rewrite this content and keep HTML tags
WNBA expansion teams are popping up everywhere, including in Cleveland, with other cities in the queue
With Cleveland reportedly winning a bid for a WNBA expansion team, here are other places Mackenzie and Meghan would like to see teams.
The 2025 WNBA draft is around the corner and on Friday, the league announced 16 players will be in attendance in New York for the draft.
UConn guard and presumed No. 1 overall pick Paige Bueckers, along with USC forward Kiki Iriafen, LSU forward Aneesah Morrow and TCU guard Hailey Van Lith headline the players invited to attend the draft on Monday, April 14 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in Manhattan.
The Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 pick following the WNBA draft lottery on Nov. 17. The Golden State Valkyries – the WNBA’s first expansion team in 17 seasons ― will pick fifth, while the Washington Mystics hold three of the top six picks.
Along with the WNBA draft invite, the players were invited to the Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony to celebrate the occasion. And just before the players wait for their names to be selected, they will walk WNBA’s iconic “Orange Carpet,” which allows the players to showcase their personalities and fashion.
Here’s what you need to know about the 16 players invited to the WNBA draft, along with information about when the draft is and where:
WNBA draft attendees
Sixteen total players were invited to attend the 2025 WNBA draft on Monday, April 14. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the picks before they come to the podium to greet her upon their selection.
Bueckers, who is the projected No. 1 overall pick, led UConn to a national championship win over South Carolina. Dominique Malonga of France and Ajša Sivka of Slovenia are the two international players who have been invited to attend the draft.
Here’s a look at the full list of players invited to the 2025 WNBA draft:
Paige Bueckers, guard, UConnKiki Iriafen, forward, USCAneesah Morrow, guard, LSUHailey Van Lith, guard, TCUGeorgia Amoore, guard, KentuckySarah Ashlee Barker, guard, Alabama Sonia Citron, guard, Notre DameSania Feagin, forward, South CarolinaAziaha James, guard, NC StateDominique Malonga, center, Lyon ASVEL/France)Te-Hina Paopao, guard, South CarolinaSaniya Rivers, guard, NC StateMadison Scott, guard/forward, Ole MissShyanne Sellers, guard, MarylandAjša Sivka, forward, Tarbes Gespe Bigorre/SloveniaSerena Sundell, guard, Kansas State
When is the WNBA draft?
Date: Monday, April 14Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (Coverage begins at 7 p.m.)TV channel: ESPNStreaming: ESPN+, Fubo (free trial for new subscribers)Location: The Shed (New York )
The 2025 WNBA draft will be held at The Shed in New York City on Monday, April 14. Coverage for the draft will begin at 7 p.m. ET, with the draft starting at 7:30 p.m. and continuing through three rounds and 38 total picks.
Watch the WNBA draft on Fubo (free trial)
WNBA draft order
Despite the addition of a new franchise ― the Golden State Valkyries ― the first round will only have 12 picks. The Las Vegas Aces had their natural first-round pick rescinded after the WNBA found the Aces had broken league rules concerning player benefits.
Here’s a look at the WNBA draft order:
First round
1. Dallas Wings2. Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles Sparks)3. Washington Mystics (from Chicago Sky)4. Washington Mystics5. Golden State Valkyries6. Washington Mystics (from Atlanta Dream)7. Connecticut Sun (from New York Liberty)8. Connecticut Sun (from Indiana Fever)9. Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle Storm)10. Chicago Sky (from Connecticut Sun)11. Minnesota Lynx12. Dallas Wings (from New York Liberty)
Second round
13. Las Vegas Aces (from Los Angeles Sparks)14. Dallas Wings15. Minnesota Lynx (from Chicago Sky)16. Chicago Sky (from Washington Mystics)17. Golden State Valkyries18. Atlanta Dream19. Indiana Fever (from Phoenix Mercury)20. Indiana Fever21. Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle Storm)22. Chicago Sky (from Las Vegas Aces)23. Washington Mystics (from Connecticut Sun)24. Minnesota Lynx25. Connecticut Sun (from New York Liberty)
Third round
26. Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles Sparks)27. Dallas Wings28. Los Angeles Sparks (from Chicago Sky)29. Seattle Storm (from Washington Mystics)30. Golden State Valkyries31. Dallas Wings (from Atlanta Dream)32. Washington Mystics (from Phoenix Mercury)33. Indiana Fever34. Seattle Storm35. Las Vegas Aces36. Atlanta Dream (from Connecticut Sun)37. Minnesota Lynx38. New York Liberty
