Breakdown of the 2025 WNBA Draft
The 2025 WNBA Draft is in the books, and it didn’t disappoint. As expected, the Dallas Wings kicked things off by selecting UConn standout Paige Bueckers with the first overall pick, bringing one of college basketball’s biggest names to the pros. The Washington Mystics were one of the night’s most active teams, landing three picks in the top six as they look to fast-track a rebuild. The night was also historic for the league’s newest franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, who made their first-ever selection at number five overall. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Aces, the champions in 2022 and 2023, did not have a first-round selection after having their pick rescinded. One of the biggest talking points? The Chicago Sky may have pulled off the steal of the draft, a pick that could turn into a long-term franchise player. Let’s take a closer look at the winners and losers of the draft.
Winner: Dallas Wings Generational Talent
Once Paige Bueckers officially declared for the draft, there was no doubt she’d be the consensus first-overall pick. The UConn star brings elite scoring, playmaking, and leadership, a true generational talent. Her arrival couldn’t come at a better time for a Dallas Wings team in need of a reset after a disappointing 9–31 finish in 2024, just one year removed from a semifinals run. Bueckers instantly gives Dallas a new identity and a franchise cornerstone to build around.
Loser: Golden State Valkyries
With their first-ever draft pick, the Golden State Valkyries selected nineteen-year-old Lithuanian guard Justė Jocytė with the fifth overall pick. Standing at 6’2”, Jocytė has flashed star potential on the international stage. However, the pick raised eyebrows, not because of her talent, but because she remains largely unknown to many WNBA fans and analysts. The transition from European play to the WNBA is a big leap, especially for a teenager expected to help lead an expansion team. Time will tell if this gamble pays off, or if Golden State passed on safer, more proven options.
With the 17th overall pick, the Golden State Valkyries doubled down on backcourt talent, selecting Shyanne Sellers, a 6’2 guard out of the University of Maryland. Sellers posted strong numbers in her senior season, 14.4 points, 4.1 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game, and was widely projected as a top ten pick. Her slide out of the first round raised eyebrows, with speculation around the league pointing to lingering health concerns tied to recurring knee issues she dealt with during her time at Maryland. Still, for a second-round selection, the Valkyries may have found real value.
Winner: Sky Gets a Steal
With the 11th overall pick, the Chicago Sky selected Hailey Van Lith, a guard who could turn out to be the steal of the draft. The selection came after a draft-eve trade with the Minnesota Lynx, with Chicago sending its 2026 first-round pick in exchange for this year’s 11th pick, a move that clearly signals their belief in Van Lith’s upside. After transferring to TCU for her final collegiate season, Van Lith averaged 17.9 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game. She brings grit and experience to a young Sky roster and will reunite with former LSU teammate Angel Reese in Chicago. Van Lith may prove to be a key piece in the Sky's rebuild and one of the best value picks in the entire draft.
Winner: Mystics Young Core
The Washington Mystics made a significant impact in the 2025 WNBA Draft, securing three top-six picks to bolster their roster. In a long-term move, they traded veteran guard Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky in exchange for the third overall pick, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and a 2027 second-round pick. With the third pick, the Mystics selected Sonia Citron, a versatile guard from Notre Dame, known for her all-around balance on the court. With the fourth pick, they chose Kiki Iriafen, a forward from USC who averaged 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game during her senior season. Finally, with the sixth pick, they added Georgia Amoore, a dynamic guard from Kentucky, to further strengthen their backcourt.
This year’s draft shook things up across the league, with teams taking very different approaches to building for the future. Some went all-in on star power, while others bet on long-term potential. There were surprises, trades, and a few picks that already have people talking. Now, it’s just a matter of seeing who rises and who gets left behind.
