The 2025 WNBA Draft will add yet another star college basketball player to the list of first-overall draft picks in the league’s history.
UConn superstar guard Paige Bueckers is basically locked at this point to be drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings, but who are the players who went before her with the first pick?
Advertisement
Since 1997, plenty of star players have joined the league with the first-overall selection and gone onto stellar careers in the WNBA. Just last year, the Indiana Fever drafted Iowa superstar guard Caitlin Clark with the first pick.
As we prepare to add Bueckers to the list, let’s go back and look at all the other first-round WNBA Draft selections.
2020s
Oct 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) celebrates her teams win after game three of the 2024 WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
2024: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
2023: Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever
2022: Rhyne Howard, Kentucky
2021: Charli Collier, Dallas Wings
2020: Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty
2010s
Oct 1, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates after scoring in the fourth quarter against the New York Liberty during game two of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
2019: Jackie Young, Las Vegas Aces
2018: A’Ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
2017: Kelsey Plum, San Antonio Stars
Advertisement
2016: Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm
2015: Jewell Lloyd, Seattle Storm
2014: Chiney Ogwumike, Connecticut Sun
2013: Brittney Griner, Phoenix Sun
2012: Nneka Ogwumike, Los Angeles Sparks
2011: Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx
2010: Tina Charles, Connecticut Sun
2000s
Aug 23, 2022; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Chicago Sky forward Candace Parker (3) looks to drive past New York Liberty forward Natasha Howard (6) in the third quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
2009: Angel McCoughtry, Atlanta Dream
2008: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks
2007: Lindsey Harding, Phoenix Mercury
2006: Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx
2005: Janel McCarville, Charlotte Sting
2004: Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury
2003: LaToya Thomas, Cleveland Rockers
2002: Sue Bird, Seattle Storm
2001: Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm
2000: Ann Wauters, Cleveland Rockers
1990s
3 Aug 2001: Chamique Holdsclaw #23 of the Washington Mystics with the ball during the WNBA game against the Portland Fire at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C. The Mystics defeated the Fire 64-50. NOTE TO USER: It is expressly understood that the only rights Allsport are offering to license in this Photograph are one-time, non-exclusive editorial rights. No advertising or commercial uses of any kind may be made of Allsport photos. User acknowledges that it is aware that Allsport is an editorial sports agency and that NO RELEASES OF ANY TYPE ARE OBTAINED from the subjects contained in the photographs.Mandatory Credit: Doug Pensinger /Allsport
1999: Chamique Holdsclaw, Washington Mystics
1998: Margo Dydek, Utah Starzz
1997: Tina Thompson, Houston Comets
1997 (Elite Draft): Dean Head, Utah Starzz
This article originally appeared on For The Win: All the top WNBA Draft picks since 1997
