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Amid noticeable anticipation and enthusiasm, WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert announced that Paige Bueckers has been selected as the first overall pick by the Dallas Wings during the 2025 WNBA Draft held at the Shed in New York City.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of Bueckers’ recent triumph in the NCAA tournament, marking her as the first player since Breanna Stewart in 2016 to achieve both a national championship and a No. 1 draft pick in the same year. With this achievement, Bueckers joins a prestigious group of only six players in WNBA history to attain such a feat, with all of them having come from just two universities: Connecticut and Tennessee.
While it was widely expected that Bueckers would be the top pick, there were questions about the Wings’ ability to retain their lottery position. The team has faced various challenges in recent seasons, both on and off the court, which raised concerns about their attractiveness to a player of Bueckers’ caliber.
The Wings have experienced setbacks, including the controversy surrounding their Rebel-edition jersey, which was pulled due to its connection to a military program that discriminated against Black women. Furthermore, after a promising playoff finish as semifinalists in 2023, the team unfortunately failed to secure a playoff berth in 2024. This led to speculation about whether a high-profile player like Bueckers would prefer a different franchise.
Despite the swirling rumors, newly appointed general manager Curt Miller firmly dismissed any notions of trading the pick. “No, we were never going to trade the pick,” Miller emphasized in the post-draft media session. “We recognized a special opportunity, and from the outset, it was always about Paige.”
The Seattle Storm, who held the No. 2 overall pick, was frequently mentioned in trade discussions. Many believed that the four-time WNBA champions offered a more appealing environment for Bueckers. The Storm’s offseason began tumultuously when franchise player Jewell Loyd requested a trade in light of harassment allegations against the coaching staff, but the team made efforts to bolster its appeal, including investments aimed at improving its infrastructure.
Seattle boasts a brand-new practice facility and plays at the renovated Climate Pledge Arena, which accommodates 18,300 fans—significantly more than the Wings’ College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, which holds a maximum of 7,000 spectators. In 2024, the Wings recorded the second-lowest attendance in the league.
With their top pick, the Storm selected Dominique Malonga, a 19-year-old French center standing at 6-foot-6. Malonga emerged as the favorite for the No. 2 pick, especially after Olivia Miles from TCU opted to stay in college and enter the transfer portal instead of declaring for the draft. Although Malonga may not directly address Seattle’s immediate needs, her exceptional talent was too great to overlook.
“She’s a unicorn. She is one of one, in my opinion. Her versatility to perform various roles on the court, whether it’s at the five or the four position, suggests a promising career in our league,” stated Storm head coach Noelle Quinn. “Her rapid development over the past few years is exciting, and her ability to execute both inside and outside, along with her defensive skills, indicates a versatile game.”
Malonga’s early professional experience in international competitions gives her an edge over many collegiate athletes who often face less experienced players. She represented France in the Olympics and contributed to LDLC ASVEL Feminin in the EuroCup 2024-25, averaging a double-double with 18.5 points and 11 rebounds per game—outperforming many of her peers in the league.
Her immense potential has drawn high praise, even from legends such as Tony Parker, who likened her to “the female Victor Wembanyama.” Malonga now has the opportunity to continue the rise of European influence in American professional basketball, particularly in the women’s league.
The first meeting between the top two picks, Bueckers and Malonga, is set for May 19, when Seattle travels to Dallas—an exciting matchup eagerly anticipated by basketball fans.
Complete 2025 WNBA Draft Board
First Round
- Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers, Connecticut
- Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga, France
- Washington Mystics: Sonia Citron, Notre Dame
- Washington Mystics: Kiki Iriafen, USC
- Golden State Valkyries: Juste Jocyte, Lithuania
- Washington Mystics: Georgia Amoore, Kentucky
- Connecticut Sun: Aneesah Morrow, LSU
- Connecticut Sun: Saniya Rivers, NC State
- Los Angeles Sparks: Sarah Ashlee Barker, Alabama
- Chicago Sky: Ajsa Sivka, Slovenia
- Chicago Sky: Hailey Van Lith, TCU
- Dallas Wings: Aziaha James, NC State
Second Round
- Las Vegas Aces: Aaliyah Nye, Alabama
- Dallas Wings: Madison Scott, Ole Miss
- Minnesota Lynx: Anastasiia Kosu, Russia
- Chicago Sky: Maddy Westbeld, Notre Dame
- Golden State Valkyries: Shyanne Sellers, Maryland
- Atlanta Dream: Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina
- Indiana Fever: Makayla Timpson, Florida State
- Indiana Fever: Bree Hall, South Carolina
- Los Angeles Sparks: Sania Feagin, South Carolina
- Chicago Sky: Aicha Coulibaly, Texas A&M
- Washington Mystics: Lucy Olsen, Iowa
- Minnesota Lynx: Dalayah Daniels, Washington
- Connecticut Sun: Rayah Marshall, USC
Third Round
- Seattle Storm: Serena Sundell, Kansas State
- Dallas Wings: JJ Quinerly, West Virginia
- Los Angeles Sparks: Liatu King, Notre Dame
- Seattle Storm: Madison Conner, TCU
- Golden State Valkyries: Kaitlyn Chen, Connecticut
- Dallas Wings: Aaronette Vonleh, Baylor
- Washington Mystics: Zaay Green, Alabama
- Indiana Fever: Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga
- Seattle Storm: Jordan Hobbs, Michigan
- Las Vegas Aces: Harmoni Turner, Harvard
- Atlanta Dream: Taylor Thierry, Ohio State
- Minnesota Lynx: Aubrey Griffin, Connecticut
- New York Liberty: Adja Kane, France
Source
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