All-Time WNBA Draft History Full list of every No. 1 overall Draft selections through the years from 1997

The importance of the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft simply can’t be overstated. Over the first 27 years of the league since 1997, whether looking at individual accolades or team success, the connection to the No. 1 overall pick in the draft is undeniable.

Of the 25 championship teams in league history, 17 have had at least one No. 1 overall pick on its roster – beginning with Tina Thompson with the Houston Comets in 1997 all the way to the most recent Paige Bueckers to Dallas Wings in 2025 WNBA Draft Order.

— Paige Bueckers, who overcame two serious knee injuries during her career at Connecticut and ultimately led the Huskies to their first national championship in eight years, was selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft by the Dallas Wings on Monday night.

Complete History of first overall picks in WNBA Draft Since 1997-2025.

In the league's history, 23 of the 25 number one picks have come from college basketball with Australian legend Lauren Jackson and Beligum star Ann Wauters being the only two outliers.

The University of Connecticut has produced the most number one picks in the history of the league with Sue Bird (2002, Seattle Storm), Diana Taurasi (2004, Phoenix Mercury), Tina Charles (2010, Connecticut Sun), Maya Moore (2011, Minnesota Lynx) and Breanna Stewart (2016, Seattle Storm) and most recent Paige Bueckers (2025 to Dallas Wings) leading the way.

No other school has produced more than two first overall selections.

Of the 13 former No. 1 overall picks that have gone on to win a WNBA title, 11 did so with the team that drafted them.

Year Player School/Club Selecting team

1997 - Tina Thompson - USC - Houston Comets

1998 - Małgorzata Dydek - Poland - Utah Starzz

1999 - Chamique Holdsclaw - Tennessee - Washington Mystics

2000 - Ann Wauters - Valenciennes - Cleveland Rockers

2001 - Lauren Jackson - Canberra - Seattle Storm

2002 - Sue Bird - UConn - Seattle Storm

2003 - LaToya Thomas - Mississippi State - Cleveland Rockers

2004 - Diana Taurasi - UConn - Phoenix Mercury

2005 - Janel McCarville - Minnesota - Charlotte Sting

2006 - Seimone Augustus - LSU - Minnesota Lynx

2007 - Lindsey Harding - Duke - Phoenix Mercury (to Lynx)

2008 - Candace Parker - Tennessee - Los Angeles Sparks

2009 - Angel McCoughtry - Louisville - Atlanta Dream

2010 - Tina Charles - UConn - Connecticut Sun (from Liberty, via Sparks, via Lynx)

2011 - Maya Moore - UConn - Minnesota Lynx

2012 - Nneka Ogwumike - Stanford - Los Angeles Sparks

2013 - Brittney Griner - Baylor - Phoenix Mercury

2014 - Chiney Ogwumike - Stanford - Connecticut Sun

2015 - Jewell Loyd - Notre Dame - Seattle Storm

2016 - Breanna Stewart - UConn - Seattle Storm

2017 - Kelsey Plum - Washington - San Antonio Stars

2018 - A'ja Wilson - South Carolina - Las Vegas Aces

2019 - Jackie Young - Notre Dame - Las Vegas Aces

2020 — Sabrina Ionescu, New York Liberty, G, Oregon

2021 - Charli Collier - Texas - Dallas Wings (from New York via Seattle)

2022 — Rhyne Howard, Atlanta Dream, G, Kentucky

2023 — Aliyah Boston, Indiana Fever, F, South Carolina

2024 — Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever, G, Iowa

2025 — Paige Bueckers, Dallas Wings, G, Connecticut

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