Carlie Wagner tried to ignore the WNBA draft projections after her senior season with the Gophers ended last month. But friends and family keep bringing the lists to her attention.
They told Wagner that mock drafts predicted she would be selected in the third round by the Lynx.
It just so happens the native of New Richland, Minn., will be watching the draft at 6 p.m. Thursday with the Lynx and their fans at Target Center.
"It would be any Minnesota girl's dream to stay home and play for the Lynx," Wagner said. "I've watched them my whole life and have been such a big fan. But you never know what happens with the draft."
Predicting where Wagner will be drafted or whether she will be drafted at all is difficult. But her growth during four years with the Gophers put her in position to have this opportunity to show she can make it at the next level.
Wagner's trying to become the first Minnesota native and Gopher to be drafted since former U teammate Rachel Banham went No. 4 overall to the Connecticut Sun in 2016.
The 5-10 Wagner averaged 18.7 points and shot a career-best 41.2 percent from three-point range in her final college season.
She solidified Minnesota's second NCAA tourney bid in her career by averaging 26.5 points to earn all-Big Ten tournament honors. The Gophers won 24 games and advanced to the NCAA tournament second round for the first time since 2009.