This year’s top draft picks enter the professional ranks with deeply impressive resumes, highlighted by intense tournament runs, hard-fought collegiate championships, and surging individual star power. While the high drama of draft night has officially concluded, the real story of these players’ professional journeys is only just getting started. Ahead of their rookie season tip-offs, SELF sat down to get to know some of the league’s newest members, exploring their backgrounds, pre-game rituals, favorite comfort foods, and their thoughts on entering the WNBA at this historic juncture.
The incoming wave features players who have battled through diverse paths to reach the ultimate level of the sport. Among them is a standout talent hailing from Phillipsburg, New Jersey, who played her collegiate basketball at Texas Christian University and was selected by the Minnesota Lynx. Reflecting on the surreal nature of draft night, she shared the depth of her emotions.
"I’m overjoyed and overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude at this moment," she said. "Finally this moment is here, and it happened in the right way. 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."
Ahead of game days, she leans on a straightforward mantra: "Keep going and trust in your work." To get energized, she turns to DJ Esco’s track "Too Much Sauce," and when the final buzzer sounds, her go-to post-game meal is a comforting plate of pasta.
Another major storyline of the draft involves a dynamic talent out of Centennial, Colorado, who starred at the University of California, Los Angeles, before being drafted by the Washington Mystics. Having recently endured the grueling physical and mental marathon of a national championship run, she spoke candidly about the sacrifices required to reach the pinnacle of college basketball.
"People don’t understand the sacrifice we made this year to win the national championship," she reflected. "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. This makes everything worth it. We won a national championship and now we’re getting drafted. I can’t ask for anything more."
Her unique pre-game mantra, "Look at the flowers," keeps her grounded amidst the chaos of elite competition. When it comes to pre-game music, she prefers high-energy house tracks that make her feel like she is immersed in a club atmosphere. True to her West Coast collegiate roots, her favorite post-game indulgence is an In-N-Out burger.
The journey to the WNBA is rarely linear, a reality embodied by a Louisiana State University standout drafted by the Seattle Storm. Hailing from Savannah, Georgia, her path to the professional league was defined by 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 said. "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."
Guided by the pre-game mantra "You are what you tell yourself," she psychs herself up by listening to "Woah" by Flau’jae Johnson. To celebrate a hard-fought victory on the court, she turns to a favorite post-game meal of stuffed salmon served with alfredo.
Meanwhile, the Indiana Fever added elite depth by drafting a standout from the University of South Carolina. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, she enters the league with a clear focus on development and championship contention, aiming to absorb wisdom from established veterans.
"I’m excited about winning. The Fever have a chance at winning the championship this year and I’m very excited about it," she shared. "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."
Rooted deeply in her faith, her pre-game mantra is drawn from scripture: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," referencing Philippians 4:13. She pairs this spiritual grounding with gospel music in her headphones before tip-off, and satisfies her post-game appetite with an unconventional mix of sour straw candy, Airheads, and a hearty plate of spaghetti.
Another significant addition to the league comes from a remarkable global background, with a University of South Carolina star who calls Mumias, Kenya, her hometown being selected by the Atlanta Dream. Her journey to the WNBA carries profound international significance and personal milestones.
"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. "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 former collegiate teammate, she looks to Philippians 4:13 for her game-day mantra and finds focus through gospel music. When celebrating a win, she enjoys a comforting meal of pasta alfredo or traditional ugali.
The Connecticut Sun also bolstered their roster by securing a resilient talent out of the University of California, Los Angeles, who grew up in Duluth, Minnesota. Entering the professional ranks immediately after securing a national championship has shaped her perspective on balancing confidence with the humility required of a rookie.
"Any opportunity to grow and challenge myself is exciting. 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," she explained. "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."
Her daily approach is driven by the simple yet effective mantra "Find a way." In the locker room before games, she pumps herself up with "Gang Gang" by Chef Boy, and refuels after the final whistle with a classic burger.
Rounding out this snapshot of the league’s newest talent is a standout from Texas Christian University who was drafted by the Golden State Valkyries. Hailing from Oviedo, Spain, and having spent formative years playing basketball in California, she feels a profound sense of responsibility as part of this historic draft class.
"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. "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."
She approaches competition with the mantra "Patience and faith," while using the rhythms of Bad Bunny to get into the competitive zone. Her preferred post-game recovery meal consists of salmon, sweet potato mash, and fresh vegetables, providing the proper nutrition as she prepares to embark on her rookie campaign in the Bay Area.
