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WNBA draft: Live tracker and analysis of every pick

Destanni Henderson was selected by the Fever at No. 20. (Evan Yu/Just Women’s Sports)

The WNBA Draft is underway from New York City on Monday night. With each selection, prospects will learn where they’re continuing their professional basketball careers next season.

Just Women’s Sports analyst Rachel Galligan will share her thoughts on each pick as the event unfolds. Check back in throughout the first, second and third rounds for updated analysis on draft night.

For more on the prospects and WNBA teams’ needs, check out Rachel’s full WNBA mock draft and Top 50 big board.

Round 1

1. Atlanta Dream: Rhyne Howard, G, Kentucky

The Atlanta Dream make it official! They had their eyes on one specific player who they felt could be a pillar of their franchise and traded up for that. Howard has pro-ready skill, size and potential and provides the type of impact player Atlanta can build around for the coming years. The 6-foot-2 guard has showcased her versatility and scoring ability at all three levels during her time at Kentucky. Howard averaged 20.1 points, 2.9 assists and 6.9 rebounds this season.

2. Indiana Fever: NaLyssa Smith, F, Baylor

The Fever secured a franchise player who easily could have gone No. 1. At 6-foot-4, Smith has been dominant during her time at Baylor and has yet to hit her ceiling, averaging 15.5 points and 8.3 rebounds. She has continued to expand her game and skill set every year and the sky’s the limit what she can do for the retooling Fever. She can play with her back to the basket, face up and attack off the dribble, knock down the mid range jumper and run the floor in transition.

3. Washington Mystics: Shakira Austin, F, Ole Miss

Shakira Austin’s length, power, strength and potential is scary! She can not only make an immediate impact on a roster, but she has the potential and confidence in herself to continue to be developed. Offensively, has she hasn’t even come close to the type of player she can become with her back-to-the-basket and face-up game. Austin wowed us at the SEC tournament in particular, where she showed out in front of nearly every WNBA GM and head coach.

4. Indiana Fever: Emily Engstler, G/F, Louisville

Fever general manager Lin Dunn wanted defensive tenacity, and that is exactly what she got in this pick. Engstler is a swiss army knife in terms of what she can bring to the floor and her competitiveness goes unmatched. She can score, defend, rebound and possesses phenomenal basketball instincts. The Fever immediately have a vital weapon in Engstler who brings an edge and passion on both ends of the floor. The Fever are off to a phenomenal start for 2022!

5. New York Liberty: Nyara Sabally, F, Oregon

Sabally has the potential to be one of the most impressive picks out of this draft. She has great vision and passing ability at 6-foot-5. She plays very well out of the pick and roll, which is a great asset for the next level. If she can stay healthy, remain consistent and continue to develop, her potential is really fun to think about. She has been efficient during her career at Oregon, shooting 51.9 percent and averaging 14.2 points and 7.5 rebounds this season.

6. Indiana Fever: Lexie Hull, G, Stanford

OKAY!!!!!!! We have our first big-time shocker with Hull going at No. 6. Hull showcased her skill set, length and IQ extremely well during the NCAA tournament, where her stock really rose. The Fever clearly value her poise and shooting ability and what she can bring to a young rebuilding team. Hull might struggle with the physicality but has the IQ and work ethic to face that curve. You have to wonder: Could the Fever have gotten Hull at No. 10? Maybe they didn’t want to risk it.

7. Dallas Wings: Veronica Burton, G, Northwestern

A complete stat stuffer and the type of player who is a tireless worker and brings a tremendous amount of toughness. Burton has the tools and mindset to be the future in terms of top WNBA point guards. Burton led the country in steals this year at 4.0 per game and Wings coach Vickie Johnson feels this team has got to improve on the defensive end of the floor. Burton does just that.

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Northwestern’s Veronica Burton went to the Wings. (Evan Yu/Just Women’s Sports)

8. Las Vegas Aces: Mya Hollingshed, F, Colorado

Big surprise here and probably the biggest in the draft so far. Hollingshed’s potential and length is what is appealing to the Aces. Hollingshed has worked really hard to become a more efficient shooter from beyond the arc, averaging 38.8 percent from 3-point range this season. She has elite athleticism and agility at 6-foot-3. While the physicality is going to be a concern, clearly the Aces do not feel that is as big of a concern given her upside.

9. Los Angeles Sparks: Rae Burrell, G/F, Tennessee

The Sparks look at this draft as a chance to improve depth and shooting ability on the wing. Burrell is a long guard capable of really shooting the basketball and stretching the floor forcing defenses to open up the paint for their dominant post players. A healthy Burrell is exciting to think about and she is versatile, but she struggled with lingering injuries this season. At 6-foot-1, Burrell has the length to play wing and make plays on defense as well. A big wing is always sought after in the WNBA.

10. Indiana Fever: Queen Egbo, F, Baylor

The Fever have certainly loaded up in the paint this draft. Egbo is an elite athlete and brings a level of rebound and rim protection the Fever can utilize in the interior. She has a great amount of mobility and could be used to switch and be disruptive defensively. While her offensive skillet can continue to improve, Egbo has been highlight efficient around the basket shooting 51.5 percent during her collegiate career.

11. Las Vegas Aces: Kierstan Bell, G, FGCU

One of the most prolific scorers in this draft. Bell has an elite scoring mentality and has the tools to play 2-4 in this league. She can come in and backup the guards in Las Vegas, she can expose mismatches on the block with her size and strength and she comes from a pro system out of Florida Gulf Coast. Bell thrives in high pressure situations and showing out when she has the chance. She will need to continue to expand on her defensive presence on the floor, but the Aces added a player with confidence, swag and a willing ability to work to translate her game to the WNBA.

12. Connecticut Sun: Nia Clouden, G, Michigan State

Connecticut adds a combo guard here with ability to shoot the three, which is an area the Sun desperately needed shooting 40% this season. Clouden feels a bit overlooked in this draft but can completely stuff the stat sheet. She has a scoring mentality, ability to play in the pick and roll and be a versatile guard who can score at all three levels. The issue lies in the Sun’s cap space and ability to add picks to their already talented roster- who can Clouden beat out to make the team?

Round 2

13. Las Vegas Aces: Khayla Pointer, PG, LSU

It’s just so poetic with Pointer going to play for her aunt Nikki Fargas, who was also her former coach at LSU. Pointer had two triple-doubles this season, and coach Kim Mulkey often mentioned the point guard as an overlooked talent. Pointer is competitive and she does not shy away from big moments. She has a shot to really compete for a backup point guard spot for the Aces — especially since they just waived Destiny Slocum.

14. Washington Mystics: Christyn Williams, G, UConn

Williams has played at a high level for UConn the last four years. When Williams is knocking down shots, she can have a significant impact on the game. With her speed, she’s difficult to stop when getting to the rim in the open court and is tenacious on defense. Williams is a flashy and exciting player to watch who adds a highly skilled option for Washington at the guard spot.

15. Atlanta Dream: Naz Hillmon, F, Michigan

I just love Naz Hillmon and the toughness she has. Naz has one of the best motors in this draft class as a scorer and rebounder. Hillmon is highly efficient around the rim, she is consistent and she can rebound. She has averaged a double-double the last two seasons in the Big Ten. Atlanta adds an undersized post who will need to continue to learn to stretch the floor and expand her offensive game beyond the paint. Hillmon brings the intangibles and toughness anyone would be lucky to coach in this league.

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Naz Hillmon heads from Michigan to the Atlanta Dream. (Evan Yu/Just Women’s Sports)

16. Los Angeles Sparks: Kianna Smith, G, Louisville

I love this pick for the Sparks as they add a solid guard who comes from a great program in Louisville. When we talk about long guards who can shoot, Kianna Smith could very easily be a steal in this draft for Los Angeles as one of the best pure shooters in the class.

17. Seattle Storm: Elissa Cunane, C, NC State

Seattle needs depth in the paint and the fact Cunane fell this far is a shock to me. At 6-foot-5, Cunane has gone against some of the best posts in the country during her career and is one of the most consistent players in the draft. Cunane can stretch the floor and shoot the three; she went 40 percent from behind the arc for her collegiate career.

18. Seattle Storm: Lorela Cubaj, F, Georgia Tech

After being selected by the Storm, Cubaj was dealt to the Liberty in exchange for the New York’s 2023 second-round pick. Cubaj is a great defender and veteran forward who can come to New York and compete as a pro because of her work ethic and passion. At 6-foot-4, Cubaj is a high-post threat whose vision and IQ make her an effective passer. She can face up, take defenders off the bounce and create separation with her shot. She needs to continue to expand her offensive game.

19. Los Angeles Sparks: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F, UConn

The Sparks got themselves a long, versatile forward who has potential to thrive in the WNBA down the road. She comes from a phenomenal program and at 6-foot-5, she runs the floor, rebounds and brings a young forward who will challenge this team in training camp.

20. Indiana Fever: Destanni Henderson, PG, South Carolina

I’m shocked Henderson fell this far down the draft board, but it is a phenomenal pick up for the Fever. Henderson showed out in the national championship game and has the poise and speed to be effective at the next level. As the floor general for the No. 1 team in the country, Henderson does a great job of controlling the pace and setting up the offense with strong decision-making. She has the quickness and agility to get to the rim with ease, fitting the mold of a pick-and-roll player at the next level.

21. Seattle Storm: Evina Westbrook, G, UConn

Westbrook has good size at guard and a well-rounded skill set that should make her a versatile option at the next level. She has a good amount of experience and would be a viable option for any team looking for depth and competition at the guard spot in camp.

22. Minnesota Lynx: Kayla Jones, F, NC State

A good late option at the forward spot for the Lynx, who face similar cap space situations as Connecticut. Jones averaged 7.7 points, 5.3 rebounds and shot 48 percent from the field for NC State.

23. Las Vegas Aces: Aisha Sheppard, G, Virginia Tech

Las Vegas gets sharpshooting and an efficient 3-point threat in Sheppard. Her game evolved and she showcased her versatility this year at Virginia Tech.

24. Connecticut Sun: Jordan Lewis, G, Baylor

Lewis is a veteran guard who will compete in training camp. She can facilitate, makes sound decisions and has really strong vision. But again, it will be very, very difficult to make the Suns roster for any of these picks.

Round 3

25. Indiana Fever: Ameshya Williams-Holliday, C, Jackson State

26. Phoenix Mercury: Maya Dodson, F, Notre Dame

Dodson played some of the best basketball of her career for the Irish this season. The 6-foot-3 forward is another solid late-round pickup for the Mercury, and she has yet to hit her ceiling with her frame, strength and athleticism.

27. Los Angeles Sparks: Amy Atwell, F, Hawai’i

A long forward with wing potential at the next level, which is exactly what the Sparks have been looking for, Atwell averaged 17.8 points, 6.9 rebounds and shot 38 percent from beyond the 3-point line for Hawai’i this season.

28. Minnesota Lynx: Hannah Sjerven, F, South Dakota

Sjerven and her South Dakota squad wowed us during the NCAA tournament with their Sweet 16 run. Sjerven averaged 12.8 points and 6.9 rebounds and shot 55 percent from the field. While cracking the Lynx roster will be tough, she is a nice post option in camp as Minnesota looks to the future.

29. New York Liberty: Sika Kone, F, Mali

Many had Kone going in the first round, so it is a bit surprising she fell this far down, but there are so many question marks sometimes surrounding international players.  The late selection will spur questions on Kone’s availability and health in the coming months.

30. Dallas Wings: Jasmine Dickey, G, Delaware

Dickey is an elite scoring guard who can go into Dallas and challenge the Wings’ young and highly talented roster. Given a shot, Dickey could surprise some people.

31. Dallas Wings: Jazz Bond, F, North Florida

32. Phoenix Mercury: Macee Williams, C, IUPUI

I’m so happy for IUPUI and the dominant career Williams has had. With so much uncertainty swirling around Phoenix’s post players, Williams could be a pleasant surprise in camp. The four-time Horizon League player of the year had one of the most dominant collegiate careers in the country during her five years at IUPUI. The 6-foot-2 forward averaged a double-double this year at 18.7 points and 10.7 rebounds and is one of the most efficient players on the board, shooting 64-percent from the field, which ranked fifth in the country.

33. Seattle Storm: Jade Melbourne, G, Australia

A young, promising guard, the 5-foot-10 Melbourne is a member of the Australian national team and an impressive scorer. Keep your eye on her.

34. Indiana Fever: Ali Patberg, G, Indiana

Patberg stays home in Indiana, which makes me so happy. The veteran guard has been deeply rooted in the state of Indiana her entire career, so it’s just perfect that she will get a shot to make the Fever’s roster. Patberg is poised, smart, experienced and has a phenomenal work ethic.

35. Las Vegas Aces: Faustine Aifuwa, C, LSU

Nikki Fargas loves her people! For the second time this draft, an LSU product reunites with her former coach. Aifuwa has size, rim protection and a powerful body that should allow her to compete in camp.

36. Connecticut Sun: Kiki Smith, G, Florida

Smith is an elite guard who has shown time and time again her ability to elevate her play in big moments. This is a steal for the Sun. I can only imagine her late selection is due to her knee injury, which leaves her unable to play in the upcoming WNBA season. But that is a plus for the Sun, who are in a cap bind.

Rachel Galligan is a basketball analyst at Just Women’s Sports. A former professional basketball player and collegiate coach, she also contributes to Winsidr. Follow Rachel on Twitter @RachGall.

‘Sports Are Fun!’ Rates the NWSL with Gotham FC’s Ryan Campbell

Cover image for Sports Are Fun! with Kelley O'Hara featuring the Washington Spirit.
'Sports Are Fun!' talks NWSL in the latest episode. (JWS)

Welcome to another episode of Sports Are Fun! presented by TurboTax.

Every week on Sports Are Fun!, co-hosts soccer legend Kelley O'Hara, sports journalist Greydy Diaz, and JWS intern BJ serve up their hottest takes on the biggest women's sports headlines.

This week, Sports Are Fun! talks all things NWSL with Gotham FC goalkeeper — and O'Hara's fellow Stanford alum — Ryan Campbell.

"We're five games in at this point and now I feel like things are starting to take shape — we can talk about them," O'Hara opens, referencing the start to the 2025 NWSL season. "I'm excited... the settling's happened, now we can get into season."

"So we're going to talk about what happened this weekend," she continues. "First on the list: Gotham FC. Thankfully we have our very own Gotham FC player in the house."

"I feel like what you're saying is like totally correct — the first three games, I think we scored not very much — a bit of a drought," says Campbell. "But, I mean, I practice with these girls every day. I know Ella Stevens can hit it upper-90, I know Esther's chipping me at practice. I know we have scoring power."

"We all had the sentiment and didn't really get discouraged and I don't think the staff was discouraged at all," she adds. "The resounding sentiment was, 'The rain's going to fall, like it's going to drop for us.' And I think you saw that against Angel City."

In addition to this weekend's NWSL action, Sports Are Fun! also tackles the WNBA Draft's viewership, the NCAA Gymnastics Championship, and so much more.

'Sports Are Fun!' reflects on former USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski

Then, Sports Are Fun turned to coaching. The headline? Angel City bringing on new manager Alexander Straus from Germany's Bayern Munich.

What makes a good coach? What do players look for in a coach? O'Hara knows one thing — playing under USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski wasn't exactly a learning experience.

"Hollywood's got a new hitman you guys," Campbell quips about Straus. "He has piercing blue eyes. They rival Leo DiCaprio."

"But can he coach a soccer team to a championship?" asks O'Hara.

"I've always wondered this," says BJ. "You played at the college level. You play now professionally, you played for the national team — how are you listening to a coach?"

"I think a good coach is going to go in and take a player as experienced as Christen Press, Sydney Leroux, and say, 'This is what I see. This is what I think you can bring to the team. This is how I'm going to utilize you in the system that I want to play,'" O'Hara answers.

"What is funny is — this is going to sound bad. I feel like I shouldn't say this. I don't feel like I learned anything new from Vlatko," she says, subsequently referencing the former USWNT coach. "And, actually, post-having him as a coach, I was like, 'Wow, is that on me? Did I stop learning or did he not coach me?"

"I had conversations with other other players about it. They were like, 'No, no, no, that was on him.' Because I feel like I was always open. I was like, 'I want to be coached, tell me how I can.' Because as a player, yes, you become the type of player you are, but you're never perfect."

Sports Are Fun! graphic featuring soccer legend Kelley O'Hara.
'Sports Are Fun!' places Kelley O'Hara at the intersection of women's sports and fun. (Just Women's Sports)

About 'Sports Are Fun!' with Kelley O'Hara

'Sports Are Fun!' is a show that’ll remind you why you fell in love with women's sports in the first place.

Join World Cup champ, Olympic gold medalist, and aspiring barista Kelley O'Hara as she sits down with sports journalist Greydy Diaz and a revolving cast of co-hosts and friends. Together, they're talking the biggest, funnest, and most need-to-know stories in the world of women’s sports.

From on-court drama to off-field shenanigans, to candid (and silly) chats with the most important personalities in the space, this show screams "Sports Are Fun!"

Subscribe to Just Women's Sports on YouTube to never miss an episode.

WPSL to Launch First-Ever 2nd Division U.S. Pro Women’s Soccer League

The new WPSL Pro league logo on a red-to-blue ombre gradient background.
The new WPSL Pro league is set to launch in 2026. (WPSL Pro Soccer)

The Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) announced a plan to launch a Division II pro arm in 2026, providing a domestic stepping stone for players aspiring to top-flight leagues like the NWSL and USL Super League.

The same Cleveland ownership group that recently fell short of securing an NWSL expansion team is backing the venture, making good on their promise to bring professional women's soccer to Northeast Ohio.

The league will launch with a shortened season following the 2026 men's World Cup, before beginning its first full-fledged campaign in April 2027.

With 15 teams already confirmed, WPSL Pro intends to field clubs in an initial 16 to 20 markets.

Along with Cleveland, the inaugural WPSL Pro season will include teams in Austin, Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Fargo, Houston, Oklahoma City, Sioux Falls, Wichita, and the Bay Area, among others. Each franchise will pay a $1 million fee to enter the league.

The WPSL has a history of fostering high-level amateur competition, currently housing over 100 clubs and boasting a roster of former players that includes USWNT icons Brandi Chastain, Alex Morgan, and Rose Lavelle. WPSL Pro, however, will become the US soccer pyramid's first-ever second-tier league.

"WPSL Pro is the bridge that's been missing — not just for players, but for the communities, investors, and brands ready to be part of the next chapter in women's sports," league co-founder Sean Jones said in a statement.

Caitlin Clark Scores 2nd Best-Selling Jersey Across WNBA and NBA Sales

Fans clamor to buy Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark jerseys before a 2024 WNBA game.
Caitlin Clark sold the second-most basketball jerseys in the US in 2024. (Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

The No. 22 kit of Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark weighed in as last fall's second best-selling basketball jersey in the US according to sports outfitter Fanatics, with the 2024 WNBA Rookie of the Year trailing only NBA superstar Steph Curry on the top sales list.

Clark's merch dominance is nothing new, however. Her Indiana jersey sold out less than an hour after the Fever drafted her as the overall No. 1 pick in April 2024, making Clark the top seller of any draft night pick in the company's history.

Even more, Clark's merchandise led last season's record-shattering WNBA sales, with Fanatics reporting that 2024 sales of player-specific gear earned a jaw-dropping 1,000% year-over-year increase by last summer's All-Star break — in large part thanks to the 2024 WNBA rookie class.

Fellow 2024 WNBA debutants Chicago Sky standout Angel Reese and then-Las Vegas Aces guard Kate Martin — Clark's NCAA teammate at Iowa — trailed the Fever star with the league's second- and fourth-most merchandise sales, respectively.

This year, a new WNBA rookie could give Clark a run for her money, as the No. 5 Dallas Wings jersey for 2025's No. 1 draft pick, Paige Bueckers, is already doing numbers at retailers across the country.

Already a brand mogul in her own right, Bueckers topped the 2024 NIL list as college basketball’s biggest earner via endorsement deals and merchandise sales prior to going pro.

Kenyan Runner Sharon Lokedi Shatters Boston Marathon Record

Kenya's Sharon Lokedi raises her arms in triumph as she crosses the 2025 Boston Marathon finish line.
Kenya’s Sharon Lokedi beat the Boston Marathon course record by over two minutes. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Kenyan runner Sharon Lokedi shattered the women’s course record at the 2025 Boston Marathon on Monday, finishing the 129th edition of the race in 2:17:22 — more than two and a half minutes faster than the previous record set by Ethiopia's Buzunesh Deba in 2014.

The victory marked the 31-year-old runner's second major marathon championship following her 2022 New York City Marathon win.

After finishing second in the 2024 Boston Marathon behind fellow Kenyan Hellen Obiri, Lokedi avenged her runner-up status by overtaking the back-to-back defending champion in the final kilometer of Monday’s race.

"I'm always second to her and today I was like, 'There’s no way,'" Lokedi said of her rivalry with Obiri. "I just have to put it out there and fight 'til the end and see how it goes. I'm so glad I ran that fast and she was right behind me. We all fought and wanted this so bad."

All of this year’s top three finishers broke through the course record pace, with Obiri and Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw joining Lokedi both at the finish line and in the Boston Marathon's record book.

Along with her $150,000 winner's check, Lokedi will pocket an additional $50,000 for claiming the fastest women's time in Boston Marathon history.

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