The first round of the 2025 WNBA Draft has been completed and, as expected, the Dallas Wings selected former UConn star Page Bookers on the No. 1 pick.
Earlier this month, the Bueckers led UConn to the national championship since 2016. This is, coincidentally, the last time a player from the renowned program has done it in the WNBA draft overall. Six UConn players ranked first overall. This is a record of the NCAA school. Bueckers (2025), Breanna Stewart (2016), Maya Moore (2011), Tina Charles (2010), Diana Taurasi (2004), and Sue Bird (2002).
2025 WNBA Draft: UConn’s Paige Bueckers ranked one of the most recent No. 1 picks, including Fever’s Caitlin Clark
Jack Maroney
Next was Seattle Storm, number 2, which won French center Dominique Malonga, followed by the Washington Mystics of Noskirts 3 and 4 to close the lottery. Washington chose Notre Dame Guard Sonia Citron and USC forward Kiki Iliafen.
After the lottery, the Valkyries of the Extended Golden State selected a Lithuanian security guard in the first draft pick of the franchise history at No. 5.
The only real surprise from the first round was that Shyanne’s seller was not chosen. Most mock drafts had her as a top six pick, but she fell to Valkyrie in 17th overall, probably due to a knee injury that had restricted her in the second half with Maryland last season.
Another important note is that the Las Vegas ace didn’t make the first round choice on Monday. In a 2023 survey, the first round of 2025 was cancelled by the WNBA.
2025 WNBA Draft Grade, Round 1
1. Dallas Wings: Page Bookers-G, UConn
The Bueckers have been the long-established No. 1 pick, but now it’s finally come to life. The 6-foot guard is a savant on the offensive end, scoring efficiently at all three levels (has had a few free throws since the 50/40/90 season), and knows how to put your teammates in position to succeed. Bueckers is a talent for changing franchises on and off the court, making Wings’ present and future even more exciting. Grade: A+
2. Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga-C, France
After Olivia Miles returned to school, there were many conspiracies about the decision to storm on No. 2. They decided on Malonga, a 6-foot-6 French genius compared to Victor Wenbagnama. At just 19, Malonga averaged an efficient double-double in Euro Cup women’s action this season, making her the most rising player in this class other than Bookers. She may not be the perfect fit for Arashi’s current frontcourt, but her talent was too much to pass on. Grade: a
3. Washington Mysteries: Sonia Citron – G, Notre Dame
The Mystics had three of the first six picks in tonight’s first round, and used the first pick at Citron. She is a large wing that can protect multiple positions and knock down open shots around her. While Citron may not have the advantages he was hoping for in third place overall, her floor is very high and she appears to be doomed to a long career. A really solid pick for the mystics when they begin to rebuild. Grade: a-
4. Washington Mysterious Club: Kiki Iliafen-F, USC
The mystic rose again at number 4 to close the lottery and grab Iliafen. Their roster hasn’t yelled for another power forward, but they have drafted Shakira Austin and Aaliyah Edwards in recent years, but Iliafen was the best player available. She is a great athlete with smooth face-up games that finish efficiently in the basket and have a lot of defensive versatility. If she can expand the jumper range, there are many benefits here. Grade: b
5. Golden State Valkyries: JustėJocytė-G, Lithuania
Valkyries was the first expansion team to participate in the league since 2008 and selected Jocytė in the first ever draft pick. The 6-foot Lithuanian may not be known to most WNBA fans, but she has been on European basketball radar since making her national team debut at 13 and her professional debut at 14. Grade: a-
6. Washington Mystic: Georgia Amoor – G, Kentucky
There’s Mystics’ third and final first pick. After taking wings (Citron) and Big (Iriafen) earlier, they went with Amoore security guards. There are questions about her size (she’s 5 feet 5 feet 6) and how she holds defensively, but Amoore is an electrical offensive player who can easily create shots for herself and others. The mystics need help in the backcourt and it’s likely that she is their starting point guard this season. Grade: b
7. Connecticut Sun: Anesa Moreau-F, LSU
Morrow finally got off the board. The LSU star was very productive at the college level (she led Division I in rebounds this season and double-double), but she has the smallest of struggles to score outside of the paint, leading to many questions about where she gets drafted. For the Sun, essentially redoing after major talent this winter, it makes sense to add players with Morrow’s work ethic. Grade: b
8. Connecticut Sun: Sanya River-G, North Carolina
On the second pick of the first round, The Sun snatched the river. He is definitely the best athlete in the draft. She is truly an incredible defender, and can easily handle any boundary responsibility and even stay in 4 seconds with a specific matchup. Rivers’ offensive game is an ongoing real job, but she will have to get a lot of reps on that edge of this reconstruction Sun Team floor. I love that this is suitable for the sun. If she can understand something in the attack, there are many benefits. Grade: a-
9. LosAngeles Sparks: Sarah Ashlee Barker -G, Alabama
Sparks really needed wings and I got the best wings at Barker. Perhaps no player has pushed draft stocks up more in the NCAA Tournament than Barker, who scored 45 points in Alabama’s loss in Maryland. Barker works with or without the ball, turning herself into a capable three-point shooter and not questioning her efforts. She might be a really good complementary piece for Sparks and new coach Lynn Roberts. Grade: a-
10. ChicagoSky: AjšaSivka -F, Slovenia
Slovenian native Shivka is the third European player in the first round. She heads to Chicago. In Chicago it can fit perfectly as a large wing that allows for space-space floors around the Camila Cardoso and Angel Wreath. There are some questions about how she translates to the WNBA, especially after a tough second half of the season with a French club team, but she meets the need for the sky and the advantages of a 6-foot-4 sniper on the wings are clear. Grade: a-
11. Chicago Sky: Haley Van Lis-G, TCU
The greatest need for the sky to appear in the draft was future point guards, who won one at Vanlis. Vanlis’ time at Baton Rouge didn’t go well, but she turned her career with a smart transfer to TCU. Playing with the spread pick and roll system helped Vanlis grow into more playmakers, making her more viable as a professional prospect. There are still many concerns about her size and defense, but she is the winner and can learn from one of the best in Courtney Vanderthroot. Grade: b
12. Dallas Wings: Asiaha James-G, North Carolina
The wings came back to close the first round and took tonight the second NC state player, James. It’s a bit surprising that they went with another security guard. It may be hard for James to find a few minutes this season. But she is a proven big game player with the potential to become a microwave scorer off the bench. Her shooting is inconsistent, but when she proceeds with it, she is very difficult to stop. Grade: B-
Round 2 Results
13. LasVegas Aces: Aaliyah Nye -F, Alabama
14. Dallas Wings: Madison Scott-G, Ole Miss
15. Minnesota Links: Anastasiia olairi kosu -F, Russia
16. ChicagoSky: Maddy Westbeld -F, Notre Dame
17. Golden State Valkyrie: Chan Ansellers-G, Maryland
18. Atlanta Dream: Te Hina Paopao-G, South Carolina
19. Indiana Fever: McCayla Thimpson-F, Florida
20. Indiana Fever: Brie Hall-G, South Carolina
twenty one. LosAngeles Sparks – Sania Feagin – C, South Carolina
twenty two. ChicagoSky: Aicha Coulibaly -G, Texas A&M
twenty three. Washington Mystic: Lucy Olsen-G, Iowa
twenty four. Minnesota Links: Dalaya Daniels-F, Washington
twenty five. Connecticut Sun: Rayah Marshall -C, USC
Round 3 Results
26. Seattle Storm: Serena Sandel-G, Kansas
27. Dallas Wings: JJ Quinerly -G, West Virginia
28. LosAngeles Sparks: Liatu King -F, Notre Dame
29. Seattle Storm: Madison Connor-G, TCU
30. GoldenState Valkyries: Kaitlyn Chen -G, UConn
31. Dallas Wings: Aaronette vonleh -F, Baylor
32. Washington Mystic: Zaay Green -G, Alabama
33. Indiana Fever: Yvonne Ejim -F, Gonzaga
34. Seattle Storm: Jordan Hobbs-G, Michigan
35. LasVegas Aces: Harmoni Turner -G, Harvard
36. Atlanta Dream: Taylor Tierry-F, Ohio
37. Minnesota Links: Aubrey Griffin-F, UConn
38. New York Liberty: Adja Kane -C, France
