The Chicago Sky shook up the first round of the 2025 WNBA draft with an unexpected trade on Sunday night, approximately 24 hours before the draft begins in New York City.
The Sky acquired an extra first-round pick in 2025, giving the Chicago franchise the No. 10 and No. 11 overall picks to help build around 2024 breakout star Angel Reese. The Minnesota Lynx obtained the Sky’s 2026 first-round pick.
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The Dallas Wings are on the clock at No. 1 overall, where they are expected to take UConn star Paige Bueckers even after she signed a massive contract with one of the WNBA’s biggest competitors.
After Bueckers, the rest of the first round is less certain. One prime example is the projected range in which TCU guard Hailey Van Lith could be selected, which changed dramatically after Chicago’s last-minute trade.
TCU Horned Frogs guard Hailey Van Lith (10) celebrates after a play against the Colorado Buffaloes during the third quarter at T-Mobile Center.Amy Kontras-Imagn Images
Van Lith was named Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Tournament MVP this season, leading the Horned Frogs to the first Elite Eight in program history.
The 23-year-old graduate student averaged 17.9 points, 4.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists for TCU, the third school she starred for after playing in the ACC with Louisville and alongside Reese at LSU.
Concerns about her athleticism and defense, highlighted by Caitlin Clark’s performance against her in the 2024 NCAA Tournament, led Van Lith to be just outside of a first-round projection in ESPN’s mock draft last week.
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After the trade, a new version published by women’s hoops expert Michael Voepel projected Van Lith to soar back into the first round.
The mock had Chicago pairing Van Lith with her former LSU teammate Reese by selecting her with the newly acquired No. 11 overall pick.
LSU’s Angel Reese (10) and teammates try to calm Hailey Van Lith (11) after a foul was called against Van Lith during the 2023-2024 NCAA season. Saul Young / USA Today
Voepel wrote that the projection was not just about the reunion with Reese. It would give Van Lith a chance to learn from Chicago’s Courtney Vandersloot, whom he called “one of the best point guards in WNBA history.”
The 2025 WNBA draft will air Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN, live from The Shed in New York City.
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