Expertise-wise, UConn Huskies guard Paige Bueckers ought to be the No. 1 decide within the 2025 WNBA draft. She might observe Caitlin Clark, final yr’s No. 1 choice to the Indiana Fever, as a pro-ready guard who might instantly assist a WNBA franchise.
Bueckers is a game-changer whose talent set will enchantment to any staff, together with the Dallas Wings, who received the WNBA draft lottery Sunday and can have the highest decide in April.
The query is whether or not Bueckers — who has stated this will probably be her final season at UConn though she has a yr of eligibility left — may change her thoughts in regards to the 2025 draft.
The Wings franchise has been in Dallas since 2016, and in that point the staff has had 5 coaches with a sixth on the way in which. Latricia Trammell was fired after this previous season’s 9-31 file, regardless of main the Wings to the semifinals in 2023.
Editor’s Picks
2 Associated
Sources across the league have indicated that the Los Angeles Sparks, who received the No. 2 decide within the lottery, would have been Bueckers’ most popular choice. Just like the Wings, the Sparks additionally at present haven’t got a head coach. However Los Angeles is a huge market and a staff that might even have used a guard like Bueckers.
Longtime WNBA coach Curt Miller, fired by the Sparks in September, was just lately employed because the Wings’ new normal supervisor and is in place to assist resolve the subsequent Dallas coach. The Wings face massive free company questions: Particularly, will forwards Satou Sabally and Natasha Howard keep in Dallas? However the potential of including Bueckers makes the Wings a extra engaging choice.
As for the opposite lottery groups, the Chicago Sky will decide No. 3 and the Washington Mystics No. 4. For now, our mock draft has each groups taking early-entry gamers within the draft. However that might change dramatically relying on their selections and the way the faculty season performs out.
UConn | level guard | 6-foot-0 | senior
Dallas has had six lottery picks prior to now eight drafts, together with Charli Collier at No. 1 in 2021. She has not performed within the WNBA the previous two seasons. However Bueckers may very well be like hitting the jackpot for Dallas. She’s off to a robust begin for UConn via three video games, averaging 21.3 factors, 3.7 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Her effectivity and flexibility make her a superb professional prospect. The prospect to pick her is also the highest-level commerce bait, nevertheless it’s exhausting to see the Wings giving up a participant with this potential.
I simply fell to my knees. THANK YOU LORD! ????????????????
— Arike Ogunbowale (@Arike_O) November 17, 2024
USC | energy ahead | 6-3 | senior
Iriafen is from Los Angeles, transferred to USC in April after three seasons at Stanford and may begin her professional profession at Crypto.com Area, not removed from the Trojans’ Galen Middle. After a breakthrough junior season (19.4 factors, 11.0 rebounds per sport) with the Cardinal, Iriafen is a key participant on a Ultimate 4 contender. She averaged 17.3 factors and seven.5 rebounds via her first 4 video games at USC.
The Sparks took forwards Cameron Brink (No. 2) and Rickea Jackson (No. 4) within the 2024 draft. Brink, who was Iriafen’s teammate at Stanford, suffered a knee harm in June and missed the remainder of the season. But when she is again wholesome with Jackson, who was on the WNBA’s All-Rookie staff, including Iriafen makes for a dynamic younger put up trio.
UConn | capturing guard | 5-10 | junior
This may very well be seen as a peculiar decide as a result of Fudd has performed solely 42 school video games. She has but to return to the court docket for UConn after lacking final season due to a knee harm; she’s anticipated again in December. So there’s a lot unknown about Fudd.
However when wholesome, she is a spectacular shooter. If Fudd can keep on the court docket this season at UConn after which decides to declare for the draft — she has a yr of faculty eligibility left after this season — the Sky underneath new coach Tyler Marsh may decide her. Marsh needs the Sky, who averaged a league-worst 4.8 3-pointers per season final yr, to be a significantly better staff from lengthy vary.
Notre Dame | level guard | 5-10 | junior
Miles, who missed the 2023 postseason and all of 2023-24 due to a knee harm, is one other attainable early entry. One of many issues with Miles, together with well being, is her 3-point capturing. Nevertheless, she’s off to a very good begin this season. She had a triple-double within the Irish’s opener, and her 20 factors, 11 rebounds and seven assists Sunday in opposition to Lafayette helped Notre Dame transfer to 4-0. One other plus: Success amongst Notre Dame guards within the WNBA is nicely established.
The Mystics fired normal supervisor Mike Thibault and coach Eric Thibault after this previous season and have but to exchange them. So we do not know at this level who will probably be making personnel selections for Washington.
UCLA | heart | 6-7 | junior
We do not know what the Valkyries will probably be searching for within the 2025 draft as a result of they haven’t any gamers but; the enlargement draft is Dec. 6. Betts, draft eligible as a result of she turns 22 subsequent yr, may very well be a excessive decide if she leaves faculty early. Now in her second season at UCLA after beginning at Stanford, Betts is a profession 64.4% shooter.
6. Washington Mystics (from Atlanta): Sedona Prince
TCU | heart | 6-7
Mike Thibault made the personnel selections as Mystics GM for the previous 12 years, and he was identified for his detailed scouting and definitive opinions about how gamers would match into his system. However it is going to be a brand new period with Washington. The scenario with Prince is exclusive: Between accidents and the COVID-19 waiver, she is in her seventh yr in school and can flip 25 subsequent Might when the WNBA season begins.
When wholesome, her expertise is big, as proven along with her 31 factors and 16 rebounds in TCU’s victory over NC State on Sunday. Her well being has been a steady curler coaster.
7. New York Liberty (from Phoenix): Dominique Malonga
France | heart | 6-6
Malonga, who turned 19 on Saturday, made the French Olympic staff this yr. Together with her dimension and potential, she may very well be a first-round decide even when she does not play within the WNBA in 2025. The defending champion Liberty, who’ve had current success with European gamers resembling Leonie Fiebich (Germany) and Marine Johannes (France), may see Malonga as a decide for the long run.
LSU | small ahead | 6-1 | senior
Morrow has been an distinctive scorer and rebounder in her school profession, which began at DePaul and can end at LSU. However there may be concern about her dimension and what her only place will probably be within the WNBA. Plus, she has shot 24.3% from 3-point vary in school. Nonetheless, there may be a variety of potential for Morrow as a participant who might run the ground nicely and be one other goal for Caitlin Clark’s passes.
South Carolina | guard | 5-9 | senior
The present staff dynamics in Seattle counsel veteran guard Jewell Loyd is not joyful there and may need a commerce. That might imply Seattle would look extra for a guard within the draft.
Paopao returned for a fifth yr of faculty after profitable the nationwide championship with the Gamecocks final season. Her 3-point capturing accuracy may very well be interesting on the subsequent degree. In her school profession (the primary three years at Oregon), she has shot simply over 40% from behind the arc. That features 46.8% final season. And enjoying for South Carolina coach Daybreak Staley has improved her protection, too.
10. Chicago Sky (from Connecticut): Rori Harmon
Texas | level guard | 5-6 | senior
Harmon was granted a hardship waiver after being restricted to 12 video games final season by a knee harm, so she might return to school for an additional season. Nevertheless, if she declares for the draft, her quickness, protection and playmaking are all massive belongings. Enhancing as a constant 3-point shooter would assist her draft inventory and may very well be particularly necessary for her to be chosen by the Sky.
Janiah Barker
UCLA | energy ahead | 6-4 | junior
The Lynx might use some extra assist inside for Napheesa Collier and Alanna Smith. Like UCLA teammate Betts, Barker is only a junior however turns 22 subsequent yr and may very well be in demand as a strong put up participant. After two years at Texas A&M, she transferred to UCLA and is a part of the Bruins’ sturdy inside assault. A key will probably be how a lot her offense develops underneath coach Cori Shut and enjoying alongside all of the expertise at UCLA.
Notre Dame | capturing guard | 6-1 | senior
We do not know but if guard Diana Taurasi may return for a twenty first WNBA season with the Mercury. Both method, Phoenix might search for extra guard assist if there isn’t any sturdy put up choice out there at this level within the draft. With fellow guard Miles again this season for Notre Dame, Citron’s numbers may decline from final season’s 17.3 factors, 5.5 rebounds and a pair of.7 assists per sport. However her potential as a flexible guard and 3-point shooter might make her a first-round choice.