WNBA draft 2025: 5 questions earlier than Bueckers goes No. 1

Paige Bueckers received an NCAA title with UConn on April 6 and has barely stopped shifting since: from discuss reveals to endorsements to Sunday’s championship parade in Hartford, Connecticut. Monday will mark her greatest second since hoisting the nationwide championship trophy as she is anticipated to be picked No. 1 within the WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings.

“It has been insane — loads of celebrating, loads of reflecting,” Bueckers mentioned in a current video name with media. “Then to have already got this transition into my subsequent stage, the WNBA, it makes you actually keep current in what you are doing.”

Bueckers is one in every of 16 gamers invited to New York for the draft (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). After Bueckers, how would possibly the remainder of the 38-pick draft go? Listed here are among the greatest questions heading into Monday night time.

Which participant will the Seattle Storm choose at No. 2?

Kevin Pelton: The good cash is on French heart Dominique Malonga. WNBA scouts are excessive on the 19-year-old, who has averaged 18.5 factors and 11.0 rebounds for ASVEL within the EuroCup towards WNBA gamers. At 6-foot-6, Malonga does not fill a necessity like Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron would for the Storm, who landed the No. 2 choose as a part of a commerce sending Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces. However with a singular alternative so as to add a star expertise — with its highest choose since taking Breanna Stewart No. 1 in 2016 — Seattle will probably favor the perfect participant accessible.

Andre Snellings: Malonga is the probably choose, however do not fully low cost Citron. She has the dimensions, shotmaking and defensive versatility to shortly turn into an impression guard within the WNBA. The Storm have the core of a contending workforce as quickly as this season in the event that they enhance their guard play, and Citron could possibly be an enormous assistance on that entrance for a workforce that already tasks elite inside play from Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike.

Michael Voepel: Malonga’s dimension, youth and potential probably make her too useful for the Storm to go up. That they had comparable success taking Australia’s Magbegor as a 19-year-old in 2019.

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Aneesah Morrow’s 30-point, 19-rebound double-double powers LSU to Elite Eight

Aneesah Morrow scores 30 factors and grabs 19 rebounds in a dominant double-double efficiency to energy LSU to the Elite Eight.

If Paige Bueckers does not win WNBA Rookie of the 12 months, who will?

Charlie Creme: LSU’s Aneesah Morrow. If she goes to the Washington Mystics or Golden State Valkyries in picks 3 by way of 6, Morrow will get loads of taking part in time and alternative to place up stable numbers, even when they do not essentially come effectively. She’s undersized at 6-1, however the rebounding instincts and relentless pursuit of the ball that outlined Morrow’s faculty profession will not disappear as a result of the competitors is healthier. Morrow will not have a double-double in 83% of her video games like she did this season at LSU, however she is going to lead all rookies in that class.

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Kiki Iriafen’s 36-point recreation helps advance USC to Candy 16

Kiki Iriafen finishes with 36 factors, 9 rebounds and a pair of blocks as USC defeats Mississippi State.

Eric Moody: USC’s Kiki Iriafen. She’s a future star. Identified for her footwork, put up scoring and protection, Iriafen stepped up for USC after JuJu Watkins’ ACL harm. In her first season with the Trojans after three years at Stanford, Iriafen averaged 18.0 factors and eight.4 rebounds, capturing 49% from the sector. A unanimous All-Large Ten first-team choose, in addition to a third-team AP All-American, she led USC to a Large Ten title and the Elite Eight. Iriafen’s versatile, two-way recreation — paying homage to A’ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart — makes her a robust rookie of the yr contender, particularly if she lands with a workforce such because the Washington Mystics.

Which workforce’s choose(s) are you most all for watching?

Moody: Connecticut Solar. The Solar hit the rebuild button this offseason, dismantling their roster after six consecutive years of reaching the WNBA semifinals or higher, together with two journeys to the Finals. Connecticut can be smart to contemplate including a degree guard with one in every of its back-to-back picks at Nos. 7 and eight within the first spherical — somebody the Solar may construct round. Georgia Amoore can be a wonderful addition. The previous Kentucky guard is a superb decision-maker on the court docket and excels within the pick-and-roll.

Voepel: The Mystics. With choose Nos. 3, 4 and 6 within the first spherical, the Mystics have an opportunity to get three very various kinds of gamers. The franchise has new management after 12 seasons beneath Mike Thibault as normal supervisor (he was additionally coach for 10 years). We’ll get a take a look at the decision-making of GM Jamila Wideman and coach Sydney Johnson. Plus, what the Mystics do with half of the highest six picks can have a big effect on the remainder of the primary spherical.

Which workforce has the potential to win the draft?

Moody: The Mystics. Washington cleaned home this offseason with a brand new coach and normal supervisor and has a possibility to reshape its roster. With former MVP Elena Delle Donne retired, these 3, 4 and 6 picks are useful, even with a handful of prime prospects opting to return to highschool. Whereas a championship may not be on the close to horizon for the Mystics, it is nonetheless an thrilling touchdown spot for growing gamers to make the roster and earn a spot within the rotation as Washington works to rebuild again right into a championship contender.

Voepel: Dallas Wings. In Bueckers, they may get a franchise-changing guard with the very best public profile of anybody within the draft. Then on the No. 12 spot within the first spherical and the second spot within the second spherical (No. 14), there’ll nonetheless be gamers accessible who may make an impression for the Wings.

“Deliberately, as we constructed the roster, we created a possibility for 12 and 14 to make our opening-day roster,” Wings normal supervisor Curt Miller mentioned. “You’ll need to hear your identify for those who’re in that vary for Dallas.”

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Scott credit workforce effort after Ole Miss’ blowout win

Madison Scott drops 15 factors and provides three blocks within the Rebels rout of Ball State and discusses her management position together with the Rebels’ toughness.

Which projected second- or third-round draft choose are specialists sleeping on?

Creme: Ole Miss’ Madison Scott. For gamers taken exterior the primary spherical, it is all about having one or two particular abilities that may assist a workforce in spot minutes. At 6-2 with size and lateral quickness, Scott can guard three positions on the professional degree. It isn’t troublesome to check Scott as a defender even among the finest veteran wings and level guards within the league will not like taking part in towards. Scott probably will not ever be an enormous contributor offensively, however she will make a workforce out of coaching camp as a lockdown defender for 10 to fifteen minutes per recreation.

Moody: UConn’s Kaitlyn Chen. Her journey from Princeton to UConn reveals Chen’s resilience, adaptability and excessive basketball IQ. The 5-9 guard performed an essential position in UConn’s run to a twelfth nationwide title, shining as a poised ground normal and good decision-maker. Chen excels in numerous methods, is a scrappy defender, shoots effectively and shows a peaceful confidence. Although undersized, Chen’s capability to raise teammates and management the tempo is just like different guards, reminiscent of Hailey Van Lith. Chen’s versatility and management make her a dependable, impactful addition on the subsequent degree, and she or he’s set to hitch a protracted line of UConn greats within the WNBA.

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Hailey Van Lith leads TCU to first Elite 8 with 26 factors

Hailey Van Lith goes off with 26 factors and 9 rebounds in TCU’s 71-62 Candy 16 win over Notre Dame.

Snellings: TCU’s Hailey Van Lith. I perceive the questions on her dimension, or about how issues went final season with LSU. However she is a winner, and her run at TCU demonstrated loads of the management, playmaking, shotmaking and grit that might permit her to be an impression participant within the WNBA. Although they play completely different positions, Van Lith may face and overcome loads of the doubts that made Angel Reese slide in final yr’s draft. And if the Sky choose Van Lith like they did Reese, they may get the steal of the draft two seasons in a row.

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JJ Quinerly drains a easy basket for West Virginia

JJ Quinerly drains a easy basket for West Virginia.

Voepel: West Virginia’s JJ Quinerly. There was a time when not all WNBA groups had the sources, experience, personnel or expertise to correctly consider many gamers. That is not the case now, so it is a matter of how gamers’ talent units doubtlessly match groups. To that finish, a participant reminiscent of Quinerly would possibly slot in nicely for a workforce that wants a tireless on-ball defender. She was fourth amongst Energy 4 convention gamers in steals per recreation this season (3.0) whereas additionally averaging 20.4 factors.