List of first overall WNBA draft picks

The list of first overall WNBA draft picks chronicles the premier selections in the annual draft of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), a professional league that commenced operations in 1997 with its inaugural draft that year. Initially determined by reverse order of the previous season's standings—with the team posting the league's worst record earning the top choice—the selection process evolved in 2002 to incorporate a lottery system among non-playoff teams, assigning odds based on regular-season records to promote competitive balance. As of the 2025 draft, held on April 14, 29 players have been chosen first overall, starting with forward Tina Thompson by the Houston Comets in 1997 and culminating with guard Paige Bueckers from the University of Connecticut selected by the Dallas Wings. These top picks have profoundly shaped the WNBA, with many emerging as franchise cornerstones and award winners; for instance, sixteen first overall selections have captured at least one league championship, while eight have earned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, amassing a collective 14 MVP honors through the 2025 season. Notable multi-time MVP recipients among them include A'ja Wilson (four-time winner: 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025), Lauren Jackson (three-time: 2003, 2007, 2010), and Breanna Stewart (two-time: 2018, 2023), highlighting the draft's role in identifying elite talent capable of immediate impact. The University of Connecticut stands out as the most represented institution, producing six first overall picks—Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004), Maya Moore (2011), Tina Charles (2010), Breanna Stewart (2016), and Paige Bueckers (2025)—while the Seattle Storm franchise holds the record for most top selections with four. Beyond individual accolades, first overall picks have driven team turnarounds, as the drafting franchises have historically improved their win totals by an average of 6.8 games in the subsequent season, reaching the playoffs in six of the first 20 instances post-1997. International players have also featured prominently in the list's early years, such as Poland's Margo Dydek (1998, Utah Starzz), Australia's Lauren Jackson (2001, Seattle Storm), and France's Ann Wauters (2000, Cleveland Rockers), underscoring the WNBA's global appeal from its outset. This compilation not only tracks these pivotal choices but also illustrates the league's growth, from its expansion-era foundations to its current status as a premier destination for women's basketball talent, exemplified by the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 championship victory led by Wilson.^[1]

Background

Origin of the WNBA Draft

The Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) was established as the women's counterpart to the National Basketball Association (NBA), with the NBA Board of Governors approving the league's concept on April 24, 1996, to capitalize on growing interest in women's basketball following the 1996 U.S. Olympic team's success.^[2] The league was designed to operate during the NBA offseason, starting with eight inaugural franchises announced on October 30, 1996: the Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Houston Comets, Los Angeles Sparks, New York Liberty, Phoenix Mercury, Sacramento Monarchs, and Utah Starzz.^[2] This foundation set the stage for the WNBA's first player selection process in 1997, marking the official launch of professional women's basketball in the United States. The inaugural draft process began with the WNBA Elite Draft on February 27, 1997, a special selection for 16 professional players who had already graduated from college and competed in other leagues, such as overseas or the American Basketball League.^[3] In this one-round event, the Utah Starzz selected guard Dena Head from the University of Tennessee as the first overall pick, followed by other veterans like Isabelle Fijalkowski and Rhonda Mapp.^[4] This elite phase allowed teams to bolster rosters with experienced talent before turning to newcomers. The primary college and amateur draft followed on April 28, 1997, consisting of four rounds to select recent graduates and unsigned players, with the Houston Comets choosing forward Tina Thompson from the University of Southern California as the first overall pick in the general selection.^[2] The format emphasized building competitive teams from a broad talent pool, without prior territorial assignments, though teams like the Comets benefited from strategic early choices that formed dynasty cores.^[5] Since its inception with eight teams, the WNBA has expanded to 13 franchises by the 2025 season, including additions like the Atlanta Dream (2008), Chicago Sky (2006), Connecticut Sun (2003, as a relocation), Dallas Wings (2016, relocation), Indiana Fever (2000), Las Vegas Aces (2018, relocation), Minnesota Lynx (1999), Seattle Storm (2000), and the newest Golden State Valkyries (2025), with further expansions planned: Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo (2026), followed by teams in Cleveland (2028), Detroit (2029), and Philadelphia (2030), aiming for 18 teams by 2030.^[6][7] This growth reflects the league's increasing popularity and infrastructure development. Later drafts transitioned to a lottery system for determining the first pick order among non-playoff teams.

Evolution of First Pick Selection

Prior to the introduction of the draft lottery, the first overall pick in the WNBA draft was awarded to the team with the worst regular-season record from the previous year, following the inverse order of the standings. This system was in place from the league's inception in 1997 through the 2001 season.^[8] The WNBA introduced the draft lottery prior to the 2002 season to discourage intentional tanking by non-competitive teams and to add an element of chance to the selection of top talent. The inaugural lottery involved the four teams with the worst records from 2001, each receiving equal odds of 25% for the No. 1 pick, determined by drawing from 1,000 combinations using a machine with numbered balls. This shift aimed to reduce incentives for poor performance while ensuring parity among struggling franchises, as the Seattle Storm won the lottery and selected Sue Bird first overall. Over time, the lottery expanded to weighted odds based on records, with the worst-performing team receiving the highest probability—typically around 40% in early iterations—decreasing for better records among the eligible non-playoff teams, down to the lowest at approximately 7.5%.^[9][10] In 2015, the league refined the lottery format to further combat tanking by basing odds on a team's cumulative record over the previous two seasons, rather than the most recent one alone. This change guaranteed that the team with the worst two-year record would receive at least the No. 3 pick, while the drawing determined the top two selections among the four eligible teams, with odds scaled accordingly—for instance, the worst team holds 442 out of 1,000 combinations (44.2%), followed by 276 (27.6%), 178 (17.8%), and 104 (10.4%) for the best among them.^[11] The 2018 season brought additional flexibility through a rule allowing teams to trade first-round picks in consecutive years for the first time, which amplified the strategic implications of lottery outcomes by enabling more complex asset exchanges. These modifications promoted long-term planning and reduced the predictability of poor performance yielding elite talent. Following the expansion to 13 teams with the Golden State Valkyries in 2025, the Valkyries received the No. 5 pick in the 2025 draft outside the four-team lottery. For the 2026 draft, after further expansion to 15 teams with the addition of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, the lottery will include the five worst non-playoff teams from the prior season among the established franchises, with the new franchises picking 6th and 7th in order to be determined. Odds are assigned based on two-year records among lottery teams.^[12][7] Trades have increasingly influenced first-pick outcomes, as seen in the 2021 offseason's five-team blockbuster involving the New York Liberty, which shuttled high-value assets including a No. 1 pick across franchises like the Seattle Storm and Phoenix Mercury before finalizing distributions. Such transactions underscore how lottery rights can be leveraged multiple times in negotiations, reshaping team trajectories without direct lottery participation.^[13]

List of First Overall Picks

Key to Symbols and Statistics

This section provides explanations for the symbols, abbreviations, and metrics employed in the chronological list of first overall WNBA draft picks, ensuring clarity in denoting player honors, statistical performance, and background details.

Symbols

The symbols highlight major career accomplishments of the selected players:

• ! denotes induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing overall contributions to basketball.
• ^ denotes induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame, honoring excellence in women's basketball.
• ***** denotes selection to an All-WNBA First Team, awarded to the league's top performers at their positions.
• + denotes participation in a WNBA All-Star Game, selected for exceptional play during the season.
• Names in bold denote winners of the WNBA Rookie of the Year award, given to the top first-year player.

Statistics

Key rookie-season performance metrics are presented as averages per game, focusing on fundamental contributions:

• PPG (points per game) measures scoring output.^[14]
• RPG (rebounds per game) measures rebounding output.^[15]
• APG (assists per game) measures playmaking output.^[16] Player positions are abbreviated as G (guard), F (forward), or C (center), reflecting primary roles on the court.

All data presented is sourced from official WNBA records and Basketball-Reference.com, updated through the 2025 season.^[17] For international players who did not attend U.S. colleges, the country of origin is listed in place of a college affiliation, as exemplified by Margo Dydek (Poland).

Chronological List of Picks

The following table provides a chronological listing of all first overall WNBA draft picks from the league's inception in 1997 through 2025. In 1997, the inaugural year featured two separate drafts: the Elite Draft for professional players and the regular college draft, resulting in dual first overall selections. Subsequent years feature a single first overall pick each, with trade notes included where applicable. Rookie season statistics reflect per-game averages in points (PPG), rebounds (RPG), and assists (APG) during the player's debut WNBA season. Data is sourced from official league records and player profiles.

Notable Achievements

Among the first overall WNBA draft picks, several have earned the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, highlighting their exceptional impact. Lauren Jackson, selected in 2001 by the Seattle Storm, won three MVP honors in 2003, 2007, and 2010, becoming one of only four players to achieve this feat. Candace Parker, the 2008 top pick by the Los Angeles Sparks, secured the MVP award in 2013. Diana Taurasi, drafted first in 2004 by the Phoenix Mercury, claimed the 2009 MVP. Tina Charles, the 2010 Connecticut Sun selection, earned the award in 2012, while Maya Moore, picked first in 2011 by the Minnesota Lynx, won in 2014.^[25][26] First overall picks have also dominated the Rookie of the Year (ROY) award, with 14 recipients since the league's inception, underscoring the high expectations met by top selections. Tina Thompson won in 1997 as the Houston Comets' inaugural first pick, followed by Chamique Holdsclaw in 1999 for the Washington Mystics. Sue Bird claimed the honor in 2002 with the Seattle Storm, and Candace Parker repeated the feat in 2008. More recently, Caitlin Clark, the 2024 Indiana Fever top pick, won ROY after averaging 16.8 points, 8.4 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game. Paige Bueckers, selected first in 2025 by the Dallas Wings, earned the 2025 ROY nearly unanimously, leading rookies with 19.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game.^[27][28] Several first picks have set all-time records that reflect their elite status. A'ja Wilson, the 2018 Las Vegas Aces selection, led the league in scoring during the 2025 season with 23.4 points per game, contributing to her third MVP and multiple championships. Breanna Stewart, drafted first in 2016 by the Seattle Storm, has won two WNBA championships (2018, 2020 with Seattle) and two MVP awards (2018, 2023). Internationally, Margo Dydek, the 1998 Utah Starzz top pick from Poland, stood as the tallest player in WNBA history at 7 feet 2 inches, anchoring defenses for over a decade. Lauren Jackson also left a global mark, capturing three scoring titles (2003, 2004, 2007) as an Australian pioneer.^[29] The University of Connecticut has produced six first overall picks, more than any other program, emphasizing its pipeline of talent. These include Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010), Maya Moore (2011), Breanna Stewart (2016), and Paige Bueckers (2025), all of whom transitioned seamlessly to professional stardom with multiple All-WNBA selections and championship contributions.^[30][31]

Impact and Legacy

Influence on Teams

The selection of Lauren Jackson as the first overall pick in 2001 and Sue Bird in 2002 fundamentally transformed the Seattle Storm from an expansion franchise into a dynasty, with the duo anchoring the team's first two WNBA championships in 2004 and 2010. Jackson's dominance in the post and Bird's elite playmaking formed the core of Seattle's offensive and defensive identity, enabling the Storm to reach the playoffs in eight of their first nine seasons together and establishing a foundation of sustained contention in the league.^[32][33] Building on that legacy, the Storm's consecutive first overall selections of Jewell Loyd in 2015 and Breanna Stewart in 2016 further solidified their championship pedigree, leading to titles in 2018 and 2020. Loyd's scoring prowess and Stewart's versatility as a forward provided the firepower for Seattle's balanced attack, with the pair combining for pivotal performances in the Finals, including Stewart's MVP honors in both series and Loyd's breakout scoring outbursts that complemented the veteran leadership of Bird. These picks not only extended the Storm's run of excellence but also positioned the team as a model for drafting and developing homegrown talent into perennial contenders.^[34][35] The Indiana Fever's recent revival exemplifies how back-to-back first overall picks can end prolonged slumps and restore competitiveness. Aliyah Boston, selected in 2023, and Caitlin Clark, taken in 2024, formed an immediate dynamic frontcourt-guard pairing that propelled the Fever to their first playoff appearance since 2016, snapping a seven-year drought tied for the longest in WNBA history. Their contributions—Boston's rebounding and interior presence alongside Clark's playmaking and scoring—elevated the team's win total from 6 in 2023 to 20 in 2024, advancing them to the semifinals and injecting new energy into a franchise long mired in rebuilding.^[36][37] A'ja Wilson's selection as the first overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces in 2018 has been instrumental in establishing the franchise's era of dominance, serving as the cornerstone for back-to-back championships in 2022 and 2023. As the team's defensive anchor and leading scorer, Wilson averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds in both Finals runs, earning MVP honors each time and enabling the Aces to build a roster around her elite two-way play that emphasized transition efficiency and rim protection. Her presence has elevated Las Vegas from mid-tier status to a blueprint for title contention through star-driven roster construction.^[38] Trade dynamics surrounding first overall picks have occasionally yielded indirect benefits for teams, as seen with the Dallas Wings' acquisition of the 2021 top selection via a three-team trade involving the New York Liberty and Phoenix Mercury, which allowed them to draft Charli Collier. Although Collier saw limited playing time—averaging just 2.9 points over two seasons before being waived in 2023—the maneuver secured Dallas the No. 1 pick outright, pairing her with the No. 2 selection of Awak Kuier to initiate a youth-focused rebuild. This draft haul provided foundational pieces and salary cap flexibility that supported subsequent acquisitions, aiding the team's ongoing development as of 2025.^[39][40] Not all first overall selections have translated to team success, highlighting the risks of high-stakes drafting. Janel McCarville, chosen by the Charlotte Sting in 2005, arrived amid the franchise's instability, as the team folded after the 2006 season due to financial woes, forcing a dispersal draft that scattered its assets and curtailed any potential impact from the pick. Similarly, Lindsey Harding, selected first overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2007 but traded to the Minnesota Lynx on draft night, provided minimal long-term influence for her initial teams, averaging under 8 points per game across stints with the Lynx and later the Washington Mystics, where she contributed to backcourt depth but failed to elevate either franchise to playoff contention during her tenure. These cases underscore how external factors like team viability and roster fit can overshadow even the most promising draft choices.^[41][42]

Player Success Metrics

First overall picks in the WNBA have shown a strong track record in earning major individual awards, underscoring their elite talent and impact. Of the 29 selections from the inaugural 1997 draft through 2025, eight players—Lisa Leslie, Lauren Jackson, Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Tina Charles, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, and A'ja Wilson—have won the league's Most Valuable Player award at least once, accounting for 27.6% of all first picks.^[26] This figure highlights the disproportionate success of top selections in reaching the pinnacle of individual recognition, with multiple winners like Wilson (four times) and Jackson (three times) dominating the honor.^[26] Rookie performance further illustrates this group's immediate contributions, as 16 first picks (55.2%) have captured the Rookie of the Year award.^[27] Notable recipients include recent standouts like Caitlin Clark (2024), Aliyah Boston (2023), and Paige Bueckers (2025), who averaged 19.2 points per game in her debut season with the Dallas Wings after posting 22.5 points per game in college at UConn.^[43][27] Career scoring output among first picks varies widely, reflecting both stars and role players. Elite performers such as A'ja Wilson, with a lifetime average of 21.4 points per game across eight seasons, and Breanna Stewart, at 20.5 points per game over nine seasons, exemplify sustained offensive dominance.^[44][45] In contrast, players like LaToya Thomas (2003 pick) averaged 9.2 points per game in a more limited role during her six-season career.^[46] Longevity represents another key metric of success for these players, with an average career span of approximately 9.2 seasons—well above the league-wide average of 4.8 years for all players.^[47] Domestic college standouts often achieve 10 or more seasons, as seen with Taurasi (ongoing, 20+ seasons) and Leslie (11 seasons), while international pioneers like Margo Dydek (1998 pick) logged 11 seasons despite overseas commitments.^[48] Compared to non-first-round draftees, first overall picks enjoy elevated visibility and accolades, including about 25% more All-Star selections on average per player; collectively, the group has amassed over 200 All-Star appearances, far exceeding the typical draftee's zero or one.^[49] This disparity emphasizes their role as franchise cornerstones and perennial stars.