By Elizabeth Stillwell
The 2025 WNBA Draft was a night of history, emotion, and new beginnings. UConn superstar Paige Bueckers took center stage as the Dallas Wings selected her with the No. 1 overall pick. Held at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City on April 14, the draft welcomed a new generation of talent to the league, and none more anticipated than Bueckers.
“Very early on, it was Paige and Paige only,” said Curt Miller, the Dallas Wings general manager. “She’s such a special player.”
After a college career that captivated fans across the country, Bueckers begins her next chapter in Dallas, a franchise aiming to turn its deep playoff potential into a championship reality. She becomes the sixth player in UConn history to be selected first overall, following in the footsteps of icons like Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, and Breanna Stewart.
“The conversations [with the Wings] were brief, but just for them to know that I am coming in and wanting to give everything I have to that organization,” Bueckers said in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “We’ve got great pieces, great ownership, great GMs, and great coaches. The entire organization from up to down, I’m extremely excited for it.”
Bueckers returned to UConn for her senior season after recovering from a torn ACL that sidelined her in 2022-23. She came back stronger than ever, averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game and leading the Huskies to their 12th national title. Her ability to control the tempo, create offense, and deliver in clutch moments made her the consensus top pick heading into draft night.
The Wings didn’t stop with Bueckers. In one of the most active draft classes of the night, Dallas selected NC State’s Aziaha James at No. 12, followed by Madison Scott of Ole Miss at No. 14. James brings dynamic scoring and a defensive edge, while Scott adds size and versatility to an already deep roster. Later rounds saw Dallas pick up West Virginia guard JJ Quinerly (No. 27) and Baylor center Aaronette Vonleh (No. 31), rounding out one of the most complete draft hauls of the night.
With Arike Ogunbowale, Satou Sabally, and now Bueckers on the floor, Dallas boasts one of the most exciting rosters in the league. Expectations are sky-high as the Wings look to move from playoff hopeful to title contender.
While Bueckers was the night’s headline, the draft also made history in other ways. Kaitlyn Chen, a former Princeton and UConn guard, was selected 30th overall by the Golden State Valkyries, making her the first player of Taiwanese descent to be drafted into the WNBA. Known for her quickness, decision-making, and high basketball IQ, Chen’s story highlights the league’s growing diversity and global reach.
“I was really just here to watch Paige get drafted, and I’m so happy for her, but it’s been an unreal night,” said Chen to Yahoo! Sports.
In another development during the 2025 WNBA Draft, TCU center Sedona Prince was not selected, despite her impressive on-court performance. Prince, who averaged 17.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per game in her final collegiate season, had been considered a strong prospect for the draft. However, her undrafted status comes in the wake of multiple allegations of abuse from former partners.
The 2025 WNBA Draft marked the start of an exciting new chapter for the league. With standout talent ready to make their mark, the future of the WNBA looks brighter than ever. Training camps kick off later this month, setting the stage for what’s sure to be a thrilling season.
The countdown is on: the 2025 WNBA season starts May 16.
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Photo courtesy of BKL Notes.