2025 WNBA mock draft 3.0: Is USC's Kiki Iriafen a top-5 pick?

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2025 WNBA mock draft 3.0: Is USC's Kiki Iriafen a top-5 pick?

Meghan L. Hall, For The Win · FTW Outdoors

Thu, Mar 27, 2025 ·

9 min read

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March Madness has the women's NCAA tournament in disarray weeks ahead of the 2025 WNBA Draft .

As the tournament advanced to the Sweet 16, several stunning upsets and sensational performances occurred during multiple top-seeded matchups. However, a season-ending injury to USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins potentially changes the trajectory of March Madness and possibly the impending WNBA draft. With Watkins out, it opens the door for others to step into the limelight, like her teammate and WNBA draft prospect Kiki Iriafen .

MARCH MADNESS: Juju Watkins' torn ACL shows you just how cruel sports can be

Additionally, the more complex the competition becomes, the more likely there will be defining moments for several other prospects, including Notre Dame's Olivia Miles , NC State's Saniya Rivers and TCU Horned Frogs guard Hailey Van Lith .

As the push for a national championship continues, let's review who has helped their stock during the first two rounds of March Madness.

WOMEN'S SPORTS: The latest news and insider insights from USA TODAY Studio IX.

2025 WNBA mock draft

1. Dallas Wings : G Paige Bueckers (UConn)

Mar 24, 2025; Storrs, Connecticut, USA; UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers (5) reacts after a play against the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the first half at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

For months, there's been little doubt that UConn guard Paige Bueckers is the consensus No. 1 draft pick. Bueckers is having a terrific season, and per Bleacher Report , she's the only player across three leagues (college basketball, the WNBA and the NBA) to shoot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from 3-point range and 90 percent at the free-throw line while leading the country in assists to turnover ratio.

That's super impressive and adds to her case of being the top pick. However, doing that isn't enough for "Paige Buckets." On Monday, Bueckers produced an electric lights-out 34-point performance against the 10-seed South Dakota State Jackrabbits, tying her career-high and punctuating her last game in Storrs, Connecticut .

2. Seattle Storm : G Olivia Miles (Notre Dame)

The Seattle Storm currently have five guards on their roster, so it's entirely plausible they won't draft Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles . However, now that Jewell Lloyd has joined the Las Vegas Aces , Seattle has yet to determine who will be in the starting lineup next to other guards, such as Skylar Diggins-Smith and Gabby Williams . So, perhaps Miles fits into that equation in some form or fashion.

Seattle might have to get creative to include the Notre Dame star in the starting rotation. It's hard to envision a world where Miles comes off the bench behind Diggins-Smith for the starting point guard role. Moreover, Miles looked very good in reduced minutes after returning from injury during the Fighting Irish's second-round matchup against 6-seed Michigan. She finished her day with eight points, five assists, four rebounds and a steal on 50 percent shooting.

3. Washington Mystics : F Kiki Iriafen (USC)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 24: Kiki Iriafen #44 of the USC Trojans reacts against the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first half during the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at Galen Center on March 24, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

It's been anyone's guess where USC forward Kiki Iriafen might land on the 2025 draft board. Iriafen'sup-and-down production -- at times -- during the regular season has made it challenging to speculate who will draft her. However, she was fantastic during the Trojans' Big Ten tournament run. Also, her incredible performance after teammate JuJu Watkins left a matchup with 9-seed Mississippi State likely sealed her chance of being a top 5 draft pick.

Iriafen ignited a Trojans team that desperately needed to find footing without its biggest star quickly. Behind her leadership, USC had five players in double figures, including Iriafen, who churned out a head-turning 36 points and nine rebounds en route to victory.

4. Washington Mystics : G Sonia Citron (Notre Dame)

Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron is still the glue that holds the Fighting Irish together, and that hasn't changed during March Madness. Citron is averaging 20 points and 6.5 rebounds per game on 53.6 percent shooting, plus 50 percent from deep through the first two rounds. She's also had zero turnovers. That's a fantastic cushion for her draft stock, which continues to grow.

5. Golden State Valkyries: F Aneesah Morrow (LSU)

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - MARCH 24: Aneesah Morrow #24 of the LSU Lady Tigers drives to the basket past Makayla Timpson #21 of the Florida State Seminoles in the first half during the second round of the 2025 NCAA women's basketball tournament held at Pete Maravich Assembly Center on March 24, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

There are few in women's college basketball with the motor of LSU forward Aneesah Morrow . At 6-foot-1, she leads the nation in rebounds with 13.5 per game, and her ability to continuously put up a double-double is seemingly unshakeable. Morrow's brilliant performance against 6-seed Florida State after injury concerns was a testament to her tenacity. She recorded 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists ― a near triple-double ― something the Golden State Valkyries will appreciate.

6. Washington Mystics : G Shyanne Sellers

The double overtime thriller between the No. 5 seed Alabama Crimson Tide and No. 4 seed Maryland Terrapins was easily the best game from the second round. As Crimson Tide star Sarah Ashlee Barker and Terrapins guard Sarah Te-Biasu traded baskets, senior leader Shyanne Sellers was also in the mix, adding key plays down the stretch. She had 28 points on the evening and was a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe. That game and Sellers' lovely season have elevated her draft stock and could make the Washington Mystics think hard about drafting her should they miss out on Olivia Miles.

Something that's gone under the radar is that Sellers is shooting a career-best 41.3 percent from 3-point land. The Mystics' 36.6 percent on made 3-point shots last season was second-best in the WNBA, and their guard contributed significantly to that stat. Sellers would likely fit right in.

7. Connecticut Sun : C Dominique Malonga (France)

Nigeria's #04 Elizabeth Balogun (L) defends against France's #14 Dominique Malonga (R) in the women's preliminary round group B basketball match between France and Nigeria during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, northern France, on August 1, 2024. (Photo by POOL / AFP) (Photo by -/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

It would be surreal to see France's national team center Dominique Malonga inexplicably slide down the draft board, but it's very possible that might happen. If that's the case, the Connecticut Sun , who are in full rebuild mode, should hop, skip ― better yet run ― to draft Malonga. Current veteran center Tina Charles is a future Hall of Famer and, while still productive, is at the tail end of her career.

Charles, who has sown into other young players , would be a fantastic help to a young player who, while insanely gifted, still has room to grow and develop. Having Malonga fall to the Sun would be a dream for the franchise and a win-win scenario. If Malonga plays this season, that would be wonderful. Connecticut could opt to draft and stash her as well, building for the future.

8. Connecticut Sun : G Saniya Rivers (NC State)

After trading guard Natasha Cloud to the New York Liberty for the No. 7 overall pick, the Connecticut Sun have back-to-back draft selections, and it would be a party in Uncasville, Connecticut if general manager Morgan Tuck falls into French center Dominique Malonga and NC State Wolfpack guard Saniya Rivers.

Rivers is a larger guard at 6-foot-1 who could also potentially play at the shooting guard position or even as a small forward. Her versatility and length are rare combinations. Moreover, she's highly efficient with her scoring, an underrated passer and a defensive pest. In her last three games, including two NCAA tournament matchups, Rivers has averaged 16 points, 8.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, two steals and a block.

9. Los Angeles Sparks : G Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina)

Mar 23, 2025; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Te-Hina Paopao (0) drives around Indiana Hoosiers guard Chloe Moore-McNeil (22) in the second half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

The NCAA tournament is seemingly South Carolina guard Te-Hina Paopao 's favorite stage. She shines the brightest when the pressure is on. The Gamecocks found themselves in trouble against the 9-seed Indiana Hoosiers. Still, thanks to stellar performances from several players, including PaoPao, who officially joined the seat belt gang with a tremendous four blocks and two steals, they wiggled out of a jam with a 64-53 win.

Like other players in the draft, gauging where Paopao lands is no easy feat, but consider this: the Los Angeles Sparks are a team that needs guard depth, 3-point shooting and defensive insurance, all of which she provides. It likely helps that the new starting guard, Kelsey Plum , is already a huge fan.

When For The Win asked Plum in 2023 who more people should be talking about in college basketball, she didn't hesitate. "For college, it's Te-Hina Paopao, who just transferred from Oregon to South Carolina," Plum said . "That's my girl. I'm hoping she has a big year."

10. Chicago Sky : G Georgia Amoore (Kentucky)

The Chicago Sky need depth behind starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot . At 35, Vandersloot can still be a floor general, but how much longer she plays is up in the air. Kentucky star Georgia Amoore would be a stellar choice to succeed the veteran leader.

Amoore is a more undersized guard; however, what she lacks in size, she makes up for in high basketball IQ and heart. She isn't afraid to shoot with confidence or take risks. Despite losing a heartbreaking overtime matchup to 5-seed Kansas State, Amoore did everything she could to help the Wildcats win, including 18 points, six assists and one painful game-winning shot attempt .

11. Minnesota Lynx : G Hailey Van Lith (TCU)

FORT WORTH, TX- MARCH 23: Hailey Van Lith #10 of the TCU Horned Frogs handles the ball as Tajianna Roberts #22 of the Louisville Cardinals defends during the first half of a Second Round game of the women's NCAA basketball tournament at Schollmaier Arena on March 23, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

TCU guard Hailey Van Lith 's incredible journey with the Horned Frogs this season is enough to earn her first-round consideration. Van Lith has overcome mental health hurdles and a rocky season with the LSU Tigers to get to one of the defining moments of her career. Taking a fifth year to play basketball has likely been one of the best decisions for her.

Van Lith has career highs in several categories and helped lift TCU to its first-ever Sweet 16 appearance. Her 16 points, 10 assists and five rebounds against 9-seed Louisville couldn't have come at a better time. If there were any questions about Van Lith's capabilities, she answered them. Adding Van Lith into the guard rotation led by veteran Courtney Williams would be helpful for Minnesota. The Lynx can fine-tune Van Lith's game and take advantage of her ability to score on multiple levels.

12. Dallas Wings : G Serena Sundell (Kansas State)

If the Dallas Wings want to bolster its depth behind Paige Bueckers, they can draft versatile guard Serena Sundell. Like Bueckers, Sundell is a guard with post abilities. She's an efficient scorer ( averaging 50 percent shooting on the season) with exquisite vision who isn't afraid to back opposing defenders down in the post. More importantly, she's a willing defender who isn't scared of the moment.

Through the first two rounds of March Madness, Sundell had 18 points, nine rebounds and two assists on 80 percent (!) from the field against 12-seed Fairfield and 19 points, 14 assists and two steals on 53 percent shooting against the No. 4 seed Kentucky Wildcats. Sundell would be a steal to put behind Bueckers at No. 12 overall.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 WNBA mock draft: How March Madness affected the latest picks

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