WNBA Mock Draft: Paige Bueckers Leads the Pack, But Who Follows?

WNBA Mock Draft: Paige Bueckers Leads the Pack, But Who Follows?

Hey there, basketball fans! It’s that time of year again when the excitement of the WNBA draft is in the air, and this year, all eyes are on Paige Bueckers. The whirlwind surrounding Bueckers is at full tilt, and it might not ease up until late in the fall. Just like the past two No. 1 WNBA draft picks, South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston and Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, Bueckers is making the transition from the Final Four to the draft with little time to reflect on her college career. The next step is right around the corner, and it’s a big one.

Bueckers is expected to be the top pick on Monday in the WNBA draft, which will be held at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. But the big question is, who will follow her?

Since our last mock draft, there have been some significant changes. Three prominent college players have dropped out of the first round. Guard Olivia Miles, who was previously in the No. 2 slot, is staying for her fifth season in college and has recently transferred to TCU. Meanwhile, guard Hailey Van Lith and center Sedona Prince, who just finished their college careers helping TCU make the Elite Eight, were previously in the No. 9 and 12 spots. Current intel from around the league projects them to be more likely second-round picks. But hey, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing if they end up with a team that is the right fit.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into ESPN’s latest mock draft of the first round and see how things are shaping up.

• 1. Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers

Bueckers just added a national championship to her résumé and is the easy choice at No. 1. She finished her senior season averaging 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 4.6 assists while shooting 53.4% from the field and 41.9% from 3-point range. She can be a franchise-changing player.

• 2. Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga

Malonga, 19, played for France in the Olympics last summer and dunked in a game in November. She has played in France’s top professional women’s league since she was 15 and is currently averaging 15.4 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists for Lyon Asvel Feminin. Her ceiling seems high.

• 3. Washington Mystics: Kiki Iriafen

The Mystics, who are currently in rebuilding mode with a new coach and general manager, have three of the top six picks. Iriafen had a breakout season as a junior at Stanford. As a senior at USC, she averaged 18.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.8 assists as the Trojans won the Big Ten regular-season title and made the Elite Eight.

• 4. Washington Mystics: Sonia Citron

Citron averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.7 assists as a senior, helping Notre Dame win a share of the ACC regular-season title and reach the Sweet 16. She was a first-team All-ACC pick and was on the league’s all-defensive team. Her defensive versatility helps her case to be a lottery pick.

• 5. Golden State Valkyries: Aneesah Morrow

Morrow led Division I in rebounding (13.5 RPG) and double-doubles (30) this season, also averaging 18.7 points. LSU advanced to the Elite Eight in both her years there after she transferred from DePaul. Morrow made just 24 3-pointers in her two years in Baton Rouge, but the 53 she knocked down as a sophomore at DePaul show they can be part of her repertoire at the pro level.

• 6. Washington Mystics: Shyanne Sellers

Sellers’ ability to play point guard at her size could be one of her best advantages for being picked in the first round. She shot a career-best 40.8% from 3-point range this season while averaging 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists for the Terps, who made the Sweet 16.

• 7. Connecticut Sun: Ajsa Sivka

The Sun are in rebuilding mode with a new coach, Rachid Meziane from France. Sivka, 19, plays for the Slovenian national team and competes professionally in France. She could either be a draft-and-stash prospect or play in the WNBA this season. Her size and shooting ability are assets.

• 8. Connecticut Sun: Aziaha James

James is one of the most explosive perimeter scorers available in this draft. She helped NC State make the Final Four in 2024 and the Sweet 16 this year. As a senior, she averaged 17.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. She has become a reliable 3-point shooter her past two seasons, hitting 75 and 76 3s, respectively.

• 9. Los Angeles Sparks: Georgia Amoore

Amoore averaged 19.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 6.9 assists while playing an SEC-high 36.7 minutes per game this season for the Wildcats. She spent her first four seasons at Virginia Tech, which she helped lead to the 2023 Final Four. Amoore made 408 3-pointers in college, shooting 35.6% from behind the arc.

• 10. Chicago Sky: Sania Feagin

Feagin was a late bloomer in college, in large part because she was playing behind WNBA lottery picks Aliyah Boston and Kamilla Cardoso. This season, an injury to Ashlyn Watkins brought Feagin more to the forefront, and she responded as the Gamecocks advanced to the national championship game. Feagin might just be scratching the surface of what she can do and could join Cardoso with the Sky.

• 11. Minnesota Lynx: Juste Jocyte

Jocyte is Dominique Malonga’s teammate at Asvel Feminin, where she’s averaging 11.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. She could play in the backcourt or on the wing and has been compared to New York’s Leonie Fiebich. Jocyte would like to play in the WNBA this year, but would also be willing to sit out this season if her team wants her as a draft-and-stash.

• 12. Dallas Wings: Saniya Rivers

Rivers is a do-it-all type of offensive player who also could develop into a strong pro defender. She won an NCAA title with South Carolina as a freshman before transferring to NC State. She helped lead the Wolfpack to the Final Four last season and the Sweet 16 this year, when she averaged 11.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks.

There you have it, folks! The WNBA draft is shaping up to be an exciting event with plenty of talent ready to make their mark in the league. Keep an eye on these players as they transition from college stars to professional athletes. It’s going to be a thrilling ride!