My 2025 WNBA Draft Diary

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It’s time for the 2025 WNBA Draft. Bill Simmons used to do a diary for the NBA Draft back in the day. I enjoyed it. I would not enjoy doing one for the NBA Draft, but the WNBA Draft is right up my alley, so here we are! As with all of my takes, these are subject to change after my thoughts marinate, and these are subject to be paraded around until the end of time when I nail my predictions. Let’s go!

7:31 pm ET — Alright, it’s time! The great thing about women’s basketball is that, between college and the W, it’s year-round. The downside to that is I am SICK of ESPN’s broadcast crew. It’s not necessarily their fault (except for you…and you…you know who you are), but mix in some different talent!

7:36 pm ET — Speaking of that, we have our first Holly Rowe sighting! It’s so wild how her public approval rating took such a nosedive. She was beloved, but couldn’t stop asking people about their worst moments in the most hamfisted way possible. Also, what do you think she meant by calling Southern Cal crowds “the BET Awards?”

7:38 pm ET — I almost didn’t recognize Cathy Englebert without the NYC skyline on her outfit.

7:41 pm ET — First pick: Paige Bueckers to the Dallas Wings. Don’t let Nico Harrison find out. Curt Miller is building a squad. A good fit next to Arike. Paige turned up during the tournament, but seems to prefer setting others up to forcing shots. Arike isn’t shy and will let Paige play to her strengths.

7:52 pm ET — Second pick: Dominique Malonga to the Seattle Storm. Tall (6’6”) and French, so the Wemby comps are flying. However, I see an incredibly athletic Jonquel Jones or a next-gen Lisa Leslie. More than capable of becoming the most dominant player in this class.

7:53 pm ET — Already tired of them talking about Malonga dunking.

7:55 pm ET — What the fuck is going on in France? I’m as inspired by Tony Parker as anybody, but that didn’t make me grow. Is anyone looking into this?

7:56 pm ET — Holly is speaking French. Seems worth documenting.

7:58 pm ET — When teams have multiple picks in a row like the Mystics do, how do they decide who to choose first?

7:59 pm ET — Third pick: Sonia Citron to the Washington Mystics. She has all of the makings of an elite role player. People hear “role player” and get upset, but you need role players to win. Maybe the highest floor in the draft.

8:02 pm ET — Fourth pick: Kiki Iriafen to the Washington Mystics. She was mocked as high as #2 early in the season, but that Southern Cal system wasn’t for her (or anybody). Still has the skillset that made people think she was the 2nd best player in this draft. People more fashionable than I am say she’s the best-dressed draft prospect here.

8:09 pm ET — First-ever WNBA draft pick (non-expansion draft edition) in Golden State Valkyrie history: Justė Jocytė. I really don’t have any thoughts on her as a player. Andraya Carter thinks she’s good, though.

8:12 pm ET — Sixth pick: Georgia Amoore to the Washington Mystics. It would appear that I am the only human who thinks this is a bit of a reach. Honestly, probably a good sign for Georgia. She’s incredibly skilled, but I’m having a hard time believing in her as a shot creator and defender at this level.

8:16 pm ET — Ryan Rucco looks like a nerdy ass Pitbull.

8:17 pm ET — Seventh pick: Aneesah Morrow to the Connecticut Sun. Kim Mulkey is here and predictably dressed like the stained glass Valchek and Frank Sobotka were fighting over in The Wire. I absolutely love Morrow’s motor. Angel Reese is the easy comp, but I see more Dearica Hamby.

8:21 pm ET — Another Connecticut Sun pick: Saniya Rivers. The Sun had a rough offseason, but things are looking up! A jumpshot is really the only thing she’s missing. Athletic, can defend, can run the offense in spurts, can get to the rim. Two nice picks.

8:23 pm ET — Saniya’s dad looks like young Michael Jordan’s dad in Space Jam.

8:24 pm ET — My girlfriend is anxious about where Te-Hina Paopao ends up. If she doesn’t land with the Sky or Sparks, shit could get ugly around here. Worth noting that she’s a fan of half of the teams in the league.

8:30 pm ET — Ninth pick: Sarah Ashlee Barker to the Los Angeles Sparks. A bit of a surprise, but the double OT game against Maryland was insane. Tough player who can shoot. ESPN Stat: Opponents shot just 23% against her when she was the primary defender. That was the 5th lowest in Division I. I never would have guessed.

8:35 pm ET — Tenth pick: Ajša Sivka to the Chicago Sky. Or “that’s NOT Te-Hina!” as my girlfriend called her. Leonie Fiebich comps did start to win her over, though. Her dad broke down, which no doubt won Holly over.

8:38 pm ET — My girlfriend, whom I’ll refer to as “Erin” the rest of this blog since that’s her name, is now talking herself into Paopao to the Sky at 16. Good luck to everyone involved!

8:40 pm ET — Eating grapes. Underrated fruit. Refreshing.

8:44 pm ET — Eleventh pick: Hailey Van Lith to the Chicago Sky. Didn’t go over well in this household. Lot of expletives. I can’t even focus. Direct quote: “Her and Angel?!? WHY DIDN’T WE DO THE TE-HINA/KAMILLA THING?!?”

8:49 pm ET — Twelfth pick: Aziaha James to the Dallas Wings. Explosive scorer. Dallas scored a lot last season. Safe to say, they’ll score a lot this season as well. Holly got to ask about Aziaha’s brother passing away.

8:53 pm ET — Erin has moved on to bargaining with my manager, Jessica, who, as far as I know, is not a WNBA GM. It’s worth noting that Erin is pregnant, but I honestly don’t think it’s the hormones.

8:58 pm ET — Second round time! Aaliyah Nye to the Aces to kick things off. Two Bama players drafted! She can shoot the hell out of the ball. This is a good fit. I would bet she makes the roster.

9:00 pm ET — They just showed the “Best Available Prospects” list, and holy shit! Shyanne Sellers, Sania Feagin, Serena Sundell, Makayla Timpson. This draft isn’t as shiny as last year’s, but it is deep.

9:01 pm ET — Madison Scott to the Dallas Wings. Looks like they want to defend too! Curt is cookin’. Holly is now crying herself, which I’m pretty sure is a new move.

9:06 pm ET — The picks are coming fast and furious now. Maddy Westbeld to the Sky is intriguing. She’s a first-round talent if she’s healthy. She’ll also allow them to play big while also spreading the floor. Her, Reese, and Cardoso are all fantastic passing bigs.

9:11 pm ET — Shyanne Sellers to Golden State. Is this the first player they’ve drafted (expansion draft included) who will actually play for them this year?

9:16 pm ET — Paopao to the Atlanta Dream! Jessica FaceTimed Erin to break the news, so maybe she is a WNBA GM after all. Mixed feelings for this pick. Atlanta is the only team within driving distance for us. However, a series of unfortunate events led to them no longer being Erin’s favorite team. A lot of this is because of the ticket office. They fucked us over BAD last year. But Erin does have plenty of Dream merch, so there you go.

9:23 pm ET — Bree Hall to the Fever and Sania Feagin to the Sparks! This is a Gamecocks’ household, in case you couldn’t tell. I’m biased, but I think they can each become solid WNBA players. Everyone knows how Bree can defend, but she’s also a capable shooter. It’s just a matter of her remaining confident in her shot. A year ago, who would have imagined Sania would get picked? A hell of a season for her. She’s got a nice shot for her size and is a solid defender. Like a lot of Gamecock bigs, she’s also an above-average passer. The Fever also got Makayla Timpson, who had a monster season at Florida State.

9:32 pm ET — It took 9 minutes to type that last paragraph because of the yelling. The Storm picked Serena Sundell, another player whose game I’m high on. Giant for a PG. Taller than Napheesa Collier! Great court vision. How consistently can she knock down shots? We can ask that about a lot of Storm players, though.

9:38 pm ET — Rebecca Lobo is explaining that Georgia Amoore can score against bigger defenders. My eyes and her shooting percentages are a little more apprehensive, but you can see how she could become a version of what Becky Hammon was as a player.

9:47 pm ET — We’re doing a UConn thing now. Kaitlyn Chen and Aubrey Griffin in the 3rd round to wild ovations.

9:50 pm ET — And that will do it. No Diamond Johnson, which was a shock. She’s a really good player. Sedona Prince also went undrafted. The offcourt stuff was certainly a deterrent, but also she repeatedly folded against good competition throughout her 13-year collegiate career. This was hard. I’m exhausted. The yelling was a bit much. Now, my dog is barking because he wants me to come to bed. This house is out of control. More in-depth thoughts to come later.