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The city of Washington loves their newest celebrity resident. The 2015 WNBA MVP Elle Delle Donne is officially a member of the Washington Mystics today after being traded by the Chicago Sky. The 2016 Gold Medalist was the leading scorer in the WNBA last season, averaging 21.5 points per game. The addition of the 6-5 forward to the Mystics frontcourt has the potential to change the landscape of women’s basketball. As soon as the news broke, the city’s teams rolled out the welcome mat:
First up was the Washington Wizards and their star backcourt:
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HUGE news for our <a href="https://twitter.com/WashMystics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WashMystics</a> fam! Welcome to DC, <a href="https://twitter.com/De11eDonne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@De11eDonne</a>!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/A11DC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#A11DC</a> <a href="https://t.co/JTlOaNrnGf">pic.twitter.com/JTlOaNrnGf</a>
&mdash; Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/827180001493659649?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Hey <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCFamily</a> let&#39;s welcome <a href="https://twitter.com/De11eDonne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@De11eDonne</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/WashMystics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WashMystics</a> ?
&mdash; John Wall (@JohnWall) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnWall/status/827182898226802688?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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When <a href="https://twitter.com/RealDealBeal23?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RealDealBeal23</a> found out the <a href="https://twitter.com/WashMystics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WashMystics</a> added <a href="https://twitter.com/De11eDonne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@De11eDonne</a> to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCFamily?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCFamily</a>: &quot;Oh we winning, oh yea we winning for sure.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/A11DC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#A11DC</a> <a href="https://t.co/jQGbU007Du">https://t.co/jQGbU007Du</a>
&mdash; Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) <a href="https://twitter.com/WashWizards/status/827223899259678721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Next was the city’s favorite football team:
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Welcome to DC, <a href="https://twitter.com/De11eDonne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@De11eDonne</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/A11DC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#A11DC</a> <a href="https://t.co/WIOjnG9pnC">pic.twitter.com/WIOjnG9pnC</a>
&mdash; Washington Commanders (@Commanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/Commanders/status/827183654900211714?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Capitals gave EDD a shout out too:
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Welcome to D.C.! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RockTheRed?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RockTheRed</a> <a href="https://t.co/eoIcGrIZ6Y">https://t.co/eoIcGrIZ6Y</a>
&mdash; Washington Capitals (@Capitals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Capitals/status/827179157952032769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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And the D.C. United MLS squad:
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Welcome to D.C. <a href="https://twitter.com/De11eDonne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@De11eDonne</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DCU?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DCU</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/A11DC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#A11DC</a> <a href="https://t.co/MpCaN1w6YL">pic.twitter.com/MpCaN1w6YL</a>
&mdash; D.C. United (@dcunited) <a href="https://twitter.com/dcunited/status/827181732101242881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Not to mention her new team:
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It&#39;s officially official. Welcome to DC, <a href="https://twitter.com/De11eDonne?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@de11edonne</a> ‼ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/A11DC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#A11DC</a> <a href="https://t.co/70OmFgq7bm">pic.twitter.com/70OmFgq7bm</a>
&mdash; Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) <a href="https://twitter.com/WashMystics/status/827179511833907201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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As far as welcomes go, it seems like D.C. is pulling out all of the stops.
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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Mystics announced today that they have acquired a 2026 first-round pick (Minnesota’s own) from the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for guard Karlie Samuelson.
Samuelson (6-0) joined Washington as a free agent prior to the 2024 season. She averaged 8.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 29 games with the Mystics.
Washington is slated to pick 3rd, 4th, 6th, 23rd, and 32nd in tonight’s WNBA Draft. The team’s three first-round picks mark the most in franchise history.

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Mystics Acquire 2026 First-Round Pick

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New York, NY, April 14, 2025 – Coach and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) today announce a multiyear partnership aimed at championing courageous self-expression through basketball and beyond, with Coach becoming the official handbag partner of the league.
Highlighting the intersection between sports and fashion, the agreement brings on Coach as the WNBA’s luxury handbag brand, with the goal of empowering players and fans to courageously express themselves. The initiative also underscores Coach’s grounding purpose, the Courage to Be Real, a platform meant to inspire people to confidently explore all the facets of their identity.
The collaboration will be spotlighted across key events and moments throughout the season, beginning with the WNBA Draft 2025 presented by State Farm® on Monday, April 14 at The Shed in New York City. Throughout the evening, the WNBA Draft Orange Carpet presented by Coach will welcome the newest class of WNBA rookies.
Coach will also partner with and amplify the stories of five WNBA prospects who are bridging the worlds of sport and fashion as exceptional athletes who express themselves with their own unique style. The five WNBA prospects are Paige Bueckers (University of Connecticut), Hailey Van Lith (Texas Christian University), Aneesah Morrow (Louisiana State University), Kiki Iriafen (University of South California), and Sonia Citron (Notre Dame).
“Coach and the WNBA share a belief in the power of self-expression,” said Coach Chief Marketing Officer Joon Silverstein. “We’re excited to partner with this league, an organization that uniquely champions individuality, and to support these courageous athletes who are breaking molds both on and off the court, inspiring our audiences to embrace the many possibilities of who they are and who they can be.”
Additionally, Coach will become the presenting partner of WNBA Pride, a platform the league launched in 2014, which marked the first time a pro sports league formed an integrated program to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to a slate of nationally televised games, WNBA Pride presented by Coach will spotlight the third consecutive season of the Pride Is Love limited content series available on the WNBA App.
“The WNBA sits at the intersection of sport and lifestyle and has always championed players to translate what they do on the court into their own personal style off the court,” said WNBA Chief Growth Officer Colie Edison. “We look forward to joining forces with Coach to inspire fans everywhere to embrace individuality, especially around some of our most anticipated tentpole moments, including the WNBA Draft Orange Carpet and WNBA Pride presented by Coach.”
Beyond the WNBA Draft presented by State Farm® and WNBA Pride, Coach will be an associate partner of AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2025, where fans and players will converge in Indianapolis for the midseason showcase and a celebration representing the intersection of sport, fashion, music and culture.
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ABOUT COACH
Coach is a global fashion house founded in New York in 1941. Inspired by the vision of Creative Director Stuart Vevers and the inclusive and courageous spirit of its hometown, the brand makes beautiful things, crafted to last—for you to be yourself in.
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Coach is a Tapestry, Inc. brand. Tapestry is publicly listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker TPR.
ABOUT THE WNBA
Tipping off its 29th season in 2025, the WNBA celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it. The league was ranked by Morning Consult as the fastest-growing brand in 2024, and No. 4 on Fast Company’s list of the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2025, on its way to setting records for engagement on social and digital platforms, attendance, merchandise sales and unique viewers across its broadcast partners. The WNBA’s commitment to societal impact is supported by the first-of-its-kind WNBA Changemakers Collective, a group of purpose-driven companies that have partnered with the WNBA to enhance the player experience, build the brand of the league and players, inspire innovation and connectivity, increase media coverage and visibility, and help drive the league’s business transformation. AT&amp;T, Carmax, Deloitte, Google, and Nike are part of the WNBA Changemaker Collective.
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coach-wnba-partnership

Coach and WNBA Announce Multiyear Partnership

The NCAA tournament has officially ended, with the UConn Huskies reclaiming the throne from the South Carolina Gamecocks and winning a 12th title for the esteemed women’s college basketball program in Storrs, Connecticut. 
Now an NCAA Champion, star guard Paige Bueckers is set to enter the 2025 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm and currently projected to go No. 1 overall to the Dallas Wings. Bueckers’ entry into the draft is a long time coming, and she’s set to be one of the more closely watched rookies this season.
Outside of Bueckers, there are many standout players that fans are keen on seeing hit the stage and join a WNBA franchise, especially after some fabulous tournament performances from players like TCU’s Hailey Van Lith, LSU’s Aneesah Morrow, and USC’s Kiki Iriafen, to name a few. Their departure from their respective college programs will have just as big of an impact as Bueckers’ departure will, which just goes to show how strong this incoming class is projected to be. 
Let’s dive into five names to watch for ahead of the Wings being on the clock. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-197383 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/PaigeB.png" alt="Paige Bueckers" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/PaigeB.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/PaigeB-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/PaigeB-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Paige Bueckers
Let’s start with Paige Bueckers, the senior guard out of UConn who has dazzled the basketball stage for several seasons. Under head coach Geno Auriemma and alongside teammates Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong, Bueckers has finally managed to secure the one piece of hardware she was missing from her mantel with just one week to go until she hears her name called during the draft &#8211; an NCAA championship.
Bueckers averaged 19.9 points per-game along with 4.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 steals in 2024. In the tournament, she averaged 24.8 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks per-game in six games en route to the title. 
Bueckers’ accolades stretch beyond the stuffing the stat sheet, of course. She scored the most points of any UConn Husky in women’s basketball program history, passing Maya Moore for the honor, and is now third overall in women’s college basketball history in scoring during the NCAA Tournament with 477 total points. These records are all the more impressive when considering she missed the 2022 season with a torn ACL.  

The multi-time All-American, former AP Player of the Year, Big East legend, and now NCAA champion is set to enter the league as the favorite to land Rookie of the Year honors. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-197384 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/HaileyVL.png" alt="Hailey Van Lith" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/HaileyVL.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/HaileyVL-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/HaileyVL-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Hailey Van Lith
In a different path from Bueckers, Van Lith has gone through three college programs on her journey to the draft stage. Between her time with the Louisville Cardinals, LSU Tigers, and TCU Horned Frogs, Van Lith averaged 15.2 points per-game along with 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.3 steals. At LSU, Van Lith departed from the norm and was the teams’ main on-ball facilitator. She used her last year of eligibility to play with TCU as a shooting guard once again. 
Her shooting was fairly consistent while with TCU in 2024-25, and she also averaged the most assists per-game she ever had in her final collegiate year with the Horned Frogs and while surrounded with some great shooting. 
Van Lith is entering the league at a time where guards, and specifically the art of passing first, is more appreciated than ever. Thinking of great point guards like Chelsea Gray, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Natasha Cloud, and others who elevate players around them with their facilitating, it’s fun to imagine what Van Lith will bring to the league with her passing skills. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-197385 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/KikiI.png" alt="Kiki Iriafen" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/KikiI.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/KikiI-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/KikiI-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Kiki Iriafen
Moving off guard talk, it’s time to give some flowers to future star forward Kiki Iriafen. The USC Trojan nearly put the team on her back in the NCAA Tournament with the loss of JuJu Watkins to an ACL tear during the second round, averaging 16.5 points per-game along with nine rebounds and 1.5 assists. 
Iriafen has been considered a top prospect for several years because of her footwork, ability to score in the post consistently, and her ability to defend the paint. She stood out for these reasons alongside Cameron Brink at Stanford University, where she began her collegiate career, and she’s going to be an invaluable piece to any teams’ frontcourt this season and beyond.
Thinking of bigs in the league similar to Iriafen like A’ja Wilson, Napheesa Collier, Angel Reese, and Breanna Stewart &#8211; essentially, forwards that can create their own shot in the paint, have ball handling skills, and are defensive presences that seriously deter other teams from looking at the paint at all &#8211; it’s clear to see how she’ll find success in the league almost immediately. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-197387 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/DominiqueM.png" alt="Dominique Malonga" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/DominiqueM.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/DominiqueM-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/DominiqueM-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Dominique Malonga
When discussing a draft riser, you have to mention Dominique Malonga’s name. The silver medalist and rising French basketball star has both experience to offer a WNBA team looking to draft an untraditional rookie, and the skills to back up such a selection. The 6-foot-6 center averaged 15 points per-game along with 10 rebounds with Lyons in 2024. 
Malonga moves with the fluidity of a guard while knowing she has the height and strength of a center. For someone who will only be 19 years old by the time she heard her name called by commissioner Cathy Engelbert in this year’s draft, that’s extremely impressive. You have to respect Malonga’s jumper, paint presence, and ball handling. Think of how difficult it is to defend Las Vegas’ Wilson &#8211; that’s what teams might need to consider defensively when guarding Malonga very soon. 
Malonga, similarly to Iriafen, has a translatable bag of skills that’ll likely make her a contender for rookie of the year. Looking up any highlights of Malonga’s performances over the past year will leave you wondering how it’ll be possible to defend someone as surgical as her as she’s running to the rim. 
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-197386 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/AneesahM.png" alt="Aneesah Morrow" width="960" height="540" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/AneesahM.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/AneesahM-300x169.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/04/AneesahM-768x432.png 768w" sizes="(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Aneesah Morrow
Morrow is entering this year’s draft after an amazing NCAA Tournament run with the LSU Tigers in 2025. Despite being eliminated in the Elite 8, Morrow’s impact was felt throughout the teams’ four games in the tournament. She averaged nearly 21 points per-game along with 12.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.5 steals during the postseason. Her regular season stats were even more eye-popping &#8211; going for 18.7 points per-game along with 13.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 2.5 steals. 
The former standout at DePaul University is entering this draft as one of the best forwards in the class, and she certainly should be gone off the board for teams within the top 5 of the draft order. Her paint prowess as a rebounder and scorer, and her ability to defend players that could give her trouble with their size advantage over her, will make her a likely day one starter for whoever drafts her. 
Her scoring and footwork in the paint are almost one of one in this draft class. It’s hard to find a comparison for her to anyone currently in the league because she moves like a center but would be considered undersized for that label. Her skills are extremely transferable to the WNBA given her ability to tough out rebounds, score over bigger defenders, and her passing out of double and triple teams under the basket. 
She’s sure to power her way through the league this season, and likely remind fans why she was such a crucial transfer for LSU’s tournament hopes over the last two seasons.

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Prospect Previews: Five Players to Watch in the 2025 WNBA Draft

– ESPN to Air Draft on Monday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. ET,
Preceded by WNBA Countdown Presented by Google at 7 p.m. ET – 
– Empire State Building Lighting Ceremony to Be Followed by Iconic WNBA “Orange Carpet” Event and Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York –  
– Dallas Wings to Select First, Followed by Seattle Storm and Washington Mystics –
NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 – Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers, USC forward Kiki Iriafen, LSU forward Aneesah Morrow and TCU guard Hailey Van Lith headline the list of 16 prospects who will attend the WNBA Draft 2025 presented by State Farm® on Monday, April 14 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the draft picks live on ESPN with exclusive coverage beginning at 7:30 p.m. ET. The draft, along with a special edition of WNBA Countdown Presented by Google (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET), will also be available live on the ESPN App.
The other prospects who will be in attendance are guard Georgia Amoore (Kentucky), guard Sarah Ashlee Barker (Alabama), guard Sonia Citron (Notre Dame), forward Sania Feagin (South Carolina) guard Aziaha James (NC State), center Dominique Malonga (Lyon ASVEL/France), guard Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina), guard Saniya Rivers (NC State), guard-forward Madison Scott (Ole Miss), guard Shyanne Sellers (Maryland), forward Ajša Sivka (Tarbes Gespe Bigorre/Slovenia), and guard Serena Sundell (Kansas State).
As determined by the WNBA Draft Lottery 2025 presented by State Farm held on Nov. 17, the Dallas Wings own the top pick in the draft. The Seattle Storm has the second pick, and the Washington Mystics own the third and fourth selections. The league’s first expansion team in 17 years, the Golden State Valkyries, will select fifth.
The formal tip-off of the draft-night festivities will take place when the invited prospects showcase their personalities and unique fashion styles on the WNBA’s iconic “Orange Carpet.” Earlier that day, the prospects will visit the Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony to celebrate the draft.
Here is a closer look at the prospects who will be attending the WNBA Draft 2025 presented by State Farm.
Georgia Amoore (Kentucky / Australia): A 5-6 guard from Ballarat, Victoria, Australia, Amoore joined Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu as the only players in Division I women’s history with 2,300 career points and 800 assists. She finished her college career at Kentucky this season after spending four years at Virginia Tech, where she helped the Hokies to the 2023 Final Four. Amoore is a two-time AP All-America pick, including Second Team honors this year, and was a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s best point guard in 2024 and 2025. She ranked third in the country this season with 6.9 assists per game to go with 19.6 points per game on 42.3% shooting from the field, all career highs.
Sarah Ashlee Barker (Alabama): The 6-0 guard from Birmingham, Ala., was a semifinalist for the 2025 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the top shooting guard in the country and, for the second straight season, an All-SEC First Team selection after again pacing the Crimson Tide in scoring. She ranked eighth in the SEC this year with 18.2 points per game, equaled her career-high average of 6.3 rebounds and contributed 3.9 assists. Barker set the Alabama single-game scoring record with 45 points against Maryland in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in March.
Paige Bueckers (Connecticut): Bueckers capped her career by leading UConn to the 2025 national championship and was the winner of the Wade Trophy as the National Player of the Year. The 6-0 guard led the Huskies to the Final Four in each of the four seasons she played and to the national championship game in 2022. In 2020-21, she was the first freshman to earn the Wooden Award, Naismith Trophy, AP Player of the Year and USBWA Player of the Year honors. A three-time AP All-America First Team selection and three-time Big East Player of the Year (2021, 2024, 2025), Bueckers twice won the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s best point guard (2021, 2025). She finished her career averaging 19.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists per game.
Sonia Citron (Notre Dame): A 6-1 guard, Citron was an AP All-America Honorable Mention choice this season, when she averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game while helping the Irish reach the NCAA Sweet 16 for the fourth time in her career. The versatile Citron also was a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award as the nation’s best small forward and was named to the All-ACC First Team and the ACC All-Defensive Team. For her career, Citron averaged 14.3 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
Sania Feagin (South Carolina): A 6-3 forward from Ellenwood, Ga., Feagin was an SEC All-Defensive Team selection this season and a semifinalist for the Katrina McClain Award as the nation’s best power forward. She ranked seventh in the SEC with 1.5 blocks per game and contributed career-highs of 8.1 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. In her four-year career, Feagin played in four NCAA Final Fours and helped the Gamecocks to two national titles and an overall record of 144-7.
Kiki Iriafen (USC): A unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection and an AP All-America Third Team choice this season, Iriafen excelled in her first campaign at USC after three seasons with Stanford. The 6-3 forward from Los Angeles averaged 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game and shot 49.0% from the field while helping the Trojans win the Big Ten title and reach the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. She was a finalist for the Katrina McClain Award as the nation’s best power forward this season after winning the award in 2024.
Aziaha James (NC State): A 5-10 guard from Virginia Beach, Va., James capped her career in 2025 by earning All-ACC First Team honors for the second straight season. In addition, she was an AP All-America Honorable Mention pick and was among the 15 players on the ballot for the John R. Wooden Award as the National Player of the Year. James paced NC State in scoring in each of her final two seasons, averaging 16.8 points per game last year when she led the Wolfpack to the Final Four, and a career-best 17.9 this season when she also contributed 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
Dominique Malonga (Lyon ASVEL / France): A 6-6 center who will turn 20 in November, Malonga was the youngest member of France’s 2024 Olympic team that earned a silver medal at the Paris Games. After becoming a viral sensation when she dunked at age 16, the Cameroon-born Malonga has gone on to play professionally in France, including this season with Lyon ASVEL of the Ligue Féminine de Basketball, the top French pro league, where she was a teammate of fellow 2025 draft prospect Justé Jocyté.
Aneesah Morrow (LSU): The 6-1 forward is a three-time AP All-America pick, including a Second Team selection this season. She won the Katrina McClain Award as the nation’s top power forward this season after being a finalist for the 2024 Cheryl Miller Award as the best small forward. The Chicago native finished her career with two seasons at LSU, helping the Tigers to the Elite Eight both years, after previously starring at DePaul. Morrow twice led the nation in rebounds per game – with 13.5 this season and 13.8 in 2022. Morrow paced all Division I players in double-doubles (30) this season and was sixth in the SEC with 18.7 points per game. She ranks third in Division I history with 1,714 career rebounds and is one of only two players (Courtney Paris) to record at least 100 double-doubles.
Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina): A 5-9 guard from Oceanside, Calif., Paopao was a two-time All-Pac 12 First Team pick at Oregon before transferring to South Carolina, where she helped the Gamecocks win a national title in 2024 and reach the national championship game this season. In the 2023-24 season, her first at South Carolina, Paopao led all Division I players in three-point shooting percentage (46.8) and was a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s best point guard.
Saniya Rivers (NC State): Rivers completed her career as an All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Defensive Team selection in both 2024 and 2025. The 6-1 guard from Wilmington, N.C., also was the 2023 ACC Sixth Player of the Year in her first season at NC State. After beginning her career at South Carolina, where, as a freshman reserve, she helped the Gamecocks win the 2022 national championship, Rivers guided NC State to the Final Four in 2024, when she averaged 12.5 points, 3.7 assists and a team-high 2.1 steals per game. In 2024-25, Rivers contributed 11.9 points and career highs of 6.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game.
Madison Scott (Ole Miss): Scott paced Ole Miss with 11.8 points and 3.7 assists per game this season, helping the Rebels reach the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the second time in three seasons. The 6-2 guard-forward from Indian Head, Md., is a three-time All-SEC pick, including a selection to the Second Team this season. In addition, she was twice selected to the SEC All-Defensive Team. Scott ranks among the top 10 players in eight statistical categories in Ole Miss history, including games played (155). She became just the fourth player in program history to record 1,600 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career.
Shyanne Sellers (Maryland): Sellers leaves Maryland ranked second in program history for free throw percentage (83.0), third in total assists (523) and 12th in points (1,676). This season, the 6-2 guard from Aurora, Ohio, was an AP All-America Honorable Mention selection and, for the third straight year, an All-Big Ten First Team choice by the media. She also was a semifinalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s best shooting guard after averaging 14.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Her father, Brad, was an NBA first-round draft pick in 1986.
Ajša Sivka (Tarbes Gespe Bigorre / Slovenia): The 6-3 power forward recently played on the Senior National Team and U20 team for her native Slovenia. As a professional, she spent the past season with Tarbes Gespe Bigorre of Ligue Féminine de Basketball, the top professional league in France. In July 2023, Sivka represented Slovenia at the FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship in Konya, Turkey, and helped Slovenia win the gold medal with 20 points and 12 rebounds in the championship game win over France.
Serena Sundell (Kansas State): This season, the 6-2 guard from Maryville, Mo., paced all Division I players with 262 total assists and 7.3 assists per game, both career highs. An All-Big 12 First Team pick in 2024 and 2025, Sundell capped her four-year Kansas State career as an AP All-America Honorable Mention selection and a semifinalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s best point guard. The Wildcats’ points leader in 2025, she set career highs with 508 total points and 14.1 points per game.
Hailey Van Lith (TCU): This season, her first at TCU, Van Lith became the first player in NCAA history to make the Elite Eight with three different programs (Louisville, LSU and TCU). In addition, the 5-9 guard from Wenatchee, Wash., averaged 17.9 points and 5.4 assists per game and became the first player ever named the Big 12 Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year in the same season. Van Lith was an AP All-America Third Team choice and a semifinalist for the Naismith Player of the Year honor this season, when she joined Georgia Amoore and Katie Dinnebier as the only Division I players with at least 600 points and 200 assists. She averaged 15.2 points and 3.4 assists per game during her career.
The list of prospects invited to WNBA Draft 2025 presented by State Farm, as well as the broader list of overall prospects, includes international players who have participated in NBA- and FIBA-led events during their basketball journeys. Amoore took part in the 2019 NBA Academy and NCAA Next Generation Showcase. Sivka was among the 40 top high school-age prospects from 25 countries who participated in the Basketball Without Borders Global girls camp held in Phoenix as part of AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2024. Other current international prospects include Gonzaga forward Yvonne Ejim (Canada; 2019 NBA Academy and NCAA Next Generation Showcase and 2019 BWB Global), guard Marine Dursus (France; 2024 BWB Women’s Global) and forward Annika Soltau (Germany; 2022 BWB Europe).
Eleven former Basketball Without Borders participants have advanced to the WNBA, including Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky; Brazil; BWB Global 2019), Aaliyah Edwards (Washington Mystics; Canada; BWB Global 2019), Ezi Magbegor (Seattle Storm; Australia; BWB Asia 2016), Jade Melbourne (Washington; Australia; BWB Global 2020) and Nika Muhl (Seattle; Croatia; BWB Europe 2018 and BWB Global 2019).
Below summarizes the players invited to attend the WNBA Draft 2025 presented by State Farm.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 432px">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Name</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">School/Country</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Position</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Height</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Georgia Amoore</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">Kentucky/Australia</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">5-6</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Sarah Ashlee Barker</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">Alabama/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-0</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Paige Bueckers</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">UConn/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-0</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Sonia Citron</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">Notre Dame/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-1</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Sania Feagin</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">South Carolina/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Forward</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-3</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Kiki Iriafen</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">USC/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Forward</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-3</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Aziaha James</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">NC State/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">5-10</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Dominique Malonga</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">Lyon ASVEL/France</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Center</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-6</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Aneesah Morrow</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">LSU/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Forward</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-1</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Te-Hina Paopao</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">South Carolina/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">5-9</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Saniya Rivers</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">NC State/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-1</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Madison Scott</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">Ole Miss/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard-Forward</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-2</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Shyanne Sellers</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">Maryland/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-2</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Ajša Sivka</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">Tarbes Gespe Bigorre /Slovenia</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Forward</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-3</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Serena Sundell</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">Kansas State/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">6-2</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">Hailey Van Lith</td>
<td style="width: 27.2926%;height: 24px">TCU/USA</td>
<td style="width: 22.7074%;height: 24px">Guard</td>
<td style="width: 25%;height: 24px">5-9</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
# # #

2025-draft-invitee-list

Bueckers, Iriafen, Morrow, Van Lith Headline Draftees to Attend WNBA Draft 2025 Presented by State Farm®

&#8211;Ally will Serve as the Presenting Partner of the WNBA’s First-Ever “Rivals Week,” a Thrilling Showcase of Must-See Matchups August 9-17&#8211;
&#8211;New Sweepstakes from Ally Offers Fans a Chance to Win
 a Trip to AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapolis and $5,000&#8211;
&#8211;Ally Complements Partnership by Signing Endorsement Deal with Incoming Rookie Paige “Buckets” Bueckers&#8211;
 CHARLOTTE, N.C. and NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 &#8212; Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY), which holds the nation’s largest digital-only bank and is a leading brand in women’s sports, and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), have announced a multi-year partnership introducing Ally as a WNBA Changemaker and the official banking partner of the league.
“Ally has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to elevating women’s sports in a way that drives real impact,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.  “Their investment in the WNBA reflects shared goals for growing the game and expanding reach to more fans than ever before. As the WNBA continues to lead the way in women’s sports, brands like Ally recognize the power of aligning with our league—not just as a business decision, but as a way to drive meaningful progress. I’ve admired Ally’s commitment to women’s sports and this partnership will help amplify the incredible talent, competition, and stories that make the WNBA so special.”
As a WNBA Changemaker, Ally will focus on enhancing opportunities for fans to engage with the league and its stars, joining a collective of purpose-driven WNBA partners with a steadfast mission to empower women, girls and underrepresented groups through the power of sport.
“Partnering with the WNBA is more than just a sponsorship; it’s a statement Ally has been intent on making for quite some time,” said Ally Chief Marketing and PR Officer Andrea Brimmer. “We know from our relationships with multiple players and the Las Vegas Aces, that the W and its players are among the most popular and influential figures in American sports right now. Deepening our connection with the league gives Ally incredible new opportunities to grow our businesses as we work to elevate the WNBA fan experience together and shape this new era of women’s sports.”
As part of its new deal with the league, Ally will serve as the presenting partner of the WNBA’s first-ever “Rivals Week,” slated for Aug. 9-17, a time when the league’s superstars and rising stars are in the spotlight, when teams compete for statement wins and playoff positioning, and fans rally for bragging rights. WNBA Rivals Week presented by Ally will highlight both classic and emerging rivalries between teams and players, as some of the league’s superstars will go head-to-head in marquee matchups that define the intensity and passion of the league.
Rivals Week will tip off with two must-watch games on Saturday, Aug. 9 when the Caitlin Clark-led Indiana Fever host Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky (CBS) and the WNBA’s newest team, the Golden State Valkyries host their in-state rivals, the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA League Pass).  Other key games across Rivals Week include a pair of rematches between the defending champion New York Liberty and the Minnesota Lynx, who met in a memorable WNBA Finals presented by YouTube TV last year (Aug. 10 on ABC; Aug. 16 on CBS), and a rematch of New York and the Las Vegas Aces, who battled for the title in 2023 (Aug. 13 on ESPN). The full slate of Rivals Week games can be found <a href="https://www.wnba.com/schedule?season=2025&amp;month=all">here</a>.
Complementing its league partnership and pre-existing team deal with the Las Vegas Aces, Ally also signed a new player endorsement deal with UConn star and incoming WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers. Bueckers joins Breanna Stewart, of the New York Liberty, and Sydney Colson, of the Indiana Fever, on Ally’s WNBA player roster.
Paige, Stewie and Syd teamed up for the first time to help Ally launch its That’s A “Savings” Bucket! Sweepstakes. The national sweepstakes kicks off today and plays off the bank’s popular “savings bucket” feature, offering fans a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the July 18-19 AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2025 in Indianapolis and $5,000 toward their savings goals. Details can be found at <a href="http://www.ally.com/sweepstakes/wnba">www.ally.com/sweepstakes/wnba</a>.
&#8220;Partnering with Ally is about more than just banking—it&#8217;s about empowering people to make their money work smarter,” said Bueckers. “As an athlete, I&#8217;ve learned that success isn&#8217;t just about the game you play, but the opportunity and resources you get access to. Ally&#8217;s commitment to helping more people make smart, informed banking decisions aligns with my own values, and I’m excited to use my platform to help others feel confident using the savings buckets to organize and achieve their savings goals.&#8221;
Fans will continue to experience the collaboration in many other ways throughout the season, as Ally will serve as the presenting partner of WNBA All-Star Voting, debut a fan activation at WNBA Live, and be the logo patch partner of the WNBA All-Star Game jerseys.
Ally’s partnership with the WNBA will also contribute significantly to the brand’s unprecedented 50/50 Pledge, an initiative Ally launched to reach parity across its paid media spend in women’s and men’s sports that has played a major role in Ally’s emergence as a true market mover in women’s sports. Ally will now integrate into the WNBA’s best-in-class media coverage as part of this relationship, investing with the league’s current and future broadcast partners as part of its media commitment. The deal advances Ally’s goal to reach parity with its paid media spending, positioning the company to hit 50/50 in 2026, a full year ahead of schedule.
&nbsp;
Sweepstakes Details
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Sweepstakes begins 9:00 a.m. ET on 4/11/25 and ends 11:59 p.m. ET on 5/15/25. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S. &amp; D.C., who are at least 18 and the age of majority in their jurisdiction of residence. GRAND PRIZE WINNER MUST TRAVEL JULY 18-19, 2025. Visit http://www.Ally.com/Sweepstakes/WNBA to enter &amp; for Official Rules including full details, eligibility restrictions, odds and limitations. Void where prohibited.
About Ally Financial
Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a financial services company with the nation&#8217;s largest all-digital bank and an industry-leading auto financing business, driven by a mission to &#8220;Do It Right&#8221; and be a relentless ally for customers and communities. The company serves customers with deposits and securities brokerage and investment advisory services as well as auto financing and insurance offerings. The company also includes a seasoned corporate finance business that offers capital for equity sponsors and middle-market companies. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.ally.com">www.ally.com</a>. Ally Bank, Member FDIC.
For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit <a href="https://www.ally.com/#disclosures">https://www.ally.com/#disclosures</a>.
For further images and news on Ally, please visit <a href="http://media.ally.com">http://media.ally.com</a>.
About the WNBA
Tipping off its 29th season in 2025, the WNBA celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.  The league was ranked by Morning Consult as the fastest-growing brand in 2024, and No. 4 on Fast Company’s list of the <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies/list">World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2025</a>, on its way to setting records for engagement on social and digital platforms, attendance, merchandise sales and unique viewers across its broadcast partners.  The WNBA’s commitment to societal impact is supported by the first-of-its-kind WNBA Changemaker Collective, a group of purpose-driven companies that have partnered with the WNBA to enhance the player experience, build the brand of the league and players, inspire innovation and connectivity, increase media coverage and visibility, and help drive the league’s business transformation.  Ally joins AT&amp;T, Carmax, Deloitte, Google, and Nike as part of the WNBA Changemaker Collective.

ally-financial-official-banking-partner

Big-Time Bucket: WNBA Scores Ally Financial as Official Banking Partner and Newest Changemaker

Fans can also score tickets to WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge, WNBA Live &amp; Fever Fest
INDIANAPOLIS (April 10, 2025) – Only 100 days until the highly anticipated AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2025 weekend tips off in Indianapolis, and today the WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee and the WNBA announced that tickets to the game and other premium fan events will soon be available to the public. 
 
On Saturday, July 19, the Indiana Fever will host the AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game, the epicenter of a weekend full of fan-focused activities, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. On Friday, July 18, some of the league’s biggest and brightest stars will display their talents at the WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge. Tickets to Friday and Saturday’s main events will go live at 2 p.m. on April 29 and are expected to sell quickly.
“We are beyond excited to be just 100 days away from hosting the biggest weekend in women’s professional basketball right here in Indianapolis,” said WNBA All-Star 2025 Host Committee Founding Chair and Pacers Sports &amp; Entertainment CEO Mel Raines. “This is going to be an unforgettable experience for our community, and we’re ready to tip off an exciting lineup of activations and welcome fans from all over the world to the home of basketball.”
Pacers Sports &amp; Entertainment and Hartbeat, the global entertainment company founded by Kevin Hart, will present the first-ever Fever Fest, a one-of-a-kind comedy and musical festival, during two sessions on Saturday, July 19. Starting at 2 p.m. on May 1, the festival’s star-studded talent lineup, which will include the All-Star game’s halftime performer, will be announced, and tickets will be available to purchase.
Tickets may be purchased on their respective on sale dates at <a href="https://fever.wnba.com/2025-wnba-all-star">WNBAAllStar2025.com</a>
EVENT                                                                                 TICKET ON-SALE DATE
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="360">AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, July 19, and 
WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge on Friday, July 18</td>
<td width="360">2 p.m. on April 29</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="360">Fever Fest on Saturday, July 19 </td>
<td width="360">2 p.m. on May 1</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
WNBA Live will return for the fourth straight year bringing fans closer to the game with interactive events including meet-and-greet opportunities with the WNBA’s biggest stars, live panels, personalized WNBA merchandise, and more on July 18-19. The two-day fan event celebrates the intersection of basketball, fashion, music and culture, and will take place at the Indiana Convention Center. In the coming weeks, tickets for WNBA Live will be available for purchase at $25 for adults, with complimentary admission for children aged 12 and under.
Sign up to receive more information and join the ticket waitlist for AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star 2025 festivities, including Fever Fest, by visiting <a href="https://fever.wnba.com/2025-wnba-all-star">WNBAAllStar2025.com</a>.

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