Phoenix Mercury Win Top Pick in WNBA Lotttery

Delaware's Elena Delle Donne, Baylor's Brittney Griner and Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins are expected to be the top three picks in next April's WNBA Draft. (US Presswire, Getty Images, and US Presswire)

In the history of the WNBA, there may not have been as talented a draft class as the one coming up next April. Baylor's Brittney Griner, Delaware's Elena Delle Donne, and Notre Dame's Skylar Diggins are three marquee seniors with stellar collegiate careers. They are not just talented, but instead seem to have that "it factor" that could transform a franchise.

Griner helped lead the Bears through a perfect 40-0 season to become national champions. The 6-foot-8 center controls the paint like no other. She is truly a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court.

Della Donne led the nation in scoring last season. The versatile guard can score from almost anywhere on the court. Her lethal shooting is unparalleled in this draft class.

Diggins has guided the Fighting Irish to back-to-back national championship games. The multidimensional point guard knows how to effectively and efficiently run an offense and establish a defense.

For the first time in the history of the WNBA Draft Lottery, the event was televised Wednesday night. The Washington Mystics had the highest percentage odds of winning the first pick with a 44.2% chance. They finished with a league-worst 5-29 record. The next best odds belonged to the Phoenix Mercury (27.6%), Tulsa Shock (17.8%), and Chicago Sky (10.4%).

The top four picks were announced on national television via Sports Center. Surprisingly, the Mystics found out the disappointing news that they would be picking fourth. The Shock will pick third, and the Sky will pick second. This means that the Mercury won the lottery and the first overall pick that comes with it.

The Mercury have earned the right to select Griner, who is expected to be the first overall pick. The team struggled last season with overcoming injuries. Now that their players are getting healthy, the team looks to turn it around with whatever help is needed. Griner could do more than simple affect the team she is on. She has the capability of transforming the league as a hold.

Regardless of who the Mercury select, this draft is superb for the WNBA. We only just completed the lottery stage of the new season. However, viewership and excitement are on the rise around the country. More people need to be exposed to and aware of the sport. These young ladies are the perfect example of the types of players who would work to make that happen.