On Monday night, 36 players heard their names called to take the next step in their basketball journey, as they take their talents from the collegiate or international level and join the WNBA.

We look back at each first-round selection and break down what they will bring to their new team and how their game will translate to the next level.

1. Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever (F/C, South Carolina)

Holding the No. 1 overall pick for the first time ever, the Fever added a foundational piece to their rebuild in Aliyah Boston. The 2022 Naismith Player of the Year and two-time Naismith Defensive Player of the Year is an interior force on both ends of the court. She’ll anchor the Fever on defense and can dominate around the basket on offense with a combination of size, strength, tenacity, and footwork that should translate well to the pro level.

2. Diamond Miller, Minnesota Lynx (G, Maryland)

With Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore retired, Minnesota is looking to build its next dynasty. The Lynx beat the odds to get the No. 2 pick – their highest pick since taking Moore No. 1 in 2011 – and selected Miller, an athletic guard out of Maryland that should pair nicely with Napheesa Collier to give the Lynx a dynamic wing duo to build around. At 6-foot-3, Miller has the ability to defend multiple positions on defense, while still adding a scoring punch off the bounce and attacking the basket on offense.

3. Maddy Siegrist, Dallas Wings (F, Villanova)

This offseason has seen Dallas add a pair of former All-Stars and champions in Natasha Howard and Diamond DeShields while saying goodbye to Allisha Gray and Marina Mabrey. With Gray and Mabrey out, the Wings needed perimeter shooting and scoring, and the addition of Maddy Siegrist fits that bill. The top scorer in college basketball at 29.2 points per game, Siegrist shot 51% from the field and 36% from deep for Villanova.

4. Stephanie Soares, Dallas Wings via trade Washington Mystics (F/C, Iowa State)

The Wings traded their second-round pick in 2024 and Atlanta’s first-round pick in 2025 to acquire the rights to Stephanie Soares, a 6-foot-6 center who played 13 games at Iowa State last before suffering a torn ACL that will force her to miss the 2023 WNBA season. In her limited time on the court this season, Soares impressed with a combination of size, mobility, and shooting touch from the perimeter that should translate well to the WNBA once she’s healthy.

5. Lou Lopez Sénéchal, Dallas Wings (G/F, Connecticut)

The Wings added the top 3-point shooter in the draft in Sénéchal, who shot 44% from beyond the arc in her only season with UConn after playing four seasons at Fairfield. More than a catch-and-shoot 3-point threat, Sénéchal can also score off the bounce with a nice pull-up game. The step up in competition from Fairfield to Connecticut didn’t daunt her, so don’t expect the move to the WNBA to do so either.

6. Haley Jones, Atlanta Dream (G/F, Stanford)

With Dream coach Tanisha Wright looking for versatile players that can push the pace, the addition of Jones is a perfect fit. The 6-foot-1 guard is an excellent playmaker in transition, showing off a high hoops IQ by consistently making the right play for herself or a teammate. Jones brings championship experience as the Most Outstanding Player of the 2021 Women’s Final Four, and the ability to play and defend multiple positions. She’ll have to improve her perimeter shooting as she made just 23 3-pointers on 22% shooting in four seasons at Stanford.

7. Grace Berger, Indiana Fever (G, Indiana)

It’s fitting that the University of Indiana’s first-ever first-round pick in the WNBA Draft would be made by the Indiana Fever. Berger is a 6-foot combo guard that helped the Hoosiers earn the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament this season with her combination of strength, toughness, versatility, and mid-range mastery. In her fifth season, Berger shot career highs of 48.4% from the field and 40.7% from three-point range (although only on 27 attempts).

8. Laeticia Amihere, Atlanta Dream (F, South Carolina)

Amihere may not have the statistical resume of a first-round pick – career averages of 6.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4 starts – but she may have the most upside of any player in this draft. Standing 6-foot-4 with a 6-10 wingspan, Amihere is an elite athlete that Dawn Staley calls the most versatile player she’s ever coached at South Carolina. She can run the point and play in the post on offense while defending all five positions on defense.

9. Jordan Horston, Seattle Storm (G, Tennessee)

It’s a new era of Storm basketball following the retirement of Sue Bird and the departure of Breanna Stewart. As the Storm look to rebuild, they add a guard in Horston that brings a combination of skills as a scorer, a playmaker, and a defender that had her projected to be picked in the top half of the first round.

10. Zia Cooke, Los Angeles Sparks (G, South Carolina)

On draft night, Nneka Ogwumike came running over to embrace her new teammate as soon as Cooke wrapped up her post-selection interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe. Cooke gives the Sparks some added depth in the backcourt with the ability to score at all three levels: she has explosive speed to get to the basket, has a solid mid-range game, and shot the 3 at 35% her senior season at South Carolina.

11. Abby Meyers, Dallas Wings (G, Maryland)

The Wings added another 3-point shooter with their last of four first-round picks (one via trade). Meyers shot 38.8% from 3-point range in her only season at Maryland after transferring from Princeton. The 6-foot guard stepped up her competition from the Ivy League to a Power 5 conference and impressed with her recent play in the NCAA Tournament.

12. Maïa Hirsch, Minnesota Lynx (C, France)

With their second pick of the first round, the Lynx made a selection for the future by drafting the 19-year-old center from France. Hirsch is not expected to come over to play in the WNBA this season, but rather continue to develop her game overseas. Her 6-foot-5 frame and enormous potential make her a fascinating prospect to watch in the years ahead.

Longtime WNBA reporter Brian Martin writes articles on WNBA.com throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.