LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With the 13th overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft, the Dallas Wings chose the University of Louisville's shining senior guard, Dana Evans. Evans was projected by many to be an early pick.

The Wings claimed four of the first thirteen picks in the draft, including the first and second back-to-back.

Dallas closed out its four picks in the first 13 by choosing Dana Evans, who had been projected to be taken a lot sooner.

“It’s a blessing, excited to finally hear my name,” an emotional Evans said. “It’s motivation, didn’t expect to (fall) this far. I’m ready to take on whatever I got to do.”

Evans ends her illustrious Cardinal career with 1,715 points, 521 assists and a record of 122-15. She is the only player in program history to win four ACC regular season championships and she finishes with both the fewest losses and best winning percentage in program history.

Among her many accolades, she was named Associated Press First Team All-American following her senior season.

For the second straight season, the draft was held virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced picks from an ESPN studio in New York and players were at home appearing virtually when they were drafted.

With potentially as few as 144 roster spots in the WNBA and so many players under contract or still on their rookie-scale deals, there are not many spots open for players to make teams. There’s a good chance that less than a dozen draftees will be on opening-day rosters this season.

Training camps open around April 25 and the season starts on May 14.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.