The newest class of the WNBA is already stepping into the spotlight, bringing an unmatched wave of talent, energy, and star power to professional women’s basketball. Monday night’s draft delivered all the electricity you would expect from a league entering a pivotal and transformative chapter in its history. With a landmark new collective bargaining agreement reshaping ongoing conversations around player compensation, enhanced benefits, and unprecedented long-term financial investment, the future of the WNBA is looking bigger, better, and brighter than ever before.
This year’s top draft picks step onto the professional stage carrying exceptionally stacked resumes, impressive tournament runs, hard-fought national championship victories, and individual star power that is already capturing the attention of sports fans nationwide. While draft night may now be a memory, the true narrative of the season is only just beginning to unfold. Prior to the opening tip-offs of their highly anticipated rookie campaigns, SELF had the unique opportunity to sit down and get to know several of the league’s newest members, exploring what drives them, the mantras that keep them grounded, and the emotions surrounding this monumental career milestone.
Among the standout members of this historic draft class is a talented prospect hailing from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, who played her collegiate basketball at Texas Christian University and was selected by the Minnesota Lynx. Reflecting on the life-changing moment, she shared the deep emotions that accompanied hearing her name called. "I’m overjoyed and overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude at this moment. Finally this moment is here, and it happened in the right way," she expressed. Looking ahead to her professional career in the Midwest, she emphasized her enthusiasm for joining an established winning culture. "I’m excited for the winning culture in Minnesota. There are MVP-caliber players with a winning coach and program, so I’m excited to get to know a new team and play at such a high level." To keep herself focused amidst the high-stakes environment of professional sports, she relies on a straightforward game-day mantra: "Keep going and trust in your work." Off the court, she fuels her pre-game and post-game routines with her favorite hype music, "Too Much Sauce" by DJ Esco, and a comforting post-game meal of pasta.
Meanwhile, heading to the nation’s capital to join the Washington Mystics is a standout rookie out of the University of California, Los Angeles, who grew up in Centennial, Colorado. For her, reaching the WNBA is the culmination of immense personal and athletic sacrifice. "People don’t understand the sacrifice we made this year to win the national championship. Sometimes it can feel like you’re not giving enough, or not being noticed to get to where you want to be even though you’re giving up so much of yourself to a team," she reflected. Having experienced the ultimate collegiate success before transitioning to the pros, she views the draft as absolute validation. "This makes everything worth it. We won a national championship and now we’re getting drafted. I can’t ask for anything more." To maintain her composure through the intense pressure of elite competition, she follows an unusual and calming game-day mantra: "Look at the flowers." When it is time to turn up the energy, she tunes into house music because she likes to feel like she is in a club, and she celebrates victories with a classic post-game meal from In-N-Out Burger.
The Pacific Northwest is also welcoming fresh talent, with the Seattle Storm adding a resilient playmaker out of Louisiana State University. Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, her journey to the WNBA is a testament to perseverance and self-belief. "I’m excited for the new community and new people—I’m a people person. Anywhere I’m planted, I bloom," she shared with infectious enthusiasm. Her path to the professional ranks was far from guaranteed, making the moment all the more meaningful. "This means so much to me. I come from Savannah, Georgia, and I wasn’t even ranked. Nobody was looking at me, and look at me now. I’m just thankful to be here." Driven by her personal game-day mantra, "You are what you tell yourself," she psychs herself up by listening to "Woah" by Flau’jae Johnson and treats herself to a rich post-game meal of stuffed salmon with alfredo.
The competitive landscape in the Eastern Conference is shifting as well, with the Indiana Fever welcoming an exceptional talent out of the University of South Carolina. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, she arrives with a clear vision of her role and immediate goals within the franchise. "I’m excited about winning. The Fever have a chance at winning the championship this year and I’m very excited about it," she stated. Ready to embrace the challenges of her rookie year, she is eager to absorb knowledge from veteran leaders. "I’m ready to go in there, be a sponge and learn, and I’m ready to learn from vets like Caitlin Clark. I’m going to bring a winning mentality and whatever it takes to win, I’m going to do that." Deeply rooted in her faith, her game-day mantra draws from scripture: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," from Philippians 4:13. She sustains her energy through gospel music and indulges a unique craving for post-game meals consisting of sour straw candy, Airheads, and spaghetti.
Also making the leap from the University of South Carolina is an inspiring international prospect, originally from Mumias, Kenya, who has been drafted by the Atlanta Dream. Representing her home country on the global stage of professional basketball is a responsibility she carries with profound pride. "I’m so excited about being around some of the greatest players. I’ll be playing with Angel Reese, and it will be great to meet her and learn from her," she noted. Recognizing the broader impact of her career, she added, "It means so much to represent my country, to represent Africa and all the young girls back in Africa trying to be like me one day. I’m grateful to everyone who helped me get here today." Like her compatriot from South Carolina, she leans on her faith with the same Philippians 4:13 game-day mantra, listens to uplifting gospel music, and enjoys a hearty post-game meal of pasta alfredo or traditional ugali.
The Connecticut Sun are likewise fortifying their roster by adding another standout competitor from the University of California, Los Angeles national championship squad. Originally from Duluth, Minnesota, she approaches her rookie season with a balanced mindset of humility and ambition. "Any opportunity to grow and challenge myself is exciting," she explained. Finding comfort in familiar faces during this major life transition, she noted, "I’ve been leaning on the people around me to support me, and luckily I have five other teammates going through this exact same process, so it’s been special." Reflecting on her collegiate success, she added, "Coming off winning the national championship, I’m feeling confident in myself. But it’s important to have a balance of being super humble and trusting the work you put in, while also learning and growing as a rookie." She keeps her focus sharp with the simple yet powerful mantra, "Find a way," pumps herself up with "Gang Gang" by Chef Boy, and unwinds after the final buzzer with a traditional burger.
Rounding out this snapshot of the league’s newest additions, the Golden State Valkyries have secured a promising talent from Texas Christian University whose basketball journey spans continents. Originally from Oviedo, Spain, she is acutely aware of the historical significance of entering the league at this moment. "It’s an honor to be a part of this class that’s coming into such a special time for women’s basketball. I understand the responsibility, and more than anything I’m just grateful," she said. Having spent time living in California previously, her return to the West Coast comes with added perks. "I was in California for a couple years, so I have a lot of people there that I’m excited to see, and my favorite Chinese food spot ever is in San Francisco so I’m very excited about that." Guided by the mantra of "Patience and faith," she listens to Bad Bunny to get into the competitive zone and fuels her body with a balanced post-game meal of salmon, sweet potato mash, and fresh vegetables as she prepares to embark on her professional journey.
