Top 5 college teams with the most No. 1 overall picks in WNBA draft ft. UConn

Paige Bueckers being the top pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft wasn’t a surprise — and neither was the top pick being a product of the UConn Huskies.

UConn has produced the most No. 1 overall selections in WNBA draft history, with Bueckers becoming the sixth. Not that UConn is alone — five schools have had multiple top picks over the 28-year history of the WNBA draft. Here’s a rundown of the colleges that rule the WNBA.

Top 5 colleges with most No. 1 picks in WNBA draft

Candace Parker was the third UT player to be a top pick, giving the Lady Vols the lead in that category until UConn's recent dominance. (Photo Credit: IMAGN)

5. Stanford (2)

Stanford not only has a pair of top picks, but it has the only pair of sisters selected No. 1 overall. Whether it’s Nneka (2012) or Chiney (2014) Ogwumike, Stanford kept its top-pick success in the family.

Chiney had a solid career as Rookie of the Year and a two-time All-Star, and is now a broadcaster. Nneka is still active, having made nine All-Star teams and winning the 2016 WNBA MVP.

4. Notre Dame (2)

The Irish also have a pair of top overall picks. In 2015, Jewell Loyd was the top pick. She’s since become a six-time All-Star, was Rookie of the Year, and has won two WNBA scoring titles.

Jackie Young in 2019 became the second Notre Dame player to be picked No. 1. Young started slowly in the WNBA but has now earned three All-Star selections.

3. South Carolina (2)

In the last eight years, South Carolina has produced two top picks. In 2018, A’ja Wilson became the school’s first. Already a WNBA legend in the making, Wilson has claimed three MVP trophies and six All-Star nods.

In 2023, , Aliyah Boston became the Gamecocks’ second No. 1 pick. While it’s early in her career, she has already made two All-Star appearances.

2. Tennessee (3)

Tennessee’s top-pick history is rooted in the past, with its most recent coming in 2008. The Lady Vols had the first-ever No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft with Dena Head in 1997. Head was already 27 when the first draft was held, and she ended up scoring just 3.9 points per game in 74 career WNBA games played.

In 1999, Chamique Holdsclaw became the second UT top pick. After a legendary college career, she made six All-Star teams, won a scoring title and was named Rookie of the Year. Candace Parker was the top pick in 2008. A two-time MVP and seven-time All-Star, Parker recently retired after a Hall of Fame–worthy career.

1. UConn (6)

UConn had its first top pick in 2002, when Sue Bird went No.1. Bird went on to be a 13-time WNBA all-star and five-time All-WNBA First Team member. She retired as one of the most productive point guards in WNBA history.

Two years later, in 2004, Diana Taurasi went No. 1. An 11-time All-Star and 10-time All-WNBA First Team selection, Taurasi may be even more legendary than Bird.

Tina Charles became UConn’s third top pick in 2010. An eight-time All-Star and five-time First Team pick, she also won an MVP. Maya Moore followed in 2011. She made six All-Star teams and five All-WNBA First Teams before leaving the game in 2019 to pursue social justice work.

Breanna Stewart, selected in 2016, is a six-time All-Star, multiple First Team pick and two-time MVP. She helped lead the New York Liberty to their frist championship in franchise history in 2024.

Now, Paige Bueckers becomes UConn’s sixth No. 1 pick. She has big shoes to fill to join this elite company.

What do you think about UConn's dominance at the top of the WNBA draft? Share your take below in our comments section!