Atlanta Dream select Kentucky's Rhyne Howard with top pick in WNBA draft; Indiana Fever take Baylor's NaLyssa Smith at No. 2

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Rhyne Howard was selected by the Atlanta Dream with the top pick in the NBA draft.

The Dream moved up from third to first in order to get Howard, who was traded from Washington to Atlanta last week.

During her senior season, the 6-foot-2 Howard averaged 20.5 points and 7.4 rebound, while leading the Cats in points, rebound, 3-pointers, steals and blocks. Over the past 20 seasons, the only other SEC player to do that was Tan White of Mississippi State.

Howard told Holly Rowe that it was a dream come true.

NaLyssa Smith, the Big 12 player of the year the past two seasons, was the second pick by Indiana.

Smith, who can play either the power forward or small forward position, said he was coming in hungry. She believes her range will keep growing because she is known for scoring in the paint.

As expected, the Washington Mystics selected Ole Miss center Shakira Austin with the third pick. Austin can be a force on interior offense and defense for Washington, as he averaged 15.2 points and 9.0 rebound for the Rebels.

The last pick in the lottery was Louisville forward Emily Engstler, who helped the women make the Final Four.

Lexie Hull, who many projected as a second-round pick, was the surprise pick. Indiana general manager Lin Dunn was impressed with Hull's ability to hit 3-pointers and her hustle.

The No. 5 pick brought another sister act to the league, as Oregon center/forward Nyara Sabally is headed to New York. Her older sister went to Dallas with the second pick in 2020.

The Wings chose Veronica Burton, a defensive player of the year in the Big Ten, with the 7th pick. A Wings team that could use an upgrade is considered a top-tier perimeter defender by Burton.

Another surprise came when Las Vegas took Colorado forward Mya Hollingshed, who helped the Buffaloes make the NCAA tournament for the first time in three years. Los Angeles selected Rae Burrell, who helped the Lady Vols to the NCAA Sweet 16.

Howard is the second player the Dream have picked. The Dream made three appearances in the finals.

Howard is a multi-dimensional threat as she is big enough to post up against most defenders and she has 284 career 3-pointers. The Dream have missed the playoffs four of the past five years, and Howard can become a signature player for them.

Howard grew up in Atlanta and will be close to home.

It's huge that it's so close. Howard said a lot of family and close friends can come and support him. Still shaking. I am very proud of myself and thankful for everyone that helped me get here.

The Bears won the Big 12 regular-season title for the 12th season in a row, thanks to Smith's 22.1 points and 11.5 boards. She was on the national championship team as a freshman.

The draftees were able to attend the event in person for the first time in a long time, as they had to be done remotely in 2020 and 2021.

Training camps will open later this week as the season begins on May 6.

The report was contributed to by the Associated Press.