The 2025 WNBA Draft is Monday, April 14, 2025, and while it's still quite a bit of time away, we're firing up first-round predictions.
In November, the Dallas Wings were awarded the No. 1 overall pick and now have a chance to help their franchise turn the page after an offseason that saw multiple starters, including Satou Sabally , leave.
While it can be assumed how Dallas and other teams might operate with their picks, WNBA fans should brace themselves, as nothing is promised in drafts. Inevitably, something will happen that shakes up the board. Thankfully, we're here to prepare everyone for it.
Here are For The Win's 2025 WNBA Draft first-round predictions:
Height:6 foot | Class:Senior
Barring something extremely wild (like trading out of the No. 1 pick), the Dallas Wings will HOP, SKIP and JUMP to draft UConn guard Paige Bueckers .
Truthfully, Bueckers was WNBA-ready last season, but she now has another season under her belt, and it will help her as she is handed the reigns in Dallas. As the Wings' floor general, she'll be able to lean heavily on her facilitation skills and high basketball IQ to dictate the offense and set up her teammates.
Also, Bueckers can finally step back from being a primary scoring option like she was at UConn. That should likely help with feeling like she *has* to score. Still, if called upon, she can do it. Bueckers has a knack for quickly getting north-south to the basket, and her signature catch-and-shoot 3-pointers should be a welcome sight in Dallas.
Height:6-foot-3 | Class:Senior
The Seattle Storm's recent free agency moves allow them to hold off on drafting a guard after Jewell Loyd 's departure. That's where USC forward Kiki Iriafen comes in. Drafting Iriafen at No. 2. probably depends on how she does in the NCAA tournament, but we're PUSHING THE AGENDA.
If the team wants someone who could be inserted into the starting lineup if needed and provide immediate depth, Iriafen is a solid choice. Her ability to clean up on glass is an underrated quality in her game, and a lot of it can be attributed to her knack for blowing past and up and over opponents.
She excels at using her length and explosiveness to create opportunities. Moreover, Iriafen brings the BUCKETS. The USC forward is a top-tier option, whether at the rim, in the midrange game or even a sneaky good 3-pointer.
Height:5-foot-10 | Class:Junior
If Olivia Miles is available at No. 3., the Chicago Sky better RUN to draft her.
Miles is a lightning bolt who often toys with defenses like it's just another day at the office. She's a threat at all times, and what's worse, she's FAST―really fast.
Her quick thinking is a nightmare for teams because, at any moment, she can score in the paint, dish the ball or make it rain from 3-point range. (Speaking of shots from beyond the arc, Miles is shooting a career-high 44 percent.) Most importantly, the Sky could use another facilitator for its bigs, who struggled to find synergy with the team's backcourt last season.
Height:6-foot-6
Holy length, Batman. It's hard not to notice Dominique Malonga's size and wingspan. It's an immediate problem for teams. However, she's so much more than that.
Malonga practically floats like a gazelle in space and can run the floor, which is super impressive. SHE IS SO SMOOTH. Her game is easy to watch because she's a cerebral player who is often two steps ahead of whatever is happening on the floor.
Malonga even has a delicate touch at the rim that will make you want to weep. Did I mention she's a walking double-double? Draft her, Mystics, and don't think twice about it.
Height:6-foot-1 | Class:Senior
Golden State head coach Natalie Nakase has repeatedly stressed that she wants players who are selfless, want to compete and need to hate losing more than winning.
May I interest the Valkyries in one Aneesah Morrow? Morrow is UNBELIEVABLE on the court, and her otherworldly motor would fit right in with Golden State.
At a mere 6-foot-1, she leads the country in rebounds per game with 14.4, and when she's not busy creating opportunities for her team, she hits the big buckets when they matter most. Morrow is averaging 18 points per matchup this season, and the Valkyries could use the help as they mold the franchise's inaugural roster.
Height:6-foot-1 | Class:Senior
The thought of Sonia Citron going this low is probably unfathomable for most people. Still, if the Mystics want to make everyone sick, they'll scoop Citron up expeditiously and pretend like this was the plan all along.
So much is made of Citron's teammates, Olivia Miles and Hannah Hidalgo . You might call them peanut butter and jelly. Well, Citron is the bread in the metaphorical sandwich. She does all the little things that often go unnoticed but ties it all together so nicely.
A bucket is needed? She's got it. Someone to save a possession? She can do that. A playmaker? PRESENT. You get the picture. Draft her, too, Mystics, and thank me later.
Height:5-foot-6 | Class:Senior
The New York Liberty moved on from Courtney Vandersloot , and they need to replace her. Georgia Amoore is a possibility if the Liberty are willing to gamble on her height and overall defense.
Amoore is undersized at 5-foot-6 and will struggle against larger guards, but one thing she has going for her is heart. Georgia has what the kids call DAWG MENTALITY. She's pretty fearless when making plays or getting a bucket.
Additionally, she's handled the load well as a facilitator at Kentucky, which could tempt New York to snag her.
Height:6-foot-4
The Connecticut Sun had the league's most painful offseason. The entire starting five is gone, and Stephanie White has also left. Not to mention, they're still in the middle of Marina Mabrey's trade saga .
Truthfully, it's unclear how Connecticut will operate in the draft, but if they want to draft and stash for the future, Slovenia's Ajsa Sivka is available. Sivka is a shifty wing who uses movement to get to her spots and make plays. The buckets tend to come from all over the court, but her three-ball is the moneymaker.
Height:6-foot-2 | Class:Senior
The Los Angeles Sparks and Kelsey Plum want everyone to think she'll play point guard this season. DON'T BELIEVE THEM. While Plum is fully capable, she's best as a shooting guard who can play the point *if necessary*.
It wouldn't be shocking to see her slide over to the two-spot. So, when she does, L.A. will need help at point guard. For the love of all that is good, Sparks, please draft Maryland's Shyanne Sellers .
Even if you're sold on KP as your point, Sellers can also play shooting guard. IT'S PERFECT. She's BRILLIANT in open space, and she's a walking tool kit. She can rebound, defend well, dish the ball, and, of course, score from all over.
Height:5-foot-9 | Class:Senior
When the Sky return to double dip in the first round, they'll be glad they did. Snagging South Carolina's Te-Hina Paopao will likely feel like the holidays came early. She's an absolute joy to watch and comes bearing gifts―phenomenal passing, 3-point shooting and defense.
POW. POW. (Sorry, I'll show myself out.)
Paopao has exquisite court vision, which should greatly help a young Sky team. When she's not busy facilitating, she can also create for herself. The senior guard is a stellar 3-point specialist who has averaged 40 percent shooting behind the arc throughout college. Additionally, she's an excellent defender who should thrive under Tyler Marsh.
Height:6-foot-2 | Class:Senior
There aren't too many things that the Minnesota Lynx need. As a team that just made the WNBA Finals, it's hard to find the weak spots in their roster. However, if there is one thing anyone could point to, it's their bench―specifically guard depth.
Adding Serena Sundell to the mix would be a tremendous get in Cheryl Reeve's system. Sundell's biggest asset is her versatility. She plays very well in the midrange, often pulling up with SILKY SMOOTH jump shots, but she can also use her leverage to back an opponent down straight into a score. Above all, she's a great passer, and the Lynx would be a lovely spot to land.
Height:6-foot-1 | Class:Senior
Dallas struggled mightily last season from the guard position. Injuries across the team certainly didn't help, and it became apparent that the Wings needed additional depth. So, how do you fix that? A speedy, scrappy guard from NC State with an underrated motor.
HELLO, SANIYA RIVERS. THIS IS WHO YOU WANT.
It seems like I'm yelling, I am. Rivers' game isn't talked about enough. She's got sneaky good vision, can score at will, and plays much larger than she is. Also, the Wings will greatly appreciate her sweltering defense once she picks somebody's pockets or blocks a ball into oblivion.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 WNBA Mock Draft 1.0: Paige Bueckers is a lock at No. 1, but how far does Olivia Miles slide?
