Wanted. Worthy. Working: Inside the 2025 WNBA Draft

Who has What it Takes to Make the Roster In Professional Women's Basketball?

The WNBA isn’t just a dream. It’s a job: a fierce, compact, elite-level workplace. Image credit: Peter Olude

Being wanted feels nice. 

The reassurance of worth feels better.

But the opportunity to add value, doing something you love? That’s got to feel like the best thing in the world.

On WNBA draft night, 38 women were wanted – loudly, publicly, joyfully. They got their names called, walked across that stage, held up those fresh jerseys and smiled like the dream just got real. But the WNBA isn’t just a dream. It’s a job. A fierce, compact, elite-level workplace with 156 roster spots across 13 teams – and 38 new professionals just entered the chat.  

Some of them are locks. You hear their names and already picture their moments. Others? They’ve got mountains to move. Because in this league, no one is handed anything. You don’t make a roster off vibes. You make it by taking someone’s job. And those jobs? They belong to grown women with kids, careers, agents, mortgages, Nike deals, bad knees and even worse intentions.  It's not cruel, or unladylike; it’s real. But that’s what makes the W so special. It’s tough. It’s tight. And once you’re in, you’re one of the best 1% in the world at what you do. Let's peek inside the 2025 WNBA Draft. Who among the hopefuls has what It takes to make the roster in professional women's basketball?

Paige Bueckers at No. 1: As Expected, but Still Special 

Let’s start at the top: Paige Bueckers. The UConn phenom went No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings, a team with a new coach, some serious support from ownership, and a need for a playmaker. Paige is silky smooth, bright and finally healthy. This also marks a shift. For a while, people weren’t sure Paige would return to her pre-injury form. But she did – and then some. The pressure to produce is high, but so is the ceiling. This is her moment, and Dallas seems like the right place to launch.  

The Global Game Grows 

Then came Dominque Malonga out of France – 6’6”, athletic, experienced and filled with potential. At only 19 years old, she’s the kind of player scouts write love letters about: tools, upside, future. The W is global, and Dominique is the latest proof the league isn’t just made in March Madness anymore. The same goes for Justė Jocytė and Ajša Sivka, who are two more international picks who bring size, skill and swag.  

We always talk about how the game is growing globally and this year’s draft proves it. International players aren’t just bonus picks or projects anymore. They’re coming in ready, some having already been playing professionally. They’ve trained and performed in pro systems. They’re used to physicality. They’re hungry. 

Certified Hoopers: The Middle of Round 1 was Stacked! The meat of the first round? Sheeesh. 

• Sonia Citron: a plug-and-play two-way guard from Notre Dame 

• Kiki Iriafen: the stretch from USC 

• Georgia Amoore: the slick point guard from Kentucky with the attitude and height of Mighty Mouse 

• Aneesah Morrow: the double-double machine from LSU 

• Saniya Rivers: the game-for-days guard from NC State 

• Sarah Ashlee Barker: the most Alabama name ever, with the gritty wing game every playoff team wants come September 

• Aziaha James: the crafty, creative, effective and efficient guard from NC State 

All of them: Pro-ready. All of them: Gotta fight for a spot. Every one of them has enough game to stick. But sticking in this league is a puzzle with more edge pieces than middle ones. You’ve got to find your fit … fast.  

Round 2: Don’t Sleep Historically, second-rounders have to scratch and claw just to get a training camp invite. But in today’s W, some second-rounders are better than some firsts from a decade ago. That’s how deep the women’s game has gotten. 

• Aaliyah Nye: a knock-down shooter from Alabama 

• Madison Scott: a willing defender with a winning attitude from Ole Miss 

• Maddy Westbeld: A big player from Notre Dame who rebounds and shoots from deep? Yes, please!

• Shyanne Sellers: pro pedigree with elite tools from Maryland

• Te-Hina Paopao: a lefty sniper from South Carolina 

• Makyla Timpson: Florida State’s queen of rebounds 

• Bree Hall, Sania Feagin, Aicha Coulibaly: all ballers who’ve waited in the shadows of superstars and are ready to prove they can shine too  

  
  

You know what makes second-rounders scary? They already feel disrespected. They don’t just play with a chip. They play like they packed the whole bag of chips, and they brought dip too. 

Round 3: Still Worth Talking About We talk about how hard it is to make the W – and it is – but let’s not overlook the power of belief. Round 3 picks know the odds. They also know teams miss, injuries happen, and opportunity is never scheduled. It’s seized. Players like the following: 

• JJ Quinerly: a two-way grenade from West Virginia waiting to explode 

• Liatu King: a ferocious rebounder from Notre Dame 

• Kaitlyn Chen: bobbed from Princeton to UConn to Championship to the W 

• Harmoni Turner: Harvard’s microwave scorer with flair

• Aubrey Griffin: bouncy, athletic and can defend multiple positions from UConn 

• Zaay Green, Yvonne Ejim, Adja Kane: All players who could fit in the right system and the right time  

It’s been done before. All it takes is one injury, one trade, one coach who sees you. And boom! You’re in. The W doesn’t care what round you went in. They care if you can hoop. 

It’s Not a Fairytale; it’s a Fight This draft isn’t the end. It’s the beginning – and a brutal one. Training camps start soon, and cuts will come fast. This is a league where former All-Americans get waived. Where having a name isn’t enough. Where the 12th woman on the bench might be the hardest worker in the room, just waiting for her number to be called. 

But here’s the thing: Whether it’s Paige or Paopao, whether you’re a top pick or last pick, you got drafted. You were wanted. Somebody saw you, said your name and gave you a chance. In the WNBA, a chance is all you need. 

So, salute to the Class of 2025. May your shots fall, your bodies stay healthy, and your dreams continue to be realized. Camp is coming. The real work begins.   Let’s hoop!