1 week Ago By Jack Maloney
The 2025 WNBA Draft is underway, and as expected the Dallas Wings selected former UConn star Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 pick. Earlier this month, Bueckers led UConn to their its national championship since 2016, which, coincidentally, is the last time a player from the storied program went first overall in the WNBA Draft.
All told, six players from UConn have gone No. 1 overall, which is a record for any NCAA school: Bueckers (2025), Breanna Stewart (2016), Maya Moore (2011), Tina Charles (2010), Diana Taurasi (2004) and Sue Bird (2002). Up next are the Seattle Storm at No.
2, who took the French center Dominique Malonga, followed by the Washington Mystics at Nos. 3 and 4 to round out the lottery. Washington wound up selecting Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron and USC forward Kiki Iriafen.
After the lottery, the expansion Golden State Valkyries will make their first ever draft pick at No. 5. Another important note is that the Las Vegas Aces do not have a first-round selection tonight.
Their 2025 first rounder was rescinded by the league after a 2023 investigation found the violated league rules on impermissible player benefits. As the first round continues, here are live grades for each pick: 2025 WNBA Draft Grades, Round 1 1. Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers -- G, UConn Bueckers has long been the projected No.
1 pick, and now it has finally become a reality. The 6-foot guard is a savant on the offensive end, where she scores efficiently at all three levels (she was a few made free throws away from a 50/40/90 season) and knows how to put her teammates in positions to succeed. Bueckers is a franchise-changing talent, both on and off the court, and the Wings' present and future just got a whole lot more exciting.
Grade: A+ 2. Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga -- C, France There was plenty of intrigue about the Storm's decision at No. 2 after Olivia Miles returned to school.
They've decided on Malonga, the 6-foot-6 French phenom who has been compared to Victor Wembanyama. Still only 19 years old, Malonga averaged an efficient double-double in EuroCup Women action this season and has the most upside of any player in this class outside of Bueckers. She may not be a perfect fit with the Storm's current frontcourt, but her talent was too much to pass up.
Grade: A 3. Washington Mystics: Sonia Citron -- G, Notre Dame The Mystics have three of the first six picks in the first round tonight, and have used the first one on Citron. She's a big wing who can defend multiple positions and knocks down open shots on the perimeter.
While Citron may not have the upside you would hope for at No. 3 overall, her floor is extremely high and she seems destined for a long career. Really solid pick-up for the Mystics as they start a rebuild.
Grade: A- 4. Washington Mystics: Kiki Iriafen -- F, USC The Mystics were up again right away at No. 4 to close out the lottery and grabbed Iriafen.
While their roster isn't screaming out for another power forward -- they drafted Shakira Austin and Aaliyah Edwards in recent years -- Iriafen was the best player available. She's a good athlete with a smooth face-up game who finishes efficiently at the basket and has a lot of defensive versatility. If she can expand the range on her jumper, there's a lot of upside here.
Grade: B 5. Golden State Valkyries 6. Washington Mystics 7.
Connecticut Sun 8. Connecticut Sun 9. Los Angeles Sparks 10.
Chicago Sky 11. Chicago Sky 12. Dallas Wings.
