The 2025 WNBA draft is set to take place at The Shed in New York City, marking a pivotal moment for teams aiming to rejuvenate their rosters with fresh talent from the college ranks. This year's draft holds added significance with the inclusion of the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s first expansion team in 17 years.

Coverage of the event will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert announcing the picks. The draft will also be available for streaming on ESPN+ and the ESPN App. All eyes are on UConn guard Paige Bueckers, who is widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings.

Bueckers is coming off a stellar college career, having led UConn to their 12th NCAA women’s championship. In the 2025 NCAA tournament, she averaged 24.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. Her performance cemented her status as the top scorer in UConn’s women’s basketball history and third overall in points in women’s basketball history, despite missing the 2022 season due to a torn ACL. The 23-year-old is expected to make an immediate impact in the WNBA and is a frontrunner for the Rookie of the Year award.

Beyond Bueckers, the draft features several intriguing prospects. Dominique Malonga, who played in France for ASVEL Féminin, is generating considerable buzz. The 19-year-old averaged 15 points and 10 rebounds a game and gained attention after a video of her dunking at age 16 went viral. Malonga, who stands at 6-foot-6-inches, was also a member of France’s silver medal-winning women’s basketball team at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Kiki Iriafen, a forward from USC, is another highly touted prospect. Known for her size and ball skills, Iriafen fits the mold of impactful WNBA players like A’ja Wilson, Breanna Stewart, and Napheesa Collier. Aneesah Morrow from LSU is also expected to be a valuable addition to any team, averaging nearly 21 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals during the postseason.

The draft order is as follows: