Sports
Pre-March Madness WNBA mock draft: Paige Bueckers remains on top, Azzi Fudd rises
As the college basketball world gears up for March Madness, this is the last chance for seniors to make an impression on WNBA talent evaluators ahead of the 2025 WNBA Draft, which will be held eight days after the national championship.
Unlike on the men’s side, tournament risers aren’t as prevalent, thanks to four years of tape on most prospects. However, a strong run of play to close the season can’t hurt. In recent memory, Maddy Siegrist (2023) and Emily Engstler (2022) vaulted themselves into the lottery with their performances in February and March.
With WNBA free agency and trade season essentially behind us but with the NCAA finishing kick yet to come, here is how the top prospects stack up in The Athletic’s latest mock draft.
Loading
Try changing or resetting your filters to see more.
Not that there were any doubts about Paige Bueckers being the top choice in this draft, but if there were, those were summarily put to rest with Bueckers’ most outstanding player tour de force in her final Big East tournament, with Dallas general manager Curt Miller and head coach Chris Koclanes looking on from the stands. Bueckers showcased the full gamut of skills that make her such a tantalizing prospect: shot-making, shot creation, controlling the tempo and defensive playmaking. She also demonstrated the leadership and aggression any team looks for in a potential franchise player.
The primary knock on Bueckers in her college career has been that she is deferential to a fault. That shouldn’t be a concern with the WNBA’s talent level; regardless, her career average of 19.6 points per game would have been seventh in the league in 2024. Combine that with an extraordinary level of efficiency — for her career, Bueckers has made 58.5 percent of her 2-pointers, 42 percent of her 3s and 85 percent of her free throws — and it’s hard to imagine the Huskies star being unable to impact winning right away.
There is a high standard for Bueckers to live up to as a top pick from UConn, a group that includes Breanna Stewart, Maya Moore, Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird. Bueckers’ collegiate production indicates that she is a worthy addition to this lineage.
Miles is a generational playmaker whose ability to read the floor in pick-and-rolls, in transition and against any kind of junk defense leaps off the screen. She has led the ACC in assists in each of her three full seasons. She’s also a value-add on defense with her size, rebounding and understanding of schemes. Considering how shallow the point guard pool is in the WNBA, she is a safe pick to eventually be one of the best players at her position.
The upside with Miles comes with her scoring. She has always been excellent at attacking the rim and is a strong finisher. This season, she added a jumper and has been elite at shooting from 3-point range. That will enable her to play on and off the ball as a pro, making her a natural fit next to former Notre Dame guard Skylar Diggins-Smith, but also the heir apparent at point guard when the 34-year-old veteran moves on. Miles’ overall defense and turnover rate lag behind that of Bueckers, which is why she isn’t in the conversation for the No. 1 pick, but the Storm should be thrilled to have Miles as a foundation for their future.
The Storm received this pick from the Los Angeles Sparks.
Bueckers will be the No. 1 pick in this draft, but there is a chance that Malonga ends up as the best player. At 19 years old (she won’t turn 20 until after the 2025 WNBA season), Malonga is a full four years younger than Bueckers, and at least three years younger than the other domestic draft prospects. Nevertheless, she competes against veterans in France’s top league and is already producing.
In a league dominated by post play — the teams with superstar power forwards and centers tend to win titles — Malonga is the future of this position. She is long and athletic and has the mobility to defend multiple positions. Her free-throw shooting has improved in every professional season, from 60 percent in 2021-22 to 71.4 percent this season, which bodes well for Malonga eventually stretching out her game. She’s already making 32.3 percent of her 3-pointers, albeit on limited volume (10 of 31).
It bears repeating that Malonga is succeeding against professionals as a teen. Her development curve is just getting started, and she was already good enough to make the silver-medal French Olympic team in 2024. The sky is the limit with Malonga, with the only major concern being her availability, as the French national team demands heavy commitment during the summers.
The Mystics received this pick from the Chicago Sky.
Citron was five spots lower in the last mock draft, as I prioritized players with more offensive potential. Citron has never been the No. 1 option at Notre Dame, and translating role players to the WNBA is a trickier exercise. But the Irish senior is such a spectacular secondary (or tertiary) option that it’s unlikely she will fall past Washington in the draft, whether that is at the fourth pick or the sixth pick.
Citron can defend multiple positions without much help with her size and IQ, though she could probably stand to add strength in the W. She has successfully taken on the Bueckers and JuJu Watkins assignments the last two seasons, leading Notre Dame to a 3-0 record against the Huskies and the Trojans. She is a consistent 3-point shooter, making 37 percent of her attempts in her college career. Citron also has enough of a handle that she can put the ball on the floor and attack a closeout, if not run the offense.
The Mystics have enough young frontcourt players with Shakira Austin, Aaliyah Edwards, and potentially Sika Koné and Emily Engstler. After drafting Malonga, it makes sense to try to build up the backcourt. With her versatility, Citron should be a fixture in the league for a long time.
Iriafen is an outstanding athlete at her position and has a nose for the glass, especially as an offensive rebounder. The most disappointing outcome of a USC possession has to be playing good defense, forcing a miss from Watkins, and then watching Iriafen come in for a putback. Her positioning is excellent, and her second jump makes her a tough cover. That’s a skill that will immediately translate to the WNBA.
This is also a good landing spot for Iriafen to get more reps at a high level. She has been playing heavy minutes for only the last two seasons, in two dramatically different systems, and could use some development time before the Valkyries are ready to compete with the best teams in the W. Golden State’s roster is stocked with players who can play power forward, but none has Iriafen’s scoring ability. She can shoulder a high offensive usage right away.
Washington is essentially only beginning its rebuild, so it isn’t necessary to use its three picks on a big, a wing and a point guard. The Mystics aren’t building an Unrivaled team, after all. However, the best player available at this spot is Saniya Rivers, which makes for a happy accident.
Rivers is a tremendous passer, especially in transition. Her outlets and hit-aheads are jaw-dropping. She is also a top-tier athlete — she’ll step into the WNBA as one of the most athletic players in the league already with her speed, her bounce and her lateral quickness. That is part of what makes her an elite defender both at the point of attack and on the wing.
The knock on Rivers is her shooting. Her jumper is broken and needs a complete overhaul. Consequently, defenders sag on her, which limits her willingness to get to the rim. Even when she does drive, her touch at the basket isn’t great. She’ll need to work on her scoring package, and Washington has the time to develop her. Even so, her passing, defense and physical attributes are too impressive to pass up.
Washington received this pick from the Atlanta Dream via the Dallas Wings.
Morrow doesn’t have the size of a prototypical power forward. Listed at 6-1, the LSU media guide may be exaggerating even that number. However, her production in the paint is undeniable. She is an efficient finisher and a voracious rebounder. Although she lacks the size to defend from behind in the post, she can front and has good hands, allowing her to deflect passes and cause turnovers. Were she a few inches taller, she’d be a lottery pick, but her size creates questions. Connecticut has succeeded with players who didn’t fit a particular archetype, and the Sun need talent, especially in the frontcourt.
The Sun received this pick from the Phoenix Mercury via the New York Liberty.
There wouldn’t be a point to hiring Rachid Meziane if the Sun weren’t going to step into international waters, and Jocytė is the most intriguing European prospect after Malonga. Her dream is to play in the WNBA, and she specifically confirmed her draft eligibility — although she grew up in Lithuania, she was born in the U.S., which could have subjected her to the collegiate age limit rule. Jocytė has been successful competing in FIBA, leading Lithuania to a U-18 gold medal in 2022. She currently plays with Malonga in Lyon. Although her 2-point shooting has dipped in 2024-25, she is a solid 3-point shooter and excellent from the foul line, which indicates that she could be a 3-and-D wing going forward. At 19 years old, even if she doesn’t come over right away (EuroBasket will take place this summer), Jocytė could still contribute in Connecticut for a long time.
Connecticut received this pick from the Indiana Fever.
Assuming she is healthy, Fudd has first-round talent. She is a big guard who can defend the two and three positions. Her jumper is pristine. You’d like a player with her size to make more plays on defense and get to the line more often, but that’s why Fudd isn’t a lottery pick. There’s also the hope that as she gains more confidence in her body, she’ll become more aggressive as a defender and driver. The Sparks could desperately use a shooter of Fudd’s caliber, even if she isn’t a three-level scorer. The 3-pointer and midrange is enough for now.
The Sparks received this pick from the Seattle Storm.
The Sky are in win-now mode, after trading the No. 3 pick in this draft, plus swapping rights in 2027, for Ariel Atkins. In that respect, drafting a fifth-year senior who has won a national title and immediately fits on Chicago’s roster is the move. Paopao can back up Courtney Vandersloot and Atkins at the one and two. She is an excellent shooter off the catch and off screens, and she knows how to play with ball-dominant bigs. Plus, she will have immediate chemistry with Kamilla Cardoso, her former Gamecocks teammate. Coach Tyler Marsh emphasized movement shooting as an area of need when Chicago hired him, and there is no one better than Paopao at that specific skill.
Chicago received this pick from the Connecticut Sun.
The Lynx could go international at this selection to find a wing — someone like Slovenia’s Ajša Sivka, who can slot next to Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride, seems like a good fit. However, Minnesota suffered from a lack of playmaking in the WNBA Finals, as Courtney Williams, McBride and Collier are all scorers first. Getting a true point guard, even if she comes off the bench, to help move the ball and organize the offense seems useful. Amoore is already adept at running pick-and-roll and the Lynx’s size at the other positions will help cover for her defensively. Amoore can help create easier shots for those stars to keep them fresher at the end of games.
Curt Miller’s best player development success stories as Connecticut’s general manager were with Maryland players: Alyssa Thomas and Brionna Jones. Why not go back to the Brenda Frese well? Sellers is a solid defender, an above-average 3-point shooter, and her point guard reps have expanded her shot-creation abilities. She has struggled with knee issues as a senior, but even taking a year off to recover wouldn’t be the worst outcome. Dallas already has a glut of guards with Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington, Ty Harris and likely Bueckers. They can let Sellers rebuild her body, and she can enter the league when the value of a rookie scale contract is much higher in 2026.
Dallas received this pick from the New York Liberty via the Phoenix Mercury.
(Illustration: Will Tullos / The Athletic; Photos of Aneesah Morrow, Paige Bueckers and Olivia Miles: Jacob Kupferman, Justin Casterline, Joe Buglewicz / Getty Images
Sports
US lifts costly visa bond requirement for some World Cup travelers, Trump administration says
FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown: New York, New Jersey prepare
Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee, discusses the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in New York and New Jersey. He details plans for free fan experiences across five boroughs and New Jersey, emphasizing public transit solutions for 1.2 million fans. Lasry confirms real grass will be installed at MetLife Stadium for the event, highlighting the global excitement for this major sporting event.
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
Citizens of a select group of countries who have purchased tickets to this summer’s World Cup matches in the U.S. will no longer be required to provide thousands of dollars in visa bonds to enter the country and attend the tournament.
On Wednesday, the State Department confirmed the Trump administration is waiving a prior mandate requiring visitors from Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Senegal and Tunisia to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S.
The department imposed the bond requirement last year for countries it said had high rates of visa overstays and other security concerns as part of a broader immigration crackdown. Travelers from at least 50 countries are subject to the bond requirement, but the five aforementioned nations’ teams have qualified for this year’s World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed outside the White House in Washington, D.C., ahead of the FIFA World Cup Draw on Dec. 2, 2025. (Michael Regan/FIFA/Getty Images)
World Cup team players, coaches and some staff already had been exempt from the bond requirement as part of the administration’s orders to prioritize the processing of visas for the tournament.
STATE DEPT TO START ROLLING OUT FIFA PASS FOR FOREIGN SOCCER FANS LOOKING TO ATTEND WORLD CUP IN US
“The United States is excited to organize the biggest and best FIFA World Cup in history,” Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Mora Namdar said. “We are waiving visa bonds for qualified fans who bought World Cup tickets” and opted in to the FIFA Pass system that allows expedited visa appointments as of April 15.
In its own statement, FIFA said the announcement shows “our ongoing collaboration with the U.S. government and the White House task force for the FIFA World Cup to deliver a successful, record-breaking and unforgettable global event” and thanked the administration for the partnership.
President Donald Trump draws the United States card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 5, 2025. (Michael Regan/FIFA via Getty Images)
However, the administration has barred travelers from Iran and Haiti, though World Cup players, coaches and other support personnel are exempt. Travelers from the Ivory Coast and Senegal face partial restrictions under an expanded version of that travel ban, even without the visa bond exemption.
The World Cup begins June 11 and is co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Some measures from the administration prompted Amnesty International and dozens of U.S. civil and human rights groups to issue a “World Cup travel advisory” that warns travelers about the climate in the U.S.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hands the FIFA World Cup Winners Trophy to President Donald Trump during an announcement in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 22, 2025. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP)
In a report this month, the main advocacy group for U.S. hotels blamed visa barriers and other geopolitical issues for “significantly suppressing international demand,” leading to hotel bookings for the soccer tournament that are far below what had initially been anticipated.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
As of early April, the number of World Cup fans affected by the bond requirement was believed to be relatively small, perhaps only about 250 people, according to U.S. officials who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. But they said that number was changing rapidly as more people buy tickets and some with tickets opt against traveling.
FIFA had requested the waiver, which had to be approved by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, officials said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
CITY SECTION BASEBALL PLAYOFFS
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
Quarterfinals
OPEN DIVISION
#8 Wilmington Banning at #1 Birmingham, Thursday
#4 Carson 6, #5 Garfield 5
#6 Granada Hills 2, #3 Bell 0
#2 El Camino Real 11, #7 South Gate 0 (5 innings)
First Round
DIVISION I
#1 Sylmar 7, #16 LA Marshall 0
#8 Chatsworth 5, #9 North Hollywood 4
#5 Sun Valley Poly 1, #12 LA University 0 (8 innings)
#13 Verdugo Hills at #4 LACES
#3 Venice 11, #14 San Fernando 8
#6 Palisades 1, #11 Narbonne 0 (8 innings)
#10 Taft 13, #7 San Pedro 9
#2 Cleveland 18, #15 Maywood CES 0 (5 innings)
DIVISION II
#16 Granada Hills Kennedy 13, #1 Monroe 3
#8 Port of Los Angeles 5, #9 Bravo 3
#5 LA Roosevelt 17, #12 Northridge Academy 0
#4 LA Wilson 10, #13 Legacy 9
#3 Torres 5, #14 Vaughn 0
#6 South East 7, #11 Rancho Dominguez 1
#7 Franklin 1, #10 Downtown Magnets 0
#2 Sherman Oaks CES 3, #15 Chavez 0
THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 3 p.m. unless noted)
Second Round
DIVISION III
#16 Fairfax at #1 WISH Academy
#9 LA Hamilton at #8 Fulton
#13 Westchester vs. #4 Sotomayor at Arroyo Park
#21 King/Drew at #5 Sun Valley Magnet
#11 Eagle Rock vs. Triumph Charter at SIBL, 2:30 p.m.
#19 Arleta at #3 Marquez
#23 Gardena at #7 Fremont
#15 Roybal at #2 Van Nuys
Note: Divisions I-III quarterfinals May 16; Divisions II-III semifinals May 19; Open and Division I semifinals May 20 at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. at TBD; Open and Division I finals May 23 at Dodger Stadium (times TBD).
Sports
Mets get unlikely assist from umpire collision as Tigers baserunner is thrown out at home plate in key moment
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The New York Mets’ offseason priority for this year was run prevention, and with a little help from an umpire, that’s exactly what they got.
Just about everything has gone badly for the Mets this season, as they boast one of the league’s worst records at 16-25 despite their league-high $334.8 million payroll.
But finally, something broke their way.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith is tagged out by New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez while trying to score during the fifth inning at Citi Field in New York City on May 12, 2026. (John Jones/Imagn Images)
The Mets led the Detroit Tigers, 3-2, in the top of the fifth inning when Detroit’s Riley Greene singled into right field, and Colt Keith headed to third.
Keith was safe, beating the throw that got away from third base, so Keith took a gamble and started sprinting toward home.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith hits a single against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at Citi Field in New York City on May 12, 2026. (John Jones/Imagn Images)
EX-MLB PITCHER ACCUSED OF ‘CONTROLLING BEHAVIOR’ IN UGLY DIVORCE BATTLE AMID NUMEROUS 911 CALLS TO HOME
However, when Keith started heading toward the plate, he crossed paths with third-base umpire Rob Drake. The two collided, and Drake fell right to the infield grass.
That held Keith up for just a couple of seconds, and it was enough for Keith to be thrown out by pitcher Freddy Peralta at home, ending the inning and killing a rally the Tigers could have needed.
The game wound up getting away from the Tigers later, as the Mets scored three runs in both the sixth and eighth innings, and the Mets’ bullpen was able to hold Detroit scoreless for the rest of the game for a 10-2 New York win.
Colt Keith of the Detroit Tigers reacts during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 29, 2026. (Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Mets are the owners of the league’s longest losing streak of the season at 12 games, but they have now won six of their last 10 as they desperately try to turn things around.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
-
California3 minutes agoOpinion | California will make less money from greenhouse gas emission auctions
-
Colorado9 minutes agoLive: Day 1 of Colorado high school state track and field meet
-
Connecticut15 minutes agoBUILDing Connecticut’s Capital City: Unique UConn Course Celebrates Five Years of Partnership, Collaboration, and Hartford Stories – UConn Today
-
Delaware21 minutes agoHistory of Delaware outdoor track and field state championships
-
Florida27 minutes agoLake O had 81 algal blooms in 2 years near Florida slaughterhouse site
-
Georgia33 minutes agoGeorgia Power proposal comes as summer cooling costs are expected to rise
-
Hawaii39 minutes agoTourist accused of hurling rock at endangered Hawaii monk seal’s head is arrested by federal agents
-
Idaho45 minutes agoIdaho silversmiths craft wearable works of art inspired by the West