Connecticut Sun
Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx
The second tier also has only two names, with Alyssa Thomas and Napheesa Collier both capable of producing in the upper-30s of fantasy points per game to earn secure spots in the first round of almost every fantasy hoops draft. Thomas was third in total fantasy points last season and projects there again this season as a walking triple-double. Collier returned last season after sitting out the previous one, so if anything she appears set to match or even top her monster campaign from a year ago.
Tier 3
Natasha Howard, Dallas Wings
Nneka Ogwumike, Seattle Storm
Ezi Magbegor, Seattle Storm
Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
DeWanna Bonner, Connecticut Sun
Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury
Tier three includes more names than the previous two combined, encompassing the rest of the forwards and centers found within the top-21 of the overall rankings. These are the frontcourt players likely to go in the second through fourth rounds of most fantasy women’s basketball drafts. Most of this tier are veterans, but reigning Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston seems poised to make the leap into this elevated level in her sophomore season. All six players in this tier project to between 29 and 33 FP/G and should be impact starters in all fantasy formats.
Tier 4
Cameron Brink, Los Angeles Sparks
Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty
Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Atlanta Dream
Brionna Jones, Connecticut Sun
NaLyssa Smith, Indiana Fever
This tier includes our first rookie, Cameron Brink, as well as former WNBA MVP Jonquel Jones. It includes a Brionna Jones as she returns from injury as well as NaLyssa Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in 2022 who seeks to be part of a young Big Three in Indiana with Boston and rookie Caitlin Clark. These players project to the upper 20s of fantasy points per game.
Tier 5
Elizabeth Williams, Chicago Sky
Teaira McCowan, Dallas Wings
Kamilla Cardoso, Chicago Sky
Rickea Jackson, Los Angeles Sparks
Dorka Juhasz, Minneosta Lynx
Tina Charles, Atlanta Dream
Alanna Smith, Minnesota Lynx
Shakira Austin, Washington Mystics
This group rounds out the list of forwards and centers that project to be universally drafted in FWBA leagues, including reigning NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player Kamilla Cardoso as well as returning former MVP Tina Charles. Also keep an eye on Shakira Austin, who should be in for a larger role in Washington with Elena Delle Donne sitting out this season.
Tier 6
Dearica Hamby, Los Angeles Sparks
Aaliyah Edwards, Washington Mystics
Diamond DeShields, Chicago Sky
Isabelle Harrison, Chicago Sky
Sophie Cunningham, Phoenix Mercury
Rebecca Allen, Phoenix Mercury
Aerial Powers, Atlanta Dream
Myisha Hines-Allen, Washington Mystics
Angel Reese, Chicago Sky
Kalani Brown, Dallas Wings
Katie Lou Samuelson, Indiana Fever
Satou Sabally, Dallas Wings
This tier includes players that are likely to either be late-round picks or prized free agents to watch in most fantasy leagues. The 2023 NCAA MOP, Angel Reese, joins fellow rookie Aaliyah Edwards in this tier. And Satou Sabally, who produced borderline first-round fantasy numbers last season, is also in this tier with the expectation she will miss most of the season (shoulder) but she could return after the Olympic break.
