Atlanta Dream select Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard with No. 1 pick in 2022 WNBA draft
the situation of WNBA star Britney Griner and her detainment in Russia.
“Please know that getting her home safely continues to be our number one priority,” WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert said.
With the first pick, Atlanta Dream selected Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard from the University of Kentucky. Last week, the Dream acquired the top pick from the Washington Mystics in order to select Howard, a three-time first-team All-American.
“This is a sigh of relief and a dream come true in this moment,” Howard said.
2022 WNBA draft selections
Round 1
1. Atlanta Dream (from Washington Mystics) — Rhyne Howard, G, Kentucky
2. Indiana Fever — NaLyssa Smith, F, Baylor
3. Washington Mystics (from Atlanta Dream) — Shakira Austin, C, Ole Miss
4. Indiana Fever (from Los Angeles Sparks) — Emily Engstler, F, Louisville
5. New York Liberty — Nyara Sabally, F, Oregon
6. Indiana Fever (from Dallas) — Lexie Hull, G, Stanford
7. Dallas Wings (from Chicago Sky) — Veronica Burton, G, Northwestern
8. Las Vegas Aces (from Phoenix Mercury) — Mya Hollingshed, F, Colorado
9. Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle Storm) — Rae Burrell, G, Tennessee
10. Indiana Fever (from Minnesota Lynx) — Queen Egbo, C, Baylor
11. Las Vegas Aces — Kierstan Bell, G, Florida Gulf Coast
12. Connecticut Sun — Nia Clouden, G, Michigan State
Round 2
13. Las Vegas Aces (from Indiana Fever) — Khayla Pointer, G, LSU
14. Washington Mystics (from Atlanta Dream) — Christyn Williams, G, Connecticut
15. Atlanta Dream (from Los Angeles Sparks) — Naz Hillmon, F, Michigan
16. Los Angeles Sparks (from Washington Mystics) — Kianna Smith, G, Louisville
17. Seattle Storm (from New York Liberty) — Elissa Cunane, C, North Carolina State
18. Seattle Storm (from Dallas Wings) — Lorela Cubaj, F, Georgia Tech (rights traded to New York Liberty)
19. Los Angeles Sparks (from Chicago Sky) — Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F, Connecticut
20. Indiana Fever (from Phoenix Mercury) — Destanni Henderson, G, South Carolina
21. Seattle Storm — Evina Westbrook, G, Connecticut
22. Minnesota Lynx — Kayla Jones, F, North Carolina State
23. Las Vegas Aces — Aisha Sheffard, G, Virginia Tech
24. Connecticut Sun — Jordan Lewis, G, Baylor
Round 3
25. Indiana Fever
26. Phoenix Mercury (from Atlanta Dream)
27. Los Angeles Sparks
28. Minnesota Lynx (from Washington Mystics)
29. New York Liberty
30. Dallas Wings
31. Dallas Wings (from Chicago Sky)
32. Phoenix Mercury
33. Seattle Storm
34. Indiana Fever (from Minnesota Lynx)
35. Las Vegas Aces
36. Connecticut Sun
Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.