5 days Ago By Tom Blow
The Los Angeles Sparks are "happy to have the second pick" in next year's WNBA Draft following Sunday's lottery - despite likely missing out on Paige Bueckers . The Dallas Wings were handed the first overall pick during the lottery, with the Chicago Sky getting the third selection and the Washington Mystics landing the fourth pick. All four teams could've got the first overall pick had the lottery gone in their favor.
Dallas is expected to pick Bueckers, arguably the biggest star in women's college basketball, if she puts herself forward for the draft. The UConn point guard was AP's Player of the Year in 2021 and, at 23, is expected to make the step up to the WNBA next year. Caitlin Clark warning to Juju Watkins comes true after record smashed at USC Seattle Storm coaching staff investigated for 'alleged player mistreatment' Los Angeles is now poised to select Kiki Iriafen, a forward who played alongside Cameron Brink at Stanford before transferring to USC earlier this year.
Brink, who is recovering from an ACL injury, was picked second overall by the Sparks in last year's WNBA Draft. Despite missing out on the first overall pick, the Sparks insist they are pleased with the result of Sunday's lottery. "We’re happy to have the second pick in next year’s draft," LA Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley said in a statement.
"Holding a lottery pick in 2025’s deep draft guarantees we’ll be able to add an impactful player to our roster at a pivotal time in our history. Our staff is already hard at work exploring all our options in the lottery and with our other three picks." The Sparks also hold the 13th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft - which is the first second round pick - as well as the 26th and 28th overall picks.
The latter of those comes via Chicago after Los Angeles traded for Li Yueru and Julie Allemand earlier this year. The 2024 season was a tough one for the Sparks, as they finished bottom of the standings with just eight wins to their name (32 defeats). Los Angeles is looking to become a force in the WNBA again, having won the championship in 2001, 2002, and 2016.
Elsewhere, the Golden State Valkyries - a new team in the WNBA for 2025 - will have the fifth overall pick in next year's draft. Indiana Fever, who selected Caitlin Clark with the top pick in this year's draft, will have the eighth overall pick next time around. WNBA champions the New York Liberty will have the seventh overall pick in 2025 from Phoenix Mercury, with the latter taking the 12th overall pick.
The Washington Mystics are sixth up in the upcoming draft, with Seattle Storm having the ninth pick. As well as having the third overall selection, Chicago also has the 10th pick from the Connecticut Sun. The Minnesota Lynx, who lost the WNBA Finals to New York in Game 5 (out of five), are the final team with a first-round draft pick - going 11th.
The Las Vegas Aces have had their first-round pick rescinded for violating league rules..
