- Paige Bueckers averages 19 PPG and 4.9 APG amid No. 1 draft pick speculation
- USC’s Kiki Iriafen and LSU’s Aneesah Morrow dominate frontcourt rankings
- Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles surges with 40.9% 3-point shooting post-injury
As the NCAA Tournament tips off, scouts are laser-focused on UConn’s Paige Bueckers – the transcendent guard weighing whether to declare for the 2025 WNBA draft or use her final year of eligibility. The 6-foot playmaker has elevated her game to new heights, posting 19 points and nearly 5 assists per contest while leading UConn to a 31-3 record. Her decision could reshape next year’s draft landscape, especially with teammate Azzi Fudd also projected as a first-round talent.
Regional Case Study: UConn’s player development program continues producing elite guards. Bueckers’ growth from injury-plagued seasons to back-to-back All-American campaigns demonstrates how top programs maximize recovery timelines and skill refinement. The Huskies’ emphasis on perimeter defense (Bueckers averages 2 steals/game) directly translates to WNBA readiness.
Industry Insight 1: ACL recoveries now take 12-18 months with advanced rehab protocols, explaining Bueckers’ resurgence. Insight 2: The transfer portal creates stat-boosting opportunities – see Aneesah Morrow’s transition from DePaul (20.1 PPG) to LSU (18.5 PPG, D-I leading 13.6 RPG). Insight 3: WNBA teams prioritize 40%+ 3-point shooters, making Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles (40.9% from deep) a rising commodity.
Maryland’s Shyanne Sellers epitomizes modern positionless basketball, becoming the first Terrapin with 1,500+ points, 500+ rebounds, and 500+ assists. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao proves floor generalship matters – her 40% career 3-point accuracy creates spacing for the undefeated Gamecocks. With the NCAA Tournament serving as the ultimate showcase, these prospects are cementing their draft stock one clutch performance at a time.