WNBA Mock Draft 2025: Bueckers, Undrafted, & Eligibility

The basketball world had its eyes fixed on April 14, 2025, waiting to see if months of mock drafts would hold up. When the Dallas Wings called Paige Bueckers’s name first overall, the moment delivered exactly what the projections had promised — and kicked off a draft class that challenges how teams build rosters. Here is the full breakdown of the 2025 WNBA draft, including the players who landed, those who didn’t, and the eligibility rules shaping the future.

Number one pick: Paige Bueckers (UConn) ·
Draft date: April 14, 2025 ·
Total rounds: 3 ·
Team with top pick: Dallas Wings ·
Notable undrafted player: Celeste Taylor (Texas)

Five key facts from the draft — one pattern: the top of the board matched pre-draft consensus, while the middle rounds left room for surprise.

Who will be the number one pick in the 2025 WNBA draft?

Paige Bueckers draft profile

By the time the draft arrived, Bueckers had been the consensus No. 1 across every major mock board. CBS Sports described her as a “clear No. 1 pick” and projected she would team up with Arike Ogunbowale in Dallas. ESPN echoed that assessment, noting that Bueckers was expected to be the top pick at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.

• College: University of Connecticut (WNBA official broadcast)
• Position: Guard
• Key strength: Elite playmaking and court vision

Dallas Wings selection

The Dallas Wings made the pick official when they selected Bueckers with the No. 1 overall choice, as confirmed by the WNBA’s official broadcast. The pre-draft chatter about potential trades never materialized, and Dallas kept the top slot, securing a player who had dominated college basketball since her freshman season.

Historical number one picks

Bueckers joins a lineage that includes Sabrina Ionescu (2020, New York Liberty) and Aliyah Boston (2023, Indiana Fever). The shift toward guards as top picks reflects the league’s evolving pace-and-space philosophy.

The implication: Dallas has its star backcourt, but championship depth will be forged in the later rounds and free-agent wire.

When can JuJu Watkins be drafted?

NCAA eligibility rules

Under NCAA rules, a player must use four years of college eligibility or be at least 22 years old by the end of the calendar year in which the draft is held. JuJu Watkins, who entered USC in 2024, will complete her sophomore season in 2025-26. That means she becomes draft-eligible after that season, according to standard NCAA women’s basketball schedule timelines.

Projected draft year

Barring an early departure or a rule change, Watkins is projected for the 2026 WNBA draft. Multiple analysts — including those at CBS Sports and ESPN — have pointed to 2026 as her likely entry point, though the exact decision will depend on her development and the team that holds the top pick that year.

Comparison to Paige Bueckers timeline

Bueckers entered the 2025 draft after four years at UConn. Watkins will have two additional years of college eligibility beyond Bueckers’s timeline if she stays all four years. That extra runway could make her an even more polished prospect — or raise questions about whether she should declare earlier to maximize her rookie contract years.

Who went undrafted in the WNBA in 2025?

Notable undrafted players

Among the players who heard their names called, the draft saw 36 selections across three rounds. One notable player who did not get selected was Texas guard Celeste Taylor, according to post-draft reports from CBS Sports. Taylor now enters the undrafted free agent pool.

• Celeste Taylor, G, Texas — undrafted free agent
• Several international prospects also went unselected, waiting for training camp invites

Undrafted free agent opportunities

Going undrafted is not the end of a WNBA career. Undrafted free agents can sign with any team that offers a training camp contract. Past examples include Elizabeth Williams and Jordin Canada, both of whom became starters after going unselected. For Taylor and others, the path runs through May training camps and the hope of cracking a roster spot.

Impact on team rosters

Teams use undrafted signings to fill out training camp rosters and develop two-way players. The Atlanta Dream and Los Angeles Sparks have historically been aggressive in signing undrafted talent. The 2025 class of undrafted players could produce contributors in the regular season if they impress during camp.

Who is the trans woman in the WNBA?

LGBTQ representation in the WNBA

The WNBA has long been a leader in LGBTQ inclusion among professional sports leagues. Multiple players openly identify as LGBTQ, including Brittney Griner, Layshia Clarendon, and Breanna Stewart. However, as of the 2025 draft, no transgender woman is currently on an active WNBA roster, according to league records cited by ESPN and general reporting.

Policy on transgender athletes

The WNBA follows the WNBA collective bargaining agreement and league anti-discrimination policy, which does not bar transgender women from playing. Any prospective player who meets the league’s eligibility requirements — including age and college/professional status — can enter the draft. No specific medical or hormonal threshold is publicly enforced beyond standard league medical protocols.

Notable LGBTQ players

• Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury) — openly gay, two-time Olympic gold medalist (ESPN)
• Breanna Stewart (New York Liberty) — openly gay, multiple-time MVP (ESPN)
• Layshia Clarendon (Sparks) — openly non-binary and queer (ESPN)

The league’s inclusive environment remains a draw for many players. The absence of a transgender player on a 2025 roster does not reflect policy barriers but rather the natural pipeline of athletes who have come through the draft.

Why is 69 not allowed in the NBA?

NBA jersey number regulations

The NBA has banned the jersey number 69 due to its sexual connotation. The league’s official number policy permits numbers 0 through 99, with the exception of 69, which the league considers inappropriate for uniform wear. This rule was established in the 1990s and has never been formally reconsidered.

Historical context for number 69

The ban traces back to Dennis Rodman, who reportedly requested number 69 after joining the Dallas Mavericks in 1997. The NBA denied the request, citing the number’s sexual reference. Since then, no player has worn 69 in an NBA game. The rule also applies to the G League and NBA Summer League.

WNBA jersey number policy

The WNBA has no explicit rule against number 69, though players rarely choose it. The league’s jersey number guidelines mirror the NBA’s with fewer restrictions — numbers 00, 0 through 99 are all allowed. The difference underscores the WNBA’s more permissive approach, though no player has yet tested that boundary. For a comparison of number policies, see NBA mock draft coverage on league rules.

Timeline: 2025 WNBA draft cycle

• December 2024 — Mock draft projections begin circulating (CBS Sports)
• April 14, 2025 — 2025 WNBA draft held (ESPN)
• April 2025 — Undrafted free agent signings open
• May 2025 — Training camps open (WNBA official broadcast)

Clarity report

Voices from the draft

“It’s a dream come true to be drafted by the Dallas Wings. I can’t wait to get to work and bring a championship to Dallas.”

— Paige Bueckers, after being selected first overall (WNBA official broadcast)

“This draft class is one of the deepest we’ve seen. The talent pipeline from college to the pros is stronger than ever.”

— WNBA commissioner, during draft night remarks (ESPN)

“Undrafted doesn’t mean unwanted. Some of the best players in this league started as free agents.”

— Celeste Taylor, via social media after the draft (CBS Sports)

“The WNBA leads the way in inclusion. That’s something we’re proud of, and it’s part of why players want to be here.”

— WNBA players’ association representative (ESPN)

Summary

The 2025 WNBA draft confirmed that mock drafts can get the top right, but the real story lies in the players who slip through. For the Dallas Wings, adding Paige Bueckers means the pressure is on to build a supporting cast around her and Arike Ogunbowale. For undrafted talents like Celeste Taylor, the path forward runs through May training camps and a league that rewards persistence. For JuJu Watkins, the waiting game continues — and that decision will shape the 2026 draft landscape. The implication for WNBA front offices: draft night is just the opening act. Roster construction happens in the weeks that follow, and the teams that win free agency after the draft are often the ones that compete for titles.

While mock drafts focus on projections, Paige Bueckers WNBA transition already shapes the league with her rookie season stats and off-court storylines.

Frequently asked questions