What The 2025 WNBA Rookies Wore To This Years Draft

For too long, the WNBA has been a quieter presence in the broader basketball conversation, often overshadowed by its male counterpart — until now. With record-breaking viewership during the 2024 championship, which drew 1.57 million viewers and packed 18,000 seats at Barclays Center, and the recent NCAA Women’s March Madness final pulling in 8.5 million viewers, the momentum is undeniable. The league isn’t just gaining attention, funding, sponsorships, and support — it’s growing in scale, too. Just last night, 38 new rookies were drafted into the WNBA.

As the conversation around the league gets louder, so do the players’ personalities — and more importantly— their fashion.

On the evening of Monday, April 14, 2025, the WNBA’s top prospects made their way to The Shed in Hudson Yards, New York, stepping into the unknown as they embarked on the next chapter of their athletic careers. But before their names were called, they took a moment to make a sartorial statement. For many, it marked a once-in-a-lifetime convergence of sport and style with many claiming it was their first time “getting dressed up” in general.

With Coach serving as the evening’s dressing sponsors, much of the talent arrived in custom looks from the brand — from Sonia Citron’s schoolgirl-cool ensemble of a deep-cut blazer, mini skirt, socks, and loafers, to Paige Bueckers’ flashy, all-sparkle suit. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the most memorable outfits from the orange carpet and asked them about their draft fits.

Paige Bueckers

It’s an all-Coach custom piece. I’ve been working with them over the past week. It’s the sparkles, the bedazzles — a switch-up from the all-white. It’s pretty fire.

I haven’t thought about [tunnel fits] that far ahead. This was a lot, just planning for today. But it’ll probably be more chill.

Hailey Van Lith

I’m wearing full custom Coach. I wanted a vintage vibe, so we reworked a lot of their archival pieces and pulled it all together into one look. It’s very sheer, with lots of beads and diamonds — very ‘90s red carpet energy. It took a couple of weeks to come together, and it was a super collaborative process. I’m really appreciative of the Coach team, they were open to my input, and they did an amazing job executing the vision. I feel like a 10 — actually, a 10 and a half. I could keep going. I’m just really joyful right now and ready to celebrate. At this point, there’s nothing else you can do, so you might as well celebrate what you accomplished in college.

This morning, I had to meditate for like 30 minutes. I was like, “Lord, please come give me peace.” I started my day with meditation and prayer — got my mindset in the right place. I was listening to ‘If I Could Be Anything,’ and of course some gospel — Marvin Sapp, oldies but goodies.

For my body shine — we were like, “Hailey, we know you don’t have a lot going on up top, so we had to add the glow and give a little shapeshift, a little contour.” Hopefully, it’s doing what it needs to do.

And yes, I’m already thinking about my tunnel fits. We’re planning it out. I can’t promise I’m going to throw a huge fit every game — that might be a little much — but when I do, I hope they hit different.

Kiki Iriafen

I’m wearing Nneka Alexander, she’s a Nigerian designer, and we worked on this look collaboratively. We’ve been working on this dress for two months, going back and forth, and I think we finally figured it out. It was really important for me to showcase my culture on this stage. I’ve got on traditional Nigerian beads and earrings.

I had a lot of input in the design — I’m not afraid to say what I want. I wanted a leg slit, I wanted the waist to be snatched, and I wanted an asymmetrical top — and she did all of that for me. I feel like a 10 out of 10.

Sonia Citron

Im feeling great, a little nervous, but very excited. I’m wearing Coach, and it’s my first experience with the brand. On a scale of 1 to 10, I’m feeling a 9 and a half — maybe a 10 once I get called up there. This is crazier than pregame nerves.

I don’t have too many pregame rituals, but I made sure to pray before coming here. I was overthinking my outfit because I’m not usually someone who puts looks together — I’m more of a hoodie and sweatpants kind of girl.

Coach helped me a lot — they did a tremendous job making me feel beautiful so I could feel confident. My best friend Nat helped me come up with the idea of wearing a blazer and skirt. Maddie Scott, who I met over the past couple of days, really helped me manage my nerves about walking the orange carpet because I don’t usually take pictures, and I’m a little more reserved. I was nervous about what I was wearing, and she told me, “It’s not about what you’re wearing, it’s about how confident you are in wearing it.” That inspired me to stop worrying and just feel confident.

And of course, my teammate Liatu King helped me with the process too.

Madison Scott

I’m styled by Liatu King, and I’m wearing Amiri from head to toe. I’ve got my Jonny Dang ‘24’ pendant on — I’m not sure how much longer that’ll be my number going into the W, but I’m blessed to be here. I’m looking good, feeling good. On a scale of 1 to 10, I’m feeling like a 20. I’m blessed to be here. I couldn’t be more grateful. My WNBA fashion icon is Diamond DeShields. She’s unapologetically herself. She’s amazing, she’s unique — she’s everything I aspire to be in my fashion. Big fan of hers.

And, I haven’t thought much about tunnel fits yet, but I’m styled by Liatu King — and this definitely won’t be the last time we work together.

The biggest pregame ritual I brought to the carpet was taking a deep breath and relaxing — calming myself down. This is a nerve-wracking experience. You don’t know what’s next; you know something big is coming, but you don’t know what it is. It’s the fear of the unknown. I prayed. I’m trusting God — same thing I’d do before a game. That’s how I’m coming.

Saniya Rivers

I’ve got on some beige tonight — I didn’t want to wear black like I always do. I’ve got some Rick [Owens] on the feet. Shout-out to the gold with the leather. And I’ve got gold accessories. I’m in my bag tonight. I don’t want to say my Birkin, but I’m in my Birkin. I feel like I look good, and that’s making me feel ten times better — so on a scale of 1 to 10, I’m feeling like an 11. But I’m trying not to let my head get too big.

I’m more nervous about tonight than a regular game. I’ve been playing basketball too long to be nervous about that. But I’ve never done this — the draft — so I’m pretty nervous.

For my pregame ritual, I listened to music. I always listen to music before a game, so I definitely did while getting ready. I was just getting in that mode. I’m an R&B girly — some gospel, too.

And I’ve been thinking about my tunnel fits. The girls in the W, they’ve got their own style on and off the court — very versatile — so I just want to bring that same energy with the tunnel fits. I don’t know if I can top that, but I’ll do my best.

Aneesah Morrow

I’m wearing all Coach from head to toe. Honestly, this is my first experience with Coach, and when I got to New York, they were just full of energy, super ecstatic about everything. I did three fittings for this look, and third time’s the charm. On a scale of 1 to 10, I feel like an 11.

Right now, I just want to stay present on the carpet. That’s something I really worked on this year at LSU — just staying in the moment and enjoying it.

I haven’t thought a lot about future tunnel fits yet, but I know I want them to be different and out of the box.

Dominique Malonga

Today, I’m dressed in custom Louis Vuitton, Louis Vuitton suits, Louis Vuitton shirts. I’m going to stay with Louis Vuitton suits for this evening. It’s a really big collaboration. Louis Vuitton bracelets, Louis Vuitton bag. Everything is going well, I have everything I need. Thanks to them, it’s really great.

Sania Feagin

I feel like a princess. I honestly don’t know where my mom got this dress from, but I let her style me — I let her pick it out and do whatever she wanted, honestly. When it comes to wearing dresses, I just let my mom handle it. I feel like a 10. I’m feeling great.

My pregame ritual for tonight was taking a nap. But I also listened to a lot of gospel — it helps me. Spending time with him [god] before anything just helps me feel grateful. I listened to Marvin Sapp and Travis Greene.

Georgia Amoore

Russell Westbrook designed this . Honor the Gift is his brand. He’s here to support, and we had a fitting together. It’s been amazing.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I feel like a 10. I always feel great. I’m from Australia, so we usually wear a lot of Birkenstocks and socks — so this is different.

I haven’t thought about any tunnel fits yet, but whoever I get to do it with, it’s going to be fire.