WNBA Draft Recap
The 2025 WNBA Draft took place at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. This draft was headlined by UConn star Paige Buckers. She was expected to be drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings. Then what will the Washington Mystics do with 3 of the top 6 picks? Also, the expansion Golden State Valkyries selected their first-ever WNBA Draft pick. We recap all the actions in this article. Let’s dive in.
First Round
The Dallas Wings had the first overall pick. They selected Buckers. Buckers’ rise to superstardom was stalled with injuries in her first couple of seasons at UConn, but she battled back to become the No. 1 overall pick. The most surprising thing from the first round was that two of the top five picks would be international stars. Going second overall to the Seattle Storm Dominique Malonga. Malonga is a 6-foot-6 double-double machine who dominated in Euro Cup action last season.
The second international star drafted was the expansion team Golden State Valkyries selecting Juste Jocyte- G, Lithuania. The Valkyries are the first expansion team in the WNBA since 2008. The Chicago Sky drafted TCU star Hailey Van Lith 11th overall reuniting her with former teammate Angel Reese. The big takeaway from the first round was that three international players were drafted in the top 10 showing how basketball is growing worldwide in men’s and women’s sports. Here is a link to the picks for round one.
Rounds 2-3
The second and third rounds saw two more international stars drafted with the Minnesota Lynx drafting Anastasiia Kosu- SF, Russia. Then with the last pick of the WNBA Draft the defending champions New York Liberty selected Adja Kane- PF, France. The two biggest roars from the crowd at the draft came when Bueckers’ UConn teammates got drafted in the third round.
Kaitlyn Chen was selected 30th overall by the expansion Golden State Valkyries. Then, with the 37th pick, the Minnesota Lynx selected Aubrey Griffin. South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley had three players drafted in the second round. One of those players was Bree Hall. She will be joining Catlin Clark in Indiana with the Fever. The Fever also added Florida State PF Makayla Timpson. See all the WNBA Draft results here.
Final Thoughts
The popularity of the WNBA is growing at a timely rate. That showed at the WNBA Draft being a full house. Also, the broadcast would cut to teams having draft parties and they would be full of screaming fans. My biggest takeaway is that the Dallas Wings got a star whose game will translate fine to the league.
I also love what the Fever did in the draft and offseason. The Fever have a strong lineup after their offseason moves and are strong contenders to be a WNBA Finals team. Overall, 38 women got drafted and now have a chance to live their dreams by playing professional basketball. Stay tuned to Total Apex for all your WNBA news.
