How to watch and everything to know about 2025 WNBA draft where UConn star is consensus No. 1 overall pick

CNN - Apr 14th, 2025
Open on CNN

The WNBA draft is set to unfold with much anticipation, especially with the Golden State Valkyries, the league's first expansion team in 17 years, making their inaugural picks. All eyes are on UConn guard Paige Bueckers, who is expected to be the first overall pick by the Dallas Wings after a monumental college career. Bueckers, who led UConn to a national championship and became the school's top scorer, is projected to make an immediate impact in the league. The draft, held at The Shed in New York City, will be broadcast on ESPN, marking a significant event in the women's basketball calendar.

The draft also features intriguing prospects like Dominique Malonga from France and Kiki Iriafen from USC, who are expected to be top picks, offering teams the chance to bolster their rosters with young talent. Malonga, a 19-year-old sensation known for her athleticism and skills, and Iriafen, a forward with a versatile skill set, are among the standout players. As the WNBA expands and teams strategize for future success, this draft not only signifies a time of change and opportunity but also highlights the growing talent pool in women's basketball.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a comprehensive and timely overview of the 2025 WNBA Draft, focusing on key players and the implications for the league. It excels in accuracy and clarity, presenting well-supported facts and maintaining a neutral tone. The coverage of multiple prospects ensures balanced reporting, though transparency could be improved with more explicit source attribution.

The piece effectively engages readers by highlighting the draft's significance and the potential impact of new talent entering the WNBA. While it does not delve into controversial topics, it provides a solid foundation for further discussion and analysis of women's basketball and its evolving landscape.

RATING DETAILS

9
Accuracy

The news story is largely accurate based on the available information. It correctly identifies the location and timing of the WNBA Draft, as well as the coverage details on ESPN and its streaming platforms. The story's claim that Paige Bueckers is expected to be the No. 1 draft pick by the Dallas Wings aligns with existing reports and mock drafts, and her college achievements are well-documented in sports media.

The article accurately describes Bueckers' statistics and her historical standing within UConn's program, which are consistent with public records and sports analyses. Similarly, the details about Dominique Malonga's background and achievements are consistent with her known career highlights and recent performances.

However, the story should ensure clarity regarding the draft order and any trades, as these details can be complex and subject to change. Overall, the article is well-supported by external sources and provides precise information, though some claims would benefit from direct citations to enhance verifiability.

8
Balance

The article provides a well-rounded overview of the upcoming WNBA Draft, highlighting multiple players and teams. It focuses primarily on Paige Bueckers, given her prominence as the likely No. 1 pick, but also mentions other top prospects like Dominique Malonga, Kiki Iriafen, and Aneesah Morrow. This breadth of coverage ensures that the piece doesn't overly favor a single player or team.

While the article does a good job of presenting various perspectives on the draft's key players, it could include more insights into the strategies or needs of the teams involved, particularly the new expansion team, the Golden State Valkyries. This would provide a more comprehensive view of the draft's implications for the league.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides the reader through the key points of the WNBA Draft. It uses straightforward language and maintains a neutral tone, making it accessible to a broad audience.

However, some sections could benefit from additional context, particularly regarding the draft order and team strategies. Providing more background on the significance of certain players or teams would enhance comprehension and engagement.

7
Source quality

The article appears to be based on credible sources, as it references well-known events and figures in women's basketball. However, it does not explicitly cite these sources within the text, which would enhance its credibility. The reliance on widely accepted information about the WNBA Draft and the players involved suggests a strong foundation of reliable data.

To improve source quality, the article could benefit from direct quotes or references to interviews with league officials, coaches, or analysts. This would provide additional authority and depth to the reporting, ensuring that readers can trust the information presented.

6
Transparency

The article lacks explicit transparency regarding its sources and the methodology used to gather information. It presents facts and predictions about the draft without disclosing how these conclusions were reached or who provided the insights.

Greater transparency could be achieved by including attributions to specific reports, interviews, or expert analyses. This would help readers understand the basis for the article's claims and assess the impartiality of the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-draft-invitee-list
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_WNBA_draft
  3. https://www.tankathon.com/wnba/full_draft
  4. https://www.wnba.com/news/2025-draft-prospect-previews
  5. https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/2025-wnba-draft-where-uconns-paige-bueckers-ranks-among-recent-no-1-picks-including-fevers-caitlin-clark/