From Paige Beuckers to Georgia Amoore: Know Full List of 2025 WNBA Draft First-Round Picks

Head coach Chris Koclanes hailed Bueckers:

 “This is not just a draft pick, it's a building block. Paige brings leadership, elite shot-making, and an understanding of the game you don’t teach. Pairing her with Arike gives us one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league.”

Here’s a breakdown of the 2025 WNBA Draft first-round selections:

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 – Juste Jocyté (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 – Aja Sivka (Slovenia)  
11. Chicago Sky – Hailey Van Lith (TCU)  
12. Dallas Wings – Aziaha James (NC State)

Negotiations amidst League Draft
Some believed Bueckers might postpone her WNBA debut amid ongoing CBA negotiations between the league and its players union. There were concerns about rookie salaries and talk of a potential player strike. One alternative would’ve been for Bueckers to play exclusively in Unrivaled, a rising 3x3 women’s basketball league.

But she chose to do both — stepping into the WNBA while also securing a three-year contract with Unrivaled that pays her more than the current rookie deal in the WNBA.