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- WNBA Draft Gets a Major Upgrade—Here’s What’s Changing 🏙️
WNBA Draft Gets a Major Upgrade—Here’s What’s Changing 🏙️
March 13: The WNBA Draft is moving to a bigger venue with more fan access. Plus, Atlanta Dream looks for a new home after sellout crowds, and Oregon State’s wild journey to a WCC title.
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What To Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. WNBA Draft Gets a Bigger Stage in NYC 📸
The 2025 WNBA Draft is leveling up. This year’s event moves to The Shed at Hudson Yards on April 14, offering space for 3,000 fans—a major upgrade from last year’s Brooklyn Academy of Music venue. For the second year in a row, fans can attend in person, making it the most accessible draft yet. (WNBA)
📺 How to Watch: ESPN from 7:30-9:30 PM ET, with WNBA Countdown kicking things off beforehand.
WHY IT MATTERS: This move highlights the WNBA’s commitment to making marquee events bigger and better. With franchise-altering picks in play—the Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 pick, followed by the Seattle Seattle, Washington Mystics (third & fourth), and expansion team Golden State Valkyries at No. 5—the stakes are high. More fans than ever will get to experience the future of the league live and in person.
📋 See the full team selection order here 👉 Tankathon
2. Atlanta Dream Set Sights on Bigger Home Court 🏟️
The Atlanta Dream are outgrowing their home arena. After selling out all 20 home games last season, team president Morgan Shaw Parker confirmed they’re searching for a new venue with 12,000-14,000 seats to match fan demand.
While that search continues, the Dream are moving their 2025 home opener on May 22 against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever to State Farm Arena, home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. With 17,000+ seats, this venue holds more than quadruple the Dream’s current Gateway Center Arena capacity. (Front Office Sports)
WHY IT MATTERS: The Dream’s rise mirrors the WNBA’s explosive growth, both in Atlanta and across the league. With stars like Clark drawing record crowds, a move to a larger, mid-sized arena presents a major revenue opportunity for the franchise and a better experience for fans.
3. Oregon State Defies Odds to Win WCC Championship 🦫
Oregon State is headed to the NCAA Tournament after winning the WCC tournament in their first year in the conference following the Pac-12's collapse. The Beavers overcame staggering roster turnover, having lost their top six scorers and 82% of total points from last year's Elite Eight team—the fifth-highest percentage lost by any tournament team in recent history. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: Coach Scott Rueck’s leadership turned a team of seven new players—most with little Division I experience—into champions. Starting the season 2-5 and not climbing above .500 until February, the Beavers’ journey is a testament to resilience in the face of conference realignment and roster rebuilds.
Watch the Beavers celebrate after pulling off the impossible 👉 Oregon State’s Instagram
OVERTIME ⏱️
Four women’s college basketball players have been named to the inaugural NACDA Good Works Team, recognizing student-athletes who go beyond the game through volunteerism, civic engagement, and academic excellence. Honorees include Paige Bueckers (UConn), Ellie Pollock-Ballard (Oberlin College), Annette Ramirez (Westminster College), and Shea Tripp (Wayne State University).
👏 See the full list of honorees and their inspiring work 👉 NACDA Good Works Team
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