Sue Bird, the WNBA’s resident GOAT and a four-time champion, isn’t just sipping margaritas in retirement. Nope, she’s still got her eye on the game—and on the next batch of hoops phenoms ready to make their mark. On the latest episode of her podcast “A Touch More,” co-hosted by her equally iconic fiancée Megan Rapinoe, Bird laid down her early picks for the 2025 WNBA draft. Spoiler alert: Paige Bueckers is still that girl.
“I mean, it’s Paige’s draft, let’s not kid ourselves,” Bird said, practically rolling her eyes at the obviousness. But Sue being Sue, she wasn’t about to stop there. She rattled off a list of rising stars that NCAA fans (and WNBA scouts) should be tracking like it’s their side hustle.
“Quick list, outside of Paige,” Bird started, clearly about to drop some gems. “Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, Lauren Betts, Rori Harmon. Those are four—five if you count Paige—absolute game-changers. We don’t know if they’re declaring yet, but if they do? Whew, the draft’s gonna get spicy.”
But wait, there’s more. Bird, always ready with a hot take, went deeper into her crystal ball:
“Kiki Iriafen, likely a No. 2 pick if Paige is No. 1. Then you’ve got Aneesah Morrow, Te-Hina Paopao, Sedona Prince, and Haley Van Lith. And don’t forget Georgia Amoore, who just transferred to Kentucky and snagged a big win, or Sonia Citron from Notre Dame. Basically, it’s a buffet of talent out there, and I didn’t even name everyone.”
Bird knows a thing or two about draft hype. Back in 2002, she was the No. 1 overall pick herself, fresh off two NCAA championships with UConn. Sure, she lost out on Rookie of the Year honors to Tamika Catchings—because Catchings missed her rookie season with an injury, then came back like a hurricane—but Bird went on to win checks notes four WNBA titles, become a 13-time All-Star, and cement her place as a legend.
Now, as she preps for Hall of Fame eligibility in 2026, Bird’s still proving she’s got the sharpest basketball brain in the biz. And don’t think she’s playing favorites with Bueckers just because of that UConn connection. “This season’s long,” she warned, as if to remind us all that anything can happen in college hoops.
As for who’s coming for that No. 1 spot after Paige? Bird says to stay tuned—and maybe keep a stress ball handy if you’re a WNBA GM trying to strategize. With players like Azzi Fudd and Lauren Betts possibly waiting another year, the draft could go from a predictable parade to absolute chaos faster than Sue Bird can drain a three.
In conclusion, if you’re not paying attention to these players now, you’re doing basketball wrong. But don’t worry, Sue Bird’s got you covered—because greatness never really retires, does it?
