The 2025 WNBA Draft has come and gone, and what an exciting night it was. The expected No. 1 overall, Paige Bueckers, went to the Dallas Wings, and popular French star Dominique Malonga went to the Seattle Storm with the second pick. The Washington Mystics had three first-round picks while the Chicago Sky held two. The full list of draft picks and transcripts from Paige Bueckers, Hailey Van Lith, and Kaitlyn Chen is below.
First Round
- Dallas Wings – Paige Bueckers
- Seattle Storm – Dominique Malonga
- Washington Mystics – Sonia Citron
- Washington Mystics – Kiki Iriafen
- Golden State Valkyries – Justé Jocyté
- Washington Mystics – Georgia Amoore
- Connecticut Sun – Aneesah Morrow
- Connecticut Sun – Saniya Rivers
- Los Angeles Sparks – Sarah Ashlee Barker
- Chicago Sky – Ajša Sivka
- Chicago Sky – Hailey Van Lith
- Dallas Wings – Aziaha James
Second Round
- Las Vegas Aces – Aaliyah Nye
- Dallas Wings – Madison Scott
- Minnesota Lynx – Anastasiia Olairi Kosu
- Chicago Sky – Maddy Westbeld
- Golden State Valkyries – Shyanne Sellers
- Atlanta Dream – Te-Hina Paopao
- Indiana Fever – Makayla Timpson
- Indiana Fever – Bree Hall
- Los Angeles Sparks – Sania Feagin
- Chicago Sky – Aicha Coulibaly
- Washington Mystics – Lucy Olsen
- Minnesota Lynx – Dalayah Daniels
- Connecticut Sun – Rayah Marshall
Third Round
- Seattle Storm – Serena Sundell
- Dallas Wings – JJ Quinerly
- Los Angeles Sparks – Liatu King
- Seattle Storm – Madison Conner
- Golden State Valkyries – Kaitlyn Chen
- Dallas Wings – Aaronette Vonleh
- Washington Mystics – Zaay Green
- Indiana Fever – Yvonne Ejim
- Seattle Storm – Jordan Hobbs
- Las Vegas Aces – Harmoni Turner
- Atlanta Dream – Taylor Thierry
- Minnesota Lynx – Aubrey Griffin
- New York Liberty – Adja Kane
Transcripts
Paige Bueckers
Q. Paige, you got emotional talking about your teammates. How have the Husky teammates and
UConn prepared you for this moment and this next chapter?
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, they mean everything to me, all they’ve helped me get through, all the ups and downs, the highs and lows, they’ve seen every side of me, and the love there is unconditional, so forever grateful for them. I want to cherish that relationship for the rest of my life, and I wouldn’t be here without them. I just want to show a state of gratitude to them.
Q. Paige, I’m sure you dreamed about this moment as a kid. How does this compare in real life to what you thought it would be like?
PAIGE BUECKERS: A lot faster than I thought, just going up there, getting the jersey. But super surreal. Just like I’ve been talking about, just so grateful to be here. I don’t want to take this for granted. I’ve been focusing a lot about being present and being where my feet are, so to be at this stage, to be here, to have a lot of my supporters here and people who have helped me get here, it just means everything to me.
Q. You were known to go No. 1 this entire time, but still, when you actually hear your name called, what was going through your mind and the hugs that you had with Azzi and Geno? What was that moment like?
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, you don’t ever want to assume anything in life. Nothing is guaranteed, so for this moment to be here and it actually happen, it’s nerve-racking. You just have a level of excitement, nervousness, bittersweet feeling knowing that my journey at UConn is over, but excited for the next one to begin. To be able to share that moment with the people sitting at my table and also the people not sitting at my table, they played a huge role in it. So just happiness and joy.
Q. I’m curious if you could take us through some of your pre-draft conversations with the Wings and what gives you confidence that this is going to be a place that will allow you to have a successful WNBA career?
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, honestly, the conversations were brief, but just for them to know that I am coming in and wanting to give everything I have to that organization. We have established that there’s new levels of standards that are going to be set in play, and there’s a new GM, new coach, new assistant coach, a whole new team, so we’re excited for that fresh start.
It’s not a rebuild, it’s just a build from where we are. Excited for the new arena, the new practice facility and conversations with the CEO, the GM. We’re excited for the future, and we only think the best is ahead.
Q. You were here last year at the WNBA Draft as a fan. What do you remember about that experience and how did that compare to this year? And also, when you woke up this morning, how did you feel?
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, last year was definitely a different role just in the supporting cast role just being so extremely happy for Nika and Aaliyah to see them live out their childhood dreams and especially coming in with them as freshmen, to go through that entire journey together and to see them get rewarded like that was extremely great to be a part of.
And this time it’s super different just being in those shoes where Nika and Aaliyah were last year, but also again having my supporting cast here and everyone that’s meant so much to me. I know there’s a lot of people at home, and wherever they are, that deserve to be here, so just super grateful for both experiences.
Q. What message do you have for the Wings fans, and what kind of player can they expect to see this coming season?
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, I’m just extremely excited to be there. I’ve only heard great things about the city. So excited to start that new chapter and be in a new city and explore that and give everything I have to the Wings organization. I know we’re going to do great things, and it’s a fresh start, and I think we’re all ready to do something special. So just extremely grateful that they have — they took the pick on me. I can see the city has great love for that pick, and we’re just super excited for the future.
Q. There’s been a lot of discussion already about your salary with Unrivaled. Will that impact your desire at all to maybe participate in the Players Union, be a player rep in your rookie season?
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, I think those are conversations I’m continuing to have, what that looks like to be a player rep, but I definitely want to be in those rooms, have those conversations, be a voice for the players and stand up for us. Just knowing what that takes and knowing what that will be if I do that, I think those are conversations I’m going to continue to have.
Q. The last eight days have been a complete whirlwind, I can imagine. What has that been like going back and forth between New York, the parade yesterday, and what has this experience been like since leaving Tampa?
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, it’s been fun. I’m glad New York and Storrs are pretty close to each other because there’s been a lot of back and forth. Part of me wants to stay at school, celebrate with the team, be with them, enjoy the last moments of being in Storrs, and the other part of me has to get ready for the next chapter. So, it’s been a lot of back and forth, but I’m running on great fumes, grateful fumes, and wouldn’t trade it for anything, the life that I’m living. I’m extremely blessed.
But it’s been a very blessed week, regardless of the outcomes or circumstances. I’m blessed and highly favored.
Q. For the next generation of UConn Huskies, what would be your advice for them playing on the biggest stage and that leadership component when this comes to this program?
PAIGE BUECKERS: To be present, to be where your feet are. There’s a lot of pressures and expectations that come with playing at UConn but just win every day that’s in front of you. Don’t worry about the future, don’t worry about the past, don’t worry about your mistakes, don’t worry about anything but what you’re doing in that moment and making the most of that day and winning that day, conquering that day, and just be where your feet are.
Q. Some of the players in the WNBA obviously you have some history with in the college ranks, and now you’re in the W, are there any particular players you’re looking forward to playing against that you haven’t before and any people you’re looking forward to meeting again in the pro ranks?
PAIGE BUECKERS: All of my former teammates that I used to play with, Nika, Aaliyah, Liv, a few others. Those are definitely the ones that I’m most excited about.
Q. I want to ask you about the undeniable impact you have on young people and especially young girls. Fans say you inspire them as athletes and you encourage them to persevere through challenges, and they’re proud of you and your journey. What is it like for you to know the impact that you have on young people?
PAIGE BUECKERS: It means everything. I aspire to be a great role model. I have three younger siblings myself, so to be a great role model, to be somebody that people look up to and find a good influence on is extremely important.
I know through the injuries and all the setbacks and the ups and downs, I’ve tried to use that as motivation to show people that they can get through it, too, and you can come back on the other side better. And just to share my faith, share how that has impacted and changed my life and continue to be a great role model for the next generation.
Q. What can you express about this draft class and what this means for women’s basketball moving forward?
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, I think this draft class is amazing. I think there’s a lot of college stars and overseas stars, as well, but we just have a passion and a love for the game, and I think just the new wave and generation of basketball players are bringing so much to the game, but obviously off the foundation that the players before us have built.
So we’re just continuing to try to grow the game, expand the game, bring the viewership from the college game to the WNBA. So, I think we’re all extremely excited as a draft class.
Q. How does it feel knowing that your new teammates are so excited to play with you? Arike has expressed it on social and I spoke with DiJonai earlier and she said she would love to have a player like you as her teammate.
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, just to feel loved, feel supported, it means everything. I can’t wait to play with that system, to play with that team, to embrace that new city. To be in a place that you’re loved and wanted, that’s very important.
Q. Your stepbrother wrote on social media that you guys were just doing runs every day in the summer growing up. What are some other — who are some other people that helped you really develop your game that we wouldn’t expect other than PTs and trainers, etc?
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, that’s a good question. Definitely him. We played a lot of one-on-one growing up at the park, and then my old teammate KK Adams from Hopkins, we used to bike and scooter to the park almost every day and always play. But yeah, there’s so many people, Chauncee Hollingsworth was one of my trainers that trained me in high school. Reid Ouse was another one. There’s so many people that contributed to the love for the game at such a young age.
But yeah, my stepbrother Randy, he was one of the huge ones.
Q. In the sneaker world, obviously a ton of momentum in the sneaker world in women’s basketball specifically. Obviously, you’re signed to Nike. The sneaker world is dying to know when can we expect the Paige 1 signature shoe and talk about the process was working for Nike.
PAIGE BUECKERS: Yeah, I have no idea. Just based off staying in the moment, I haven’t even thought about those conversations, nor have we started those, but there’s a lot of people in line for that that that deserve it, as well.
Whatever happens in the future, we’ll see. It’s been great working with Nike. They invest so much in me and women’s basketball, in women’s sports. So it’s been great to have that partnership. They’ve done a lot of stuff with me creatively, as well, in the lifestyle department, not just basketball. They have a great creative team who comes up with great ideas, and they’ve just been very supportive of me.
It was easy, it could have been easy to give up on me going through all the injuries and go to someone else that didn’t have that history, but they stuck with me, and I’m extremely grateful for that.
Kaitlyn Chen
Q. What’s going through your head right now being drafted after this past year you had with UConn?
KAITLYN CHEN: Honestly, still in a little bit of shock. It’s still a little overwhelming. I was really just here to watch Paige get drafted and I’m so happy for her. But it’s been an unreal night.
Q. What was your expectations coming into tonight? What was the moment like when you got to kind of share with the team and get pulled up on stage?
KAITLYN CHEN: I didn’t really have any expectations coming into the night. But to be able to experience that with my team all around me and them all jumping and screaming was pretty amazing.
Q. You said you came in with no expectations, but as the draft went on and it got into the third round, did you start feeling any emotions and any anxiety, any nerves?
KAITLYN CHEN: Not really. But Caroline (Ducharme) next to me kept telling me to be ready. She almost didn’t let us use the bathroom just in case.
Q. You’re joining a Valkyries team that is beginning to lay its foundation. What’s the most exciting aspect of being able to set a good foot for a new organization in the league?
KAITLYN CHEN: To just be a part of something that’s starting from scratch and being able to be a part of that sort of build.
Q. How does it feel to be able to go back to your home state and play for the Golden State Valkyries, speak to the importance of that, and to be a bit closer to family, as well?
KAITLYN CHEN: It’s really exciting. My parents have been through so much with me, and they’ve been there for every step of the way. I know that red eye across the country to the East Coast is not the easiest, so I’m glad it will now be an hour flight for them instead of five. So yeah, it means a lot to be able to go back to the West Coast.
Q. I just want to know if there was a moment or a year or whatever when basketball went from a passion, a hobby, whatever, to something that you had an idea that you wanted to treat professionally or started taking it more seriously, whatever comes to mind?
KAITLYN CHEN: Probably not a specific moment or year. I sort of feel like with basketball I’ve just sort of let it take me on this journey. I haven’t really had any expectations from the start. I was lucky enough to have such a great time at Princeton and be so successful there. And I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to come to UConn. I think I’m just taking everything as it goes. It’s been a pretty great ride so far.
Q. Second year in a row that multiple players with Ivy League ties have heard their name called after what was a remarkable March for the conference. What’s it like to know that Harmoni was also in this draft with you?
KAITLYN CHEN: Yeah, Harmoni is an amazing player, super talented, and she always has been since we played each other my sophomore year. I think it just says a lot about the Ivy League and how competitive it is as a conference and how great players are able to get a great education but also a really amazing — a really great and successful basketball experience.
Q. Obviously you weren’t expecting to hear your name called, but something like this happened last year, the No. 1 overall pick, their teammate was called late and she happens to be your teammate now. What do you think that conversation will be like with Kate Martin with you guys just kind of going through the same experience back to back?
KAITLYN CHEN: I’m sure it’ll be funny. Looking forward to meeting everyone and just sort of learning from everyone.
Q. Your coach took a chance on you and you pretty much lived up to the UConn standards. How has your coach inspired you along your journey?
KAITLYN CHEN: I’m just really grateful that he gave me the opportunity to come to UConn and be able to learn from him and to play alongside such great teammates and give me the chance to play basketball, play college basketball at the highest level and win a natty.
Hailey Van Lith
HAILEY VAN LITH: Hello, everybody. First off, I would just like to begin with thanking Chicago. I’m so grateful for this opportunity. All I have asked for is an opportunity my whole career, and I couldn’t be more honored and blessed that they were the team that gave me the opportunity.
First and foremost, I would just like to thank that organization for taking a chance on me.
Q. Angel Reese has already tweeted how she’s excited to run it back with you. What does it mean to be reunited with her and what are you looking forward to joining forces again?
HAILEY VAN LITH: Yeah, Angel has maintained contact with me this whole past year since she’s been in the league and I transferred. I really appreciate her. We have a very mature relationship, a very — a mutual respect relationship where we both have respect for each other’s game and also the character and the person we are off the court.
Mostly I’m just excited to get to be around her again. I think we have a lot of similarities about how we carry ourselves and our mindset on what’s important to us. She’s a dog, man. She turns up the intensity of everybody around her.
I’m excited to be in that environment with her again where she can pull more out of me than I think I have.
Q. What are you looking to bring to Chicago when you go there?
HAILEY VAN LITH: Yeah, first and foremost, I’m wanting to bring a toughness, a resilience. Whatever my role is, whatever my opportunities are, I think I just want to contribute to the culture of tough, selfless, hardworking players that I think that they’re looking to join to the program.
That’s what I am looking to bring. It’s more of an attitude, a mindset than anything, and I think I’m more than capable of doing that.
Q. Commissioner Engelbert said before the draft that they’re trying to do things to help combat the vitriol that you guys all face on social media. You’ve been very vocal about your getting mental health help. How important is it to hear that the commissioner is trying to help you guys combat the negativity that obviously I’m sure you’ve seen on social media towards basketball players like yourself?
HAILEY VAN LITH: Yeah, it feels good to join a league that is not only concerned about our level of play but also how we’re functioning as humans. So that was encouraging. At our rookie orientation that we had here, they showed us an app that they’re partnering with that will help filter hate comments off of our channels. I think that’s important not only for us as the players to not see that but also young women and young boys who are following us. They don’t want to see that an our page, either, when they look to us for inspiration. We don’t need to expose them to that.
I think that’s what’s most important is the next generation that is looking to us as inspiration. They don’t need to know that that is something that you go through. I think that it’s amazing that the WNBA is putting support behind it.
Q. Obviously big narrative is your reunion with Angel, but that being said, there are plenty of players in the league that you have faced in college, as well. Are there any particular players that you’re looking forward to playing against in the W, whether you’ve played with them or against them in the NCAA or not?
HAILEY VAN LITH: Yeah, there’s so many players in the league that are great. The WNBA is so unique with how powerful the talent is because it is so small. So I would be crazy to sit up here and pick one.
I’m excited to just see how I stack up against this level of play. I think it’s a competition that I’m ready to embrace, that I’m excited to embrace.
I think it’s too hard to pick one. I’m just excited for every day in training camp. That’s my concern right now.
Q. You said on the pre-draft show that you were glad you stayed in college as long as you did because it helped you grow both physically and mentally. Can you tell us how you’ve been able to manage, navigate and strengthen your mental health through not only college but representing America and building your brand and character?
HAILEY VAN LITH: Yeah, sure. I think, one, the work that I’ve done with my sports psychologist Derick Grant, he’s actually here today to support me. That’s how close and how instrumental he has been to my career. I wanted him here, no question.
But the work I’ve done with him on how to control my inner state of being, in reducing the effect that external factors have on that inner state of being, has been the most important thing because that impacts confidence. That impacts quality of life. That impacts reads I make in the pick-and-roll, believe it or not. It goes that deep.
Mental health for me is so important to my game. I’m such a mental player. I’m so passionate. I love basketball. I want to be the best that I can, so mentally naturally where my mindset is is pivotal to my performance on the court. So the work I’ve done with Derick to improve and enhance that mindset and streamline it to where I’m experiencing less lulls has been the most important thing.
Q. This past season it’s no secret it’s been essentially a revenge tour for you. After transferring to TCU, essentially rebuilding your stock, finding success in the tournament, what does it say about your character, your spirit as a player and just the type of player the Chicago Sky is receiving?
HAILEY VAN LITH: Yeah, I think really in my eyes, it shows that I didn’t care enough to call it a revenge tour. Nothing that ever happened in the past or the events that took place at previous schools, that never hit me deep enough to where I felt like I had to get my lick back or any of that.
The Lord put me in situations that I needed to go through to grow as a basketball player and a human being, and that’s not something that I was ever mad about. I accepted that. I worked through it with my sports psychologist. We understood together, like hey, this is something that you can grow from. This is an experience you should embrace. You should run toward this.
I think what it says about me is really that I didn’t care. That was not something that was keeping me from sleeping at night. That shows somebody who really believes in themselves, and at the end of the day, the next level was all about who believes they can.
If I can carry that over to the next level, I think I’m setting myself up for success.
Q. The WNBA is a league that is known for advocacy in many different lanes and about different social issues and even on mental health. I’m curious how you want to continue to be an advocate as a pro, if it is about mental health.
HAILEY VAN LITH: Yeah, I think that is something that I’m still figuring out. The first thing was to get drafted to a team, and before today I didn’t know if that was going to happen. So now that we know that that has happened, I can start to really address that.
But I have been thinking about that. I think I have a unique platform where I’m popular on social media but I don’t supply or I don’t put myself out there as much as some others. I think it provides me a unique lane to be super authentic and connect with me.
I’m not really sure how that’ll happen yet. But I’m a woman of God, and I think that God will make that path very known when it comes the time. I have faith that however He needs me to touch people, He will provide the avenue for me to do that. In college, that was through media. In the NCAA Tournament, when all the eyes were on women’s basketball. So I’m not sure what that looks like for me in the league, but I have faith that it’ll happen.