The WNBA is a hard league to break into, but with expansion teams and the continued growth in the college game, rookies are making an impact earlier than ever. In 2023, I recommended not drafting any rookies that weren’t the overall No. 1 pick, Aliyah Boston, because it was extremely difficult for rookies to make a roster. In 2024, I would have only suggested drafting lottery picks in fantasy leagues (top 4). But things have changed.
The 2024 draft class was an outlier from previous history; all four lottery picks averaged over 20 fantasy points per game for the first time since the lottery was implemented in 2002. But it wasn’t just lottery picks; eight rookies from that 2024 class averaged over 15 fantasy points per game, tied for the second-most all-time, trailing only the 2001 rookie class.
This year could build off of last year. While there isn’t a rookie who could potentially be an All-Star or put up record-breaking numbers, outside of Paige Bueckers (ADP 11.4), there is the potential for a lot of first rounders to make a roster and contribute immediately.
A number of teams that held first round picks in the 2025 draft had needs to fill this season.
Including, eight picks by teams that didn’t make the playoffs last season (Chicago Sky, Dallas Wings,…
