All eyes may be on UConn’s Paige Bueckers at the top of the 2025 WNBA Draft, as the Dallas Wings are expected to take her with the No. 1 overall pick. What happens after she comes off the board?
Several other first-round hopefuls could become franchise cornerstones if they go to the right team and situation. Let’s look at the best of the remaining prospects and realistic landing spots that would be an ideal fit based on team needs and long-term potential.
Dominique Malonga, C, France
Potential Suitor No. 1: Seattle Storm
It’s difficult to imagine the Seattle Storm not taking Dominique Malonga at No. 2 overall. The 6-foot-6 center from France is one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Seattle has a solid core in the frontcourt with Nneka Ogwumike, Gabby Williams, and Ezi Magbegor. However, Malonga’s combination of athleticism and natural skills doesn’t exist on the current roster.
The Storm moved on from six-time All-Star Jewell Loyd in the offseason, and they need to add more star power to the fold. Malonga has the physical gifts and requisite skills to become a franchise player in the WNBA.
Seattle had an early playoff exit in 2024. This is the kind of prospect that can elevate them on both ends of the court.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Washington Mystics
Much like the Storm, if Malonga is still on the board when the Washington Mystics pick, they’d better be rushing to the podium. This team is coming off a disappointing 14-26 campaign in 2024, their first season after Elena Delle Donne’s retirement.
The Mystics have a solid trio of post players in Shakira Austin, Stefanie Dolson, and Aaliyah Edwards. However, a player like Malonga could solidify this unit. Washington’s offense was one of the least efficient in the league a season ago (98.0 offensive rating). The EuroCup MVP is capable of scoring in multiple ways. Adding that kind of talent could take pressure off guard Brittney Sykes.
Sonia Citron, G, Notre Dame
Potential Suitor No. 1: Washington Mystics
The Mystics need depth and talent across the board heading into the draft. After a quiet offseason, adding one of the most WNBA-ready prospects in the class would be an ideal move. Sonia Citron, a four-year starter at Notre Dame, comes with experience and a well-rounded two-way game.
Washington is one of the few teams that did little to improve their roster this offseason. In fact, they traded leading scorer Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky to land the No. 3 pick. The Mystics enter the 2025 season with a new head coach and general manager, so if a rebuild is what they’re looking for, there aren’t many safer picks this year than Citron. She plays a clean game and has a versatile skill set that will translate to the next level.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Seattle Storm
If the Storm feel confident in their frontcourt trio, they could look to add talent to their backcourt after moving on from Loyd in the offseason. Seattle has a strong foundation when you factor in six-time All-WNBA selection Skylar Diggins-Smith running the point. Inserting a complementary wing player like Citron, who can make plays on both ends of the floor, would be a seamless fit.
Jordan Horston, who started 14 games in 2024, is expected to miss the season with a torn ACL. She was in a prime position to compete for a starting job next season. With Horston sidelined, Citron would be a Day 1 contributor on the wing because of her quality shooting and passing abilities, and her willingness to compete on defense.
Kiki Iriafen, F, USC
Potential Suitor No. 1: Washington Mystics
If you take a quick glance at the Mystics’ roster, you’ll notice that power forward isn’t exactly their most pressing need at the moment. Washington has Dolson, Edwards, and Emily Engstler. However, when you desperately need to inject your roster with talent, you take the best player available. That’s Kiki Iriafen.
Iriafen has the potential to become one of the best scoring post players in the WNBA. She primarily plays in the post and has a smooth face-up game. She is also a solid mid-range shooter, but she’ll need to work on her three-point shot to become even more dangerous. The Mystics already have a floor spacer in Dolson, though (46.5% from deep in 2024). Iriafen isn’t a perfect fit, but that’s for new head coach Sydney Johnson to figure out.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Golden State Valkyries
The Golden State Valkyries are the WNBA’s newest franchise. By default, they’re also the least talented. As an expansion team, Golden State lacked the talent and assets to make moves this offseason, so they’ll need to look to the draft to build out their roster. The fifth-overall pick puts them in play for Iriafen.
The Valkyries’ roster is depleted, with 35-year-old guard Tiffany Hayes being the highest point-getter from last season (9.5 PPG) as the Sixth Woman of the Year for the Sun. Given Iriafen’s natural post-scoring ability, it’s safe to say Golden State would look to run the offense through her. Most of the team’s talent is in the backcourt. Iriafen would give them a legitimate post presence to build around.
Aneesah Morrow, F, LSU
Potential Suitor No. 1: Golden State Valkyries
As stated earlier, the Valkyries don’t have much to work with heading into the 2025 season. Essentially, it’s a clean slate, and the front office has the opportunity to establish the culture and identity for what this franchise will look like for years to come. There’s only one Aneesah Morrow in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She’s the best pound-for-pound rebounder in the class.
Morrow’s strength and athleticism made her a matchup nightmare in college. At 6-foot-1, she’s undersized as a power forward, and she’s inconsistent as a perimeter shooter. Still, she’s a gifted scorer who’s difficult to slow down once she establishes position. The Valkyries need a game-changer, and Morrow has the potential to be that for them right away.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Connecticut Sun
The Connecticut Sun is another team that had a rough offseason. New head coach Rachid Meziane will certainly have his work cut out for him after the team lost all five starters from a season ago.
Marina Mabrey also requested a trade, but the team refused. That leaves Mabrey and eight-time All-Star Tina Charles as the premier players on the roster. The latter has been in the WNBA since 2010 but sat out two seasons, so her legs are fresher than you’d expect.
With so many new faces and moving parts, the 2025 season could be an uphill battle for Connecticut after making the playoffs last season. Aneesah Morrow would be a Day 1 starter on this roster and give them a third scoring option, as both Mabrey and Charles averaged double figures last season. From a team culture standpoint, Morrow’s demeanor, high motor, and consistency could be crucial in the first season of Meziane’s tenure.
Shyanne Sellers, G, Maryland
Potential Suitor No. 1: Washington Mystics
The Mystics have three picks in the first round, providing them the perfect opportunity to build out their roster for 2025 and beyond. New general manager Jamila Wideman and the front office will land three of the top players on their board, setting the foundation for a turnaround season after winning just 35% of their games a season ago.
Shyanne Sellers is a player Washington should be coveting. The Maryland product is a highly versatile guard with an ideal combination of size and playmaking ability. Sellers is also an improved three-point shooter, and the Mystics lack consistent shooting from their wings outside of Karlie Samuelson (39.8% from deep in 2024). Sellers’ three-level scoring ability and defensive versatility would be a significant upgrade.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Connecticut Sun
Outside of Mabrey, the Sun lacks proven production from its backcourt players. They added Lindsay Allen, and Jacy Sheldon played valuable minutes for the Wings as a rookie, but neither player is as dynamic as Shyanne Sellers. She’s one of the most talented players to come out of Brenda Frese’s Terps program in recent years.
Connecticut was an elite defensive team last season, but with so much turnover, including the loss of All-Defensive Team selection DiJonai Carrington, this is an entirely different unit. Sellers’ length and athleticism allow her to defend multiple positions, and that versatility is a valuable asset in today’s game.
Saniya Rivers, G/F, NC State
Potential Suitor No. 1: Connecticut Sun
Saniya Rivers isn’t the most complete offensive player, but she is likely the best all-around defender in the 2025 WNBA Draft. At 6-foot-1, Rivers has great size and length on the wing. Her physical tools, combined with her instincts, could make her an All-Defense caliber player early in her pro career.
Rivers has some big shoes to fill after Carrington’s departure, but the former North Carolina State standout doesn’t back down from challenges. She does have limitations on the offensive end, but her potential impact on the defensive end should be a priority for a team lacking perimeter defenders.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Los Angeles Sparks
There’s some serious excitement building around the Los Angeles Sparks. It’s unclear when we’ll see Cameron Brink on the floor, but the front office pulled off a trade that landed three-time All-Star and two-time WNBA champion Kelsey Plum in LA. Saniya Rivers would solidify the Sparks’ depth in the backcourt, which also features Odyssey Sims, Aari McDonald, and Rae Burrell.
Rivers defends at an elite level, which would be a welcome addition for Los Angeles. Their 105.7 defensive rating ranked in the bottom third of the league last season. Rivers has the size and strength to swarm opposing ball-handlers.
On the offensive end, she’s a good passer and solid in transition. While she’s not an efficient shooter, the Sparks have proven players who can put the ball in the basket, including Plum, Dearica Hamby, and Rickea Jackson.
Justė Jocytė, G, Lithuania
Potential Suitor No. 1: Golden State Valkyries
Justė Jocytė is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class. She’s one of multiple promising international talents who could hear their names called in the first round. Playing alongside Malonga in France certainly helped raise Jocytė’s profile, but the raw talent and physical tools are enticing nonetheless.
For the Valkyries, a team already devoid of talent, betting on upside can’t hurt. If Golden State decides not to stash Jocytė, she has the skill set to contribute in Year 1. It will be interesting to see how her success overseas translates to the WNBA game, but her smooth shooting stroke and crafty playmaking could earn her a featured role early.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Connecticut Sun
It’s hard to get excited about the Sun’s 2025 outlook. With so many new pieces, including the head coach, there are plenty of unanswered questions in Connecticut. Adding an international player who’s not a household name among casual fans might bring more questions, but the potential is evident.
The Sun roster doesn’t feature true playmaking guards who can consistently create plays for their teammates. While Jocytė is likely better suited as a secondary ball-handler, she can make plays from anywhere on the court, and her size and vision allow her to create for her teammates over smaller defenders.
Georgia Amoore, G, Kentucky
Potential Suitor No. 1: Los Angeles Sparks
Georgia Amoore is one of the most complete guards on the offensive end in this draft class. She has an innate ability to create shots for herself and others. She scored nearly 20 points per game while dishing out just under seven assists in her lone season at Kentucky. While she may not be the most efficient shooter, Amoore has legitimate WNBA range.
The Sparks added Plum in the offseason, but they should continue to build out their backcourt depth. Amoore gives Los Angeles an electric offensive talent who can develop alongside other young players like Brink, Jackson, and Burrell. Amoore has been on Plum’s offseason Dawg Class roster for three straight years, so they already have a rapport built.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Connecticut Sun
There seems to be a common theme with Connecticut. They have a couple of proven weapons in Mabrey and Charles, but they lack depth and talent across the board. Georgia Amoore could come in on Day 1 and become the starting point guard.
At 5-foot-6, Amoore is undersized, which could make her transition to the professional game a bit challenging. However, she plays to her strengths, and she does so with a determined mentality. Amoore also possesses all the intangibles you want in a player – she has a high basketball IQ, plays with consistent effort, and is coachable. She’s the type of player who can help establish the culture under a first-year head coach.
Hailey Van Lith, G, TCU
Potential Suitor No. 1: Chicago Sky
Hailey Van Lith is one of the most recognizable names in the 2025 WNBA Draft class. While she didn’t have the season she wanted when she transferred to LSU from Louisville, Van Lith enjoyed a resurgence at TCU, earning AP All-American honors. The versatile guard could reunite with former LSU teammate Angel Reese in Chicago.
The Sky revamped their backcourt this offseason, moving on from Chennedy Carter and bringing in veterans Courtney Vandersloot, Atkins, and Kia Nurse. Backcourt help isn’t necessarily Chicago’s most pressing need, but it could be the ideal opportunity to take a talented young guard who can learn while playing alongside the veterans.
There are questions about her defensive ability, but she’s a good playmaker and reliable scorer who can help offset the loss of Carter, who was the team’s leading scorer last season.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Minnesota Lynx
The Minnesota Lynx roster is primed and ready to contend for a championship in 2025 after coming up just short a season ago. They returned all five starters that led them to the Finals in 2024 and added center Marieme Badiane, who played for the French national team. Minnesota has a strong group of guards and wing players, led by Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams.
Given the Lynx’s roster construction, Hailey Van Lith has the potential to lead the second unit and offer a notable scoring punch. She showed tremendous improvement as a point guard last season with the Horned Frogs. Van Lith’s competitive spirit also matches that of four-time WNBA All-Star and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Napheesa Collier.
Te-Hina Paopao, G, South Carolina
Potential Suitor No. 1: Minnesota Lynx
The Lynx don’t have many holes on their roster, but they need to continue to add depth around their core nucleus of Napheesa Collier, Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Bridget Carleton. Te-Hina Paopao is a versatile player who comes with a two-way skill set and a championship pedigree under Hall of Famer Dawn Staley.
Minnesota boasted the best three-point shooting in the league last season (38%) after ranking 11th (32.5%) in the category the season prior. Their improvement on the perimeter played a large role in their run to the Finals.
Adding Paopao gives them one of the best shooters in the class. She can excel as a secondary ball-handler at the next level to complement the stars while making a true impact as an on-ball defender on the other end.
Potential Suitor No. 2: Chicago Sky
The Chicago Sky took a significant step back in the three-point shooting department last season, making just 32.3% of their attempts from deep (ninth in the WNBA). That was a significant decline from the 2023 season, where the team shot 37.2% from behind the arc. Te-Hina Paopao can help Chicago get back on track, as that’s where she specializes on offense. She had the nation’s best three-point shooting percentage (46.8%) in 2023.
The Sky have a solid group of veteran guards and a legitimate 1-2 punch in the frontcourt with Reese and Kamilla Cardoso. Playing with more experienced players will help the young post players develop even more in Year 2.
Adding Paopao to the fold gives them a reliable shooting option to kick the ball out to, which will keep opposing defenses honest. Chicago was a middle-of-the-pack defense in 2024, and Paopao’s presence could improve their efforts on the perimeter, too.