Tomorrow night is the official start of the 2025 WNBA Season, as the 2025 WNBA Draft is scheduled to take place. This has been a highly anticipated draft class that has seen some changes in just the last few weeks.
Names such as Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd and Flau’jae Johnson have opted to return to school. Players like Hailey Van Lith, Sarah Ashlee Barker, and Sania Feagin have seen increases in their draft stock following their standout tournament performances.
And it goes without saying that Paige Bueckers, fresh off leading UConn to their 12th national championship, is the most highly anticipated prospect this year and should be a no-brainer with the first overall pick.
I brought you a mock draft a few weeks back, and here’s our final first mock draft, with some bonus shoutouts for the second and third rounds, just 24 hours before the event.
1. Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers/G/UConn
There’s not much that can be said about Paige Bueckers that isn’t already known. A household name since 2020, a Naismith Player of the Year and now a National Champion. UConn’s offense was the engine behind their run to the natty this March and Bueckers was a shining star.
In the tournament, Bueckers averaged 24.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.8 steals per game on 52.8% from the field and 48.3% from three. She’s poised, crafty and the no-brainer first pick for a Wings team that is clearly built for her game.
2. Seattle Storm (via LA): Dominique Malonga/C/France
Originally, I had the Storm taking Olivia Miles second overall, but she shocked the world by opting to return to college and transfer to TCU.
With Miles’ do-it-all playing style it’s now hard to tell what direction Seattle could be going in for the second pick. I think the safest bet would be taking the 6’6 French Olympian Dominique Malonga. In a way she is also Miss Do-It-All. Her frame, fluidity and footwork strike her as a can’t-miss prospect and a potential dominant building block as the Storm transition into their new era.
3. Washington Mystics (via CHI): Sonia Citron/G/Notre Dame
Amidst all of the rumors that keep coming out of Notre Dame following the mass exodus to the transfer portal, but that outside noise hasn’t affected Sonia Citron at all.
She’s a defensive ace, has a very high motor and wrapped up March Madness with averages of 16.3 points and 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game on 44.2% from the field and 41.2% from three all while leading the Fighting Irish to a Sweet 16 appearance.
4. Washington Mystics: Kiki Iriafen/F/USC
Speaking of March Madness performers, Kiki Iriafen stepped up as a leader and aided the shorthanded Trojans to the Elite Eight despite a season-ending injury to standout Sophomore JuJu Watkins.
She averaged 16.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in the tournament and showcased strong defensive leadership as well, which has shot her up her draft stock across the board. I originally had the Mystics taking Malonga at four, and if they want to ensure they can keep a reliable big to continue their core then Iriafen is the best option on the table.
5. Golden State Valkyries: Georgia Amoore/G/Kentucky
The Valkyries are in one of the easiest positions for a franchise in this draft due to the fact they’re still looking for an identity. I originally had them taking Iriafen here, but they can get a pure shot creator in Georgia Amoore.
Amoore has a high motor, high assist numbers for a score-first guard (6.9 per game) and the unteachable ability of putting the ball in the basket. Golden State’s NBA counterpart has had a high-octane offense led by a sniper guard for the last 15 years and having a similar player be the first pick in the franchise’s history would generate lots of excitement.
6. Washington Mystics (via ATL): Shyanne Sellers/G/Maryland
After a trip to the Sweet Sixteen, Shyanne Sellers is on many radars. I still think the Mystics will be looking to add a young guard as their third selection in this draft and what better available guard than the DMV product herself.
Sellers finished the tournament averaging 16.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. While she didn’t have the best shooting performance, she still showed flashes of finishing and defensive potential and just needs some fine tuning with some veterans to develop the best way she can.
7. Connecticut Sun (via PHX): Aneesah Morrow/F/LSU
One person that stayed at her original projected spot in our first mock draft was Aneesah Morrow from LSU. She has consistently showcased the abilities that made her a high-valued prospect which were her outstanding rebound numbers, defensive consistency and ability to score in the post.
This skill continued into the tournament as she averaged 20.7 points and 12.2 rebounds per game en route to LSU’s Elite Eight appearance. Morrow can be a piece of security for a rebuilding Connecticut team with a lot of question marks for their future.
8. Connecticut Sun (via IND): Ajsa Sivka/F/Slovenia
The jumbo forward from Slovenia Ajsa Sivka has been flying up draft boards as more people discover her film. Standing at 6’4, she plays a lot more similar to a guard with a nice outside shooting touch, playmaking skills and switch defense.
In 21 games in France this year she averaged 7.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game on 47.5% from the field and 33% from three. At only 19 years old, she presents teams with the opportunity to buy in on a young prospect and can use the next few seasons to develop her game.
9. Los Angeles Sparks (via SEA): Aziaha James/G/NC State
Another pick who’s stock remained the same after a strong tournament showing was North Carolina State guard Aziaha James. James is a prototypical combo guard, with strengths at scoring both inside and out and isn’t afraid of contact or crashing the glass.
She averaged 17.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game in the tournament before NC State’s Sweet Sixteen elimination. Her intense play should be welcomed in Los Angeles and they look to revise their identity next season.
10. Chicago Sky (via CON): Hailey Van Lith/G/TCU
In terms of draft stock risers, Hailey Van Lith might have risen the most. She has been a household name for some years now, but a rough season at LSU last season caused her stock to fall in the 2024 Draft. So she decided to transfer to TCU and completely revitalize her appeal.
This season saw her be named as a Third-Team All-American, win the Big 12 championship, own the record for most career games played in women’s division one history, and lead the Horned Frogs to an Elite Eight appearance with tournament averages of 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game.
This was her most efficient and best playmaking season to date, and I think she’ll be bringing that same intensity to the WNBA, especially if she gets a chance to play alongside her former LSU teammate Angel Reese.
11. Chicago Sky (via MIN): Te-Hina Paopao/G/South Carolina
Just 24 hours before the draft, the Sky made a trade to acquire the 11th pick and I think they have a player in mind. The fifth-year guard out of South Carolina, Te-Hina Paopao has seen her draft stock lower a bit, but not because of a decreased ability in performance. Last season, Paopao thrived as an off-ball three point sniper and led the nation in three-point percentage, largely due to the post presence of Kamilla Cardoso.
And where is Cardoso now? Right in Chicago. Paopao was still perfectly fine as a shooter this season, as she still showcased her shooting strengths in the tournament, averaging 7.6 points on 44.7% from the field and 40% from three. But her ability to play so well off the ball and experience with doing it for an undefeated championship team alongside Cardoso makes her the perfect piece.
12. Dallas Wings (via Liberty): Sania Feagin/F/South Carolina
And another Gamecock draft hopeful stays exactly where I predicted she’d fall in the first mock. She’s gaining a lot more public support following a strong performance in the tournament and her arc to the starting lineup after sitting behind Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso for three seasons.
In the tournament, she averaged 8.1 points and 4.3 rebounds on 52.5% from the field. She is a capable interior finisher, has a consistent mid-range jumper and is a terrific defender for her size. I’m more than sure she’ll fit in well as a depth-wing in Dallas.
Second/Third Round Prospects to look for:
Bree Hall/G/South Carolina
A consistent two-way sniper. Shot 53.6% from the field and 57.1% from three in the tournament. Capable of playing shooting guard or small forward and can comfortably guard one through four.
Diamond Johnson/G/Norfolk State
The 2025 MEAC Player of the Year. Led her conference in scoring, steals and three point percentage with averages of 18.9 points and 3.6 steals per game on 47% from the field and 35.2% from three. Very high motor and coachable, especially on defense.
Madison Scott/F/Ole Miss
Defensive-oriented point-forward. Averaged 11.0 points and 3.0 rebounds per game in the tournament en route to the Rebels’ Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Saniya Rivers/G/NC State
Defensive specialist. Averaged 13.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game in the tournament shooting 43.9% from the field to aid the Wolfpack to a Sweet Sixteen appearance.
Sedona Prince/C/TCU
Tallest player in the class at 6’7 and most experienced with seven total years as a rostered college player. All-Defensive player this season and averaged 15.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game during TCU’s Elite Eight run.
Sarah Ashlee Barker/G/Alabama
The definition of efficiency in terms of scoring. 45 point performance in Round of 32 matchup against NC State, shooting 17 for 25 from the field and 4 for 6 from three. Could play the microwave bench scoring role on the next level.
The 2025 WNBA Draft is set for Monday, April 14 in New York City. ESPN will begin coverage of the draft at 7 p.m. EST with the Countdown show, with the draft following at 7:30. Stay tuned on Fantom Sports for some in-depth season previews of WNBA teams as the season approaches.