With the WNBA Draft less than two months away, teams are getting ready to solidify which players they will be taking to bolster their rosters.
The first round talents like Paige Bueckers and Olivia Miles have been on everyone’s radar for years. I provided my mock first round for Hoops HQ last week. Yet, the second and third rounds of the draft will include many players who may not get the everyday spotlight, but can make a difference and have solid careers in the league.
Here are six players to look for as sleepers in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
1. Gianna Kneepkens, 6-foot-0 junior guard, Utah
Kneepkens missed most of last season with a broken ankle, but that hasn’t stopped her from coming back with force. She has recently elevated her offensive play. Since her return, Kneepkens is averaging 19.4 points per game, fourth in the Big 12.
Kneepkens scored 30 points in a home victory over Kansas on Jan. 22 and came close to posting the second triple-double in program history as she finished with 10 rebounds and 8 assists. She went on to score a career-high 32 points three days later as the Utes narrowly grabbed a victory over BYU. Keepkens shot 6 of 7 from beyond the arc in the win. Three games later, Kneepkens did it again, dropping 32 points against UCF while going 6 of 7 from three once again.
Her efficiency in scoring and ability to convert from long range makes Kneepkens a desirable pick. She also has no fear attacking the glass. Coming back from an injury like a broken ankle is something that can be worrisome, but Kneepkens has shown no setbacks since her return.
2. Angela Dugalic, 6-foot-4 senior forward, UCLA
A player who is averaging 7.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game may not seem like the most glamorous of choices, especially when the WNBA draft is only three rounds, but Dugalic can score with either hand, shoot from mid-range or behind the three-point arc and is also a solid playmaker.
Dugalic joined the Bruins with experience after playing for Oregon for the 2020-21 season, averaging 12.1 minutes per game. She is now playing 22.2 minutes per game while averaging career highs in assists, steals and blocks. Dugalic has shown that her worth goes beyond scoring production, but she is still also averaging a career high 48.6 percent from beyond the arc.
Her size, skills, mobility and defensive play all make Dugalic a versatile player whom WNBA general managers can look to for long-term potential. She currently plays alongside Lauren Betts, UCLA’s star center, but can hold her own on the court.
3. Hailey Van Lith, 5-foot-7 senior point guard, TCU
Van Lith asserted her place in the top guard conversation when she helped the Louisville Cardinals reach the Elite Eight in 2023. She left the program to join the LSU Tigers, the team that won the national championship that season. Van Lith saw a drop in points production to just 11.6 points per game per game. She transferred to TCU after one season in Baton Rouge.
This decision has worked out for both sides, as the Horned Frogs have a 26-3 record and are ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25. Van Lith is averaging 17.4 points per game while tallying career highs in assists (5.5) and field goal percentage (44.9%). Now she hopes to lead the Horned Frogs to a Big 12 title.
Van Lith has raised her draft stock since her down year at LSU, though her size and defense raise some questions. She is a fantastic ball handler, her mid-range is lethal and she’s a great finisher at the rim. Her bounce back has shown her mental resilience as well. Val Lith can be a great point or shooting guard for a WNBA team.
4. Makayla Timpson, 6-foot-2 senior center, Florida State
Timpson is small for a center, but she is an elite rim protector and a force to deal with on either end of the court. She is averaging 17.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Timpson has tallied 14 double-doubles this season, including a 38-point, 15-rebound performance against Samford, and has scored in double digits for 21 consecutive games.
The biggest question surrounding Timpson is her size, although she does possess a 6-foot-7 wingspan. But she is a formidable defensive and playmaking forward with a solid vertical leap. She’s an effective shot blocker and has proved she can develop her scoring game.
She may not shoot any flashy three-pointers or game winners, but Timpsno has the physicality to do the dirty work in the paint, get points and rebounds while playing shut down defense, and does the work that is essential for her team to get victory. She looks to be a second rounder, but I would not be surprised if she moves up as draft night approaches.
5. JJ Quinerly, 5-foot-8 senior guard, West Virginia
Quinerly is a defensive terror and has scored in double digits for the Mountaineers in every single game this season. She isn’t a traditional playmaker, but she is averaging a career-high 3.1 assists per game. Quinerly is a physical presence on both sides of the court, racking up steals while also being a top scorer.
Quinerly is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and has a defense-first mindset. She’s a crafty ball handler with a shot that can come from the corner or attacking the basket. Her 31.7 percent usage rate indicates just how heavily her team depends on her..
Quinerly is solid off the ball, never stops moving and can navigate screens well. She can score at three levels, and while the three-point may not be her strongest asset, she has still improved in that area. The challenge for Quinerly is that if WNBA teams don’t look to her as a point guard, they need to recognize how much value she brings in her defense and off-ball play. That will give her a chance to continue improving as a playmaker in the WNBA.
6. Serena Sundell, 6-foot-2 senior guard, Kansas State
Sundell has been a driving force for the Wildcats all season, so it’s no shock that she has been catching the eyes of scouts and General Managers throughout the WNBA. She’s a playmaker and scorer who is averaging 13.6 points and 7.1 assists per game while shooting 49.2 percent. Despite her three-point shooting being down this season, Sundell has helped carry the load after teammate and fellow potential draft pick Ayoka Lee went out due to injury.
Sundell’s versatility is a luxury for any backcourt. She brings size, the skills to play almost any position and can post up smaller defenders with ease. She is also able to guard all five positions. Sundell leads the country in total assists, but she can do a bit of everything on the floor.
Teams may worry about her three-point shooting, especially as a primary ball handler, but Sundell’s decision making, shot creation and quickness off the dribble make her an enticing prospect.
