Charli Collier Is the No. 1 Pick in the W.N.B.A. Draft

Collier, a 6-foot-5 center from the University of Texas, was selected by the Dallas Wings.

Charli Collier, a center from the University of Texas, was selected No. 1 over all by the Dallas Wings in the W.N.B.A. draft held virtually on Thursday, fulfilling the dream of her late father that she be the top pick. Collier, who is from Texas and was widely projected to be the first pick, averaged 19 points and 11.3 rebounds per game in the 2020-21 season. Collier, surrounded by her mother, brother and boyfriend, pointed to the sky as she was announced as the first pick. “We sat down in the hospital bed, and we wrote down goals,” she said, referring to her father, Elliott. “This was one of them. He’s here with me.”