Paige Bueckers Poised to be Top Draft Pick in Upcoming WNBA Selection

UConn standout Paige Bueckers is widely anticipated to be the first player selected in the WNBA Draft on Monday, marking a significant milestone for the Dallas Wings as they prepare to make their pick.

Bueckers leads the highly competitive 2025 draft class, which is filled with emerging talent eager to transition to the professional arena. Last season, she showcased her skills as one of the top players in women’s college basketball, culminating her collegiate career with a national championship—an accolade that had eluded her until now.

Remarkably, Bueckers made history as the first freshman ever to receive the prestigious AP Player of the Year award. Despite facing several injuries throughout her college career, her return to health propelled the UConn Huskies to the forefront of women’s basketball.

Reflecting on her challenging journey, Bueckers stated, “It was a journey of resilience, of overcoming adversity. I wouldn’t trade it for the world just because it became such a beautiful story and a remarkable journey of ups and downs, highs and lows, of keeping the faith, of working extremely hard, and I really wouldn’t trade it.”

In the lead-up to the draft, discussions around Bueckers’ salary have gained traction. Sources indicate that she is set to earn a salary comparable to that of Caitlin Clark, who entered the WNBA with the Indiana Fever at over $78,800. Additionally, Bueckers has reportedly signed a lucrative agreement with the new offseason Unrivaled league, where average salaries exceeded $220,000 during its inaugural season.

While Bueckers captures the headlines, numerous other exceptional women’s basketball players are also generating buzz ahead of the draft. TCU’s Hailey Van Lith, who previously played for Louisville and LSU, stands out as a promising prospect. During her collegiate career, she earned All-American status, averaging 15.2 points and 3.4 assists per game.

Other noteworthy players who might hear their names called within the first ten selections include French Olympian Dominique Malonga, USC center Kiki Iriafen, Notre Dame’s Sonia Citron, LSU’s Aneesah Morrow, Maryland’s Shyanne Sellers, Lithuanian talent Juste Jocyte, Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore, and N.C. State’s Saniya Rivers.

This year’s draft holds special significance as the Golden State Valkyries participate for the first time. The Valkyries represent the newest expansion team in the WNBA. Notable veterans on the team include Tiffany Hayes, Stephanie Talbot, and Kayla Thornton, as well as former Fever teammate Temi Fagbenie and former Iowa standout Kate Martin.

The highly anticipated WNBA Draft is set to commence at 7:30 p.m. ET, broadcasted live on ESPN. Fans and analysts alike are eager to witness which talented athletes will join the ranks of women’s professional basketball.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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