The Dallas Wings earn the highest decide within the 2025 Draft. Expectantly on their facet, who precisely will they choose first general?
The WNBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, and the Dallas Wings secured the No. 1 choice within the upcoming 2025 WNBA Draft. Whereas the end result surprised followers throughout the league, Dallas and Chicago every had solely a 22.7% likelihood of securing the highest decide. The overwhelming favourite to land the no. 1 spot, the Sparks had the very best odds at 44.2 %.
Many missed that Dallas had the very best odds general, due to their means to swap first-round picks with the Chicago Sky. Someway by some means, Dallas beat the 457 of 1,000 odds to win the main choice. Edging out the Sparks with 442 of 1,000 possibilities, It was destiny.
Paige Bueckers headlines a gifted 2025 WNBA Draft class
With UConn guard Paige Bueckers extensively projected as the primary general decide, many assumed Los Angeles would safe the first-team All-American. Whereas that is nonetheless a risk, Bueckers and USC star Kiki Iriafen stay within the hunt for the spot.
Represented by Wings, second-year ahead Maddy Siegrist was chosen no. 3 general within the 2023 WNBA Draft by Dallas. “Tremendous excited” for the chance, Siegrist acknowledged, “How impactful the lottery picks have been, particularly the previous few seasons.”
Drafting a number of high-profile names, the Wings not too long ago chosen Jacy Sheldon with the fifth general decide within the 2024 WNBA Draft. Previous to that, Siegrist and Lou Lopez Sénéchal have been drafted no. 3 and no. 5 general in 2023. The 2 anchors in Dallas, Satou Sabally was picked no. 2 general in 2020, and Arike Ogunbowale, no. 5 in 2019. So sure, the Wings have compiled fairly the expertise through the years.
Why Bueckers could be an excellent match for the Dallas Wings
Paige Bueckers 👌 pic.twitter.com/G4tSq7eJMt
— UConn Girls’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) November 16, 2024
Parting methods with head coach Latricia Trammell, the Wings have a vacant head coach place. Whereas it is unclear who will fill that roll, Dallas is trending upward. If Bueckers is, actually, the primary decide, she would match completely alongside Obunbowale and Sabally. Particularly defensively, the place the Wings largely struggled.
A flexible guard who can rating in numerous methods, Bueckers is averaging 21.3 factors, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and a career-high 3.0 steals. Capturing at a excessive clip, the Minnesota native is averaging career-highs in discipline purpose (65 %) and three-point proportion (50 %).
With the decide, the Wings sign indicators of life. Hiring former Sparks head coach Curt Miller as Common Supervisor, Miller witnessed Dallas swoop the primary decide proper earlier than LA’s eyes. Discuss a full-circle second.
With the latest hiring of Miller, Siegrist is optimistic for the longer term, even with no present head coach.
“It is going to be thrilling,” Siegrist advised Andraya Carter mid-WNBA Draft Lottery. “I feel the brand new entrance workplace and the coaches– will probably be thrilling to see who we get. The lottery decide goes to assist rather a lot as properly.”
If Siegrist clarifies one facet, the Wings will get a model new facility. With that, she vouches for the steak and barbecue.
The Sparks have a vibrant future forward
Rickea Jackson will group up with Cameron Brink for the LA Sparks 🔥 #WNBAdraft pic.twitter.com/xkWoCMt8tS
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) April 16, 2024
Contemplating every group’s two-year cumulative data, the Sparks had a file of 25-55 over that span. Paradoxically, the Wings and Sky have equivalent data of 31-49 during the last two years. Though their roster would not mirror the standings, the Mystics have a mixed 31-49 file over two years.
The Los Angeles Sparks, represented by Rickea Jackson, earned the no. 2 general decide in subsequent yr’s draft. Of their rebuilding space, the Sparks once more missed out on the one spot. Riddled with accidents, the Sparks did hit the jackpot, drafting Cameron Brink second general in 2024. Earlier than struggling a season-ending harm with a torn ACL, Brink averaged 7.5 and led the league in blocks (per 36 minutes).
Together with Brink, the Sparks hit a two-for-one particular with drafting Jackson 4th general in 2024. A promising younger squad, the second decide will complement Dearica Hamby, Jackson, and Brink. Whereas there’s a ton of expertise on this yr’s draft, Kiki Iriafen would complement Brink exceptionally properly within the entrance court docket.
The Sky will look to construct round Reese, Cardoso
Angel Reese is becoming a member of the Chicago Sky, together with Kamilla Cardoso #wnbadraft pic.twitter.com/nl5xFt3dNN
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) April 16, 2024
No stranger to the state of affairs, the Chicago Sky was granted the no. 3 general decide on this yr’s upcoming draft. The Sky will goal so as to add an offensive expertise to enhance Kamilla Cardoso, the No. 3 decide, and Angel Reese, the No. 7 choice within the 2024 Draft.
After parting methods with former head coach Teresa Weatherspoon after only one season, Chicago not too long ago tabbed Tyler Marsh as the top coach. Represented by Reese, the man LSU begin reluctantly admitted they must swap the decide with Dallas. Nonetheless, Reese was “going for 2 or three.”
Three years faraway from a WNBA Championship in 2021, the latest hirings sign a future championship in sight. Whereas the Sky fell in need of the primary decide, there are many choices for the decide. Whereas Chicago may select to commerce the decide, Olivia Miles or Aneesah Morrow could be an excellent addition alongside Cardoso and Reese. Shedding Reese to a season-ending harm, the Sky fell in need of the playoffs with a 13-27 file. After a 3-3 begin, the Sky 13 of their 15 last video games.
The Washington Mystics wanted a excessive draft decide
Aaliyah Edwards drafted no. 6 general by the Washington Mystics #WNBAdraft pic.twitter.com/ChIPZTPVay
— Sara Jane Gamelli (@SaraJGamelli) April 16, 2024
With the bottom odds at 11 %, the Washington Mystics could have the no. 4 general decide. Represented by former UConn Husky Aaliyah Edwards, the Mystics now maintain the fourth and sixth picks within the draft. Whereas they’ve a training emptiness after parting methods with Eric Thibault, the Mystics could not over come accidents all season lengthy.
Alongside Edwards, who was drafted no. 6 general within the 2024 WNBA Draft, the group will seemingly construct across the Canadian native and Shakira Auston (no. 3 general 2022). With a 14-26 file, the Mystics barely missed the playoffs.
Ending 19-21 in 2023, the general file doesn’t mirror the present state of the franchise. With out Elena Delle Donne and Natasha Cloud, Washington misplaced two of their star gamers. In clear rebuild mode, I imagine the Mystics want a better draft decide than ever.
2025 WNBA first-round draft order
Now that the highest 4 picks are set, included beneath is the complete 2025 WNBA Draft order:
1. Dallas Wings
2. Los Angeles Sparks
3. Chicago Sky
4. Washington Mystics
5. Golden State Valkries
6. Washington Mystics (By way of Atlanta Dream)
7. New York Liberty (By way of Phoenix Mercury)
8. Indiana Fever
9. Seattle Storm
10. Chicago Sky (By way of Connecticut Solar)
11. Minnesota Lynx
12. Phoenix Mercury
Notably absent are the Las Vegas Aces, whose 2024 first-round decide was rescinded for violating league guidelines. After buying Marina Mabrey within the midst of a post-season push, the Solar traded away their first-round decide to the Chicago Sky.
ESPN newest WNBA mock draft
Though I’ve talked about just some gamers, here’s a full 2024 ESPN WNBA first-round mock draft record:
1.. Paige Bueckers (PG), UConn: Dallas Wings
2. Kiki Iriafen (PF), USC: Los Angeles Sparks
3. Azzi Fudd (SG), UConn: Chicago Sky
4. Olivia Miles (PG), Notre Dame: Washington Mystics
5. Lauren Betts (C), UCLA: Golden State Valkries
6. Sedona Prince (C), TCU: Washington Mystics
7. Dominique Malonga (C), France: New York Liberty
8. Aneesha Morrow (SF), LSU: Indiana Fever
9. Te-Hina Paopao, (G), South Carolina: Seattle Storm
10. Rori Harmon (PG), Texas: Chicago Sky
11.Janiah Barker (PF), UCLA: Minnesota Lynx
12. Sonia Citron (SG), Notre Dame: Phoenix Mercury
Now that the order is about, the 2025 WNBA Draft is slated to happen on Monday, April 14, 2025. Whereas the growth draft will happen on December 6, the Valkries additionally retain the present no. 5 general decide. With an additional yr of eligibility on account of Covid, a number of gamers, together with Fudd may return for yet one more yr.
Whereas the NCAAW season is simply underway, I anticipate this mock draft to vary because the season goes on. You’ll want to comply with Ballislife.com for extra NCAA Girls’s basketball-related articles.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator and Social Media Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a concentrate on the Girls’s Basketball and the NBA. Sara Jane at the moment resides in Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
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