The future stars of U.S. women's professional basketball will have their dreams come true when they hear their names called at the WNBA draft on Monday night.
The event on April 14 in New York City will feature the top college and international prospects being selected over the course of three rounds. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the selections for each team.
Last season's draft was highlighted by University of Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark going No. 1 overall to the Indiana Fever, where she went on to become the WNBA's Rookie of the Year.
This year's WNBA draft is highlighted by University of Connecticut star Paige Bueckers, who is presumed to be the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings. Bueckers is fresh off leading the Huskies to their first national championship in nine years.
The draft will also feature the first selection in history by a new WNBA franchise, the Golden State Valkyries, that will make its debut this season. The Valkyries are the league's first expansion franchise in 17 years, giving the WNBA 13 teams this season.
Here's what to know about the event.
What time is the WNBA draft?
The draft kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET at The Shed at Hudson Yards in Manhattan.
How to watch the WNBA draft
The draft will be broadcast live on ESPN and streamed on the ESPN app, starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Coverage begins at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN with "WNBA Countdown."
Who are some other players who may be drafted high?
While Bueckers is the clear No. 1 pick, there are questions about which top talents will be selected after the UConn star.
French prospect Dominique Malonga, 19, did not play college basketball, instead competing in a top French league and playing for France in the 2024 Olympics in Paris. Malonga, a 6-foot-6 center who is one of the rare women to have dunked in a game, is in the mix to be taken with the No. 2 selection.
Other stars who should hear their names called early are Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron, LSU forward Aneesah Morrow, USC forward Kiki Iriafen and Maryland point guard Shyanne Sellers.
What is the WNBA draft order for the first round?
The order of the top four teams selecting in the draft was determined by a draft lottery. The remaining picks of the first round then go in the reverse order of last season's standings.
That means the reigning champion New York Liberty have the last pick of the first round, which they have already traded to the Dallas Wings.
The Las Vegas Aces do not have a first-round pick this year because the team had it revoked for a violation of league rules in 2023, according to ESPN. The Washington Mystics have three first-round picks this year as a result of trades.
Here is the order for the draft on April 14.
- Dallas Wings
- Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles Sparks)
- Washington Mystics (from Chicago Sky)
- Washington Mystics
- Golden State Valkyries
- Washington Mystics (from Atlanta Dream)
- Connecticut Sun (from Phoenix Mercury)
- Connecticut Sun (from Indiana Fever)
- Los Angeles Sparks (from Seattle Storm)
- Chicago Sky (from Connecticut Sun)
- Chicago Sky (from Minnesota Lynx)
- Dallas Wings (from New York Liberty)
