Where Will the Stars Land Tonight?

Did someone share this email with you? Get daily women’s basketball updates straight to your inbox. Sign up here!

What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today

1. Draft Night Is Here! 🧡🏀

Tonight’s the night when dreams come true. The 2025 WNBA Draft is finally here, where college and international stars will find out where, or if, they’ll be playing in the pros. Two full hours of live coverage is on deck:

• WNBA Countdown at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN

• WNBA Orange Carpet Live, hosted by Rickea Jackson & Hannah O’Flynn, at 7:30 PM ET on WNBA YouTube and WNBA App

• WNBA Draft 2025 at 7:30–9:30 PM ET on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, and the ESPN App

Paige Bueckers is widely expected to be tonight’s No. 1 overall pick—but after that, it’s anyone’s guess. (WNBA)

WHY IT MATTERS: The WNBA has been going all-in to make Draft Night a marquee experience for athletes, their families, and fans. Sixteen draft prospects were invited to New York City to take part in the day’s events, including a ceremonial lighting of the Empire State Building.

For fans, this is the second year in a row that the WNBA Draft is a ticketed public event—this year hosted at The Shed at Hudson Yards. GA tickets sold out in hours, and demand for premium packages soared. With surging viewership and packed venues, the W is meeting the moment—and fans are all in.

📝 Want to brush up before the picks start rolling in? Read our quick guide on how the WNBA Draft works — who’s eligible, how the order is set, and why some teams have more picks than others.

2. MiLaysia Fulwiley Plans to Enter the Transfer Portal 😳

One of college basketball’s most electric young guards is on the move. South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley will enter the transfer portal, signaling that her time with the Gamecocks is likely over. (Greenville News)

WHY IT MATTERS: This is a major shake-up in the college landscape. Fulwiley, a dynamic sophomore, averaged 11.7 points per game in under 19 minutes off the bench and was a key contributor to South Carolina’s 2024 national title as a freshman. While she hasn’t spoken publicly about her decision, the Gamecocks’ deep backcourt likely played a role. With Raven Johnson returning and Florida State star Ta’Niya Latson transferring in, competition for minutes was only getting steeper.

Fulwiley has the talent to be a featured star, and another program may offer the playing time and spotlight she’s ready to step into.

3. Paige Bueckers Inks Multi-Year Deal With Unrivaled 👀

What a month it’s been for Paige Bueckers. Just days after leading UConn to a national title, the superstar guard has signed a three-year deal with the 3-on-3 women’s pro league Unrivaled. She’s also projected to go No. 1 overall in tonight’s WNBA Draft. (ESPN)

WHY IT MATTERS: Bueckers was at the top of Unrivaled’s wishlist following its near break-even debut season. Her new deal reportedly pays her more in year one than the entire four-year value of her WNBA rookie contract—a telling sign of how the new league is putting pressure on the business of the WNBA.

She’s no stranger to Unrivaled either: Bueckers signed an NIL marketing deal with the league during college, which included equity. Now, she’s making her playing career in the league official.