The anticipation is palpable. On Sunday, November 17, basketball fans will find out which WNBA franchise will hit the jackpot and earn the right to draft University of Connecticut sensation Paige Bueckers, the player whose name is practically written in glitter on every mock draft board. The WNBA Draft Lottery, airing at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN, promises 30 minutes of suspense, analysis, and probably a few awkward pauses as Bethany Donaphin unveils the results live from ESPN’s Bristol studios.
Hosted by the ever-poised Andraya Carter and featuring insights from analyst Carolyn Peck, the lottery show will give us a breakdown of how this whole ping-pong ball process works. But let’s be real: most viewers are tuning in for one reason—to see which team gets the privilege of drafting the basketball demigod known as Bueckers.
The Lottery Lineup: A Quartet of Desperate Hopefuls
Four teams are rolling the dice for the No. 1 pick, though their odds differ drastically. The Los Angeles Sparks, owners of a dismal 22-55 record over the past two seasons, lead the pack with a 44.2% chance to snag the top spot. They’re followed by the Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky, each sitting at a slightly less embarrassing 31-49 and holding equal odds at 22.7%. Finally, the Washington Mystics limp in with a 10.4% chance and a prayer.
Adding a spicy twist, the Wings hold a pick swap with the Sky. Translation: even if Chicago pulls off a lottery miracle, Dallas could swoop in and steal their joy faster than a buzzer-beater three. Representing these teams at the lottery are some of their own young stars: Angel Reese for the Sky, Maddy Siegrist for the Wings, Rickea Jackson for the Sparks, and Aaliyah Edwards for the Mystics. Who will be lucky enough to fake a surprised reaction on live TV? Tune in and see!
The Paige Bueckers Sweepstakes
Let’s not beat around the bush—Paige Bueckers is the prize everyone’s fighting for. The 6-foot UConn guard is a unicorn: versatile, efficient, and capable of taking over a game faster than you can say “National Player of the Year.” Last season, Bueckers averaged 21.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, reminding the world why she’s been a star since she first laced up her sneakers.
But she’s not just a statistical marvel; she’s a cultural phenomenon. Think of her as the Beyoncé of basketball—when she steps on the court, everyone else is a backup dancer.
Other Names to Watch
While Bueckers might hog the spotlight, the 2025 draft class is stacked with talent. Kiki Iriafen, a dynamic forward who averaged 19.4 points and 11 rebounds at Stanford before transferring to USC, is another hot prospect. Aneesa Morrow from LSU, UConn sharpshooter Azzi Fudd, Notre Dame’s floor general Olivia Miles, UCLA’s towering center Lauren Betts, French phenom Dominique Malonga, and UCLA’s Janiah Barker round out the list of potential lottery picks.
Each of these players brings unique skills to the table, but let’s face it: no one’s buying season tickets to see the “potential.”
The Stakes Are High
For the Sparks, Wings, Sky, and Mystics, this draft lottery is more than a game of chance; it’s a potential franchise-altering moment. Do you land the next big thing and dominate highlight reels for years to come? Or do you miss out and spend the offseason convincing fans that the third pick is totally just as good as the first?
So grab your snacks, your stress ball, and maybe a lucky charm or two. Because on Sunday, dreams will be made, hearts will be broken, and somewhere, Paige Bueckers will be waiting to find out where her next chapter begins.
