2025 WNBA Draft Recap: Paige Bueckers Selected No. 1 Overall — Biggest Winners, Losers, and Surprises (NH)

2025 WNBA Draft Recap: Paige Bueckers Selected No. 1 Overall — Biggest Winners, Losers, and Surprises

The 2025 WNBA Draft wrapped up with a night full of excitement, rising stars, and dramatic picks that will shape the future of the league. As anticipated, Paige Bueckers — the electric guard from UConn and one of the most hyped college players in recent memory — was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings. But that was just the beginning of a night packed with big wins, puzzling decisions, and bold international gambles.

Here’s a full breakdown of the key highlights, biggest winners and losers, and some surprising turns from this year’s WNBA Draft.

🔥 No. 1 Overall: Paige Bueckers to the Dallas Wings

Paige Bueckers being drafted first overall was no surprise — the only shock was how composed she was after an emotional return from injury and a dominant senior season at UConn. The Wings are getting a dynamic scorer, elite passer, and natural leader who could become the face of the franchise — and possibly the league.

Quote from Bueckers:

“It’s been a long road, but I’m ready. I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was a kid.”

This selection signals Dallas’ commitment to building around a playmaker who can instantly raise the ceiling of a young team. With Bueckers on board, the Wings are poised to challenge for playoff contention.

➡️ More on Paige’s journey to No. 1:
Paige Bueckers Is the WNBA Draft’s No. 1 Pick

🏆 Biggest Winners of the 2025 WNBA Draft

🟢 Washington Mystics

The Mystics walked away from the draft with three first-round picks: Sonia Citron (Notre Dame), Kiki Iriafen (USC), and Georgia Amoore (Kentucky). Each brings a unique skillset — Citron is a two-way force, Iriafen is a versatile forward, and Amoore is a fiery playmaker with a high basketball IQ.

Washington addressed depth, youth, and balance — positioning themselves perfectly for both short-term impact and long-term success.

🟢 Seattle Storm

At No. 2, Seattle made a bold but smart move by drafting Dominique Malonga, the French teenage phenom who has already drawn comparisons to some of the league’s top international stars. Her length, mobility, and rim protection make her an ideal fit for a rebuilding Storm squad.

🔗 El gran salto de Malonga (in Spanish)

❌ Biggest Losers

🔴 Phoenix Mercury

Without a first-round pick, Phoenix stayed quiet during one of the most talent-rich drafts in recent years. With veteran stars aging and no clear youth infusion, the Mercury may find themselves in limbo between contention and rebuilding.

🔴 Atlanta Dream

The Dream made some puzzling decisions, passing on higher-ranked talent to draft based on positional need rather than best available. Many fans questioned their pick at No. 10, which felt like a reach compared to other more proven college stars.

🤯 Biggest Surprises

⭐ Justė Jocytė Goes No. 5 to the Golden State Valkyries

Lithuanian guard Justė Jocytė was a wildcard, but her elite play in Europe clearly impressed scouts. The expansion Valkyries — the WNBA’s newest team — took a big swing by making her their franchise cornerstone.

This was the Valkyries’ first-ever draft, and they made headlines by betting on international upside over NCAA pedigree.

⭐ Hailey Van Lith Drops to Second Round

One of the most well-known players in college basketball, Van Lith surprisingly fell to the second round, where she was picked up by the Chicago Sky. Concerns over consistency and size likely impacted her stock, but she may turn out to be the steal of the draft if she adjusts quickly to the pro level.

🌍 International Talent Shines

It wasn’t just a big night for American collegiate stars — several international names made major waves:

Ajša Sivka (Slovenia) — Drafted by the Sky, she brings strong shooting and court vision.
Sika Koné (Mali) — A strong rebounder and defender, she was selected late in the first round and could be an early impact player off the bench.

The growing influence of global basketball is reflected in how confidently WNBA teams drafted abroad this year.

📋 First-Round Picks Summary (Top 12):

Paige Bueckers

Dominique Malonga

Sonia Citron

Kiki Iriafen

Justė Jocytė

Georgia Amoore

Aneesah Morrow

Saniya Rivers

Ajša Sivka

Surprising Reach by Atlanta Dream

Another International Sleeper Pick

Aziaha James

🔗 Full 2025 WNBA Draft Results

🏀 What’s Next for These Teams?

With the draft behind us, the spotlight now shifts to training camps and preseason. Rookie development will be key, especially for teams banking on international players or young stars who’ve battled injury (like Bueckers).

Paige Bueckers will be under the microscope, expected to revitalize a Dallas franchise hungry for playoff relevance. But she won’t be alone — this class is deep, international, and incredibly skilled.

The 2025 WNBA season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, powered by a new generation of elite talent ready to leave their mark on the league.

📰 Related Articles:

🔗 Paige Bueckers Is the WNBA Draft’s No. 1 Pick
🔗 Full Draft Board Breakdown by Swish Appeal
🔗 Who is Dominique Malonga? Inside the French Prospect’s Rise
🔗 WNBA Expansion: Meet the Golden State Valkyries

Let the countdown to tip-off begin!