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With the college basketball season in full swing and entering conference play, we’re learning more about the possible WNBA draft order later this year. It’s time for another WNBA mock draft, this time with more knowledge of the prospects and WNBA trends. As per usual, the mock will feature a blend of my own opinions with consensus projections.
1. Dallas Wings - Paige Bueckers, G, UConn
With news breaking of Satou Sabally’s desire to leave the Wings, more opportunities will open up for Paige Bueckers to slot in. As Dallas looks to rebuild and return to contention, they’ll likely hand over the keys to whoever they draft at the top. The UConn star still seems like the most plausible bet to pair with Arike Ogunbowale.
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It’s easy to argue for Bueckers as the best player in all of college basketball, dominating opponents as she tends to do. Sarah Strong’s presence means she doesn't have to carry the scoring load as often, but she’s still capable of filling up the stat sheet on both ends of the floor.
At the WNBA level, Bueckers projects as a true primary initiator with the off-dribble shooting, interior scoring and passing to run an excellent offense. Her off-ball skills and defensive ability will let her pair with other potent offensive stars like Ogunbowale and whoever the Wings acquire in the near future.
2. Los Angeles Sparks - Olivia Miles, G, Notre Dame
Miles’ play has vaulted her up draft boards, putting her in consideration for the top slot. She still has one more year of eligibility but will likely enter her name in the draft at this current pace. Her improved jump shooting makes her a complete guard prospect, as most people enter the league.
Alongside her shooting, Miles boasts nearly every trait a team would covet in a future star lead guard. Her elite first-step burst, playmaking flair, efficient scoring and defensive production are all encouraging indicators. She’s comfortable playing next to other high-level perimeter players, which will help her translate to the pros.
After drafting Cameron Brink and Rickea Jackson last season, the Sparks still need a true lead guard to complete their promising young core. Miles could be just that player if everything breaks right.
3. Chicago Sky - Sonia Citron, G, Notre Dame
The Sky land in a tricky spot picking third given their team needs. They spent two first-round picks on non-shooting centers last season, making it challenging to draft a player like Kiki Iriafen or Dominique Malonga. In this mock draft, they’ll add Sonia Citron, who might lack the upside of some others in this draft but makes up for it with her high complementary potential.
Citron is an excellent off-ball shooter, connective passer and defender, making her an ideal fit next to other ball-dominant stars. She’s accustomed to playing next to Miles and Hannah Hidalgo at Notre Dame and won’t struggle to scale down at the next level.
Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso would benefit greatly from a guard with Citron’s floor spacing and passing ability. She might not be the flashiest prospect of all time, but her scalable skills will boost Chicago’s existing talent more than any other choice.
4. Washington Mystics - Dominique Malonga, C, ASVEL
The Mystics will be thrilled to land a prospect with a ceiling as high as Dominique Malonga. The 6’6, 19-year-old big sports incredible upside, especially on the defensive end of the floor. She’s averaging 14.7 points, 9 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1 steal per game in the French League this year, proving her ability to impact winning at such a young age.
Malonga’s physical tools make her a possible defensive anchor big at the next level with the potential to thrive on offense as an unstoppable play-finisher and interior scorer. Washington will have to wait for Malonga to come over to the States, but her upside is well worth the risk at this point in the draft.
5. Golden State Valkyries - Kiki Iriafen, F, USC
Iriafen’s slide in the draft will only benefit the Valkyries, who add a possible star to their fledgling roster. Because of positional fits and slightly decreased production, Iriafen could fall out of the top three picks where she’s been projected for so long. She’s still an excellent player, though, who boasts impressive two-way upside as an interior scorer and versatile defender.
Golden State will need a primary scorer to jumpstart their offense and Iriafen will be just that. The Valkyries can play through her in the mid-post and low block with shooters like Kate Martin and Cecilia Zandalesini spacing the floor. It’s possible this pick ends up looking like a monumental steal in a few seasons if Iriafen hits her ceiling.
6. Washington Mystics (via ATL) - Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
Fudd has played well for the Huskies in her return from injury, providing the shooting, secondary creation and defense she always did. She’s played at least 20 minutes per game over her last four contest, notching a season-high 23 points against Xavier. Fudd has always been a shooter, capable of knocking down jumpers inside and outside the arc.
After drafting a high upside big in Malonga earlier, it will make sense for the Mystics to add a talented guard prospect next to her and Aaliyah Edwards. She’ll need to remain healthy in the WNBA, but her role versatile offensive skillset and defensive playmaking make her a high ceiling guard prospect at the pro level.
7. New York Liberty (via PHX) - Serena Sundell, G, Kansas State
Sundell is the NCAA’s current assist leader, feeding her teammates out of the pick-and-roll and as an off-ball mover. Her versatile playmaking paired with an intriguing scoring touch, funky creation and some interior defensive chops will make her a coveted guard prospect for the next level.
She’ll want to improve her 3-point jumper before she’s handling on-ball responsibility in the WNBA, but the defending champs can afford to wait on her development. It’s wise to bet on tall, skilled high feel players like Sundell to grow into productive pros.
8. Indiana Fever - Saniya Rivers, G, NC State
Indiana’s lack of length and athleticism on the perimeter limited them in the playoffs and will be key for their long-term future. Rivers is one of the best athletes in all of college basketball, manifesting especially on the defensive end. She generates tons of turnovers, jumping passing lanes and rotating to protect the basket.
She’ll need to improve as a shooter and a scorer overall, but she’ll see more easy shots in Indiana than she ever has before. Rivers’ athleticism and speed will help her dominate in the open floor alongside Caitlin Clark’s passing brilliance. Rivers’ upside creating with the ball in her hands makes her too tantalizing a prospect to pass on here.
9. Seattle Storm - Georgia Amoore, G, Kentucky
Jewell Loyd won’t be a member of the Storm next season, opening up slots in the backcourt. Amoore is one of college basketball’s best creators, shooting a high volume of off-dribble threes and creating tons of opportunities for herself and her teammates to score all over the court. With better teammates at the pro level, her overall efficiency should improve.
Amoore’s size at just 5’6 could limit her as a driver and a defender, but Seattle’s strong defensive roster will help her acclimate. The likes of Ezi Magbegor and Nneka Ogwumike will theoretically pair smoothly with a dynamic offensive guard like Amoore.
10. Chicago Sky (via CON) - Shyanne Sellers, F, Maryland
The Sky can afford to draft a shakier shooter because of their selection of Citron in the top three, and Sellers’ talent exceeds this draft slot. She’s not a consistent volume shooter yet, but Sellers’ upside as a creator in the intermediate and as a playmaker could lend to eventual offensive stardom.
Chicago needs more offensive talent and creation on the perimeter and Sellers brings potential to be just that. If she can develop a passable 3-point jumper, it’s easy to imagine Sellers developing into an excellent two-way wing creator for the Sky.
11. Minnesota Lynx - Jordan Hobbs, F, Michigan
Losing Zandalesini could lead the Lynx to draft another shooter and that’s exactly what Jordan Hobbs brings. At 6’3, Hobbs’ ability to shoot off of movement from well beyond the college line is rare and projects favorably to the WNBA level. Her shooting and size alone make her an intriguing pro prospect and her feel for the game accentuates this.
Hobbs is a fairly limited athlete and defender, but she won’t be asked to do much on a stacked Lynx team. As long as she can space the floor for Napheesa Collier, move the ball and compete on defense, she could develop into a solid WNBA role player.
12. Phoenix Mercury - Rori Harmon, G, Texas
Harmon’s size at just 5’6 as a weak 3-point shooter make her translation murky, but she’s an undeniable talent. She’s an exceptional defensive player (5.4% steal rate), plucking loose handles and creating chaos for opposing offenses.
Even without a reliable jumper, Harmon’s incredible quickness, advantage creation and volume passing make her an interesting upside bet on the offensive end of the floor. An aging Phoenix team will benefit from any possible infusion of young talent and Harmon will add that critical juice on both ends of the floor.
Full First Round for 2025 WNBA Mock Draft
