UCLA Women's Basketball: Bruins Star Falls From First-Round of WNBA Mock Draft

Matt Levine | Apr 15, 2024

The UCLA Bruins women's basketball team was one of the best in the country all season. They entered into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed but fell short of their goals. UCLA dropped their Sweet Sixteen matchup to the LSU Tigers but it was still a very successful season.

The Bruins will be losing one of their leaders to the WNBA this year, guard Charisma Osborne. Osborne has been projected to land within the first round of the WNBA Draft this coming week but she fell out of the first round in a new mock draft by Yahoo Sports.

Jackie Powell has Osborne falling to become the first pick of the second round by the Chicago Sky.

"Osborne is a jack of many trades and skills but a master of few. Her ability to defend within a defensive scheme and rotate is something scouts believe will translate to the pro level. Listed at 5-9, her broad shoulders and muscular frame allow her to play larger than her height. Offensively, Osborne can easily get into the paint and distribute as a secondary playmaker. She struggles with offensive efficiency, shooting 47.8% from two and 32.2% from three this past season."

Last season for the Bruins, Osborne averaged 13.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and four assists per game. She was one of the leaders for UCLA all season and should be able to transfer her game to the professional league.

Chicago places a big emphasis on defense, something that Osborne is very strong at. Landing with the Sky would be an ideal location for her, even if it means she doesn't land as a first round selection.