The 2024-25 ladies’s school basketball season might need simply ended on Sunday, but it surely’s already time to show our consideration to the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Everyone knows in regards to the headliner of the category, newly minted NCAA champion UConn guard Paige Bueckers, however what about those that could be flying underneath the radar?
Listed below are 5 hidden gems on this yr’s draft, scheduled for Monday, April 14.
Iowa capturing guard Sydney Affolter
As Iowa adjusted to life after Caitlin Clark, it stayed afloat within the Large Ten due to contributions from gamers like Affolter, who has muted WNBA Draft inventory. The four-year senior ranks No. 50 in ESPN’s list of best available players within the 2025 class, so it is potential her title is not one of many 38 known as on Monday.
However Affolter, 5-foot-11, does a number of issues that make her a possible asset in a successful tradition. She will be able to rebound and shoot from distance. In 2024, Affolter averaged 7.8 rebounds and was 46.3 p.c from past the arc, with 42.1 p.c of her area aim makes an attempt coming from deep.
Norfolk State level guard Diamond Johnson
Do not let Johnson’s small 5-foot-5 body idiot you. She performs rather a lot greater than her top. The 2024-25 MEAC Participant of the 12 months shone brightly through the latest ladies’s school basketball All-Star Sport, incomes the sport’s MVP Award after main all scorers with 21 factors.
Johnson confirmed off her clean mid-range recreation within the exhibition and hit the successful three in transition for Staff Miller, coached by the legendary Cheryl Miller.
