The 2025 WNBA draft will be headlined by UConn's Paige Bueckers. PaigeBueckers have been tidying pencils as the top pick since they decided to exercise their fifth grade eligibility. But beyond the Bueckers, there is a deep pool of lead guards, scorers and wings eager to make an impact at the next level.
The Bookers and some of her fellow drafters, including the Notre Dame and the North Carolina duo, are still competing in the NCAA Tournament. UConn is looking for its first national championship since 2016 and its first title for the Bueckers. The draft appears to be far apart as it is so left to achieve it, but the April 14th date for New York City is approaching just eight days after the national championship.
Six WNBA general managers shared their honest opinions with Athletic about upcoming draft classes before the NCAA tournament began. They were given anonymity to allow them to speak openly. On Wednesday, there will be another installment payments that include ratings for frontcourt players such as Anesamorow, Kiki Iliafen and Dominique Malonga.
(Players are listed alphabetically. Statistics are the latest from Monday. Asterisks indicate that players have added college qualifications.)
Georgia Amoor | 5-6 guard | Kentucky
19.6 ppg, 6.9 APG, 36.7 mpg
“Amazing college basketball player. Can she do enough to become a rotating WNBA player on her second contract?”
“The Georgia Amoor game translates to run a team and easily score a teammate because they have lost their teammate.
“Size is just the main thing, as it's difficult to succeed as a small, small guard. If she becomes a crazy shooter from dribbling, she has a chance in the range.”
“She's cranky, she does a lot of stuff about (Steve) Nash. She's pretty smart in that she knows the limits from a size perspective.”
“There's no doubt she's the scorer, she can shoot, she's a playmaker. The point guard is premium. They're hard to find.”
Georgia Amoor's college career was outstanding 👏
VT First triple double in history
Leading hokies to the first ACC title and Final Four look
BT (656)'s best assist leader ever
Games have set Kentucky records at most points in the game (43)
🏀Double First Team All-ACC & 1X… pic.twitter.com/mlxsbowksh-espnw (@espnw) March 23, 2025
Paige Bueckers* | 5-11 Guard | uconn
18.7 ppg, 4.8 apg, 63.4 ts%
“My only concern about Page is physical. I think she's an All-Star level talent if she can stay healthy. She can play alongside her extremely valuable ball. She scores on all three levels. She's defensive and I think her offense is better than her defense, but I think it's hard to find that it's not something like Paige.”
“Even though (she) is the fact that people always want to talk about some potential flaws.
This draft is still the most certain thing today. ”
“The adjustment to the speed and physicality of the game will determine her immediate impact.”
“A great leader. She's incredibly poised. She's ready, ready, very impressive, on and off the court. She's the basic player of the franchise.”
Sonia Citron | 6-1 Wing | Notre Dame
14.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 38.1 3-pt%
“Total Package Player. …She has three layers in the score. She can defend multiple positions. Her IQ is off the charts.”
“What the game needs is 3-D.
“It's very, very calm. It obviously shoots the ball very well. She got the whole package. The game seems to have been slowed down for her.”
“Big fans, don't know the ceiling, don't know the star power. But they're a productive player on the winning team and are pretty big fans in terms of raising the team's floor.”
azzi fudd* | 5-11 guard | uconn
13.2 ppg, 1.2 SPG, 44.8 3-PT%
“She shoots it well, but the sample size is very small. I don't know how she will affect the game outside of the filming threat. I don't think her number of filming numbers is off the chart either.
“Health is number one thing for Azzi. She has all the tools to become a great professional. It really comes down to her health. Great shooting, great defender.”
“She may be a very interesting and complementary spinning player who can stretch it out. Three potential players.”
Asiaha James | 5-9 Guard | NC Condition
17.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 2.7 APG
“It's really dynamic. A great finisher. Just going downhill. A great defender. I think she'll be a really, really good guard in this league for a long time.”
“I found out she has an eight-year career. I can see her getting into a frenzy and it's just not working. I see her as a microwave scorer off the bench, and they're necessary.”
“When she reaches this next level, her ability to adapt to a defensive game plan against her will determine whether she will make it or not.”
“It's a good combo guard, but maybe we need to be more physical and stronger so that we can compete in the WNBA at night.”
Olivia Mile* | 5-10 Guard|Notre Dame
15.5 ppg, 5.9 apg, 40.1 3-pt%
“The second safest pick after Page.”
“She is definitely an exceptional passerby. Her court vision in a small space and full courtroom is really, really special.”
“There can be big fans, especially shooting, and shooting, and I love the wiggles she has in the game. She has a great feeling. She has a huge change in pace. I love the combination of dribbling, passing and shooting. I love her size with point guard.
“Incredibly dynamic. One of the best scorers I've seen in years. Sometimes she's protected from the end of the game, but I think the defensive end is where she still has room for growth. Offensively, an absolute dynamo.”
Will Te-Hina Paopao become the latest GameCocks player and the first round draft pick? (Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
Te-hina paopao | 5-9 guard | South Carolina
9.7 PPG, 2.9 APG, 37.1 3-PT%
“Solid College Player. Clears the 3-point shooter. Is she enough to reach people and create at the next level?”
“Paopao has the ability to take hits from long distances. She has strong leadership qualities and is another high IQ player who can distribute basketball.”
“Paopao is offensively efficient. They're really well protected. Dawn (Staley) kids come in and no matter how big or big, they affect the game on both ends of the floor.”
Saniya Rivers | 6-1 Guard/Wing | NC Condition
11.8 ppg, 6.6 RPG, 3.6 APG
“The good news for her is that she can become a point guard. And if you can't shoot, you play the point guard cause, then you have the ball in your hand and you can survive a little more.
“The most athletic guardwing in the draft, is there a place in the WNBA for a non-3-point shooter guardwing?”
“Athleticism is seductive. Sometimes she gets a little out of control, so I use it to just pick her shot and keep getting better, and when she drives, she chooses when she shoots a 3.”
“The length from her wing position and the possibility of becoming an elite defender with her length and athletic ability.”
🚨: NC status will advance to the sweet 16 for the sixth time in seven seasons! §
No. 2 NC defeated Michigan No. 7, 83-49.
Saniya Rivers has become the first player in NC State's program history to post a double double for point assists in an NCAA tournament game. pic.twitter.com/eyb86asf8i
– Postther Hoops (@postherhoops) March 24, 2025
Shyanne Seller | 6-2 Wing | Maryland
14.2 ppg, 4.2 apg, 41.8 3-pt%
“I love her size and she loves her athleticism. She has all the tools. She comes and goes from time to time. The kids playing for Brenda Freeze are disciplined on both ends of the floor.”
“She's a scorer. She can probably play two and three, (stretch) four. Often, availability is the best ability and she spent a bit of a rocky year with some of the injuries she had.
“Is she reliable or reliable for her scoring ability at the next level? Questions about her current health could potentially drop her in the draft, and ultimately, what is her best position at the W level?”
Haley Van Liss | 5-7 Guard | TCU
17.7 ppg, 5.5 APG, 1.2 SPG
“A tough kid with a high basketball IQ. She's a player who can score from all three levels, gets to get basketball in the clutch moment and can make something happen.”
“Haley managed to be a high-class player. What does her role look like when she gets a small window at W? How effective will she be early in her career when she doesn't have the ball?”
“So grit. I love the fire she brings when she stepped onto the court. You know what you're going to get from you every night. The question mark will remain on the defensive side. She has to continue to get better.
“She helped herself this year. She shows she can influence games in different fields.”
(Illustration: Tullos / Athletic; Photos of Haley Van Squirrel, Page Bookers and Olivia Miles: Ron Jenkins, Michael Reeves, Joe Boulewitch / Getty Images
