Story by
2025 WNBA mock draft: Will Olivia Miles take top spot from Paige Bueckers?
- Story by
- 2025 WNBA mock draft: Will Olivia Miles take top spot from Paige Bueckers?
March Madness is rapidly approaching, which means the 2025 WNBA draft is around the corner.
This year's draft has been hailed as the Paige Bueckers sweepstakes, the UConn Huskies guard presumed to be the No. 1 overall pick. But Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles has played herself into the conversation for the top spot, as well.
Advertisement
Let's take a look at how the first round could shake out as the women's college basketball season heads toward the postseason.
It's worth noting that UCLA's Lauren Betts and UConn's Azzi Fudd will not be included in this mock draft as both players are expected to return to college. Fudd has another year of eligibility after missing nearly the entire 2023-24 season due to an ACL injury, while Betts is expected to return and team up with younger sister Sienna Betts, who is committed to play at UCLA next season.
MARCH MADNESS: Bracket predictions. Who wins? Who gets in?
MORE: When does March Madness start? NCAA bracket announcement, date, time, what to know
Advertisement
The Las Vegas Aces don't have a 2025 first-round draft pick after their pick was rescinded by the WNBA for violating league rules regarding player benefits . All stats entering play Saturday.
2025 WNBA mock draft
1. Dallas Wings : G Paige Bueckers (UConn)
After the Wings landed the 2025 No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery, Dallas All-Star guard Arike Ogunbowale posted on social media, "I just fell to my knees. THANK YOU LORD!" She has good reason to celebrate. It's no surprise that Bueckers, considered a generational talent, is the first player off our board. She will bring her shot-making and playmaking abilities to the Wings. Bueckers is averaging 18.6 points, shooting 41% from 3, 4.5 rebounds and 4.6 assists this season.
2. Seattle Storm : G Olivia Miles (Notre Dame)
Goodbye Jewell Loyd , hello Olivia Miles. The Storm parted with Loyd in a three-team trade with the Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Sparks , but acquired the second overall pick from the Sparks and snag arguably the best playmaker and passer in the draft. Miles returned from a season-ending knee injury and didn't miss a step, teaming up with Hannah Hidalgo to form the best backcourt duo in the country. Miles is averaging a career-high 16.6 points per game, 6.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists.
3. Chicago Sky : G Sonia Citron (Notre Dame)
Back-to-back Fighting Irish are off the board with Citron's selection. The Sky are in need of a guard after losing last season's top scorer with the departure of Chennedy Carter. Chicago added former Sky alum Courtney Vandersloot and Kia Nurse in free agency, but the Sky prioritize depth by drafting Citron, an efficient scorer and lockdown defender. Citron is averaging 13.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.1 steals in 24 games this season.
4. Washington Mystics : F/C Dominique Malonga (France)
The French takeover doesn't just apply to the NBA. Dominique Malonga will follow in the footsteps of fellow countryman Victor Wembanyama and be drafted to the pros. The 6-foot-6 center is the ultimate athlete that can do it all with her speed, length and explosiveness. She's averaging 15.6 points, shooting 41.7% from 3, 9.4 rebounds and 1.6 blocks for France's Lyon ASVEL Feminin. Did we mention that she's only 19? The Mystics have been quiet in free agency, but new general manager Jamila Wideman and head coach Sydney Johnson will take a step toward building their future with Malonga.
5. Golden State Valkyries: G Aneesah Morrow (LSU)
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase told USA TODAY Sports she's looking for an "ultra competitive," "high character," "never satisfied" player that will help build the team's culture in its inaugural season. Morrow checks all those boxes. She's averaging 18.1 points, a league-high 14.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals, all while leading the NCAA in double-doubles with 24 in 27 games. Morrow's versatility, rebounding abilities and relentless attitude will translate well to the league and she'd be a foundational piece for the establishing Valkyries.
6. Washington Mystics : F Kiki Iriafen (USC)
The Mystics are on the board again. Iriafen, a 6-foot-3 forward, would make an immediate impact in Washington. She's averaging 18 points, shooting 50.6% from the field, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists. When she's not backing up opponents in the paint or cleaning up the glass with her physicality and explosiveness, Iriafen is a midrange master. The Mystics hope that Iriafen can help turn things around after missing the playoffs last season.
7. New York Liberty : G Georgia Amoore (Kentucky)
The defending champion Liberty are returning their entire starting lineup — Breanna Stewart , Sabrina Ionescu , Jonquel Jones , Leonie Fiebich and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton . Although the Liberty have no urgent needs, they look to replace guard Courtney Vandersloot by drafting Georgia Amoore. Although undersized at 5-foot-6, Amoore is an elite facilitator and leads the SEC in assists per game (7.1). She's averaging a career-high 19 points, shooting a career-high 43% from the field.
8. Connecticut Sun : F Ajša Sivka (Slovenia)
The Sun have had a rough offseason so far. Not only did Connecticut lose head coach Stephanie White, it also lost Alyssa Thomas , DeWanna Bonner , Dijonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris and Brionna Jones — its entire playoff starting lineup. ( Marina Mabrey also requested a trade.) It's not clear what direction the Sun are going as they begin their rebuild under new head coach Rachid Meziane, but Slovenian forward Ajsa Sivka is a solid draft-and-stash option who could benefit the Sun in the long run. The versatile wing is averaging 11 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2 steals, while shooting 42.2% from beyond the arc for Tarbes Gespe Bigorre.
9. Los Angeles Sparks : G Shyanne Sellers (Maryland)
The Sparks kicked off free agency by landing two-time WNBA champion Kelsey Plum , who will join Cameron Brinks, Rickea Jackson and Dearica Hamby in Los Angeles . The Sparks add another guard to the mix with Shyanne Sellers, who fits new coach Lynne Roberts' up-tempo style of play, particularly from 3. Sellers is averaging 13.9 points per game, shooting 47.9% from the field and a career-high 42.9% from beyond the arc, 4.1 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Sellers is the first player in Maryland history to reach 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists, highlighting her ability to do it all.
10. Chicago Sky : G Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina)
The Sky are back on the board again in the first round. This time Chicago selects Te-Hina Paopao, reuniting her with former South Carolina teammate Kamilla Cardoso . Paopao can not only create a shot for her teammates and herself, she's developed as a defender. Paopao is averaging 10.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while shooting 47.1% from the field and 38.7% from 3.
11. Minnesota Lynx : C Sedona Prince (TCU)
The Lynx fell just short of the 2024 WNBA championship after losing a winner-take-all Game 5 to the New York Liberty in overtime. They add depth to their roster with 6-foot-7 center Sedona Prince. Prince is averaging 17.8 points, shooting a Big 12-leading 61.3% from the field, 9.1 rebounds and 3.1 blocks. Prince's stellar on-court play, however, has been overshadowed by multiple abuse and sexual assault allegations , which many affect her draft stock.
Advertisement
12. Dallas Wings : G Saniya Rivers (NC State)
The Wings already landed Paige Bueckers with the first overall pick and go for the best player on the board with the 12th pick. Rivers is averaging 12.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks this season and will bring her defensive edge to the Wings, who ranked dead-last in defensive rating last year.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast . Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA mock draft 2025: Paige Bueckers, Olivia Miles off board first
