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Paige Bueckers Celebrated by Fans as Wings Take UConn Star No. 1 in 2025 WNBA Draft

Taylyn Hadley
Apr 14, 2025

Fresh off her NCAA championship win, Paige Bueckers is headed to the Dallas Wings as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Social media lit up as the UConn Huskies guard heads south to join Arike Ogunbowale and Natasha Howard on the Dallas Wings.

Bueckers is one of the final stars from the legendary 2020 NCAA freshman class to join the WNBA, a top-5 recruiting class that featured her at No. 1, followed by Angel Reese, Cameron Brink, Caitlin Clark and Kamilla Cardoso–all drafted in 2024.

Following the UConn star tearing her ACL and missing the Huskies' 2022-23 season, she was left with one more season of college eligibility than her fellow recruits and did the most with her remaining year, grabbing a national championship alongside her UConn teammates. 

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In her final season with UConn, Bueckers averaged 19.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting 53.4 percent from the field and 41.9 percent from three. During the NCAA tournament, she elevated her game with 24.8 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.8 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, shooting 55 percent from the field and 48 percent from deep.

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The 23-year-old racked up numerous accolades during her time at UConn, including the 2025 Wade Trophy, recognizing the WBCA’s NCAA Division I Player of the Year, 2021 Wooden Award, 2021 AP Player of the Year and 2021 Naismith Award. She was also a two-time Nancy Lieberman Award winner as the nation’s top point guard and a three-time AP First Team All-American.

Bueckers joins a Wings squad that finished 9-31 last season—second to last in the league—and will need all the help they can get. With the No. 1 pick now secured, Dallas also holds the No. 12 overall pick to round out their draft class.

Paige Bueckers to Wings, Dallas' Depth Chart, Starting Lineup After 2025 WNBA Draft

Andrew Peters
Apr 14, 2025

Paige Bueckers is officially heading to the Dallas Wings.

In a much anticipated move, the Wings selected the UConn star first overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft on Monday.

Bueckers to Dallas appeared to be a lock as soon as the Wings found out they would get the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft. Now that the pick is official, here's a look at the team's potential depth chart for the 2025 season.

2025 Dallas Wings Depth Chart

G: Paige Bueckers, DiJonai Carrington, Tyasha Harris

G: Arike Ogunbowale, Kaila Charles, Mai Yamamoto

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F: NaLyssa Smith, Maddy Siegrist, Myisha Hines-Allen

F: Joyner Holmes, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, McKenzi Forbes

C: Teaira McCowan, Luis Geiselsoder

The Wings are coming off a rough season that saw them finish 9-31 and miss the postseason for the first time since 2020. While it was a year to forget, it at least led to Dallas securing the No. 1 pick and potentially a franchise-changing player in Bueckers.

The Wings already have a star guard in Arike Ogunbowale, but Bueckers should fit into the starting lineup and be a nice pairing with the four-time All-Star.

Dallas lost some of its scoring this offseason with the departure of Satou Sabally, who put up 17.6 points per game last year, and Natasha Howard, who added 17.6 points per game in 2024.

Bueckers might not be able to make up for all of that production, but she should get plenty of shots during her rookie year since the Wings need some offense.

Not only will Dallas have a new star on its roster in 2025, but a new head coach as well. The team hired Chris Koclanes this offseason after firing Latricia Trammell. The Wings will look to Koclanes and Bueckers to get things moving in the right direction.

Bueckers collected just about every accomplishment at the collegiate level, from Player of the Year honors to a national title. Now it's time for her to begin her quest for professional stardom.

2025 WNBA Draft Results with Complete Round-by-Round Selections and Twitter Reaction

Scott Polacek
Apr 14, 2025

The WNBA is coming off a record-setting season in large part because of the headline names in the league, and it is adding even more star power Monday.

The 2025 WNBA draft means some of the biggest headliners in women's college basketball will be taking the next step to the professional ranks. And the brightest star from that group is none other than UConn's Paige Bueckers, heard her name called first after leading the Huskies to the national title.

Here is a look at Bueckers and all of the selections for the three-round draft.

First Round

  1. Dallas Wings: Paige Bueckers, UConn
  2. Seattle Storm: Dominique Malonga, France
  3. Washington Mystics: Sonia Citron, Notre Dame
  4. Washington Mystics: Kiki Iriafen, USC
  5. Golden State Valkyries: Justė Jocytė, Lithuania
  6. Washington Mystics: Georgia Amoore, Kentucky
  7. Connecticut Sun: Aneesah Morrow, LSU
  8. Connecticut Sun: Saniya Rivers, NC State
  9. Los Angeles Sparks: Sarah Ashlee Barker, Alabama
  10. Chicago Sky: Ajša Sivka, Slovenia
  11. Chicago Sky: Hailey Van Lith, TCU
  12. Dallas Wings: Aziaha James, NC State

Second Round

  1. Las Vegas Aces: Aaliyah Nye, Alabama
  2. Dallas Wings: Madison Scott, Ole Miss
  3. Minnesota Lynx: Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, Russia
  4. Chicago Sky: Maddy Westbeld, Notre Dame
  5. Golden State Valkyries: Shyanne Sellers, Maryland
  6. Atlanta Dream: Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina
  7. Indiana Fever: Makayla Timpson, Florida State
  8. Indiana Fever: Bree Hall, South Carolina
  9. Los Angeles Sparks: Sania Feagin, South Carolina
  10. Chicago Sky: Aicha Coulibaly, Texas A&M
  11. Washington Mystics: Lucy Olsen, Iowa
  12. Minnesota Lynx: Dalayah Daniels, Washington
  13. Connecticut Sun: Rayah Marshall, USC

Third Round

  1. Seattle Storm: Serena Sundell, Kansas State
  2. Dallas Wings: JJ Quinerly, West Virginia
  3. Los Angeles Sparks: Liatu King, Notre Dame
  4. Seattle Storm: Madison Conner, TCU
  5. Golden State Valkyries: Kaitlyn Chen, UConn
  6. Dallas Wings: Aaronette Vonleh, Baylor
  7. Washington Mystics: Zaay Green, Alabama
  8. Indiana Fever: Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga
  9. Seattle Storm: Jordan Hobbs, Michigan
  10. Las Vegas Aces: Harmoni Turner, Harvard
  11. Atlanta Dream: Taylor Thierry, Ohio State
  12. Minnesota Lynx: Aubrey Griffin, UConn
  13. New York Liberty: Adja Kane, France

Social media had plenty of reaction to Bueckers going No. 1 overall:

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Bueckers wasn't the only one who generated reaction:

One of the marquee names alongside Bueckers in this draft was Hailey Van Lith after a collegiate career that included stops with Louisville, LSU and TCU. The Chicago Sky picked her with the No. 11 overall selection, which led to plenty of reaction:

Washington and Connecticut each had the chance to reshape their overall roster outlook for years to come if they made the right choices with so many first-round picks.

However, there was no doubt who the biggest storyline was entering the event.

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Just one year after Clark parlayed transcendent collegiate stardom into being the top pick and the immediate face of a WNBA franchise, Bueckers did the same as the first pick of the Dallas Wings.

The UConn guard is one of the most accomplished players in college basketball history and reached the mountaintop as a champion in her final season.

Bueckers' resume now includes that title, the Associated Press Player of the Year, the Wooden Award, the Naismith Award, three All-American selections and three Big East Player of the Year awards, among other accomplishments.

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She can do a little bit of everything on the floor and averaged 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game while shooting 53.1 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from deep during her collegiate career.

The top prospect scored more than 30 points in three straight NCAA tournament games this season, including when she dropped 40 in the Sweet 16 against Oklahoma and 31 in the Elite Eight against USC.

Now she will look to pour in the points and continue building her star power at the next level as she faces some of the best basketball players in the world.

Hailey Van Lith's Contract Details After Sky Pick TCU Star No. 11 in 2025 WNBA Draft

Joseph Zucker
Apr 14, 2025
West Virginia v TCU

Hailey Van Lith's resurgent 2024-25 season culminated Monday night with her selection by the Chicago Sky with the No. 11 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

Her position in the first round locks in her first contract under the rookie wage scale. Here's what she'll earn for the next four seasons:

Hailey Van Lith Rookie Contract

2025: $72,455; 2026: $73,905; 2027: $81,297; 2028: $92,383 (team option)

Salary info via Her Hoop Stats

Staying in college and transferring to TCU proved to be a shrewd decision by Van Lith. Her stock took a big hit following her lone year at LSU as she struggled to adapt to head coach Kim Mulkey's offense.

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The lasting image fans have of Van Lith with the Tigers was her seemingly forlorn reaction as Caitlin Clark went off for 41 points in the Elite Eight.

As a member of the Horned Frogs, the 5'7" guard was once again the electric scorer who thrilled fans earlier in her career.

Van Lith averaged 17.9 points on 45.2 percent shooting along with 5.4 assists. She played a critical role in getting TCU to the Elite Eight for the first time, nearly putting up a double-double (26 point and nine rebounds) in a 71-62 win over Notre Dame.

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Van Lith's scoring and playmaking should translate to the WNBA, whether she settles in as a starter or provides instant offense off the bench.

Her rookie contract will only add to her value because deals signed under the existing collective bargaining agreement will soon represent major inefficiencies.

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WNBA players signaled their intention to opt out of the current CBA, meaning a new one will be in place for the 2026 season. The new agreement will take into account the media rights deal the league signed jointly with the NBA. That all but guarantees far higher salaries across the board.

Even if she's a role player by the time her team option is coming around in 2028, Van Lith making less $100,000 could be a huge discount.

Russell Westbrook Designs Georgia Amoore's Outfit Seen in Video Before 2025 WNBA Draft

Taylyn Hadley
Apr 14, 2025
2025 WNBA Draft

NBA star Russell Westbrook designed Kentucky's Georgia Amoore's outfit for the 2025 WNBA Draft.

Over a Zoom conversation, Amoore told the nine-time All-Star that she wanted a cropped blazer and a skirt, but "didn't know what to expect" past that, per Vogue's Leah Faye Cooper. 

“This has never happened before—no athlete has ever dressed another athlete for a draft, let alone an NBA player designing for a WNBA Draft,” Westbrook told Vogue. “We’re making history right here, breaking down those barriers between men’s and women’s sports.”

“We didn’t want to go too crazy, but also wanted to give her a little bit of swagger for one of the biggest moments and nights of her life,” Westbrook continued.

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Westbrook and his label, Honor the Gift, designed the custom fit along with a shirt that read “Honor Women,” a nod to both basketball stars' values.

“They’re how fans can connect with this moment and carry this message forward... It’s a statement about how I was raised and how I live my life,” Westbrook said, per Cooper. “My mom taught me about strength and sacrifice. My wife shows me what true partnership looks like. And now having daughters, I’m even more committed to creating a world that honors and respects women.”

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Next up were the accessories and although Amoore described herself as a “simple girl,” she embraced the flashy additions for the special night.

"We started piling on the bracelets (and) the more you put on, the more you want!,” Amoore recalled, per Cooper. “As good as the outfit was plain, the necklace and the rings and the bracelets really tied it together.”

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The 5'6" senior spent four seasons at Virginia Tech, where she capped her tenure by averaging 18.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game while shooting 41.2 percent from the field.

She used her final year of college eligibility to transfer to Kentucky, where she posted a career-high 19.6 points along with 2.3 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game. She also shot 42.3 percent from the field and 33.6 percent from three-point range.

Bleacher Report's Rachel Galligan projected Amoore to be selected No. 7 overall by the Connecticut Sun.

Paige Bueckers, Hailey Van Lith, More Show Off WNBA Draft Outfits in Videos, Photos

Andrew Peters
Apr 14, 2025
2025 WNBA Draft

The stage is set for the WNBA Draft on Monday, and several projected top picks brought their best looks to the orange carpet ahead of the event.

UConn's Paige Bueckers and TCU's Hailey Van Lith were among the draft-hopefuls that showed off their outfits before the start of the draft in New York.

Just like last year when the Indiana Fever selected Caitlin Clark first overall, the No. 1 pick in this year's draft appears to be a lock, and it's Bueckers. Bueckers, a former Naismith College Player of the Year winner, put up 19.9 points, 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game during his final collegiate season. She capped off her prolific college career with a national championship game win over South Carolina.

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Given all she's accomplished and how WNBA-ready she appears, it's hard to imagine the Dallas Wings won't take Bueckers with the top pick.

Van Lith made a few stops during her college career, finishing up with TCU last season. She put up 19.7 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 boards, leading the Horned Frogs to their first Elite Eight to bolster her resume ahead of the draft.

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Dominique Malonga is a lesser-known name in the United States since she didn't play college basketball stateside, but she's widely projected to be a top-five pick. She spent the 2024 season playing in France's top professional league and competed in the Olympics for France. She also made history as the first French woman to dunk in a game back in November.

There are plenty of exciting college players set to join the professional ranks, but Malonga will be a player to watch this summer.

The orange carpet at the WNBA draft gives those invited the chance to show off their fashion sense, but the real show starts at 7:30 p.m. ET when 36 players will hear their names called.

Hailey Van Lith, Sky's Updated Depth Chart After 2025 WNBA Draft

Andrew Peters
Apr 14, 2025

After a prolific collegiate career, Hailey Van Lith is now WNBA bound.

The Chicago Sky drafted the TCU star with the No. 11 pick in Monday night's draft.

Van Lith now joins a talented roster and will look to make an impact right away. Ahead of the start of the season in just a few weeks, here's a look at the Sky's updated depth chart.

2025 Chicago Sky Depth Chart

G: Ariel Atkins, Courtney Vandersloot, Kia Nurse

G: Hailey Van Lith, Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson

F: Rebecca Allen, Michaela Onyenwere, Kaela Davis

F: Angel Reese, Ajsa Sikva, Morgan Bertsch

C: Kamilla Cardoso, Elizabeth Williams

Van Lith started her career at Louisville, putting together a strong freshman and sophomore season before breaking out in her junior year when she averaged 19.7 points per game.

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After the big third season, she joined defending national champion LSU, where she took on a smaller role than that which she had with the Cardinals. In her sole season with the Tigers, she put up just 11.6 points per game.

With LSU not being the right git for Van Lith, she opted to hit the transfer portal once again, this time joining TCU. The decision to join the Horned Frogs turned out to be a good one, as he posted 17.9 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 boards per game in her final season, leading TCU to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.

In Chicago, Van Lith will be reunited with her former LSU teammate Angel Reese. The future already looked bright for the Sky with Reese and Kamilla Cardoso in the paint, and now they have an exciting young player on the perimeter as well.

Playing in Chicago will give Van Lith the chance to learn from a legendary guard in Courtney Vandersloot. Vandersloot, who has the second-most assists in WNBA history, is entering the late stages of her career and can now pass what she's learned on to Van Lith as she begins her career.

Hailey Van Lith Selected By Sky in 2025 WNBA Draft As Fans Hype Angel Reese Reunion

Taylyn Hadley
Apr 14, 2025
2025 WNBA Draft

Hailey Van Lith is headed to the Chicago Sky as the No. 11 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, reuniting with her former LSU teammate Angel Reese.

Chicago finished last season 13-27, placing third to last in the league despite standout rookie Reese leading the WNBA in rebounds per game with 13.1.

Van Lith joined the LSU Lady Tigers one season after their 2023 national championship win, teaming up with reigning champ Reese — who was one of the first to shout her out following her WNBA Draft selection.

Fans celebrated Van Lith’s move up north to Chicago, where she’ll reunite with former Reese and fellow 2020 freshman class standout Kamilla Cardoso.

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The 5'9" guard out of TCU averaged 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists during her senior season, shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 33.8 percent from beyond the arc.

Van Lith was a top-10 recruit in the legendary 2020 freshman class that featured Reese, Caitlin Clark and Cameron Brink. She now joins the WNBA alongside fellow top-10 recruit and redshirt senior Paige Bueckers, who was selected No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft.

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Van Lith began her college career playing three years at Louisville, where she averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in her final season.

She helped lead the Cardinals to the regional finals in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, where they fell to Clark and Iowa. The year prior, Van Lith and Louisville reached the national semifinals before losing to eventual champions South Carolina.

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She spent one year at LSU alongside Reese in her final season before entering the 2025 WNBA Draft. LSU reached the regional finals but was once again eliminated by Clark and Iowa. Van Lith averaged 11.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists during her lone season with the Tigers.

"A lot of people have a lot to say about how this year went for me," Van Lith told reporters during LSU's NCAA run. "But one thing that they can't argue with is that at this point, I know how to fend for Hailey and I know how to fight for Hailey and that's going to help me get to the next level."

After a lackluster season at LSU, Van Lith transferred to TCU for her final year of college eligibility, where she revitalized her game and raised her draft stock.

Dallas Wings Tease No. 1 WNBA Draft Pick in Photo Amid Paige Bueckers Buzz

Zach Bachar
Apr 14, 2025
NCAA BASKETBALL: APR 04 Div I Women's Championship Final Four - UConn vs UCLA

The Dallas Wings appeared to hint at the team's potential choice with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft on Monday.

With UConn guard Paige Bueckers likely hearing her name called very early on draft night, the Wings looked forward to a new "page" in a social media post.

Bueckers is "expected" to be the top pick in the draft, per ESPN's Michael Voepel.

Wings president and CEO Greg Bibb previously discussed the potential addition of Bueckers.

"I am confident that if we draft Paige Bueckers, she will move the needle for the Dallas Wings and women's basketball in North Texas," Bibb said. "If you look at the ratings, if you look at the merch being sold, if you look at the attendance and venues, there are players that move those needles and Paige Bueckers is one of them."

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Bueckers shined with the Huskies throughout her college career, earning Naismith National College Player of the Year honors as a freshman for her 2020-21 campaign.

She missed the entire 2022-23 season due to a torn ACL but didn't show any signs of rust upon her return, averaging 21.9 points per game throughout the ensuing year.

Bueckers also stood out during her 2024-25 campaign, averaging 19.9 points and 4.6 assists to go along with 2.1 steals per game on 53.4/41.9/88.9 shooting splits.

She scored 24.8 points per game in six March Madness contests, helping the Huskies secure a 2025 national championship.

The first round of the WNBA draft will begin on Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Karlie Samuelson Traded to Lynx as Mystics Land 1st-Round Pick in 2026 WNBA Draft

Joseph Zucker
Apr 14, 2025
Washington Mystics v Phoenix Mercury

The Minnesota Lynx acquired veteran Karlie Samuelson from the Washington Mystics on Monday.

Washington is getting back Minnesota's 2026 first-round pick, with the Lynx having added the Chicago Sky's first-rounder in a separate swap Sunday.

Samuelson struggled to gain a foothold early into her WNBA career. Between spells with the Los Angeles Sparks and Dallas Wings, she logged 27 combined appearances through her first two years and then went unsigned after getting waived by Dallas in 2020.

It wasn't until 2023 that the 29-year-old, having sharpened her game overseas, finally got a regular role on a WNBA team. Upon reuniting with the Sparks, she averaged 7.7 points while hitting 42.6 percent of her three-pointers.

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Samuelson signed with the Mystics last offseason and remained a dependable three-point threat. She knocked down 39.8 percent of her long-range opportunities.

Washington is in the midst of a rebuild after trading away two-time All-Star Ariel Atkins and shaking up both the front office and coaching staff. Samuelson didn't have a ton of value on a team that projects to finish in the lottery.

The Lynx, on the other hand, are coming off a WNBA Finals appearance and pretty much running it back with the same squad.

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Minnesota ranked third in average three-point makes (9.5) and led the WNBA in three-point percentage (38.0). The team didn't necessarily need to strengthen in that area.

Much like in the NBA, though, teams in the W can't have enough floor-spacing with an eye toward the postseason.

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