An NCAA champion has been crowned, bringing an end to the college basketball season, and the official list of players declaring for the WNBA Draft is in.

Before teams make their selections on Monday night, with the event being held in person in New York City and airing live on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET, Just Women’s Sports projects how every team will draft in the first, second and third rounds based on franchise needs and player fits. Be sure to check out our big board of the top 50 prospects in the draft class, and away we go!

Round 1

1. Atlanta Dream

Rhyne Howard, G, Kentucky

The Mystics had several directions they could have gone with this No. 1 pick, including using it as trade bait in the type of deal they made Wednesday with Atlanta. The Dream, who sent the No. 3 and No. 14 picks to Washington as part of the trade, are now in a position to add the best overall player and fit for the franchise. Howard is the most talented guard in this class and, at 6-foot-2, she has an elite skill set that can quickly translate to the pros.

Howard showcased her talents during the SEC tournament last month, leading the Wildcats to their first conference championship in 40 years while averaging 22 points and shooting 48 percent from the field. She makes the game look effortless at times. The Dream gave up quite a bit to target a specific player at the top of the board, and Howard fits the mold of a cornerstone the franchise can build around.

2. Indiana Fever

NaLyssa Smith, F, Baylor

If Smith falls to No. 2, she seems like a no-brainer for the rebuilding Fever. The 6-foot-3 forward was a walking double-double for Baylor and one of the most effective rebounders in the country, averaging 22.1 points and 11.5 rebounds this past season. Smith is the type of competitive forward and impact player the Fever desperately need on their roster to rebound from five straight losing seasons.

Smith has expanded her game and showcased her versatility, switching from a more traditional low-block role to one where she can face up, attack off the bounce and knock down mid-range jumpers. Her ability to run the floor and finish at the rim in transition is elite and will fit nicely into a pro setting. And while Smith has been playing the best basketball of her career in the past year, her raw potential is even more tantalizing.

3. Washington Mystics

Nyara Sabally, C/F, Oregon

The 6-5 forward has draft lottery potential due to her unique size and mobility in the paint combined with her ability to face up and stretch the floor. She has great vision as a passer and would be a strong match for the Mystics’ pick-and-roll action.

If Washington isn’t too concerned with her past knee injuries, Sabally has the potential to serve in a backup forward role right away behind the Mystics’ talented core and develop into an impact player for the future.

4. Indiana Fever

Shakira Austin, F/C, Ole Miss

Austin showcased her pro-ready frame and physicality during her standout senior season at Ole Miss. The Fever have to commit to investing in player development in order to turn around the franchise, and Austin is just that type of project.

The 6-5 Austin, capable of playing alongside another center, brings versatility to the post. She is an elite rebounder who can advance the ball herself in the open floor, and her ability to be a low-post and high-post threat is a rarity. With the Fever, Austin would likely have the chance to play and thrive early on in her career.

5. New York Liberty

Emily Engstler, G/F, Louisville

The Liberty have established something of a Louisville-to-New York pipeline over the years, and selecting Engstler here would also serve as a homecoming for the New York City native. Engstler’s edge makes her different from anyone else in this draft.

When she’s aggressive on offense, Engstler can score at all three levels, as evidenced by the 11.9 points per game and 37.2 3-point shooting percentage she averaged this season. Her instincts and length would be a game-changer for the Liberty on defense, where is also a strong rebounder at the guard position, having averaged 9.4 per game for Louisville. Engstler has the intangibles and willingness to shift roles and make plays for her team night in and night out.

6. Indiana Fever

Kierstan Bell, G, Florida Gulf Coast

With four picks in the first round, Indiana has an opportunity to add key pieces at nearly every position. Bell, as a big guard, can flat-out score the basketball. She has a pro skill set and a swagger that seem made for the WNBA. She will need to transition to a pure guard role after playing 1 through 5 in college.

Bell was one of the most prolific scorers in the country this season, averaging 22.8 points per game at FGCU. While those numbers can be attributed to the high volume of shots she took, she was also efficient from the floor, shooting 46.7 percent. While Bell will need to work on her 3-point shooting, after averaging 28.8 percent from beyond the arc this season, the Fever can add a pro-ready guard to go along with the size they picked up in the first two picks.

7. Dallas Wings

Elissa Cunane, C, NC State

With so much young talent on the roster, the Wings’ immediate needs are less clear, and you could certainly make an argument for more depth on the wing. But if Cunane is still on the table at No. 7, she’ll be hard to pass up. The Wings are in a position where they can take the best player on the board who adds to their competition in the post.

The 6-5 center averaged 13.6 points and 7.6 rebounds a game while shooting an efficient 39.7 percent from beyond the arc during her career with the Wolfpack. Cunane’s ability to stretch the floor and shoot the 3 makes her a unique weapon for Dallas at the center position.

8. Minnesota Lynx

Sika Kone, F, Mali

The Lynx can begin to prepare for the post-Sylvia Fowles era in this draft by adding interior depth. They also have the option to stash an asset for the future, with more immediate salary cap concerns looming.

Kone, at 19 years old, is one of the youngest prospects in this draft class, but she stands out for her impressive international resume. The 6-3 forward has competed for Spar Gran Canaria in Spain and is a member of Mali’s national team. At the U19 World Cup in 2021, Kone averaged 19.7 points and 14.8 rebounds per game. She is explosive on the block and has a knack for the basketball, pursuing it at will. Kone is still very much coming into her own, but she has appealing long-term value for Minnesota.

9. Los Angeles Sparks

Rae Burrell, F/G, Tennessee

Burrell’s final season at Tennessee was hampered by a mid-season knee injury, but the 6-1 senior still showcased her potential during key moments of the season and into the NCAA Tournament. Burrell has the length and shooting ability the Sparks could covet for wing depth on their retooled roster. After averaging 12.3 points per game during the regular season, the guard elevated her play in the tournament with 17 points per game on 36 percent shooting across her final five contests.

As a junior in 2020-21, Burrell showed what she’s capable of when 100 percent healthy, averaging 16.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 45.8 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from 3.

10. Indiana Fever

Destanni Henderson, PG, South Carolina

Here we are again, as the Fever get to cast a wide net in this draft. So far in this exercise, they’ve added interior depth and a scoring guard, and now they need a point guard. Henderson’s performance in the national championship game certainly caught the attention of WNBA teams. She would bring speed and playmaking ability to an initial backup role, and have a real chance to compete for a starting spot down the road with her steady and confident play. Henderson does well in the pick-and-roll game and has been an efficient 3-point shooting threat, averaging 39.9 percent from deep this season for the No. 1 Gamecocks.

11. Las Vegas Aces

Naz Hillmon, F, Michigan

The Aces could go a number of different ways to fill holes on their roster, but if Hillmon is still on the board at No. 11, she is an obvious choice because of her motor. At 6-2, Hillmon is undersized for a traditional post player in the WNBA and has limited range offensively, but she’s made up for it so far with her work ethic and efficiency, having shot nearly 60 percent from the field during her career.

She is highly effective around the rim, capable of being in the right place at the right time for rebound and putbacks. To make an impact in the WNBA, Hillmon will likely need to play more of a 3/4 role and learn to score against taller defenders, and who better to learn those skills from than A’ja Wilson?

12. Connecticut Sun

KiKi Smith, G, Florida

The Sun are in a tough drafting position this year, since it’s unlikely they’ll be able to roster 12 players under the salary cap unless they make drastic cuts. Connecticut is in need of a mid-range scorer on the wing, and Smith could give them that in the future while not affecting their salary cap this season. Smith suffered a knee injury in the SEC tournament and will need more time to recover and rehab, giving Connecticut the option to draft her and suspend her contract for the season so it doesn’t count against the cap.

Offensively, Smith has a quick first step and hunts for opportunities to score. She has gotten better every year, learning to elevate her play in big moments and against top opponents. Her stock rose significantly as Florida went on a run this season largely on her shoulders before she got hurt.

Round 2

13. Minnesota Lynx

Veronica Burton, G, Northwestern

The Lynx could afford to add depth at the point guard position, and Burton would give them that and more. The 5-9 point guard put WNBA teams on notice during her junior year at Northwestern, and now she enters the draft as one of the best facilitating options in the class. Burton knows how to stuff a stat sheet, averaging 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, four steals and 6.4 assists this season. She is known for her above-average defense, work ethic and toughness, all of which are key elements for any WNBA franchise.

14. Washington Mystics

Christyn Williams, G, UConn

Williams is one of the most exciting players in the draft class in terms of her ability to play downhill in transition, and the Mystics could stand to add a dynamic guard to their roster. The 5-11 Williams averaged 14.2 points per game on 45.4 percent shooting from the field for the Huskies this season. She can score in bunches when she gets going and finds ways to impact the game on both ends of the floor. With her speed, she’s difficult to stop when she gets to the rim in the open court, and she is also tenacious on defense.

15. Atlanta Dream

Lorela Cubaj, F, Georgia Tech

Cubaj would bring both experience and competitiveness to the Dream, while not straying too far from the place where she became a college star. There’s a good chance she doesn’t fall this far, but the 6-4 forward is a tenacious defender with coveted size and strength to go along with an elite rebounding ability. While her offensive game still needs to expand, she was a consistent double-double contributor for Georgia Tech, averaging 10 points and 11.1 rebounds per game this season.

16. Los Angeles Sparks

Lexie Hull, G, Stanford

Hull’s draft stock has been on the rise, and if she were to fall this far into the second round, I don’t see how the Sparks can pass her up based on their short- and long-term needs. Hull has valuable length, a strong IQ and impressive shooting ability. Before the Final Four, Hull had been playing the best basketball of her career, elevating her scoring average to 22 points per game for Stanford in the NCAA Tournament.

17. Seattle Storm

Queen Egbo, F/C, Baylor

The Storm have always had success with long, highly athletic paint threats, and Egbo fits that bill with her aggressiveness on the glass and efficiency around the rim. At 6-3, she shot over 50 percent from the field during her collegiate career, and her rebounding numbers increased every season while at Baylor. Her activity around the rim and ability to disrupt opponents on defense are appealing attributes for any team, and especially the Storm as they build with an eye toward the future.

18. Seattle Storm

Nia Clouden, G, Michigan State

Clouden, a high-octane scorer at Michigan State, could be an underrated player in this draft. Seattle is undergoing changes at the guard spot — after Jordin Canada left for the Sparks in free agency, Briann January signed a one-year deal and Sue Bird announced her intention to retire after this season — and Clouden could be a future asset there. She can initiate offense, play off the ball and manufacture points as well as any other player in the class.

19. Los Angeles Sparks

Aisha Sheppard, G, Virginia Tech

Sheppard is an experienced guard who is capable of scoring it in a multitude of ways, but her ability to stretch the floor is what sets her apart and is what the Sparks could look to add to their arsenal. A high-volume 3-point shooter who averaged 37 percent during her college career, she has also made big strides in her passing game.

20. Indiana Fever

Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F, UConn

With as many picks as Indiana has in this draft, zeroing in on size and depth in the post seems like the smartest approach. Nelson-Ododa, at 6-5, has the length and athleticism to be effective in the pick-and-roll and run the floor before creating separation to score at the rim. Defensively, she is disruptive with her rim protection in the lane, but she will need to get stronger to compete against WNBA bigs. Overall, Nelson-Ododa is at her best in the paint, which can be extremely valuable at the next level.

21. Seattle Storm

Joanne Allen-Taylor, G, Texas

As a reliable off-ball guard, Allen-Taylor would bring a defensive tenacity to the Storm, allowing them to slide players over and fill gaps within their rotation. Allen-Taylor is a capable scorer at all three levels, but it’s her toughness and competitiveness teams will be vying for this draft.

22. Minnesota Lynx

Khayla Pointer, G, LSU

Pointer is a highly experienced point guard who wants the ball in her hands and thrives in big moments. She makes up for her lack of size with her quickness, motor and determination. In addition to her two triple-doubles this season, Pointer led LSU with 19.6 points per game on 36 percent shooting from the 3-point line, the best mark of her NCAA career.

23. Las Vegas Aces

Evina Westbrook, G, UConn

Westbook has good size at the guard spot and a well-rounded skill set that should make her a versatile option at the next level. Westbrook was a consistent offensive weapon for the Huskies this season, averaging nine points, 3.1 assists and 3.7 rebounds per game through the regular season and NCAA Tournament. Her length, ability to facilitate and overall IQ should be appealing to any franchise looking for depth at the guard spot.

24. Connecticut Sun

Kianna Smith, G, Louisville

We know the Sun are in the market for shooters and scoring guards, and Smith is one of the purest shooters in the class. Her arsenal also isn’t just limited to 3-pointers, which she made at a 36.7 percent clip this season. The experienced 6-foot guard helped Louisville to the Final Four by scoring in a number of ways, averaging 12 points per game on 37 percent shooting from the field this season.

Round 3

25. Indiana Fever: Maya Dodson, F, Notre Dame

26. Phoenix Mercury: Mya Hollingshed, F, Colorado

27. Los Angeles Sparks: Chloe Bibby, G/F, Maryland

28. Minnesota Lynx: Macee Williams, C, IUPUI

29. New York Liberty: Jasmine Dickey, G/F, Delaware

30. Dallas Wings: Faustine Aifuwa, C, LSU

31. Dallas Wings: Hannah Sjerven, C, South Dakota

32. Phoenix Mercury: Jordan Lewis, G, Baylor

33. Seattle Storm: Jenna Staiti, C, Georgia

34. Indiana Fever: Ali Patberg, G, Indiana

35. Las Vegas Aces: Kayla Wells, G, Texas A&M

36. Connecticut Sun: Chloe Lamb, G, South Dakota

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.

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins breaks down the 2025 resurgence of the San Diego Wave, a team currently sitting in third on the NWSL table following a disastrous 2024 season.

First, Watkins chats through the Wave's 2024 on- and off-pitch losses, from the abrupt firing of head coach Casey Stoney to the midseason retirement of superstar Alex Morgan to the transfers of franchise players Abby Dahlkemper and Naomi Girma — moves that left the 2023 Shield-winners below the 2024 postseason cutoff line.

Given the 2024 upheaval, "San Diego was set up to surprise," says Watkins. "They not only look better this year than they did last year, but right now they look better than a lot of the other teams in the league despite that talent loss."

There are two reasons for the Wave's 2025 rise, argues Watkins, starting with roster construction. San Diego has a bevy of young talent, including 17-year-olds Kimmi Ascanio, Trinity Armstrong, and Melanie Barcenas, as well as notable NCAA signings in Quincy McMahon and Trinity Byars — proving the Wave is flourishing in the NWSL's post-draft era.

"This is the new era of NWSL where teams, if they can sell young players on the future, they don't have to give up assets to sign those players," explains Watkins. "The best pitch wins. And San Diego, for all of their troubles last year, seems to still have a pretty compelling pitch to get these players to sign for them."

Along with the ability to identify and sign top young talent, explains Watkins, the Wave is also putting together a fast, creative style of play that is allowing San Diego to dominate possession and snag wins.

Could San Diego be in its "dynasty build" era?

Looking forward, while San Diego is clearly on the upswing, Watkins outlines the possible final components the club still needs to push them to the top of the league.

Noting that a young core is likely to struggle with consistency, Watkins says that some midseason pickups to either "let that offense go supernova or [to secure] a veteran stabilizing midfield force would be really useful for them."

Ultimately, Watkins questions San Diego's future in the context of the club's 2024 exodus and 2025 success, asking "Is this a setup for a five-year dynasty build, or is this a team that is always going to be stuck in this cycle of strong talent ID, good development —but then those players move on?"

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.

Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women's Sports newsletter for more.

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Duke women's basketball head coach Kara Lawson will lead a different team this NCAA offseason, taking on sideline duties for Team USA at this summer's 2025 FIBA Women's AmeriCup in Chile, USA Basketball announced on Tuesday.

Likely one of the last coaching decisions handled by committee, Lawson — alongside assistants DeLisha Milton-Jones and Jennie Baranczyk, the head coaches of Old Dominion and Oklahoma, respectively — will aim to return the four-time champions to the top of the biannual tournament's podium, after falling short to Brazil in the 2023 gold medal game.

The 2005 WNBA champion boasts a long history of success with USA Basketball, earning 2008 Olympic gold amid multiple medals as a player before beginning her coaching career.

Since then, the 44-year-old helped lead various USA Basketball teams to an astounding 75-5 competition record, picking up nine gold medals along the way.

Most recently, Lawson added 2024 Olympic gold as an assistant coach to her inaugural 3x3 Olympic championship as a head coach at the 2021 Tokyo Games.

"I'm incredibly honored," said Lawson in a USA Basketball statement. "It's such a gift. It's a gift that has given me so much over the years as a player, as a committee member, and as a coach. I've always tried to compete and give my best.... That won't change this summer."

Taking place in the middle of the 2025 WNBA season, the Team USA roster could feature NCAA talent.

"The goal is to put together a competitive team, one that represents all the standards that we hold dear to us," added Lawson.

The 2025 FIBA AmeriCup team that Lawson will lead will be announced after next month's trials, shortly before the tournament tips off on June 28th.

FIFA announced the eight cities that will host matches at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil on Wednesday, primarily selecting sites on the South American country's East Coast over tropical regions that require more extensive travel.

In addition to Rio de Janeiro's iconic Maracanã Stadium, the tournament's 64 games will take place across Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Paulo.

"The selection of the host cities represents the moment where the dream begins to take shape," said Brazil’s minister of sport André Fufuca. "Each of the selected host cities represents Brazil — a diverse and vibrant Brazil, with people who are passionate about football, and places that already live and breathe the sport and that will now have the opportunity to leave a transformative legacy for their communities and for generations to come."

The 32 teams battling for the 2027 World Cup will begin their hunt on June 24th of that year, with the final taking place on July 25th.

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Marta, Formiga help announce 2027 World Cup cities

To bolster the news, FIFA tapped famous Brazilians for its announcement video, including star futsal player Amandinha and two-time NWSL champion Debinha.

Also helping drop the eight cities were the country’s most iconic women's soccer legends, Marta — the World Cup's all-time leading scorer — and Formiga, the only athlete to compete in seven editions of the tournament.

"I won't be on the pitch in 2027, but I'm always ready to represent Brazilian football – even more so at a special moment like this," said the retired Formiga.

"I know every corner of our country, and I can tell you: Each of these cities is full of women's football talents who need support and inspiration," she continued. "The Women's World Cup will be an opportunity for them to see the greatest up close and think, 'If they can be there, so can I.' That's the impact that only an event of this size can have."

Using the 2027 World Cup — the first ever hosted in South America — to grow the women's game is top-of-mind for former player Mariléia "Michael Jackson" dos Santos, who now serves as the country's director of women's football promotion.

"We want to create a solid network that will last well beyond 2027," said dos Santos. "The idea is to decentralise the impact so that women's football flourishes in every corner of the country."

"It's a unique opportunity to change the game, and we're going to make the most of it because Brazilian women's football deserves it, and so do the girls in our country."

WNBA teams continued to trim their 2025 rosters this week, as preseason matchups set the stage for the league's May 16th regular-season tip-off.

After wrapping their 2025 preseason slate on Tuesday, Wednesday saw the Las Vegas Aces waive Harvard alum Harmoni Turner — drafted 35th overall last month — and fourth-year veteran center Queen Egbo.

Turner was the Aces’ third-round pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. pic.twitter.com/buxEKqdVVe

— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) May 7, 2025

Other standouts recently shown the door include Indiana Fever recruit Bree Hall (20th overall pick from South Carolina), the Seattle Storm's Madison Conner (29th overall pick from TCU), and Minnesota Lynx rookie Diamond Johnson (undrafted from Norfolk State).

While teams can sign up to 18 athletes to training camp rosters, they must whittle their lineups down to the league's regular-season max of 12 players, a system that sparks lots of movement — both in cuts and additions — in the days leading to tip off.

To that end, after the Golden State Valkyries cut their 17th overall draft pick Shyanne Sellers on Saturday, the Atlanta Dream snatched up the Maryland grad on waivers on Monday — just in time for their final preseason showdown with Indiana on Saturday.

Also receiving good news this week was Dallas's Maddy Siegrist, as the third-year forward saw the Wings exercise her fourth-year rookie option on Tuesday.

Alongside Indiana's 2023 WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, Villanova grad Siegrist and the former South Carolina standout are the only 2023 draftees officially on rosters before the 2025 season's start.

Flush with talent and low on roster spots, the WNBA has long been one of the hardest sports leagues to secure a place in — and even more fan favorites are likely to land on the chopping block in the coming days.