Matt Cohen

Matt Cohen

It’s that time of the year. This past Monday, the WNBA draft happened, and it left Women’s Basketball fans very excited for what’s to come in this upcoming season. Many expected and unexpected events occurred, and here are the overall highlights. This year’s Number One draft pick was none other than Paige Beuckers, UConn’s star player who led her team to this year’s National championship. The Dallas Wings had the first pick, so many already had anticipated the overall outcome. Though there were still a few surprising, unexpected draftees who left everyone hype. 

Here is the full list of the first 12 picks for this year’s draft round one:

1. Paige Bueckers (UConn) to the Dallas Wings
2. Domonique Malonga (France) to the Seattle Storm
3. Sonia Citron (Notre Dame) to the Mystics 
4. Kiki Iriafen (USC) to the Mystics
5. Juste Jocyte to the Golden State Valkyries 
6. Georgia Amoore (Kentucky) to the Mystics
7. Aneesha Morrow (LSU) to the Connecticut Sun
8. Saniya Rivers (NC State) to the Connecticut Sun
9. Sarah Ashlee Barker (Alabama) to the Los Angeles Sparks
10.  Ajsa Sivak (Slovenia) to the Chicago Sky
11. Hailey Van Lith (TCU) to the Chicago Sky
12. Aziaha James (NC State) to the Dallas Wings

These picks were celebrated by Women’s basketball fans all around the world, especially Dallas fans. People are so excited to see what Paige Bueckers has in store for this season, one says that Bueckers’ arrival marks a new era for the WNBA. Overall, the first round went as expected and smoothly; the second and third rounds were the surprises, and unexpected events occurred. Here is the complete list of the second and third rounds:

Second Round Draft picks:

1. Las Vegas: Aaliyah Nye
2. Dallas: Madison Scott
3. Minnesota: Anastasiia Kosu
4. Chicago: Maddy Westbeld
5. Golden State: Shyanne Sellers
6. Atlanta: Te-Hina Paopao
7. Indiana: Makayla Timpson
8. Indiana: Bree Hall
9. Los Angeles Sparks: Sania Feagin
10. Chicago Sky: Aicha Coulibaly
11. Washington Mystics: Lucy Olsen
12. Minnesota Lynx: Dalayah Daniels
13. Connecticut Sun: Rayah Marshall

Lastly, the surprising picks were mostly made during the third round, including UConn stars Kaitlyn Chen and Aubrey Griffen. They were drafted while in the crowd cheering on former teammate Paige Bueckers, who earlier during her speech mentioned how Chen and Griffen should be drafted.

Third Round Draft Picks:

1. Seattle Storm: Serena Sundell
2. Dallas Wings: JJ Quinerly
3. Los Angeles Sparks: Liatu King
4. Seattle Storm: Madison Conner
5. Golden State Valkyries: Kaitlyn Chen
6. Dallas Wings: Aaronette Vonleh
7. Washington Mystics: Zaay Green
8. Indiana Fever: Yvonne Ejim
9. Seattle Storm: Jordan Hobbs
10. Las Vegas Aces: Harmoni Turner
11. Atlanta Dream: Taylor Thierry
12. Minnesota Lynx: Aubrey Griffin
13. New York Liberty: Adja Kane

 What Happens Now?

 Now that the WNBA draft has concluded, the following steps will commence. First teams will now sign their draft picks with contracts. Next, teams will start their training camps, where teams will practice together, allowing the rookies and returning players to prepare and train for their upcoming season. Soon, starting May 16, the WNBA regular season begins, which marks the start of the competitive season for all teams. Those not selected in this year’s draft are free agents and can sign training camp contracts with teams. This draft marks a new beginning for Women’s Basketball, and fans can’t wait to see what this season has in store.