Top Events
All Scores

Rachel Galligan

Apr 6, 2022

WNBA Draft Big Board 2.0: The top 50 prospects in the 2022 class

Naz Hillmon (00) brought perspective to the WNBA Draft. (M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

As college basketball heads into the postseason and the WNBA prepares for the 2022 draft on Monday, the list of top women’s basketball prospects who have officially declared is coming into focus.

The Atlanta Dream will draft first on Monday night after acquiring the No. 1 pick from the Washington Mystics in a trade on Wednesday. In return, the Mystics received the No. 3 and No. 14 picks as well as the opportunity to swap their 2023 first-round pick with Atlanta’s. Washington originally secured the No. 1 overall pick during the WNBA Draft Lottery in December. Rounding out the top five are the Indiana Fever with the second and fourth picks and the New York Liberty with the fifth.

We have spent the past few months watching game film, combing through stats and talking to coaches and general managers to gain an accurate understanding of which players they are keeping an eye on as they prepare to make their selections on April 11. Just Women’s Sports’ WNBA Draft Big Board includes the top 50 prospects in the upcoming draft.

NOTE: This list reflects changes to the draft class since the original version was published on March 2. Several players on our initial big board opted to use their NCAA-granted fifth year of eligibility and return to school, while others officially declared for the draft since their NCAA Tournament runs came to an end.

NaLyssa Smith, F, Baylor

Smith has been playing the best basketball of her career toward the end of her senior season and has a legitimate shot to go No. 1 overall in April’s draft. The 6-foot-3 forward is a walking double-double for Baylor and one of the most effective rebounders in the country, averaging 21.8 points and 11.7 rebounds this season. 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. Smith wants to run the floor and finish at the rim in transition. Her potential is what’s most appealing to WNBA GMs since she has only begun to scratch the surface of the caliber of player she can be.

Rhyne Howard, G, Kentucky

The 6-foot-2 guard has showcased her versatility and scoring ability at all three levels while starring for Kentucky. She has the size and athleticism to make the game look effortless at times — when she kicks it into a high gear, she is nearly impossible to stop. Howard is also highly effective when coming off screens and playing within the two-woman game. Averaging 20.4 points per game this season, she has well over 2,000 points for her career. Howard led the Kentucky Wildcats to an SEC tournament championship in front of representatives from nearly every WNBA franchise, solidifying her place among the top prospects.

Shakira Austin, F/C, Ole Miss

At 6-foot-5, Austin has a pro-ready frame and the strength, skill and athleticism that are highly appealing to pro scouts. She’s also willing to put in the work to expand her game shows, giving her even more upside. Austin’s numbers are down, from 18.6 points per game her junior year to 15.0 this season, but the dip is less concerning given her minutes are down as well. Austin can advance the ball herself off the rebound, face up and attack off the bounce and is an effective low-post and high-post threat. She will need to continue to extend her range on the perimeter to be successful at the next level, but her defense and timing as a rim protector are already there.

Naz Hillmon, F, Michigan

The biggest question surrounding Hillmon’s readiness for the next level is whether she has the size to be a true post player in the WNBA. At 6-2, she 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 four-year college career. She has a phenomenal motor and is highly effective around the rim, with an ability to be in the right place at the right time that is hard to come by. To be effective in the WNBA, Hillmon will likely need to play more of a 3/4 role and learn to score against taller defenders.

Nyara Sabally, C/F, Oregon

At 6-5, Sabally has the unique combination of size, athleticism, strength and all-around skill that is necessary for the pros. She has been efficient during her career at Oregon, shooting 51.9 percent and averaging 14.8 points and 7.3 rebounds this season. Similar to sister Satou Sabally, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, Nyara has great hands and vision as a passer, as well as the mobility to advance the ball herself or thrive in the pick-and-roll. Sabally dealt with knee injuries early on in her collegiate career, but appears to have hit her stride the past two seasons. She has lottery pick potential if she chooses to enter the draft.

Elissa Cunane, C, NC State

Cunane has dominated the ACC for some time now in a low-block post role for NC State. She is about as consistent as any other player in the country, even though her numbers have dropped a bit this year. At 6-5, she can go to work on the block and has the range to force defenses to respect her beyond the arc, shooting 40 percent from the 3-point line during her college career. When she creates enough space to take defenders one-on-one in the post, it’s game over. Cunane would provide size, offense and rim protection down low for a WNBA team to develop next season.

Rae Burrell, F/G, Tennessee

Burrell is still working her way back into full stride this season, returning to the court from a knee injury in early January. She showed what she’s capable of during a healthy junior campaign, averaging 17 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists while shooting 45 percent from the field and over 40 percent from 3. At 6-1, Burrell has the length to play wing and make plays on defense. Burrell will be intriguing to WNBA teams because she has all the tools to be successful and hasn’t come close to hitting her ceiling.

Destanni Henderson, PG, South Carolina

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. She has shown she can be a 3-point threat shooting 40 percent this season. Henderson makes up for her smaller 5-7 frame with her competitiveness and leadership qualities. She stayed the course during her career at South Carolina, trusting in the process and evolving into a WNBA-ready guard.

Lorela Cubaj, F, Georgia Tech

Cubaj returned to Georgia Tech in 2021-22 for a fifth year, making the 23-year-old one of the oldest and most experienced players on the board. At 6-4, 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. Known for her defensive tenacity, Cubaj is a big reason Georgia Tech is one of the best defensive teams in the country. WNBA teams will value Cubaj’s size, facilitating, experience and energy, but she’ll need to keep developing her offensive game to make an impact in the pros.

Jenna Staiti, C, Georgia

Also a fifth-year senior, Staiti has the experience to go along with size and efficiency around the rim. Having committed to her conditioning, Staiti has gone head-to-head with some of the best post players in the country this season and outperformed them. The 6-4 center has good hands, understands low-block footwork and has found success as a paint defender and rim protector. She can also face up and be a threat as a passer in the high post, making her an intriguing pick-and-roll option. Staiti could improve her value by working on her range from beyond the arc, where she’s shooting just 25 percent on limited attempts.

Aisha Sheppard, G, Virginia Tech

Sheppard broke out offensively as a senior last season, averaging 17.7 points per game. Her scoring has dipped to 12.4 points per game in her fifth year, but Sheppard is a high-volume 3-point shooter (averaging 37 percent for her career) and has made big strides in her passing game. Shepard has an explosiveness to her game that could appeal to WNBA coaches, but her ability to get selected in the draft will come down to showcasing what else she can do.

Kianna Smith, G, Louisville

The long and athletic 6-0 guard is one of the best pure shooters in this draft class, averaging 38.5 percent from 3 this season. Smith’s experience as a fifth year has been vital to Louisville’s success this season. Smith is not limited in her offensive ability: Averaging 11.9 points and 2.9 assists per game this year, she uses her length well when she gets into the paint and is savvy enough to score from different angles.

Emily Engstler, G/F, Louisville

Louisville has a track record of developing players for the pros, and Engstler has a WNBA-ready edge to her. She’s gotten herself into great shape and has evolved into a versatile player on both ends of the floor. On offense, Engstler is at her best when she’s aggressive, with the length at 6-1 to exploit mismatches. On defense, she has the instincts to be disruptive and the ability to guard inside and out. Averaging 11.6 points and 9.1 rebounds on 47.6 percent shooting from the field this season, Engstler will appeal to GMs because of her versatility and untapped potential.

Christyn Williams, G, UConn

Williams has shown flashes of how explosive and dynamic she can be offensively, but she’s also had a tendency to be streaky. The 5-11 guard is averaging 14.9 points on 46.7 percent shooting from the field as a senior, and she’s improved her 3-point shooting to 37.1 percent late in the season. When Williams is knocking down shots, she can have a significant impact on games. With her speed, she’s difficult to stop when getting to the rim in the open court and is tenacious on defense. Williams’ WNBA future will come down to whether a team thinks it can develop her into a more consistent producer.

Nia Clouden, G, Michigan State

Clouden can both initiate offense and play off the ball as a scoring guard. She has been the go-to scorer for the Spartans this season, averaging 20.4 points per game and setting a program record with 50 points in a game against Florida Gulf Coast earlier this season. Clouden has been efficient and consistent with her shot selection, pulling up for mid-range jumpers or scoring it off the bounce. She can create shots for herself, often getting to the free-throw line when she attacks opposing defenses, and manufactures points as well as any other player in this class.

Veronica Burton, G, Northwestern

Burton hit the radars of WNBA GMs after an impressive junior campaign, has carried that momentum into her senior season this year and now is arguably the best point guard in the 2022 draft class. Burton is known for her toughness and defensive tenacity, having been named the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year the last two seasons. She plays hard, has a very high basketball IQ and can stuff the stat sheet, averaging 17.5 points, 6.5 assists and 4.1 steals in 36.3 minutes per game. The 5-9 guard has the all-around skill set and toughness to succeed, but she will need to elevate her explosiveness to be effective at the next level.

Lexie Hull, G, Stanford

At 6-1, Hull has the playmaking skills to go along with her high basketball IQ and impressive length at the guard spot. Hull is having the best shooting season of her collegiate career from beyond the arc, making 38.6 percent of her attempts. The senior is also an effective rebounder from the guard spot, pulling down 5.4 boards per game for the Cardinal. Hull is an appealing option as a tall, sharp-shooting guard, but she might struggle early on with the physicality of the WNBA. She’ll also need to adapt to the amount of ball screens at the next level since they’re not a big part of Stanford’s game plan.

Khayla Pointer, PG, LSU

Pointer is a big reason LSU has played itself back into contention this season. The fifth-year senior is one of the most experienced guards on the board (she will have played well over 4,000 minutes by the end of her career) and is known for wanting the ball in her hands in the biggest moments. At 5-7, Pointer makes up for her lack of size with her quickness and motor. She also is a phenomenal rebounder from the guard spot, reeling in 6.5 per game, and is elite at getting herself to the free-throw line. Adding to her two triple-doubles this season, Pointer leads LSU with 18.7 points per game and is shooting 37.4 percent from the 3-point line, the best mark of her NCAA career.

Kierstan Bell, G, Florida Gulf Coast

Bell played her freshman season at Ohio State before transferring to FGCU, where she has cemented herself as one of the most prolific scorers in the nation, averaging 24.4 points per game this season. Only a junior, Bell plans to enter the 2022 WNBA Draft. A partially torn meniscus in her knee seemed to dampen her prospects, but Bell returned on Saturday less than one month after surgery. At 6-1, she has good size at the guard spot and the overall skill and strength to do well in the pros, but she’ll need to work on getting more explosive off the bounce. Her confidence and scoring ability alone, however, make her a legitimate first-round option in this draft.

Mya Hollingshed, G/F, Colorado

Hollingshed has worked really hard to become a more efficient shooter from beyond the arc, averaging 38.8 percent from 3 this season. A fifth-year senior for Colorado, she has great length at 6-3, long arms and elite athleticism and agility. The biggest concern with Hollingshed is how she will acclimate to the physicality of the WNBA. She’ll likely need to move from the 4 position to the 3 and continue to expand her ball-handling skills, which is more than possible given her work ethic. That combined with her state line of 14.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game and her efficiency from deep make her an intriguing draft prospect.

Jade Melbourne, PG, Australia

The young, promising talent caught the eye of many elite college programs overseas. Originally committed to Arizona State in 2020, the now 19-year-old instead decided to turn pro and compete in the WNBL in her native Australia. Melbourne is a long-time member of the Australian national team and an impressive scorer at 5-10, but she’ll need to continue to develop to compete in the WNBA. Teams could view her as a long-term option, with the chance to make an impact down the road as a scoring option off the bench, and maybe even a lead playmaker.

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. Having played five collegiate seasons between Tennessee and UConn, including a redshirt year, Westbrook is one of the older and more veteran guards in the draft pool. She has been consistent for the Huskies this season, averaging 9.4 points, 3.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game. Her length, size, ability to facilitate and overall IQ should be appealing to any franchise looking for depth at the guard spot.

Sika Kone, F, Spar Gran Canaria

At 19 years old, Kone is one of the youngest prospects in this draft class but 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 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. She is still raw, but would be an appealing long-term project and asset for a team that values her strength, athleticism and physicality.

Que Morrison, G, Georgia

The fifth-year guard is a strong on-ball defender, earning her SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2021 and a spot on the conference All-Defensive Teams the last two seasons. Morrison averages 13.6 points per game, is a phenomenal free-throw shooter at 88.2 percent and is one of Georgia’s top 3-point shooters at 32.9 percent. She will be a great option for a franchise looking for an explosive, dynamic guard on both ends of the floor in one of the later rounds.

Kayla Wells, G, Texas A&M

Wells has the frame, athleticism and size to excel at the guard spot. Now in her fifth season, Wells has played the most games in Texas A&M history. She’s averaging 15.8 points per game and shooting 47.3 percent from 3, by far the most efficient mark of her career and a strong return on one of her goals heading into this season. Wells is not being talked about enough given the season she is having and could be a sleeper in this draft.

Olivia Nelson-Ododa, F, UConn

Nelson-Ododa has the length and athleticism to thrive at the forward spot in the WNBA. She can be effective in the pick-and-roll, create separation to score at the rim and run the floor well for a 6-5 forward. Defensively, she is disruptive with her length and rim protection in the lane, but she will need to get stronger to compete against WNBA bigs. Overall, Nelson-Ododa has her niche in the paint, which can be extremely valuable at the next level.

Joanne Allen-Taylor, G, Texas

A competitive and reliable off-ball guard, Allen-Taylor led the nation in minutes per game last season. At 5-8, she takes a lot of pride in her defense. Offensively, she understands pace well enough to shift over and run the point, she has a solid mid-range jumper and can finish in the paint. To separate herself in the WNBA, however, Allen-Taylor has to become a greater threat from beyond the arc.

Kiki Smith, G, Florida

The fifth-year guard has spent the last four seasons with the Gators. Smith has a solid mid-range game and has consistently elevated her game against ranked opponents. Her stock has risen significantly as Florida has played itself into national contention this season. Offensively, Smith accelerates in transition, has a quick first step and sees the floor well. On the other end, she has the length and drive to be a great defender. Intriguing to WNBA teams is the fact that she has gotten better every year.

Jordan Lewis, G, Baylor

A sixth-year grad transfer out of Alabama, Lewis is an aggressive, versatile guard who can score and facilitate. She is smart with the ball in her hands and has an elite court vision and passing ability. Averaging 12.1 points per game for Baylor this season, Lewis has found success driving it to the rim, getting to the free-throw line and getting open beyond the arc, where she’s shooting 39.3 percent this season.

Queen Egbo, F/C, Baylor

Egbo stands out for her athleticism, aggressiveness on the glass and efficiency around the rim. At 6-3, she’s shooting 51.5 percent from the field during her collegiate career, and her rebounding numbers have increased every season while at Baylor. Her activity around the rim combined with her ability to defend and clean up the glass will get her looks in the WNBA. Her free-throw shooting ability has improved drastically during her senior season, but she still is not able to stretch the floor as a 3-point threat.

Vivian Gray, G, Texas Tech

The 6-1 guard has an effective jump shot and mid-range game, making her Texas Tech’s go-to player at 20.4 points per game. Gray is having a down year from beyond the arc, shooting an uncharacteristic 26.8 percent, but she has battled through injuries and inconsistencies. Gray is tough and more athletic than she gets credit for. She’s also been heating up in recent months, with three games of 30-plus points since Jan. 22.

Lexi Held, G, DePaul

Held is a hard-nosed, smart guard who is effective on both ends of the floor. She does a good job of hunting her opportunities and has proven to be one of the most prolific scorers in the Big East, shooting 39.4 percent from the 3-point line this season. Defensively, Held comes up with a lot of steals and has great anticipation. Given a chance, she could really impress at a WNBA training camp

Sam Thomas, F, Arizona

Thomas is the type of player who does a little bit of everything, but not everything she does shows up in the stat sheet. The 6-foot forward has the length and athleticism to clean up on the glass and be versatile on both sides of the ball. She is efficient at knocking down the open 3, shooting 44.9 percent from deep this season. If she can continue to expand her skill set as a scoring guard, she has all the tools to be a solid pro and is a viable option in the later rounds of the draft.

Reka Dombai, G, Hungary

At 19 years old, Dombai has already proven herself as a prolific scorer in the pros. The 5-10 guard’s production against top-level competition with her club, Gyor, has garnered the attention of international scouts for years now. Dombai’s ceiling is highly appealing, but she would likely be a long-term investment for a team if taken in this draft.

Chloe Bibby, G/F, Maryland

In the last two seasons at Maryland after transferring from Mississippi State, Bibby has shown she can impact the game with her strength and shooting ability. The 6-2 Australian native is a strong rebounder, passer and versatile scorer. Her ability to get hot from beyond the arc will be a big selling point for teams late in the draft.

Bethy Mununga, F, South Florida

Mununga has been a walking double-double for the Bulls this season, averaging 10.8 points and 11.4 rebounds per game. At 6-foot, she is undersized to play the forward position in the WNBA, but GMs will be scouting Mununga for her athleticism, aggressiveness on the glass and willingness to outwork anyone. Likely needing to transition to wing at the next level, she has shown she can stretch the floor and knock down 3s, but she is not very efficient from deep at just 22 percent.

Maya Dodson, C, Notre Dame

The fifth-year grad transfer spent the past four years with Stanford, where she played three seasons. Dodson is playing some of the best basketball of her career for the Fighting Irish this season, averaging 12.8 points and 7.8 rebounds in maximum minutes. The 6-3 forward has yet to hit her ceiling, and with her size and athleticism, is certainly on WNBA teams’ radars. It is uncertain, however, if she’ll declare for this year’s draft.

Faustine Aifuwa, C, LSU

At 6-5, Aifuwa has the size, strength and power to provide the type of rim protection WNBA teams covet. She has to the elite ability to alter shots with her length, recording 240 blocks during her college career, the second most in LSU program history. Her offense developed over the years and she played her most efficient basketball this season, shooting 51 percent from the field.

Ali Patberg, G, Indiana

Patberg is a high-level competitor in her seventh year of college after a knee injury, redshirt transfer rules and an extra COVID-19 year extended her NCAA eligibility. Between Notre Dame and Indiana, Patberg has gained significant experience and is now the oldest player in this draft class. She has been a steady force for Indiana this season with her ability to score, create for others and lead the team through pressure situations. It would be a mistake to overlook Patberg in this year’s draft due to her all-around skill, basketball IQ and leadership.

Moon Ursin, G, Tulane

Ursin is a unique prospect from the standpoint that she can play any position on the floor. At 5-6, she is undersized in height, but makes up for it with her athleticism and agility. Ursin went from playing a complementary wing role for Baylor to running the point at times for Tulane this season. While it could be tough for Ursin to make a WNBA roster, she could be a steal for the intangibles she brings to the court, including the ability to make everyone around her better.

Hannah Sjerven, C, South Dakota

A two-time Summitt League Defensive Player of the Year, Sjerven has made her mark on the mid-major scene since 2018. The 6-2 post player was one of five finalists for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year last season after a breakout junior campaign. This year, Sjerven’s numbers are down slightly (14.4 points and 7.4 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game), but she is having her best 3-point shooting year after working on it during the offseason. Sjerven will need to continue to stretch her game at the next level, but she will be in the late-round conversation.

Chloe Lamb, G, South Dakota

Lamb caught a lot of attention with her play during the NCAA Tournament, where she led the Coyotes on a run to the Sweet 16. The 5-10 guard wanted the ball in her hands in key moments and came up big with clutch shots in wins over Ole Miss and Baylor. Lamb averaged 15.8 points and shot 37.4 percent from beyond the arc this season. During the best 3-point shooting season of her five-year college career in 2019-20, Lamb averaged 46.2 percent from deep.

Amber Ramirez, G, Arkansas

The fifth-year guard out of Arkansas is not afraid of the moment. She led Arkansas in scoring with 15.4 points per game this season, shot 40.2 percent from 3 and secured rebounds well from the guard spot at 4.6 per game. Named to the All-SEC Second Team, Ramirez is the type of sharp-shooting deep threat who could be a steal in the later rounds.

Iimar’i Thomas, F, UCLA

One of the most prolific scorers in the country over the last five years, Thomas compiled over 2,300 points during her career at Cincinnati and UCLA. She was second in scoring for UCLA this year, averaging 15.7 points per game. Thomas’ game has evolved every season as she’s slowly integrated a 3-point shot, shooting a career-best 40.6 percent from deep this season. At 5-10, Thomas is too undersized to be a forward at the next level, but she has all the tools to play on the perimeter or expose a mismatch on the interior with her high IQ and touch around the rim. Her flat-out scoring mentality should impress WNBA coaches.

Chelsie Hall, G, Louisville

Hall was the floor general and facilitator for the Cardinals during their run to the fourth Final Four in program history this season. A reliable playmaker, Hall takes care of the basketball on offense and has the on-ball tenacity on defense to fuel her team on the other end of the floor. She can pressure guards in the full court and wear her opponents out with how hard she plays.

Jailin Cherry, G, LSU

An elite-level athlete, Cherry has one of the most dynamic mid-range games in the country. The 5-8 guard thrived under first-year head coach Kim Mulkey, playing some of the best basketball of her career during her fifth and final year at LSU. Cherry averaged career-highs with 9.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season.

Nicole Cardaño-Hillary, G, Indiana

The fifth-year guard is disruptive defensively and plays with high energy on the court. She showcased her ability to score at a high volume at George Mason, leaving after three years as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,766 career points. She did not carry as much scoring pressure at Indiana, where she averaged 11.6 points, 3.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds per game this season and shot 35.7 percent from the 3-point line. She is a smart facilitator with a smooth shooting stroke who could be appealing to teams in later rounds.

Macee Williams, C, IUPUI

The four-time Horizon League Player of the Year was one of the most dominant collegiate players in the country during her five years at IUPUI. The 6-2 forward averaged a double-double this year of 18.7 points and 10.7 rebounds per game and is one of the most efficient players on the board, shooting 63.8 percent from the field, which ranked fifth in the country. Williams has size, power, strength and great footwork on the interior and has become a skillful passer out of the post after being double-teamed night in and night out.

Lauren Van Kleunen, F, Marquette

Van Kleunen is one of the most experienced post players entering the draft after redshirting and playing five years at Marquette. She put up the best numbers of her career this season, averaging 13.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists from the block. At 6-2, she’s not big enough to fill a traditional post player role at the next level, but she could get looks in the third round if teams believe they can develop her ability to stretch the floor and her skills on the perimeter.

Nancy Mulkey, C, Washington

Mulkey’s 6-9 length is unique in this draft class. During a six-year collegiate career at Oklahoma, Rice and Washington, she averaged 8.3 points and 6.9 rebounds per game while shooting 43 percent from the field. Despite her limited range, Mulkey brings a level of size and rim protection that are hard to come by in the league.

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.

Claire Watkins

Jan 17, 2025

EA FC 2025 Team of the Year Star Sophia Smith Is in the Game

Sophia Smith isn't much of a gamer. 

"It just does not come naturally to me," the Portland Thorns and USWNT forward tells Just Women's Sports with a laugh. "I think with more practice, I could get good."

Whatever skills Smith may lack on the virtual pitch are made up in full by her talent on the actual one. And that talent has ironically earned her an outsized on-screen role in the popular soccer video game EA Sports FC.

Earlier this week, the 24-year-old earned her second-straight spot on EA Sport's Team of the Year. The honor that places her alongside international heavyweights like Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, Chelsea's Lauren James, and Lyon's Wendie Renard.

While gaming might not have been front of mind when Smith won Olympic gold in Paris last summer, she has noticed how FC 25 has become an essential way for soccer fans to get to know their favorite players. The franchise only started fully integrating NWSL teams in 2023, but Smith's rise to in-game prominence was swift. 

Her avatar is regularly featured in national TV commercials, scoring in both a Thorns and a USWNT jersey alongside men's soccer stars like Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham. It might be just a video game, but FC 25 feels increasingly like one of the few platforms that views both sides of the sport as having equal potential.

The phenomenon is not lost on Smith. She says that from time to time fans will recognize her not from the Olympics or an NWSL championship appearance, but from the video game. "When people have the ability to play with women in a game that they've played all their life, it opens a whole new door for us," she says.

"It's so great for women in sports, because it shows that we also deserve to be in a game," she continues. "We also deserve to have that platform, to have our names out there at the same level as the men."

USWNT and EA FC 2025 Team of the Year star Sophia Smith celebrates after scoring at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Smith scored the lone goal against Germany that put the USWNT in the Paris Olympics gold medal match. (Brad Smith/ISI/Getty Images).

EA FC levels the playing field

While the EA FC 25 Team of the Year is voted on by fans, the breadth of leagues in this year's lineup also calms some of the debates currently raging within the women's side. It's no secret that NWSL players sometimes have trouble gaining traction in top European awards. This is a tension that Smith herself has faced before her US national team breakout.

"I do think the NWSL isn't recognized enough," says Smith. "People have a lot of opinions on it, maybe people who don't even watch any games. That can be frustrating because it's a very challenging league to play in — every game is competitive."

To prove her point, she references the time it's taken for her USWNT teammate and fellow Stanford alum Naomi Girma to gain recognition on the international stage. If there were any player she could add to EA FC's Team of the Year, she adds, it'd be the San Diego Wave center-back — "and not just because she's my best friend." The growing global market for NWSL-based players like Girma and Smith likely won't silence critics promoting European-style football over American. But Smith sees differences across leagues as an asset for a player, not a problem.

"Either league could be good for any player for a number of reasons," she explains. "You can learn something in Europe that you can't learn here, and vice-versa. That's why players go back and forth."

"I believe that every league that exists can be challenging in its own way, and we're all just trying to figure it out," she continues. "FC having women in the game — women from the NWSL and European leagues — just puts us all as equals as we should be. It allows you to determine someone's game based off someone's game, not if they play in Europe or the NWSL."

Smith shares Team of the Year honors with fellow NWSL standout, Gotham goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger. (EA Sports).

Focusing on USWNT growth in 2025

Smith's game speaks for itself. Coming off a disappointing 2023 World Cup, the forward scored three goals and registered two assists during the USWNT's Olympic run, leading the team to their first major tournament trophy since 2019. Her club contributions were similarly impressive. She scored 12 regular-season goals alongside six assists despite Portland's failure to make it past the 2024 quarterfinals.

But the year took a toll, and Smith says that prioritizing rest has been essential to preparing herself for everything 2025 has to offer.

"I feel like this offseason was very much needed for me," she says. "While it was a great year, it was a long year — we just gave everything 110%, 24/7, so when we got to the offseason, it kind of just smacked us in the face."

Smith says she's physically bouncing back after a lingering ankle injury limited her playing time in the later half of 2024. "Most offseasons I'll take a few weeks and I'll start training," she says. "This offseason I took a little longer. I knew that in order to start this next year off right, I needed to give my body what it needed while I could."

With no major US tournaments set for 2025, Smith is looking forward to seeing the national team continue to gel and evolve. She's a big believer in USWNT manager Emma Hayes's "If it's not broken, break it" ethos. It makes her excited to push herself and her team to take things to the next level. 

Smith is eager to return Portland to their traditional place atop the NWSL table after a disappointing 2024 campaign (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)

Bringing the EA FC Team of the Year energy back to Portland

Smith also has work to do in the NWSL. She's rejoining a Portland club that saw multiple legends of the game step away after 2024's uncharacteristic sixth-place finish. As a leader, she wants to see the Thorns back at the top of the table. And she hopes to carry on the legacy of retired stars like Christine Sinclair, Becky Sauerbrunn, and Meghan Klingenberg.

"Since I arrived in Portland, every year there's been change. I'm just used to it at this point," she says. "The best thing we can do as players is stick together, really just show up for each other every day. And work towards the same goal, which is to win."

"It's easier said than done," she admits. "I'm used to being one of the younger players on the team. I still am, but I have more experience. I feel like I can be a leader in a different way."

With 2024's triumphs behind her, Smith views the new year as an opportunity to improve without the intense pressure of a major tournament. As always, the goal comes down to one simple thing: growth.

"I'm not the loudest person," she says. "But I can lead by example and show up every day, trying to be the best version of myself and helping those around me get better, too."

Rendering of Sophia Smith's EA FC 2024 card.
Sophia Smith is one of the top-rated women's soccer players on EA FC. (EA Sports)

Making connections on and off the screen

One thing Smith can guarantee is that she'll continue to connect with fans. That goes whether it's signing autographs after a match or finding the back of the net in EA FC 25. 

"It wasn't that long ago that I was that little kid, watching people I grew up looking up to," she remembers. "If they took a minute out of their day to say hi or to sign something, that stuff means a lot." 

"So I try to be that person for people. If I can do that through FC, if I can do that in real life, I always take the opportunity."

JWS Staff

Jan 17, 2025

European Clubs Eye NWSL Talent as 2025 Preseason Kicks Off

San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma plays during the NWSL Challenge Cup.
Top European teams have their eye on NWSL defender Naomi Girma. (Howard Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Some of the NWSL's brightest stars made headlines this week, as the league's free agency transfer window continues to turn heads both at home and abroad.

Brazil forward Kerolin is officially departing North Carolina after spending all three of her NWSL seasons with the Courage, the club confirmed on Wednesday. The 2023 NWSL MVP will reportedly head to the WSL's Manchester City in a deal extending through 2028.

Sources are also linking two-time NWSL Defender of the Year Naomi Girma to the first $1 million transfer offer in women's soccer history, courtesy of French side Lyon and UK titans Chelsea and Arsenal. The 24-year-old USWNT star's current contract with the San Diego Wave runs through 2026, making a transfer fee a necessary part of any earlier deal.

The current record for a women's soccer transfer fee is $860,000, which Bay FC shelled out to receive Zambian forward Rachael Kundananji from Spain's Madrid CFF in February 2024.

More NWSL teams make moves to lock down contracts

NWSL preseason has already started for select clubs, with teams putting the final touches on solidifying both their rosters and front offices.

Angel City hired former Portland Thorns FC and Washington Spirit head coach Mark Parsons as the club's new sporting director on Wednesday. The franchise is still searching for a permanent head coach after parting with boss Becki Tweed in December.

The 2022 expansion team also signed veteran forward Christen Press to a new one-year contract, per a Friday morning press release.

Meanwhile, with Girma's possible departure dominating the rumor mill, the Wave announced the addition of 17-year-old UNC defender and 2024 College Cup champion Trinity Armstrong to the club's ranks on Thursday.

Though Girma's fate is yet to be confirmed, San Diego's decision to pick up a talented young center back — on a three-year contract, no less — supports the theory that the USWNT standout is on the move.

JWS Staff

Jan 17, 2025

Offseason 3×3 League Unrivaled Basketball Tips Off Tonight

Unrivaled's official teal and white basketball rests on a black chair.
Four Unrivaled teams will tip off on Friday, with another two games on Saturday. (Unrivaled Basketball)

Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball tips off its inaugural season on Friday night, when four of the league's six clubs will take the court for the first time.

The Miami-based league's debut doubleheader begins with a co-founder face-off, as Breanna Stewart's Mist will first square off against 2024 WNBA Finals foe and fellow Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier's Lunar Owls.

Shortly after that inaugural game, Rose BC, whose roster includes top-rated 2024 rookie Angel Reese plus WNBA Finals MVPs Kahleah Copper (2021) and Chelsea Gray (2022), will take the Unrivaled court. Facing them in Friday's nightcap will be Vinyl BC, a team headlined by WNBA Rookies of the Year Aliyah Boston (2023) and Rhyne Howard (2022).

The two remaining Unrivaled teams will debut on Saturday afternoon, when Phantom BC takes on Laces BC in another 3×3 doubleheader.

Led by All-Stars like Brittney Griner and reigning WNBA champion Sabrina Ionescu, the Phantom will start the season without guard Marina Mabrey due to a calf strain. Her recovery is expected to take two to four weeks, with an injury re-evaluation set for late January. In the meantime, the Phantom have added relief player Natisha Hiedeman to their short-handed roster.

Unrivaled stars prepare for their close-up

The innovative new league is launching with 36 of the WNBA's biggest stars, a brand new 3x3 format, and a product finely tuned for national TV broadcast. The goal is to bring fans even closer to their favorite athletes.

Subsequently, Unrivaled has teamed up with six US bars "dedicated to elevating women's sports" in an effort to promote official watch parties nationwide.

"The content piece and the TV piece of this is huge for us," Collier told The Athletic ahead of Friday's launch. "We want to make it the most interactive, fun, and exciting experience we can for people."

With a smaller court and cameras positioned closer to the action than in WNBA games, Unrivaled is aiming to bring a small-venue experience to a national audience.

"It’s definitely intimate, and you’re definitely going to hear a lot of stuff," Mist athlete Jewell Loyd told The Athletic. "But at the same time, that’s what you want, and it’s definitely going to make us play a little harder."

A rendering of the Unrivaled 3x3 basketball court in Miami.
Unrivaled tips off its debut season on Friday, January 17th. (Unrivaled)

How to watch Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball this weekend

The new 3x3 league will tip off with the Mist and Lunar Owls at 7 PM ET on Friday, with Rose BC and Vinyl BC following at 8 PM ET.

All Unrivaled games will air across TNT, truTV, and Max throughout the season, with Friday's tip off broadcast live on TNT.

Dee Lab

Jan 16, 2025

College Stars Take Center Stage as 2025 NCAA Gymnastics Season Heats Up

Jordan Chiles celebrates her bar routine at UCLA's first NCAA gymnastics meet of 2025.
US Olympian Jordan Chiles is back for her junior NCAA gymnastics season with UCLA. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

With the 2025 NCAA gymnastics season in full swing, top collegiate athletes are already eyeing mid-April's national championship in Fort Worth, Texas.

Unlike elite gymnastics, where difficulty can outweigh execution, the college level values precision over big tricks, so Division I athletes all aim for perfect 10s in their competition performances.

Despite this difference, many of the world's most decorated elite gymnasts also compete in the NCAA. Two-time Olympian Jade Carey is back for her senior season with No. 14 Oregon State while her US teammate in both Tokyo and Paris, Jordan Chiles, is entering her junior year at No. 11 UCLA.

The Bruin, who took the 2024 NCAA season off to prepare for last summer's Olympics, will attempt to reclaim the national titles on uneven bars and floor exercise that she earned in 2023.

No. 2 LSU's Haleigh Bryant does a split leap in the air at a 2024 NCAA gymnastics meet.
2024 NCAA all-around champion Haleigh Bryant is back with LSU. (Reagan Cotten/University Images via Getty Images)

Top teams poised for the podium

After earning their first national title last spring, No. 2 LSU is hitting the 2025 mat armed with a stacked roster, headlined by 2024 all-around champion Haleigh Bryant and social media star Livvy Dunne.

Add in last year's freshman phenom Konnor McClain, whose prowess on the balance beam ultimately clinched LSU the NCAA trophy, and 2024 Olympic alternate Kaliya Lincoln, who opened her NCAA career with a 9.825 vault two weeks ago, and the Tigers are more than capable of a back-to-back run.

LSU isn't the only SEC team predicted to make a deep run this season, as the conference is once again flush with perennial contenders.

Elite US stars Kayla DiCello and early Freshman of the Year frontrunner Skye Blakely will join two-time US Olympic alternate Leanne Wong in trying to return No. 7 Florida to the NCAA championship meet. At the same time, new SEC team No. 1 Oklahoma, winner of seven of the last 10 NCAA trophies, could see senior Jordan Bowers de-throne Bryant for the 2025 all-around title.

Also causing early national championship chatter are 2024 finalists No. 5 Cal, who return two of the country's best all-arounders in senior Mya Lauzon and junior eMjae Frazier, and Big Ten champs No. 6 Michigan State, whose veteran-heavy lineup boasts stars Skyla Schulte and Sage Kellerman.

How to watch NCAA gymnastics this weekend

Some of the country's top NCAA gymnasts will take the mat when No. 7 Florida visits No. 2 LSU at 7:30 PM ET on Friday. Live coverage will air on ESPN2.

top stories

EA FC 2025 Team of the Year Star Sophia Smith Is in the Game

 San Diego Wave defender Naomi Girma plays during the NWSL Challenge Cup.

European Clubs Eye NWSL Talent as 2025 Preseason Kicks Off

 Unrivaled's official teal and white basketball rests on a black chair.

Offseason 3×3 League Unrivaled Basketball Tips Off Tonight

 Jordan Chiles celebrates her bar routine at UCLA's first NCAA gymnastics meet of 2025.

College Stars Take Center Stage as 2025 NCAA Gymnastics Season Heats Up

 Official NCAA basketballs rest on a 2024 March Madness-branded stand.

NCAA Women's Basketball Cashes in on March Madness Revenue Plan

Watch

Fast Friends with Kelley O'Hara and Lisa Leslie Live at NWSL Championship

Follow

Start your morning off right with Just Women’s Sports’ free, 5x-a-week newsletter.