WNBA draft: Grading Paige Bueckers to Wings and every team’s night

WNBA Draft 2025: A Night of Surprises and Strategic Picks

April 15, 2025, marked a significant day in the WNBA calendar as teams gathered to make their selections in the highly anticipated WNBA draft. The Dallas Wings, holding the top pick, were almost guaranteed an “A” in ESPN’s draft grades, and they certainly lived up to expectations, if not exceeded them.

The Wings, as expected, selected UConn guard Paige Bueckers at No. 1. This move was widely anticipated, and it set the tone for a draft that saw Dallas go guard-heavy with three of its four other picks. At least a couple of these selections have a solid chance to make the roster, adding depth and talent to the team.

Two other teams in rebuilding mode, the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun, also had strong drafts. However, the league’s newest team, the expansion Golden State Valkyries, didn’t fare as well in the draft grades. Their expansion draft had already raised eyebrows, and their draft performance followed suit. But as always, there’s room for teams to prove these grades wrong, sometimes for better, sometimes for worse.

The Phoenix Mercury had no picks on Monday, and the defending champion New York Liberty had just one, the final selection, so there’s no grade for either franchise. However, here are our initial impressions of the 2025 draft for the other 11 franchises.

Dallas Wings: A+

The Dallas Wings are entering a new era under new leadership after missing the playoffs last season. New Wings GM Curt Miller, a longtime WNBA coach and general manager known for his defensive prowess, made strategic picks in his first draft with Dallas.

• 1: Paige Bueckers, UConn Huskies, PG
• 12: Aziaha James, NC State Wolfpack, SG
• 14: Madison Scott, Ole Miss Rebels, SG
• 27: JJ Quinerly, West Virginia Mountaineers, SG
• 31: Aaronette Vonleh, Baylor Bears, C

With veteran Arike Ogunbowale, Bueckers, and James on the roster, the Wings will be a formidable team to guard. Dallas’ perimeter defense could be outstanding, and fans can expect this team to play very fast, taking full advantage of Bueckers’ many talents.

Connecticut Sun: A

The Sun had to be thrilled that Aneesah Morrow was still available at No. 7. Like her former LSU teammate Angel Reese, Morrow could be a rebounding star right away.

• 7: Aneesah Morrow, LSU Tigers, PF
• 8: Saniya Rivers, NC State Wolfpack, SF
• 25: Rayah Marshall, USC Trojans, PF

After losing longtime face of the franchise Alyssa Thomas to Phoenix through free agency, Morrow comes in as a new motor for the team. Rivers is long, quick, and versatile, while Marshall is strong and dependable as an interior defender and rebounder.

Washington Mystics: A-

The top three picks for the Mystics are the most likely to make an impact for a new-look franchise. Sonia Citron is an excellent defender and dependable scorer, Kiki Iriafen turned herself into a lottery pick, and Georgia Amoore is an offensive force.

• 3: Sonia Citron, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, SG
• 4: Kiki Iriafen, USC Trojans, PF
• 6: Georgia Amoore, Kentucky Wildcats, PG
• 23: Lucy Olsen, Iowa Hawkeyes, SG
• 32: Zaay Green, Alabama Crimson Tide, PG

Washington’s depth impressed, with Olsen and Green both having a big impact in their respective college seasons.

Indiana Fever: B+

The Fever made the most of their picks despite not having a first-round selection. Makayla Timpson might be the steal of the second round, and Bree Hall is a lockdown defender.

• 19: Makayla Timpson, Florida State Seminoles, PF
• 20: Bree Hall, South Carolina Gamecocks, SG
• 33: Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga Bulldogs, PF

After making the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the Fever are looking to build on their recent success.

Seattle Storm: B+

Dominique Malonga could be one of the next great post players in the WNBA, and Serena Sundell has a shot to make the team.

• 2: Dominique Malonga, France, C
• 26: Serena Sundell, Kansas State Wildcats, PG
• 29: Madison Conner, TCU Horned Frogs, SG
• 34: Jordan Hobbs, Michigan Wolverines, PG

Malonga will have excellent mentoring from veteran All-Star Nneka Ogwumike, and Sundell could thrive with the Storm’s talented roster.

Chicago Sky: B

Ajsa Sivka is a highly regarded teen, and Hailey Van Lith reached the Elite Eight five times as a college player.

• 10: Ajsa Sivka, Slovenia, PF
• 11: Hailey Van Lith, TCU Horned Frogs, PG
• 16: Maddy Westbeld, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, PF
• 22: Aicha Coulibaly, Texas A&M Aggies, SG

If Sivka adapts well to the WNBA, the Sky could have a very good young post core.

Los Angeles Sparks: B-

Sarah Ashlee Barker had her career-best year as a senior, and Sania Feagin could be the most impactful player the Sparks get in this draft.

• 9: Sarah Ashlee Barker, Alabama Crimson Tide, SG
• 21: Sania Feagin, South Carolina Gamecocks, PF
• 28: Liatu King, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, SF

Feagin came into her own this season for the Gamecocks and could just be scratching the surface of her ability.

Las Vegas Aces: B-

The Aces lost their first-round pick for league disciplinary reasons, but they made the most of their selections.

• 13: Aaliyah Nye, Alabama Crimson Tide, SG
• 35: Harmoni Turner, Harvard Crimson, SG

Nye could be a good fit for coach Becky Hammon’s offense, and Turner was one of the top scorers in the country this season.

Atlanta Dream: C

With picks this late, there’s no guarantee of getting someone who can make the team, but Te-Hina Paopao’s shooting ability might give her a chance.

• 18: Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina Gamecocks, SG
• 36: Taylor Thierry, Ohio State Buckeyes, SF

Thierry was one of the Big Ten’s best defenders and could have a future in the WNBA.

Minnesota Lynx: C

The Lynx didn’t really need anything from this draft, but Anastasiia Kosu is a promising youngster.

• 15: Anastasiia Kosu, Russia, SF
• 24: Dalayah Daniels, Washington Huskies, PF
• 37: Aubrey Griffin, UConn Huskies, SF

Kosu could end up making this draft look quite good for Minnesota.

Golden State Valkyries: C-

Evaluating the Valkyries’ first draft is challenging since they have yet to play a game as a franchise.

• 5: Juste Jocyte, Lithuania, SG
• 17: Shyanne Sellers, Maryland Terrapins, PG
• 30: Kaitlyn Chen, UConn Huskies, PG

Sellers dropped further than expected, and Jocyte is highly regarded among young players from overseas. However, the Valkyries seem to be counting on her to make an immediate impact, which might take longer.