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.
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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
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Boxer and influencer Jake Paul weighed in on the highly-publicized feud between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk on Thursday.
In a post on X, Paul suggested that the spat between Trump and Musk was symptomatic of a broader problem within the Republican party.
“One of the problems with the Republican Party is on display today (As a current Republican) We unfortunately have these Alpha male egos and leaders who aren’t mature enough sometimes. They’re 50+ years old and diss tweeting each other Elon and Trump are great but they need to work together and not make America look bad,” Paul wrote.
Paul’s comments prompted mixed responses on X.
Women’s sports rights activist Paula Scanlan praised Paul’s take as “rational.”
“You know it’s bad when Jake Paul has a sane and rational take here,” Scanlan wrote.
Paul’s post even garnered praise from the left-wing content account Leftism.
Other users criticized Paul’s take, in defense of Trump.
“Pretty sure this fight has been 98% Elon. Trump has been very restrained,” wrote the conservative influencer Pro America Politics.
The YouTuber Joey Salads responded to Paul arguing, “Elon started it.”
LOGAN AND JAKE PAUL KEEP IT REAL ON WHY THEY CONTINUE TO STAY IN FRONT OF CAMERAS
Paul has been a vocal supporter of Trump over the last year, endorsing the president prior to the election in a lengthy YouTube video in late October. Paul pointed to several statistics about the economy under the Biden-Harris administration in comparison to Trump’s presidency and called on voters to vote for change.
“Democrats have been in power for 12 of the last 16 years. So, if we aren’t happy with the current political state, economic state, environmental state, then who is to blame?”
Paul also addressed women’s reproductive rights, transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, and protecting women’s spaces in the video.
“As a future father, you will find me dead before I send my daughter to a school where men can go into her bathroom and where men can compete against her in sports. It’s bulls—. That’s taking away a woman’s rights.”
Jake Paul is celebrating Donald Trump’s victory. (Getty Images)
Paul celebrated Trump’s November victory and even attended the president’s inauguration on January 20. That day the boxer event criticized those who opposed Trump after the president’s inaugural speech.
“Any American who isn’t in support of Trump after this speech simply hates America and doesn’t want what’s best for this country and the world,” Paul wrote on X.
But now, Paul has proven willing to be critical of the Republican party as well.
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It was supposed to be a day off for Freddie Freeman.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts quipped before the game that the 35-year-old veteran first baseman had begun to understand the value of an off day as he’s dealt with discomfort in his ankle this season.
But with the go-ahead run on second base in the eighth inning, Roberts summoned Freeman off the bench. Was it time for another magical, Freddie Freeman moment at Chavez Ravine?
Not so fast. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza called for an intentional walk, and up walked Michael Conforto. The 46,364 fans at Dodger Stadium already booed the struggling outfielder after his third-inning strikeout. Hitting .165 entering the game, he was one of the unlikeliest to lead the Dodgers to a comeback victory. He’d yet to come through.
But all Conforto needed was one hit, one chance. And he delivered.
Against Mets setup man Reed Garrett, Conforto ripped a go-ahead RBI single into left field, helping the Dodgers complete a three-run comeback to defeat the Mets 6-5 and salvage a series split against a potential NL playoff opponent.
Conforto’s first hit with runners in scoring position since March 31 — and his first hit this season with runners in scoring position with two outs — put the Dodgers (38-25) two games ahead of the Padres in the NL West after their 3-2 loss to the Giants on Thursday.
Mets southpaw David Peterson had made things difficult before the eighth. He struck out six and gave up three runs across seven innings.
The longevity the Mets got from Peterson, however, was the opposite of what the Dodgers received from right-hander Landon Knack.
Knack had turned a corner across his last two outings. Against both New York teams, he twirled a career-high-tying six innings and gave up just one earned run in each start. Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior paid close attention to Knack’s adjustments, praising his rise from early-season appearances in which he was bounced from games, giving up five runs against the Nationals and Athletics.
“His ability is to be able to throw multiple pitches in any count, in any situation, and that was a little bit off early on,” Prior said, “but now I think he’s starting to finally get into the groove and kind of get back to where he was throwing the ball last year.”
Prior noted what Knack could do when he’s on — mixing pitches and speeds, making for off-balance at-bats. But he also explained what happens when Knack is off — leaving pitches in the middle zone, while falling behind in counts.
Pete Alonso slides past Dodgers catcher Will Smith to score a run for the Mets in the third inning Thursday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Knack was at his least effective Thursday. He gave up four runs — including three home runs — leaving fastballs over the plate to Pete Alonso and Starling Marte in the first and third innings. He also walked five across 3 ⅓ innings.
Roberts had to lean on his bullpen. Jack Dreyer took the ball through the middle of the fifth and José Ureña — who signed with the Dodgers on Tuesday — pitched 2 ⅓ innings to help save bullpen arms ahead of a six-game trip starting Friday in St. Louis.
Roberts, who said before the game that he was still deciding whether Friday would feature a spot start or a bullpen game, might have had his hand forced toward the former after Knack’s short outing.
Left-hander Justin Wrobleski will be recalled from triple-A Oklahoma City and will open Friday against the Cardinals, Roberts said. Wrobleski gave up five runs in four innings during his last triple-A appearance.
Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott, right, celebrates Will Smith after closing out a 6-5 win over the Mets on Thursday.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Etc.
Roberts said right-handed relief pitchers Kirby Yates (right hamstring strain) and Michael Kopech (right shoulder impingement) have a “good possibility” of being activated off the injured list during the weekend series in St. Louis.
Likely candidates to be removed from the 26-man roster over the next few days are Ryan Loutos (five earned runs in three innings with the Dodgers) — who gave up a three-run home run in Wednesday’s 6-1 loss to the Mets — and Ureña.
Outfielders James Outman and Esteury Ruiz both had lockers in the Dodgers clubhouse Thursday. Roberts said the duo were on the taxi squad — as insurance for Hyeseong Kim and Tommy Edman — and would likely be headed back to triple-A later in the day.
Roberts gave clean bills of health to Edman (right ankle) and Kim (fouled a ball off his foot). Edman returned to the Dodgers’ lineup after two days off and hit sixth at second base.
“Looks like we’re out of the clear with those two active guys,” Roberts said.
Sports
Oilers draw first blood in Stanley Cup Final rematch with 4-3 overtime victory against Panthers
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The first game of the Stanley Cup Final rematch belongs to the Edmonton Oilers, as Leon Draisaitl’s second goal of the game was the overtime winner against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night.
The 4-3 victory was a come-from-behind win for Edmonton, as they were down 3-1 at one point in this game, but scored three unanswered goals for a statement victory on their home ice.
After tying the game in the third period at three apiece, an overtime period was needed to determine the winner of Game 1, and it almost looked like another was necessary as both team’s chances couldn’t be seen in the net.
Edmonton Oilers right wing Connor Brown (28) skates past Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) in the second period in game one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Perry Nelson-Imagn Images)
However, a costly mistake by Panthers forward Tomas Nosek saw him flip the puck over the glass in his own defensive zone, which is an immediate delay of game penalty.
Now, with a man advantage, the Oilers capitalized, and it had to be Connor McDavid making the nifty saucer pass to his trusty teammate Draisaitl, who came flying in front of the net to hammer the puck past Panthers netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.
EDMONTON OILERS EYE REVENGE IN STANLEY CUP FINAL AFTER RALLYING PAST DALLAS STARS IN CONFERENCE FINAL
The goal, which came with 31 seconds left to play in the period, was also assisted by Corey Perry.
Draisaitl started the scoring just as he finished it in Game 1, he found the back of the net with just over a minute into the first period. He was in the right place at the right time, as a shot from Kasperi Kapanen deflected off Bobrovsky and landed right onto Draisaitl’s stick, who slapped it into the net to take the one-goal advantage.
But later in the first period, a controversial goal by Florida’s Sam Bennett tied the game at one apiece.
Bennett was present in front of the net with two Oilers defenders around him when Carter Verhaeghe took a shot that hit off Bennett and got past goaltender Stuart Skinner. The Panthers, though, believe Bennett had goalie interference.
Upon further review, it appears Bennett was tripped by Brett Kulak as the puck was being shot, leading to him falling into Skinner. The goal stood and the game was tied.
Just minutes later, Brad Marchand, the Boston Bruins legend who the Panthers traded for at the deadline, took a cross-ice pass during a power play and made the perfect shot past Skinner to take a 2-1 lead.
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) reacts after scoring a goal against Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period in game one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)
The Panthers had momentum going into the second period, and once again, it was Bennett getting one past Skinner to take a solid 3-1 lead. Bennett was skating in transition when Nate Schmidt placed a perfect pass on his stick, and he did the rest for his second goal of the game.
As we learned from last year’s final, the Oilers will not go down easy, and that appears to be the same theme as they came back with their own timely goals.
Viktor Arvidsson took a slap shot once the Oilers entered the offensive zone, and Bobrovsky was too late to react as it whizzed past his left side and stayed true into the net.
Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl (29) reacts after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers during the first period in game one of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place. (Walter Tychnowicz-Imagn Images)
With a 3-2 deficit going into the third period, Edmonton knew they had to get on the board first to put pressure on Florida. That’s exactly what happened as Mattias Ekholm scored his first Stanley Cup Playoffs goal after Connor McDavid dished a back-handed pass to the front of the zone and it found his stick. Bobrovsky was completely out of position with bodies in front of him as Ekholm shot the puck into the net.
Through two periods, it was the Panthers’ dominating play on the ice, but the Oilers turned it up a notch in the third period and never looked back. They outshot the Panthers 46-32 on the night, while Skinner made 29 saves in the win as well.
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