The 2020 WNBA draft brought both a sense of closure and uncertainty to its 36 draftees. After having their final college seasons cut short, the draft officially brought their amateur careers to a close. And yet because it’s still unclear when or if the upcoming WNBA season will begin, these draftees’ dreams have been put on pause as they wait to suit up with the pros. Below, we spoke with six WNBA rookies about their draft day experience and how they’re handling the present situation.

Your NCAA senior season was cut short. How did you handle that emotionally? 

“It broke my heart because the year before that I broke my hand and I missed the tournament then too. I was so excited for this year. When I found out that we weren’t going to finish our tournament, it shut me down for a while. I thought that I needed the tournament to really push my name up in the draft. I was devastated, for sure.” – Kamiah Smalls, JMU, drafted 28th overall to Indiana Fever 

“I was pretty hurt about it. We didn’t even get to play in our Big 12 tournament. We worked so hard our senior year and in past years to get to that point, and then to not get to finish the season was pretty heartbreaking. I didn’t handle it too well. But then I had to realize that our health is more important than anything, so it’s an understandable situation.” – Sug Sutton, Texas, drafted 36th overall to Washington Mystics

“Our ACC championship happened before the cancelations, and we lost to NC State. We were so close to being the first in Florida State History to win an ACC Championship. It was a tough loss, but it helped me add a bit of fuel to my fire. I was excited for the NCAA Tournament and unfortunately it ended up that no teams got an opportunity to play in it. I still have that feeling where I want to just go hard and get excited and get back out on the court.” – Kiah Gillespie, FSU, drafted 32nd overall to Chicago Sky

“There were a lot of emotions. Our team was poised to make it into the tournament, and it would have been my first experience playing there. On the one hand, you understand there’s a pandemic going on, but on the other hand, it’s your senior year. Everything builds up to that season, and there was no just closure with the way it ended, which made it really sad. Unfortunately with college, you don’t get to retire when you want. You only have four years and then you’re done.” – Haley Gorecki, Duke, drafted 31st overall to Seattle Storm

“We were supposed to play Texas in the Big 12 tournament. At first, there was a decision to continue with the tournament without an audience, so we were preparing for that. Then they just canceled it all together and that was it. We were in Kansas and had family members flying in to see us play so everyone had to cancel their flights and hotel reservations. It was kind of crazy and disappointing, but at the same time, it was a little relieving to know that it wasn’t just us. This was worldwide. So it is what it is. This is happening all around the world, and health is way more important than entertainment and sport.” – Tynice Martin, WVU, drafted 34th overall to LA Sparks

“We played in the Pac-12 tournament before any cancellations and ended up losing to Stanford. Losing in general always sucks. Not being able to go on to play against Oregon in the championship was tough, and I think that if we would’ve known that that was going to be our last game together, we would have maybe approached it a little differently and left it all out there. But it is what it is.” – Japreece Dean, UCLA, drafted 30th overall to Chicago Sky

What were your expectations entering the draft?

“None. I was just praying that I got drafted, just because of how the season went. I know I didn’t perform how I had wanted to. So I was questioning if I would even be drafted. Ahead of the draft, a lot of people doubted that my name would be called.” – Japreece Dean

“I was up and down with my expectations for the draft. because I didn’t have a really good senior season like I did my junior year. I struggled with an injury my senior season. I didn’t really know if I would get drafted or not. So I just left it in God’s hands, and luckily I got drafted.” – Sug Sutton

“Honestly, none. I wasn’t expecting my name to come up on ESPN. I wasn’t expecting the WNBA or anyone to owe me anything from a season cut short. I was just hoping that somebody saw the fight and will in me. Just because I played at a mid-major college, doesn’t mean I can’t hang with the big dogs. It wasn’t about the expectations for me. It was more about seeing who believed in me.” – Kamiah Smalls

“Honestly, I felt like I should have been drafted second round at the latest, but I ended up going late third round, which is still a dream come true, but I was definitely confused about my draft level. Anyway, I’m just excited that I got the experience. A lot of players didn’t get drafted, so I’m grateful.” – Tynice Martin

“Prior to the draft I had received a lot of phone calls from coaches in the WNBA expressing their interest so that made me feel a lot better. I felt like I was being looked at as a real prospect, but I was definitely nervous because of the limited spots on rosters.” – Haley Gorecki

Draft day. You hear you name called. What is that moment like? 

“All me and my family did was scream because we were so excited. It felt like we had just hit the lottery. I wasn’t expecting it, so my reaction, my enthusiasm and my excitement were just through the roof! It had me thinking: Smalls, you did it, you brought your dreams to life. You might be helping another little girl right now feel like it’s possible to go big when you might be seen as small.” – Kamiah Smalls

“Oh, it was unreal. Just to see your name come across the screen after not knowing when it’ll happen. It was very nerve-wracking but it was exciting to have everybody around me be super happy and excited. I think that was the best part about it all, just how genuinely happy everybody was for me.” – Kiah Gillespie

“I just couldn’t believe it. When my name came across the screen, I just jumped up and started running around and screaming. It took me a few days for it all to sink in.” – Sug Sutton

“When it got to the third round, my heart was beating and my toes were curled. They got to number 30 and my name wasn’t called yet. My heart started sinking into my chest. When I finally saw my name, I literally took a deep breath and was able to relax. Right after I was selected, my phone started blowing up with messages and calls.” – Tynice Martin

“As picks were being announced, it was very nerve-wracking because from talking to coaches, I wasn’t projected to go in the third round, it was always early in the second. Then I finally saw my name come across the TV and I just thought, thank God.” – Haley Gorecki

How are you prepping physically and mentally given the uncertainty surrounding the start of the season? 

“Chicago has two point guards on the roster already. I’ve already connected with Courtney Vandersloot, one of our guards, just to get to know her and to pick her brain. I am trying to learn as much as possible and soak in as much as I can. I think it gives me an advantage to already be attempting to figure out the Chicago system and playing style. Physically, I am trying to stay in shape and weight lift at least three times a week. And then mentally, I’m just staying confident. I have to go into this as humble as possible, but I’m also here for a reason.” – Japreece Dean

“My mentality is still the same. I’ve been working hard my whole life. This pandemic isn’t going to slow me down. It’s not going to stop me. You find ways to stay in shape and to make sure you’re just up to par when it’s time. I’m going into this thing with an open mind. I’m a people’s person. I think my teammates are going to love me. I think I’m going to love them. I think my coaching staff is going to love me and I’m just going to give them my all.” – Kamiah Smalls

“I’m super competitive, so I am just ready to get to work. Playing for Seattle is an amazing opportunity for me to learn from some of the best players. Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart, and so many other legends are on the team. Once I get to training camp, I plan to just be a sponge, taking in everything I see, hear and learn. Physically I have been working with my trainer over zoom. I also try to get ball handling in and I do a lot of lifting, core and band work just to stay strong.” – Haley Gorecki 

“I’m just keeping myself ready. I’m staying in shape. I run miles every day and I do yoga. And my eating habits have gotten a lot better now that I’m transitioning to my professional career. And then on the mental side, I’ll watch a lot of basketball and film. I’ve been talking to Ariel Atkins. We overlapped at Texas and are now teammates again. I try to pick her brain because we are really close and she is an incredible player.” – Sug Sutton

“I am just trying to stay in shape. I know that I’ll be a rookie all over again. I am mentally preparing for that and trying to scout out the team to see what exactly they need. It’s all business now, and understanding that is the hardest part. Coming from college, especially at WVU where our team was very family-oriented, I have to eliminate that mindset and stick to strictly business. Now I will be playing against and with the big dogs. And they want your spot. This is the same talk that I had with myself freshman year, but like I said, money is on the line now, so it’s a lot more competitive, it’s a lot more cutthroat and I have to understand that going in.” – Tynice Martin

“I won’t really know where I stand until I am able to play with my new teammates and test it all out. But I still have the opportunity to stay in the best possible shape I can and to try everything I can to be at the level my coaches and teammates will need me to be at. In a sense, it’s all about staying ready so you don’t have to get ready when the time comes.” – Kiah Gillespie

The New York Liberty appear to be back on track, with the reigning champs leapfrogging the Phoenix Mercury to reclaim the No. 2 spot in the WNBA standings on Wednesday night.

Led by a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double from star forward Breanna Stewart, the Liberty punched a 98-77 win over a Caitlin Clark-less No. 6 Indiana Fever, as the 2025 WNBA All-Star captain remains day-to-day with a groin injury.

With Wednesday's victory, New York is now riding a three-game winning streak into All-Star weekend — and there's even more good news is on the horizon for the Liberty with starting center Jonquel Jones expected to return from her ankle injury after the break.

As for now-No. 3 Phoenix, New York's gain is the Mercury's loss, as their Wednesday clash with the league-leading Lynx ended 79-66 in Minnesota's favor while injured Phoenix stars Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper rode the bench.

Expansion upstart Golden State has also started to skid, leaving the Valkyries entering the break at No. 9 with three consecutive losses — including a 67-58 stumble against the No. 4 Seattle Storm on Wednesday.

Elsewhere, the No. 8 Las Vegas Aces have begun to regroup, entering the All-Star break on a two-game winning streak behind 2024 MVP A'ja Wilson and her combined 71 points and 26 rebounds over the last two games.

With the second half of the 2025 season tipping off following this weekend's All-Star festivities, momentum will be at a premium as early performances roll into postseason trajectories.

World No. 13 Italy advanced to the 2025 Euro semifinals on Wednesday, defeating No. 16 Norway 2-1 in dramatic fashion to make it past the tournament's quarterfinals for the first time since 1997.

Captain Cristiana Girelli played hero, scoring both of Italy's goals — including a 90th-minute game-winner to successfully avoid extra time.

"I felt something different, something special," Girelli said following the match. "I have seen in the eyes of my teammates a special light."

Norway, however, faced a disappointing tournament exit, after captain Ada Hegerberg missed a penalty before scoring the team's lone goal in the second half.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Just Women’s Sports (@justwomenssports)

Next on the 2025 Euro quarterfinals pitch are No. 6 Sweden and No. 5 England, as the European heavyweights face off in one of the round's most-anticipated matchups.

Sweden topped Group C with three emphatic wins, setting them up to take on the runners-up of the competition's notorious "Group of Death" — the reigning Euro champion Lionesses.

England enters the matchup on a two-game winning streak, picking up points against the No. 11 Netherlands and No. 30 Wales after falling to No. 10 France to open group play.

"They're relentless when it comes to tournament football," England captain Leah Williamson said of the Tokyo Olympic silver medalists. "They're just a very organized team."

How to watch Sweden vs. England in the 2025 Euro quarterfinals

The 2025 quarterfinals continue with Sweden taking on England at 3 PM ET on Thursday, live on FOX.

The WNBA has set the scene for this weekend's 2025 All-Star Game, laying out a handful of special rules meant to liven up the on-court action.

The game will introduce four major changes: a four-point shot, a 20-second shot clock, live-play substitutions, and automatic points for free throws.

While four-point shots aren't a new All-Star Game invention, last year's matchup between the WNBA All-Stars and Team USA did not feature them.

To sink a four-point shot on Saturday, the shooting player must have contact with one of the four marked circles on the court, located 28 feet from the rim.

With four seconds taken off the shot clock to speed up the game, All-Star squads will also be able to make a one-player substitution while the ball is in play — so long as the team in question has possession in their backcourt.

As for the "No Free-Throws" rule, free-throw shooting will only occur in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter, plus the full length of any overtime period(s).

Prior to the final two minutes of regulation, players will be automatically credited the maximum available point(s) incurred by the foul.

How to watch the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game

The 2025 WNBA All-Star Game will tip off in Indianapolis at 8:30 PM ET on Saturday.

Live coverage of the game will air on ABC.

Women won big at Wednesday's 2025 ESPY Awards, with star athletes from across women's sports earning top honors for outstanding performances over the past year.

Leading the charge was seven-time Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles with ESPYS for both Best Athlete, Women's Sports and Best Championship Performance for her trio of golds at last summer's Paris Games.

"Six-year-old me, who first started tumbling on my parents' sofa in the living room, is floored to be standing before you right now," Biles shared in one of her speeches.

Biles's Team USA teammate Suni Lee, who brought her doctor to the awards, won Best Comeback Athlete after battling kidney disease to return to top the Olympic podium.

The night's Best Breakthrough Athlete was USA Rugby star and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher, who used part of her speech to encourage young women and girls, telling them to "Take up space. Pitch it faster. Run harder. Put another plate on the bar. And never tone it down."

Also snagging honors as the top athletes in their respective sports were Coco Gauff (Best Tennis Player), Caitlin Clark (Best WNBA Player), Katie Taylor (Best Boxer), and JuJu Watkins (Best College Athlete, Women's Sports).

Meanwhile, USWNT icon Alex Morgan and WNBA legend Diana Taurasi shared this year's Icon Award in recognition of the new retirees' impacts on their respective sports.

"Our mission has always been very similar," Morgan said in her acceptance speech alongside Taurasi. "We fought to leave our game in a better place than where we found it."

Off-court efforts earn 2025 ESPY Awards

Sports leaders whose impact surpassed the proverbial playing field also took home trophies on Wednesday night.

In recognition of her foundation's commitment to promoting diversity and providing tennis opportunities to underserved communities, US legend Sloane Stephens won this year's Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.

Later, Penn State volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley earned a standing ovation alongside her Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.

Schumacher-Cawley, who became the first woman to helm a national title-winning volleyball team by leading her Nittany Lions to the 2024 NCAA Championship last December, did so while battling breast cancer.

"Cancer changed my life, but it didn't take it," said an emotional Schumacher-Cawley. "It didn't take my belief, it didn't take my spirit, and it didn't take my team."