It’s that time of the year for WNBA mock drafts, where pundits and analysts give their best predictions for how the draft selections will play out on Monday night in New York City.

At Just Women’s Sports, we decided to add a wrinkle to the projections. Lyndsey D’Arcangelo, Rachel Galligan and Hannah Withiam got together to simulate the first and second rounds of the WNBA Draft from the general managers’ point of view. The list of prospects and draft boards are set, but there are always surprises on draft night.

After doing rocks, paper, scissors to determine the draft order (Lyndsey first, Rachel second and Hannah third), we set out to make each team’s best draft decisions in real time.

Editor’s note: This mock draft was completed before the Minnesota Lynx traded the No. 8 and No. 13 picks to the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday in exchange for the Aces’ first- and second-round picks in 2023.

1. Atlanta Dream (Lyndsey)

Rhyne Howard, G, Kentucky

With the first pick in the draft as Atlanta’s general manager, I felt I couldn’t go wrong with either Rhyne Howard or NaLyssa Smith. Ultimately, I’m going with Howard. She’s an all-around playmaker and scorer (20.5 points per game) who can come in and make an immediate impact as the Dream look to build around her for the future.

2. Indiana Fever (Rachel)

NaLyssa Smith, F, Baylor

Indiana is in a great position here to get a No. 1-caliber player regardless of who falls to them. Smith has the impact potential the Fever can build around for the future, and she fills an immediate (and desperate) need on their roster with her size, competitiveness and athleticism. The best part is Smith hasn’t even come close to hitting her ceiling.

3. Washington Mystics (Hannah)

Shakira Austin, F/C, Ole Miss

With Howard and Smith off the board first, as expected, the Mystics have a few directions they could go here. Head coach and GM Mike Thibault said on a media call Thursday that he has three prospects ranked as the best in this draft, which is why he felt comfortable trading the No. 1 pick to Atlanta earlier this week. Nyara Sabally and Emily Engstler are intriguing possibilities, but Austin’s pro-readiness is too appealing to pass up, especially as Elena Delle Donne’s health remains up in the air.

4. Indiana Fever (Lyndsey)

Nyara Sabally, F/C, Oregon

The Fever have the chance to scoop up enough first-round picks in this year’s draft to put together a competitive team full of college stars who are more than ready to make the leap to the pro level. Since Hannah took Austin with the third pick for the Mystics, I’m jumping on the chance to get Sabally and add her to the growing list of young talent on the Fever roster. Injury history aside, she’s got all the intangibles to be successful in the WNBA.

5. New York Liberty (Rachel)

Emily Engstler, G/F, Louisville

Between the prospect of a homecoming and an addition to the Liberty-Louisville pipeline that has been established in recent years, this pick almost feels poetic. Engstler demanded respect night in and night out for Louisville this season with her competitiveness on both ends of the floor. She is unlike any other player in this draft and would be a great addition to the Liberty as they continue to build the franchise into a playoff contender.

6. Indiana Fever (Hannah)

Destanni Henderson, G, South Carolina

The Fever have already addressed their needs in the post with Smith and Sabally, so it’s time to turn to the backcourt after losing guards Kysre Gondrezick and Julie Allemand to trades this offseason. With Engstler off the board, I could go with a wing like Kierstan Bell or a shooting guard like Christyn Williams, but I need a floor general to create shots for Kelsey Mitchell and Bria Hartley and to spell 32-year-old point guard Danielle Robinson. Henderson’s motor and offensive skill set should fit right in.

7. Dallas Wings (Lyndsey)

Kierstan Bell, G, Florida Gulf Coast

The Wings’ roster is already chock full of talent and space is limited. But with Bella Alarie opting out for the season, there’s space to add additional talent. Bell would be a great complement to the roster as a pro-ready guard who can do it all on the court. She should also get the playing time necessary to improve her game on the defensive end and from beyond the arc.

8. Minnesota Lynx (Rachel)

Sika Kone, F, Mali

Barring any late moves, the Lynx are in a tough position with their cap space. Given this is Sylvia Fowles; last year in the league, the team has an opportunity to look ahead and add an asset for the coming years. At 19 years old, Kone is extremely young, but what she could become with WNBA coaching is highly intriguing.

9. Los Angeles Sparks (Hannah)

Christyn Williams, G, UConn

The Sparks were one of the best defensive teams in the country last season but dead last in offensive output, averaging just 72.8 points per game. Their frontcourt is stacked with the addition of Liz Cambage and returns of Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike and Amanda Zahui B. Williams’ transition game and shooting ability will help the Sparks open up their offense and draw defenders out so those players can produce in the paint.

10. Indiana Fever (Lyndsey)

Elissa Cunane, C, NC State

Linn Dunn said in the pre-draft media call that the Fever are going into this draft knowing exactly what they need. Indiana is desperate for frontcourt depth and especially thin at the center position. Adding Cunane here not only fills that hole, it also gives Indiana a shot at redemption in developing a big after the early departures of Teaira McCown and Lauren Cox.

11. Las Vegas Aces (Rachel)

Naz Hillmon, F, Michigan

Hillmon might be undersized, but her work ethic, rebounding ability and efficiency around the basket can’t be denied. Las Vegas could use additional depth in the paint and a player who can complement A’ja Wilson while developing into a greater perimeter threat. Hillmon is a great candidate for both.

12. Connecticut Sun (Hannah)

Nia Clouden, G, Michigan State

The Sun have a set lineup of veterans and don’t have much cap space to work with as a result. If Clouden, one of the purest shooters in this draft class, is still on the board with the last pick of the first round, she has a shot to compete for one of the final guard spots in training camp and ease Connecticut’s cap concerns with her rookie contract.

13. Minnesota Lynx (Lyndsey)

Rae Burrell, F/G, Tennessee

With limited cap space, the Lynx are in an interesting position in this draft. They might not be able to sign any draft picks unless they make some moves to free up cash. Still, taking the best talent available here makes the most sense. If Burrell is still on the board, she’s a solid player who can come in and compete for a roster spot — if there’s one available.

14. Washington Mystics (Rachel)

Veronica Burton, G, Northwestern

Burton would add depth at the guard spot and bring a defensive tenacity and toughness that Thibault seems to covet in his guards. Burton can score the ball and facilitate, and she plays extremely hard on both ends of the floor, most notably as an elite on-ball defender. She has a chance to make a lot of noise in the league.

15. Atlanta Dream (Hannah)

Lorela Cubaj, F, Georgia Tech

Burrell and Burton would have warranted consideration if still available at this spot, but now that the Dream have Howard, Erica Wheeler, Tiffany Hayes and Aari McDonald in the backcourt, they can look to add depth in the post. Cubaj has intriguing WNBA potential with her mobile 6-foot-4 frame and elite rebounding and defensive skills.

16. Los Angeles Sparks (Lyndsey)

Queen Egbo, F/C, Baylor

I can’t think of a better fit here for the Sparks’ roster of dynamic personalities than Egbo, who averaged 11 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season. She adds depth at the center/forward position and will most certainly learn a post move or two from Liz Cambage.

17. Seattle Storm (Rachel)

Khayla Pointer, G, LSU

When looking at the post-Sue Bird era, the Storm have to be eyeing the hole she’ll leave at the point guard position after this season. Pointer carried a big load during her five years at LSU, and it will be interesting to see how her game translates to the pros, but two things are for certain: Pointer will work and she does not shy away from the moment. She is a high-level competitor who’s eager to learn and would be a great pick at this phase of the draft.

18. Seattle Storm (Hannah)

Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F, UConn

Any player selected at this point in the draft has tough odds of making a WNBA roster, and the Storm are in win-now mode with a handful of veterans on one-year contracts. So, if they’re going with the best player available, Nelson-Ododa brings a UConn pedigree (and connection with Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Gabby Williams) as well as a disruptive presence in the paint.

19. Los Angeles Sparks (Lyndsey)

Evina Westbrook, G, UConn

Again, at this point in the draft, I’m going to go with the best talent available on the board. Westbrook has the UConn pedigree, size and athletic versatility to take her game to the next level. And she’ll have an opportunity to learn from the Sparks’ veteran core of guards.

20. Indiana Fever (Rachel)

Lexie Hull, G, Stanford

Indiana has a chance to add potential assets at nearly every position on Monday. Hull would bring length on the wing, strong perimeter shooting and elite basketball instincts. Though she might have a learning curve with the physicality of the WNBA, there is no doubt that Hull’s stock rose significantly during the NCAA Tournament.

21. Seattle Storm (Hannah)

Kianna Smith, G, Louisville

The Storm have gone with a point guard and post so far in this draft, and at this point, you can never go wrong with more pure shooters. Seattle could use more deep threats after losing Katie Lou Samuelson to the Sparks, and Smith brings just that after shooting 36.7 percent from 3 and 37 percent from the field for Louisville this season.

22. Minnesota Lynx (Lyndsey)

Aisha Sheppard, G, Virginia Tech

As already mentioned, I’m not sure if the Lynx can even afford their first- and second-draft picks, so this might be a wasted pick altogether. But Sheppard is an excellent 3-point shooter (38.7 percent) and deserves an opportunity to showcase her skills. If she does end up getting cut by the Lynx, perhaps she’ll be picked up elsewhere.

23. Las Vegas Aces (Rachel)

Macee Williams, C, IUPUI

Williams is a potential sleeper in this draft class, with the power, footwork, efficiency and strength to make a good run at a roster spot. Las Vegas can afford to add depth on the interior, and Williams has many of the tools needed to thrive in the WNBA.

24. Connecticut Sun (Hannah)

Ali Patberg, G, Indiana

Picks at this stage of the draft are for insurance, since it’s unlikely the Sun will have enough cap space to keep them on the roster. Patberg has a personal connection to the Connecticut staff, as head coach and GM Curt Miller and assistant coach Brandi Poole tried to recruit her to Indiana when they were on staff there. Patberg’s experience and intangibles would fit well in Connecticut if she sticks around.

Lyndsey D’Arcangelo is a contributing writer at Just Women’s Sports, covering the WNBA and college basketball. She also contributes to The Athletic and is the co-author of “Hail Mary: The Rise and Fall of the National Women’s Football League.” Follow Lyndsey on Twitter @darcangel21.

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.

Hannah Withiam is the Managing Editor at Just Women’s Sports. She previously served as an editor at The Athletic and a reporter at the New York Post. Follow her on Twitter @HannahWithiam.

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins examines Angel City FC's early success in the young 2025 NWSL season.

Off to an undefeated 2025 campaign, a stat only the 2024 championship-winning Orlando Pride and powerhouse Kansas City Current also share, 2022 expansion side Angel City launched itself into the early contender conversation after missing the NWSL Playoffs entirely last season.

Watkins digs into the LA club, chatting through the team's star-studded formation, its early days, as well as its young core, highlighted by star sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson — all while weighing if the squad is truly ready to level up into the league's title-seeking echelon.

Angel City is beginning to see some payoff from its early developmental strategy, with Watkins pointing out that taking winger Alyssa Thompson straight out of high school is now providing major returns.

"She's got three goals in four games in 2025, she's the second youngest NWSL player to hit 10 goals and 10 assists in her career," noted Watkins. "Teams are having trouble accounting for her despite knowing that she is their offensive focal point at this moment."

That said, even with Thompson's prowess, Watkins does expect the club's hot start to cool, though she does predict a 2025 NWSL Playoff berth for the LA team.

"They are getting through on moments of brilliance, on chemistry and mental fortitude," noted Watkins. "It's a long season, and those kinds of things can start to slip as you get tired and other teams get used to the way that you play."

About 'The Late Sub' with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on the USWNT, NWSL, and all things women's soccer. Special guest appearances featuring the biggest names in women’s sports make TLS a must-listen for every soccer fan.

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The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) hired former MLB executive Kim Ng as its first-ever commissioner on Wednesday, tapping into Ng’s 21 years of top-level experience ahead of the league’s inaugural 2025 season.

After becoming the youngest assistant general manager in baseball history for the New York Yankees in 1998, Ng inked another line into the record books as the first woman GM in any major US men’s sports league in November 2020, when she took over the front office for MLB’s Miami Marlins.

Her three-season tenure in Miami culminated in a 2023 playoff appearance — the Marlins' first in 20 years.

Ng's pivot to softball is a homecoming for the trailblazing 56-year-old exec, who played NCAA softball before breaking down MLB barriers.

"I think after 30-plus years in the business, I also owe it to myself to do some things that I hadn't necessarily had the opportunity to do in the past," Ng told The Athletic about her decision to join AUSL. "And this is, for me, it's a passion."

Prior to her commissioner appointment, Ng served as a senior advisor for AUSL, helping to develop the league into existence from a landscape full of growing parity at the college level, yet few viable pro opportunities.

"Knowing what an established, mature system of governance looks like, I think will be really helpful in establishing this league," Ng added.

AUSL takes the field with 2025 tour

Launching on June 7th — immediately following the 2025 NCAA Women's College World Series — each of the AUSL's four inaugural teams will play 24 games across a seven-week season.

The league's 2025 debut will function as a tour, with regular-season games played across eight different cities before two additional locations are added for the first-ever AUSL All-Star Cup in August.

Each city is auditioning to become one of six permanent markets for the league, which will transition to a traditional location-based set-up in 2026.

The PWHL dropped its 2025 Draft details on Tuesday, with the league’s third-annual entry draft set to take over Ottawa, Canada — home of the Charge — on June 24th.

Eligible NCAA standouts and other pro hockey prospects have until May 8th to declare for selection, following the PWHL’s May 3rd regular-season finale.

Notably, the second-year league follows the Gold Plan when it comes to determining draft order. Under this system, teams eliminated from the playoffs have an incentive to continue hunting wins, as franchises who amass more points post-elimination secure higher draft picks.

The New York Sirens and 2024 champions Minnesota Frost currently sit below the postseason cutoff line, meaning both teams could snag the most draft capital when the league returns from international break later this month.

NCAA stars likely to top 2025 PWHL Draft selections

Last year, the New York Sirens selected Princeton star Sarah Fillier as the overall No. 1 pick, with the rookie forward having an immediate impact in her debut pro season.

Fillier currently ranks second in individual points scored on the 2024/25 PWHL stat sheet, trailing only US hockey legend and Boston Fleet captain Hilary Knight.

As for who will join Fillier and Minnesota Frost forward Taylor Heise — the inaugural 2023 PWHL Draft No. 1 pick — atop this year's draft, two NCAA standouts are likely contenders.

Should she declare, University of Minnesota forward Abbey Murphy is the projected 2025 No. 1 pick.

However, Murphy could return to the Golden Gophers for a final NCAA season following her international duty with the 2025 IIHF Women's World Championship semifinals-bound Team USA.

Should Murphy defer her pro debut, 2024/25 NCAA MVP Casey O'Brien is the likely top selectee, having already declared for the draft.

The Wisconsin captain wrapped up her NCAA campaign as this season's leading scorer, claiming 88 points on 26 goals and 62 assists en route to this year’s national championship — the third NCAA title of her college career.

Eight top squads are edging closer to Saturday’s 2025 NCAA gymnastics championships team trophy, with the pivotal semifinal round kicking off on Thursday afternoon.

No. 2-seed Oklahoma, No. 3 Florida, No. 7 Missouri, and No. 11 Alabama will hit the mat first, before 2024 winners and the 2025 bracket's No. 1-seed LSU goes to work to defend their title against No. 4 Utah, No. 5 UCLA, and No. 8 Michigan State.

The top two teams from each of Thursday's semifinals will advance to compete for the national title on Saturday.

Semifinal meets will crown individual NCAA champions

First, however, five individual NCAA trophies will be bestowed on Thursday night, as the semifinal meets will determine the 2025 all-around and event champions.

In addition to the athletes on the eight qualifying teams, four all-around competitors and 16 event specialists will join the race for solo NCAA hardware, with each earning an invite as the top performer in their respective category at one of the sport's four Regional tournaments.

These individual contenders will follow a qualified team's rotation schedule during their semifinal meet.

Leading the all-around pack is LSU star and 2024 individual champ Haleigh Bryant, though she'll face stiff competition in her bid for a back-to-back championship.

Standing in Bryant's path are Oregon State's Jade Carey, Arkansas's Joscelyn Roberson, Denver's Madison Ulrich, and Washington's Mary McDonough, alongside qualified team athletes like UCLA's Jordan Chiles — Carey’s 2024 Olympics teammate.

Bryant will also defend her shared 2024 vault title, though her co-champion on that event, Cal's Mya Lauzon, will instead compete for beam and floor hardware this week.

All other 2024 event winners are also back, with LSU's Konnor McClain and Florida's Leanne Wong seeking to repeat on beam and floor, respectively. Wong will also hunt another trophy on bars, alongside last year's co-champ, Utah's Grace McCallum.

How to watch the 2025 NCAA Gymnastics Championships

The first 2025 NCAA gymnastics semifinal starts at 4:30 PM ET on Thursday, followed by the second semi at 9 PM ET.

Live coverage of both semifinal meets will air on ESPN2.