2025 WNBA Draft Recap: Dallas makes first move, Indiana builds for the future
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WPTA) - The Dallas Wings opened the 2025 WNBA Draft by selecting UConn star Paige Bueckers No. 1 overall, landing what many consider a generational talent, while the Indiana Fever made strategic second and third-round moves to strengthen its young core.
Top Pick Spotlight: Dallas Selects Paige Bueckers at No. 1
The Dallas Wings used their first overall pick to select Bueckers, who joins former UConn greats Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart as No. 1 overall selections.
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Despite suffering an ACL injury that sidelined her during the 2022–23 season, Bueckers returned stronger than ever, leading the Huskies to the Final Four in 2024 and securing their first championship win since 2016 just one week ago.
Bueckers, a dynamic scorer and playmaker who’s been in the national spotlight since her high school days in Minnesota, adds immediate star power to a Wings franchise looking to build a title contender.
Bueckers’ Midwest roots and inspiring comeback story have made her a fan favorite far beyond Connecticut, and even though she won’t be landing in Indiana, Fever fans will no doubt be watching her closely as she makes her WNBA debut.
Building for the Future: Fever’s Second and Third Round Moves
The Indiana Fever picked up three players during last night’s draft, bringing in forward Makayla Timpson (No. 19 overall) and guard Bree Hall (No. 20 overall) in the second round and forward Yvonne Ejim (No. 33 overall) in the third round.
Makayla Timpson, a former Florida State University standout, rounded out her collegiate career having set multiple single-season program records with 350 rebounds, 103 blocks, and 18 double-doubles. She also notably broke Fever teammate Natasha Howard’s decade-long program record of 1,046 rebounds with her own 1,094 collegiate career rebounds.
Timpson, with an impressive 6-10 wingspan, also garnered All-ACC First Team and ACC All-Defensive Team honors.
With the No. 20 overall pick, Indiana also brought in key University of South Carolina player Bree Hall to join her former Gamecock teammate, Aliyah Boston.
Hall helped lead the Gamecocks to four-straight Final Four appearances, three SEC tournament titles, and two national championships in 2022 and 2024. An unwavering defender, former McDonald’s All-American Bree Hall played the most of any four-year player in program history, with a record 147 games.
Finally, with the 33rd overall pick, Yvonne Ejim of Gonzaga was added to the Fever roster. Ejim is a dynamic forward who was selected as the West Coast Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the last two seasons.
As a member of the Canadian national team, Ejim averaged 14.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 55.1% from the field.
With the addition of these talented players, including Timpson’s record-breaking defense, Hall’s championship pedigree, and Ejim’s all-around dominance, the Fever have undoubtedly strengthened their roster and are looking to build a promising future for the franchise.
The Indiana Fever will open the 2025 season against the Chicago Sky on May 17 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Single-game and group tickets for the 2025 Fever season are now available for purchase at Tickets.
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