The W’s New Stars
Fans are already gassing up the on-court drama this could produce this season…
The 2025 WNBA Draft was the league’s first shot at building on the success of last season’s newfound attention thanks to the arrival of Caitlin Clark. But 2025 will go down as the Paige Bueckers WNBA Draft as the UConn star was the no-surprise No. 1 pick by the Dallas Wings.
Still, Bueckers managed to steal the show, which included a surprise omission of a highly-ranked prospect, and the arrival of another famous player in Chicago to reunite with Angel Reese this WNBA season.
Paige Bueckers is headed to Dallas 💫
The UConn star goes No. 1 in the #WNBADraft, joining legends like Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Diana Taurasi as top picks 🐐 #GoWings #WNBA pic.twitter.com/En3yNzw15x
— LockerRoom RAW (@LockerRoom_RAW) April 15, 2025
Paige Bueckers Turns Heads
While the WNBA rumors said for months that Paige Bueckers would be the No. 1 pick in the draft, it was still a dazzling night for the reigning champ from UConn as she walked the orange carpet:
Paige Bueckers stuns on the orange carpet for the 2025 WNBA Draft! ✨
pic.twitter.com/QFgCSM8daL— The Annie Room (@TheAnnieRoom) April 14, 2025
Bueckers made WNBA news one day earlier when she reportedly signed a 3-year deal with Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league that will pay her more in one season ($350,000) than her entire 4-year WNBA contract is expected to pay.
The #1 pick in tonight’s #WNBADraft will secure a 3 year, $247,688 contract with the Dallas Wings, including salaries of:
2025: $78,831
2026: $80,408
2027: $88,449
2028: $100,510 (club option)— Spotrac (@spotrac) April 14, 2025
But it was UConn teammate Azzi Fudd who also received a lot of attention as Paige’s guest and the first person she hugged after hearing her name called No. 1 by the Dallas Wings.
Paige Bueckers is heading to Dallas as the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft presented by @StateFarm! pic.twitter.com/uC9FTmjMXA
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 14, 2025
The two are very close friends, to say the least, and Fudd is heading back to school for UConn’s title defense. But on this night, she couldn’t be happier for Bueckers, the next big thing in the WNBA.
Hailey Van Lith Going to Chicago
With the No. 11 pick, the Chicago Sky drafted guard Hailey Van Lith (TCU), the only college basketball player to reach the Elite Eight five times with three different schools. But April’s Sports Illustrated swimsuit model is going to have to fight with Angel Reese for headlines (and some of those precious rebounds).
Fans are already gassing up the on-court drama this could produce this season:
gotta watch Hailey Van Lith stand at the 3 point line wide open while that girl is chasing a new rebounds record pic.twitter.com/oFvvElg941
— sports enthusiast 🫥 (@imspenser_6) April 15, 2025
But let’s not forget this is a reunion as HVL and Reese were both starters on the LSU Tigers in 2023-24.
Rejected: Sedona Prince Goes Undrafted
While Van Lith was a first-round pick, her TCU teammate Sedona Prince went undrafted despite a first-round grade and projections that had her as a top-eight player in the class. Sedona Prince’s stats this year included 17.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game.
#2 center in the draft number 8 player in the draft and not drafted 🤔🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/S38qoavNVg
— KupperDupper (@DupperKupper) April 15, 2025
But it’s complicated. Prince has been accused of sexual misconduct, including assault, by four women, including ex-girlfriends. Prince denies the claims, but with 38 picks in three rounds, all the WNBA teams clearly weighed this against her, leaving her basketball future in doubt.
It’s the kind of stand that some fans wish other professional leagues (NFL, NBA) would take when such allegations are present, provided they are credible.
Congratulations to WNBA GMs for setting the standard in professional sports and not bringing an alleged abuser into the league. Men’s leagues, please follow suit. #WNBADraft
— Roberta F. Rodrigues (@robertawbb) April 15, 2025
When Does the WNBA Season Start?
You can see Bueckers, Van Lith, and the other rookies in action in real WNBA games starting May 16 when the 2025 season officially begins. You’ll also see a 13th team as the Golden State Valkyries make their debut as an expansion franchise.
But draft analysts are hesitant with Golden State’s first draft. They used the No. 5 pick on Justė Jocytė from Lithuania, who is just 19, so give her some time to grow and develop.
I’ve been able to watch Justė Jocytė since she was 13 years old. This is a GREAT selection for Golden State, landed one of the top young international prospects we’ve seen. She’s played against pros for 6-7 years already at 19 years old. https://t.co/rUtinq5jH4
— Rachel Galligan (@RachGall) April 15, 2025
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