Indiana Fever 2021 WNBA Draft preview: New faces emerge as possible targets

The wheels of WNBA free agency have stopped spinning and Stanford earned the 2021 NCAA women's basketball tournament crown, signaling the beginning of draft season. 

The Indiana Fever own picks No. 4, No. 19, No. 24, No. 26, No. 31 and No. 33 in Thursday's 2021 WNBA Draft. With 14 players currently on the roster and a maximum of 12 roster spots per WNBA team, the likelihood of two or more of the Fever's 2021 draft picks making the final roster is slim. 

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With six picks at their disposal, Fever general manager Tamika Catchings and head coach Marianne Stanley have the flexibility to move up in the draft to select a player they covet, or they could move down and add more future draft picks.

Draft position locks Wednesday at 5 p.m.  

Newly signed veteran free agents Lindsay Allen, Danielle Robinson and Jantel Lavender (re-signed) have a good chance of making the final roster. Returning players Tiffany Mitchell, Kelsey Mitchell, Teaira McCowan and Julie Allemand seem like locks for the final roster as well. That means several players will be fighting for the final four spots on the Fever's roster and at times, teams may begin the season with 11 players for salary cap reasons, making the odds of earning a final roster spot even slimmer. 

After a 2020 season where the Fever showed signs of playing like an upper-echelon team but failed to develop consistency, Stanley said she wants a player capable of coming in and competing right away. 

"We want somebody who's extremely competitive and has a winning mindset, has a championship mindset," Stanley said. "Someone that is willing to go head to head on a daily basis to compete for minutes, compete for what they're able to add to the team. ... For me the most important thing is to understand that every one of these college players is about to embark on a whole new journey in a league that is exceptional from top to bottom — it's challenging.

"The rigors are there and you have to have not only talent but you have to have a big heart. And then you have to want to compete, they can't shy away from competing. We're looking for somebody who fits what we're building here as a championship culture and a mindset that says we're winning every game, we're in every game, and brings something to the table that adds to what we have."

Here's who the Fever could be targeting with the No. 4 pick in the WNBA Draft:

Rennia Davis, G/F, Tennessee 

Davis seemed like a possible target for Indiana heading into the offseason, and the senior from Jacksonville remains a prospect who brings a skillset the Fever need. At 6-2, Davis has good size with guard skills, but she did not take the jump in production expected during her senior year. 

Davis averaged 18 points per game while shooting 29% from 3-point range as a junior. This season her numbers dropped to 17.3 points per game and 26% from the 3. Davis has a reputation as a strong shooter, but her 3-point percentage dropped from 34.9% her first two years to 27.8% her final two years.  

Still, ESPN analyst LaChina Robinson said Davis could help the Fever if she's the pick at No. 4. 

"You know one thing that I think kind of stands out to me or a player that I think could help in their roster anywhere is just a big wing," Robinson said. "Wings like a Rennia Davis, for example, that I think could really change the complexion of what you do on both ends. That may be something that can just add a different type of player to the skill set of what Indiana already has."

Jasmine Walker, F, Alabama

Walker, a 6-3 forward from Montgomery, Ala. enjoyed a breakout senior season averaging 19.1 points per game while shooting 39.8% from 3. 

Robinson said Walker may be the best pure shooter in the draft. She has a knack for using screens to create separation while also being a deadly spot-up shooter.

Robinson added that Walker has the strength and athleticism to play the small forward position, but she'll have to continue developing her perimeter skills if she wants to stay at the 3 and not become solely a small-ball 4.  

Outside of Victoria Vivians, the Fever don't have a big perimeter player with Walker's shooting ability. Walker showed she's capable of taking over games, scoring 41 points on 14 of 23 shooting, including 7 of 13 from three during a Jan. 24 game against Auburn this season. 

Aari McDonald, PG, Arizona

McDonald became the star of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, leading Arizona to the championship game against Stanford.  

McDonald averaged 20.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game as a senior. In the NCAA Tournament, the Pac-12 Player of the Year and two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year upped her numbers to 24.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. 

The Fever don't have an immediate need for a point guard, but having a young player to push second-year point guard Julie Allemand and fill-in for the Belgian national during the FIBA basketball tournament in late June could benefit Indiana in the long term. 

At 5-6, McDonald isn't big, but she's quick and brings the competitive spirit to the game that the Fever covet. 

Michaela Onyenwere, F, UCLA

Onyenwere is a talented prospect who may not fill an immediate need for the Fever but she has the potential to grow into a key piece. At 6-foot, she played the role of an undersized 4 in college, averaging 19.1 points and 7.2 rebounds per game. She's just a 27.4% 3-pointer shooter and never took a high volume of 3-point shots. 

Still, Obyenwere brings the athleticism and high-motor to become a special defender while her offensive game progresses.