Welcome to For The Win’s WNBA Mock Draft, version 2.0.
We released our 1.0 mock draft in February, but as we head into March Madness, things have gone a little wild. The Mystics completely UPENDED the draft board by trading Ariel Atkins to the Sky and getting back a haul of draft picks. They now own three picks in the top-10, drastically changing where several people could fall.
IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.
Additionally, some players have potentially helped (Hailey Van Lith) or hurt (Olivia Miles) their draft stock following the regular season’s conclusion and conference tournament play. With this in mind, we’ve predicted some scenarios that could potentially happen. We apologize to anyone who thought this draft would be business as usual. It’s not. WELCOME TO THE MADNESS.
Here are For The Win’s WNBA Draft first-round predictions, version 2.0:
Pick 1 – Dallas Wings – Paige Bueckers, Guard, UConn Huskies
Height:Â 6 foot |Â Class:Â Senior
The Dallas Wings are taking UConn superstar Paige Buckers. Let’s not kid ourselves. I would be stunned (and have SO MANY QUESTIONS) if Bueckers isn’t the pick. Let’s move along.
It’s Paige Bueckers TO. THE. MOON.
Pick 2 – Seattle Storm – Kiki Iriafen, Forward, USC Trojans
Height:Â 6-foot-3 |Â Class:Â Senior
If you were here for Mock Draft 1.0, you know this pick is unchanged. It was predicated on how forward KiKi Iriafen plays leading up to and in March Madness. So far, she’s on the right track to make an excellent case for Seattle to draft her.
I’m just not convinced they are taking a guard here (the roster is currently guard-heavy), which means they’ll likely want to add depth and presence to their frontcourt. Iriafen has averaged 19 points and eight rebounds over the last five games, including a 25-point, 11-rebound performance against Michigan. In other words, the girl’s been balling and peaking at just the right time.
Pick 3 – Washington Mystics – Dominique Malonga, Center, France
Height:Â 6-foot-6
I’m so sorry for anyone who made it this far and is still shocked that this pick isn’t Olivia Miles. There’s a possibility that Miles gets snagged here instead of Malonga, but I do think if Malonga is available, she could come off the board before Miles.
Center is still a considerable need for the Mystics, and before the Atkins trade, this might not have even been a possibility to snag Malonga *and* more. Malonga starts the influx of new Mystics talent. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Pick 4 – Washington Mystics – Olivia Miles, Guard, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Height:Â 5-foot-10 |Â Class:Â Junior
By now, people are probably steaming over Miles tumbling down to pick. No. 4, but in all reality, no one should be that shocked. Miles has generational vision and elite passing skills ― a baby “Point Gawd,” if you will ― but she’s left much to be desired lately.
She’s in a slump offensively, shooting 33% or worse over the last three games. (Notre Dame doesn’t look great either.) Not to mention, Miles is struggling defensively and not moving well in 1-on-1 situations. Still, I don’t see Miles sliding out of the top five picks. That’s too much talent for the Mystics to pass up.Slide Brittney Sykes to shooting guard and let Miles cook at the franchise’s next floor general.
Pick 5 – Golden State Valkyries – Sonia Citron, Guard, Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Height:Â 6-foot-1 |Â Class:Â Senior
The more I think about it, the more Sonia Citron has the Golden State Valkyries written all over her. Head coach Natalie Nakase continually stresses the importance of wanting selfless players who love to compete. Here you go, Golden State. This is your player.
Citron is a quiet storm that shines bright in the big moments. I can see it now. “That was a game-winning shot by Sonia Citron” or “That was a game-winning steal by Sonia Citron.” You see where I’m going with this. Draft her, Valks, and run away like that was the plan the whole time.
Pick 6 – Washington Mystics – Aneesah Morrow, Forward, LSU Tigers
Height:Â 6-foot-1 |Â Class:Â Senior
Oh, baby. If Morrow is still available at six, the Mystics would have pulled off the haul of the draft. That’s three franchise-changing pieces in the blink of an eye and a good step towards rebuilding.
Morrow is the type of player that could start now if you needed her to or sit and develop more, and that’s a good place to be in. I fully expect her double-double ways to continue in the W, and the Mystics will appreciate her for that. SNAG HER, MYSTICS, AND THANK ME LATER.
Pick 7 – New York Liberty – Georgia Amoore, Guard, Kentucky Wildcats
Height:Â 5-foot-6 |Â Class:Â Senior
Something about Georgia Amoore to the Liberty just makes sense. Maybe it’s because she’s from Australia, and New York has a knack for picking up international talent. Either way, I’m not moving off this pick just yet.
Amoore has a chip on her shoulder and plays like it while being a more undersized guard. She’s gonna need that if she wants to have a long career. New York could be the place to make that happen.
Pick 8 – Connecticut Sun – Saniya Rivers, Guard, NC State Wolfpack
Height:Â 6-foot-1 |Â Class:Â Senior
This is the part of the draft board where things can get very interesting. Before Duke’s upset win over NC State during the ACC tournament, I did not think Saniya Rivers would be drafted before teammate Aziaha James. Still, if James’ hip stinger she suffered against the Blue Devils lingers, it could be a moment where Rivers has to step up during March Madness.
That means many more people will see her two-way abilities, and you know who could use a two-way player? The Sun. The entire starting five is gone, and somehow you’ve got to rebuild your defense and find a fluid offense, too. Get you a big guard who can do both.
Pick 9 – Los Angeles Sparks – Aziaha James, Guard, NC State Wolfpack
Never fear. NC State star Aziaha James won’t slide too far after teammate Saniya Rivers.
James is an elite talent whose mid-range game is nearly automatic, which I believe Los Angeles would appreciate. She can also shoot it from downtown with no problems, which is something else the Sparks need. Asking her to learn from the likes of Kelsey Plum won’t be half bad, either. I think head coach Lynne Roberts would love her.
Pick 10 – Chicago Sky – Hailey Van Lith, Guard, TCU Horned Frogs
Go with me here: Hailey Van Lith and Angel Reese reunite in Chicago. Ooooooweeee. The possibilities.
Van Lith’s been BALLING all season on her redemption tour at TCU, and I think she’s more than made a case to be drafted in the first round. Courtney Vandersloot is also a great person to learn from if she wants to stay in the point guard role.
But, in my opinion, Van Lith is best when she can purely score and facilitate the point *if need be*. Think Marina Mabrey in Chicago last season before the trade. The Sky still haven’t quite figured out how to replace that production, and Van Lith could be an option. Just think about it. Wilder things have happened.
Pick 11 – Minnesota Lynx – Te-Hina Paopao, Guard, South Carolina Gamecocks
Height:Â 5-foot-9 |Â Class:Â Senior
I’m absolutely GIDDY at the thought of Te-Hina Paopao in Minnesota. PaoPao’s a dawg on both ends of the floor who can also light it up from 3-point range. What does Minnesota do? Drop 3-point buckets on opponents’ head tops and pester you defensively, too. Paopao would be a key depth piece for the Lynx, with the possibility of turning into a starter down the road. Imagine the broadcast saying, “Te-Hina PaoPao’s been so good for the Lynx.” Sounds natural, right?
Pick 12 – Dallas Wings – Sania Feagin, Forward, South Carolina Gamecocks
Height:Â 6-foot-3 |Â Class:Â Senior
I think Sania Feagin has played her way into the back half of the first round. Read that again: Sania Feagin is a first-round talent. She’s been so good for South Carolina all season, and when her number is called, she turns it on.
She’s not someone who’s going to shoot the lights out of the gym (that’s not her game), but she’s efficient with her shooting and can even knock down a 3-ball if asked. Additionally, she could boost Dallas’ frontcourt depth and add rim protection, which they need after some offseason shuffling. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Dallas take a chance on Feagin and get her some quality minutes her first season in the W.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 WNBA Mock Draft 2.0: A Hailey Van Lith reunion with Angel Reese
