Rhyne Howard looking to become Kentucky's first No. 1 WNBA Draft pick

By the end of the night, Rhyne Howard will make history — again.

The Kentucky Women’s Basketball three-time All-American is widely expected to hear her name called with the No. 1 overall pick during Monday night’s 2022 WNBA Draft. The Atlanta Dream holds the top selection following a blockbuster trade last week, which has since seen Howard rise as the consensus choice for the pick. If the Dream does ultimately go with her as the foundational piece for a rebuild, she’ll be Kentucky WBB’s first-ever player to go No. 1 overall.

The draft is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. EST on ESPN. Howard will be in attendance.

But even in the unlikely event that she falls to No. 2, Howard will still make Kentucky history. No former Wildcat has gone among the top two picks since the WNBA first formed in 1997. Evelyn Ahkator is currently the highest-drafted ‘Cat, going No. 3 overall in 2017. There is a very, very small percent chance Howard falls to No. 3.

Ahead of Monday night’s draft, Mechelle Voepel of ESPN updated her final mock draft projections. Following the trade that sent the No. 1 pick to the Dream, Howard has been viewed as the overwhelming favorite for the top spot. Voepel continues to agree, slotting Howard in Atlanta.

1. Atlanta Dream: Rhyne Howard

Kentucky | guard | 6-foot-2 | senior

Howard at her best could be a matchup problem in the pro game just as she was in college. She averaged 20.5 PPG and 7.4 RPG this season. Her 284 career 3-pointers indicate she can be lethal from the perimeter, and she is also big enough to post up against most defenders. If she is indeed the player Atlanta was hoping to get when it traded for the No. 1 pick, Howard should seize the opportunity to become a signature player for the franchise.

Mechelle Voepel, ESPN

The next stage of her Hall of Fame career begins tonight.