How the WNBA Draft Works (And What to Expect in 2025)

Every spring, the WNBA Draft delivers one of the most exciting nights of the year—full of high-stakes picks, emotional moments, and future stars finding their pro homes. But for all the hype, the process itself can feel a little mysterious.

In this quick guide, we break down how the WNBA Draft works—what to expect in 2025, who might go first, and where to watch it all unfold.

How the Draft Works

The WNBA Draft happens once a year and this time around includes three rounds with 13 picks per round—39 players total (*actually, 38—more on this below).

Each of the league’s 13 teams starts with one pick per round, but things don’t always stay that tidy. Teams often trade their draft picks for players or other picks, which is why some franchises end up with extra selections while others sit out entirely in certain rounds.

The draft order matters—a lot. The top prospects often become franchise cornerstones, and with very limited roster spots available in the league, every pick counts.

How the Draft Order is Decided

Here’s where it gets a little wonky. The first four picks of the first round are decided by a lottery, not standings alone.

Only the four teams that missed the playoffs in the prior season are entered into the lottery for the current draft, and the odds are weighted based on combined regular-season records over the past two seasons—not just the most recent one. This setup gives struggling teams a better shot at landing a top pick without rewarding teams that may have just had one off year. The lottery is typically held in November or December for the upcoming season.

The remaining picks in the first round, plus all of rounds two and three, are decided by reverse order of the most recent regular-season standings (worst team picks first, best team picks last). The Golden State Valkyries, the expansion team who are entering their inaugural season, were slotted into the fifth pick of each round.

Here’s the twist: teams can and do trade picks. So when you see a team like Washington with multiple picks and New York holding only one in the entire draft, it’s because of trades, not any special rule.

2025 WNBA Draft Order

After the lottery and a flurry of trades, here’s how the draft order looks now.

You’ll notice right away that there are only 12 picks in Round 1. That’s because the Las Vegas Aces forfeited their 2025 first-round pick due to a disciplinary ruling. That’s why there are only 38 total players that will be drafted.

Also, draft pick trades can continue to happen up until the day prior to the event (this year, that’s April 13), so keep that in mind.

When the 2025 WNBA Draft Takes Place (and How to Watch)

This year’s draft will be held on Monday, April 14, 2025.

• Time: 7:30 PM ET / 4:30 PM PT

• Where: Live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes

• Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo, and Sling

• Pre-show coverage: Begins at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN and the ESPN app

This year’s event will be at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City, although tickets for fans have already sold out.

As always, the event will feature orange carpet arrivals for the top prospects and live selections announced by WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.

Who’s Eligible to Be Drafted?

The WNBA has specific eligibility rules to ensure that players are physically and emotionally ready to compete at the highest level.

For U.S. college players, they must meet at least one of these criteria:

• Turn 22 years old during the calendar year of the draft

• Be four years removed from high school

• Have completed their college eligibility

Players who haven’t used all their college eligibility but still want to enter the draft must officially declare and renounce their remaining eligibility. Players who competed in this year’s NCAA Tournament had only 48 hours after their final game to declare.

For international players, the rule is simpler: they must turn 20 years old during the draft year and not have played college basketball in the U.S. (if they did, the domestic rules apply instead).

One important note: If a player declares for the draft and isn’t selected, they become an unrestricted free agent—they cannot return to college hoops.

Who Are the Top Prospects in 2025?

All players have officially declared for the draft by now.

Some big names, like Olivia Miles and Raven Johnson, have decided to play another year in college despite being eligible for the draft.

Now that the list is locked, several names are already on everyone’s radar. This class is stacked with talent, and a few of these prospects could become instant stars in the league:

• Paige Bueckers (UConn)

• Kiki Iriafen (USC)

• Sonia Citron (Notre Dame)

• Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina)

• Aneesah Morrow (LSU)

• Georgia Amoore (Kentucky)

• Dominique Malonga (France)

• Shyanne Sellers (Maryland)

• Justė Jocytė (Lithuania)

• Saniya Rivers (NC State)

• Hailey Van Lith (TCU)

Final Thoughts

The WNBA Draft might only last a couple hours, but its impact lasts for years. Between the lottery system, the tight roster limits, and the elite pool of talent in 2025, every pick has the potential to reshape a franchise.

Now that you know how it all works, you're ready for draft night. Whether you're tuning in for your favorite team, a favorite player, or just for the orange carpet glamour—you’ll be watching with a sharper eye.

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