In the latest mock draft, Angel Reese is projected to join the Lynx, according to ESPN’s most recent predictions. The LSU All-American forward is anticipated to be selected at No. 7 by Minnesota, following her declaration for the 2024 WNBA Draft, which was accompanied by a Vogue photoshoot on Wednesday.

Standing at 6 feet 3 inches tall, Reese, who led LSU to an NCAA championship last year and was named MVP of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, showcased her prowess with 17 points and 20 rebounds in LSU’s final loss to Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Elite Eight matchup on Monday. Her remarkable performance comes as no surprise, as she consistently averaged a double-double during last year’s NCAA Women’s Tournament.

However, there remain uncertainties about how Reese’s game will transition to the professional level, particularly in terms of expanding her offensive capabilities. Despite this, as the 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year, Reese’s strengths lie in her rebounding and defensive abilities, with the potential to become a more well-rounded asset for the Lynx if she enhances her outside shooting.

Teaming up with three-time All-Star forward Napheesa Collier, who played a pivotal role in Minnesota’s playoff run last season, Reese could contribute significantly to the team’s success in the postseason. With her proven strength in the paint and impressive rebounding skills, Reese has the potential to elevate the Lynx’s performance.

In Minnesota’s season-ending defeat against the Connecticut Sun in the first round of the 2023 WNBA Playoffs, Napheesa Collier emerged as the leading performer for the Lynx, logging 37 minutes on the court and contributing 31 points.

With the potential addition of Reese, renowned for her dominance in the paint and impressive rebounding skills, the Lynx could pose a significant threat in the postseason.

In ESPN’s mock draft, Caitlin Clark is predicted to be the top pick for the Indiana Fever, followed by Stanford forward Cameron Brink to the Los Angeles Sparks at No. 2, Tennessee forward Rickea Jackson to the Chicago Sky at No. 3, South Carolina center Kamilla Cardoso to the Sparks at No. 4, UConn forward Aaliyah Edwards to the Dallas Wings at No. 5, and Ohio State guard Jacy Sheldon to the Mystics at No. 6.

Despite Paige Bueckers choosing to remain in college for her final year of eligibility and USC’s JuJu Watkins being ineligible for the draft until age 22, Reese has decided to forgo her final season at LSU and enter the draft. With her readiness to embrace the challenges of the WNBA, Reese is prepared to embark on her professional journey, even if it means starting from the ground up.

“I want to be a rookie again and build myself back up; I want to be knocked down and learn and grow at the next level,” Reese told Vogue.com in an interview announcing her career plans.

The 21-year-old Baltimore native — a top NIL earner who holds a $1.8 million NIL valuation, per on3 — went on to explain that she’s “okay” with the drastic differences between the WNBA and LSU.

LSU players fly private, while WNBA talent flies via commercial air.

“I’ll be working with grown women,” Reese said. “I’ll be working with women that have kids, women that have a family to feed. I’m going to have to work my butt off every single day and grind. And who wouldn’t want that? I don’t want anything in my life to be easy.”

The 2024 WNBA Draft is scheduled to take place at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, marking the first time that fans can attend the event in person.