2025 WNBA Draft Grades

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The 2025 WNBA Draft gave us a glimpse into the league’s next era — and while some teams doubled down on future potential, others played it safe. A few franchises walked away with franchise-changers, while others leaned into roster depth and specialized skill sets.

The Washington Mystics were one of the night’s biggest winners, landing four lottery-level talents and setting the foundation for a serious rebuild. Dallas, who had the luxury of drafting first overall, didn’t miss either — pairing Paige Bueckers with two more proven collegiate stars.

Not every team made a splash. The Indiana Fever and Minnesota Lynx seemed content with adding low-risk, developmental pieces to already-established cores. Meanwhile, expansion squad Golden State took calculated home run swings.

While it’ll take time to see how these rookies pan out, here are our first impressions and team grades for the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Atlanta Dream: C

Picks:
18 – Te-Hina Paopao, SG (South Carolina)
36 – Taylor Thierry, SF (Ohio State)

The Dream’s main priority this offseason was free agency, and they were aggressive in making moves. Drafting at No. 18 rarely guarantees a roster lock, but Te-Hina Paopao is the exception. Her shooting ability alone should land her a spot in the WNBA. Even with limited picks, Atlanta grabbed someone who can provide immediate floor spacing.

Chicago Sky: B+

Picks:
10 – Asja Sivka, F (Slovenia)
11 – Hailey Van Lith, PG (TCU)
13 – Maddy Westbeld, F (Notre Dame)
22 – Aicha Coulibaly, SG (Texas A&M)

Hailey Van Lith is a proven winner with a competitive edge and the ability to score. Learning under Courtney Vandersloot is going to fast-track her development in Chicago. With bigs like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso around her, the fit is perfect.

The Sky focused on surrounding their frontcourt with spacing and toughness. Maddy Westbeld is a smart, team-first player who can contribute early. Asja Sivka, one of the youngest players in the draft, has a high ceiling. If she develops well, she could become a floor-spacing forward in the mold of Leonie Fiebich. Van Lith was also described by analysts as one of the most battle-tested guards in this class.

Connecticut Sun: B

Picks:
10 – Aneesah Morrow, F (LSU)
11 – Saniya Rivers, G (NC State)
25 – Rayah Marshall, F (USC)

Aneesah Morrow is going to change the culture for the Connecticut Sun. In her post-draft presser, she spoke about following Alyssa Thomas’ path and being someone fans can get behind. Saniya Rivers echoed that sentiment, saying she and Morrow are ready to bring new energy to the Sun. Getting two dynamic players back-to-back late in the first round is a steal. Morrow’s physicality and versatility give Connecticut a much-needed injection of youth and grit.

Dallas Wings: A+

Picks:
1 – Paige Bueckers, G (UConn)
12 – Aziaha James, G (NC State )
14 – Madison Scott, F (Ole Miss)
27: JJ Quinerly, G (West Virginia)
31: Aaronette Vonleh, C (Baylor Bears)

The Wings got younger and added winners to their backcourt. Aziaha James had major moments during her time at NC State, and Paige Bueckers was the unquestioned No. 1 pick — a generational talent with elite playmaking.

Adding Madison Scott at No. 14 was a bonus. According to Curt Miller, the Wings expect someone from their late picks to earn a real role, and Scott fits that mold. The only thing Dallas might still need is a defensive-minded post player, but this draft put them in a great spot to build around their stars.

Scouts believe Bueckers could be a future face of the league if she stays healthy and continues her trajectory.

Golden State Valkyries: B

Picks:
5 – Juste Jocyte, SG (Lithuania)
17 – Shyanne Sellers, PG (Maryland)
30 – Kaitlyn Chen, PG (UConn)

Golden State did exactly what they needed to in their first-ever draft — they swung for potential. Juste Jocyte is highly regarded overseas and has a shot to become something special. Shyanne Sellers slipped further than most thought she would, and that could work in Golden State’s favor. She’s a two-way playmaker who’ll get time to develop.

Kaitlyn Chen was a smart third-round pickup. If she makes the team, the Valks will have a roster full of snipers. Even though the team hasn’t hit the court yet, there’s a belief that Jocyte will need time to adjust before making her mark.

Indiana Fever: C

Picks:
19 – Bree Hall, G (South Carolina)
20 – Makayla Thompson, F (Florida State)
33 – Yvonne Ejim, F (Gonzaga)

The Indiana Fever aren’t banking on the draft to shift their direction. After drafting Caitlin Clark last year and already having former No. 1 pick Aliyah Boston, they went all in during free agency to compete now.

Bree Hall is a perimeter defender who can shoot, and Makayla Thompson is a double-double machine with a high motor. If either one makes the final roster, it’ll be as a role player. Indiana clearly feels like they’ve already built the core they need.

Las Vegas Aces: C

Picks:
13 – Aaliyah Nye, SG (Alabama)
35 – Harmoni Turner, SG (Harvard)

Las Vegas didn’t have a first-round pick due to league sanctions but maximized their opportunities. Aaliyah Nye is a lights-out shooter and could help replace some of the scoring lost with Kelsey Plum now in L.A.

Harmoni Turner led Harvard with 22.5 points per game and helped them reach the NCAA tournament. She’s one of the top scorers in the country and could be a sleeper to make the Aces’ final roster. The Aces took smart bets on volume scoring and spacing with their limited assets.

Los Angeles Sparks: B-

Picks:
9 – Sarah Ashlee Barker, G (Alabama)
21 – Sania Feagin, F (South Carolina)
28 – Liatu King, F (Notre Dame)

The Los Angeles Sparks added serious size and skill in this draft. Sania Feagin is a frontcourt force with defensive instincts and interior scoring. Some expected her to be a first-rounder, so getting her at 21 is great value.

Sarah Ashlee Barker had her best year as a senior, hitting 37.5% from deep and finishing at 56% inside the arc. She’s a volume scorer with grit. Liatu King adds athleticism to the wing and is capable of making plays in transition. Feagin, in particular, could end up being the steal of this draft — she was just scratching the surface of her potential at South Carolina.

Minnesota Lynx: D

Picks:
15 – Anastasiia Kosu, SF (Russia)
24 – Dalayah Daniels, PF (Washington)
37 – Aubrey Griffin, SF (UConn)

The Minnesota Lynx didn’t need much from this draft. After reaching the WNBA Finals last season, they’ve opted to run it back. Trading away their first-round pick to Chicago made it clear they were confident in their current core.

Kosu and Daniels are solid additions, but no one drafted is expected to make a real impact.  There’s not much room for new players to break into this stacked Lynx rotation.

Seattle Storm: B

Picks:
2 – Dominique Malonga, C (France)
26 – Serena Sundell, PG (Kansas State)
29: Madison Conner, G (TCU)
34: Jordan Hobbs, G (Michigan)

If Dominique Malonga becomes what scouts project, she’ll be one of the best post players in the league. Drafting her at No. 2 is a swing for the fences — high risk, high reward. She’s raw and needs time, but she’ll be learning from Nneka Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor in the frontcourt, which should help.

Serena Sundell was a sneaky good third-round pick. She was expected to go much higher and could turn into a serviceable point guard in the league. The Storm leaned into potential upside, hoping patience will pay off.

Washington Mystics: A+

Picks:

3 – Sonia Citron, G/F (Notre Dame)
4 – Kiki Iriafen, PF (Stanford)
6 – Georgia Amoore, PG (Virginia Tech)
23 – Lucy Olsen, G (Iowa)
32 – Zaay Green, G (Alabama)

The Mystics have completely rebuilt their roster with young talent. After landing Aaliyah Edwards last year, they added four more high-ceiling players who can all contribute soon.

Georgia Amoore is a prolific playmaker who makes life easier for everyone on the floor. Kiki Iriafen is a versatile power forward who can also slide into the center spot. Sonia Citron is a two-way wing who hits clutch shots, and Lucy Olsen is a scorer who can spark the second unit.

Washington walked away with arguably the best overall draft class, and they now have a young core that can grow together over the next five years.