The 2025 WNBA season is using a wave of momentum from final 12 months’s record-breaking recognition, increasing to 13 groups with the debut of the Golden State Valkyries and rising the schedule to 44 video games per staff. However essentially the most thrilling future belongs to the gamers themselves — from whether or not reigning MVP A’ja Wilson can lead the Aces again to the highest after Las Vegas was dethroned by the champion New York Liberty, to how a lot increased a brand new era of stars, led by electrical sophomore Caitlin Clark, can soar.
The league is at present led by gamers in the midst of their primes, a part of a golden era that features Wilson, Breanna Stewart, Sabrina Ionescu and 2025 MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier. Weighted by leaguewide worth produced (see clarification under), the typical age of a WNBA participant this season (28.5 years outdated) is the very best it has been in league historical past, breaking a mark that has been surpassed in every of the earlier three seasons.
Although the veterans have not left the court docket but, the WNBA’s future is in wonderful fingers. Clark’s current quad damage apart, she is the No. 1 must-watch draw, whereas names equivalent to Clark’s Fever teammate Aliyah Boston, Dallas Wings No. 1 choose Paige Bueckers, Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard, Seattle’s Ezi Magbegor and Liberty sharpshooter Leonie Fiebich are rising their video games as nicely.
That makes now a good time to evaluate which groups have assembled the best collections of younger expertise to energy success sooner or later. In quantifying which groups have the perfect younger cores, we have been aided by a simplified forecasting system that tasks each WNBA participant’s worth over the following 5 seasons, together with 2025. (For worth, we’re utilizing a measure I name Consensus Wins per 44 video games (CW/44), which blends estimates of wins added from three completely different superior stats: Estimated RAPTOR, Win Shares and Participant Effectivity Ranking.)
The projection formulation is principally based mostly on a weighted common of every participant’s efficiency over the previous three years — with more moderen seasons counting extra — with changes for ageing, draft standing and regression towards the imply.
Then for every staff, we added up the whole five-year projected CW/44 from gamers at present of their age-25 season or youthful, to reach at a tough guideline for a way invaluable every staff’s present nucleus of younger expertise figures to be within the close to future. These projections weren’t used strictly for the rankings, however they shaped the idea for our assessments — with gentle editorial judgment used when projecting upside and accounting for context equivalent to accidents or position modifications.
With all of that in thoughts, this is how the WNBA’s youth motion stacks up — and which groups are sitting on the largest troves of future manufacturing within the league. Word: Stats and data are by way of June 3:
Leap to a staff:
ATL | CHI | CON | DAL
GS | IND | LAS | LV | MIN
NY | PHX | SEA | WAS
Common age (league rating): 28.5 (sixth youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024 (league rating): 11.9 (1st)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025 (league rating): 21.1 (1st)
Key gamers to construct on (age): Caitlin Clark (23), Aliyah Boston (23), Lexie Hull (25)
It is no shock to see the Fever right here with the brightest group of younger stars within the WNBA. With Clark and Boston, Indiana has the No. 1 picks from the 2023 and 2024 drafts — every of whom went on to win Rookie of the Yr in back-to-back seasons as nicely. When wholesome (and each have been extraordinarily sturdy all through faculty and the professionals, up till Clark’s current damage), no staff has a dynamic duo this good and this younger.
That is notably true when you think about how nicely their video games complement one another’s, with Clark serving because the WNBA’s final heliocentric perimeter creator and initiator, and Boston scoring contained in the arc with excessive quantity and effectivity. The 2 took a while to determine the way to mesh in Clark’s rookie season final 12 months, however each have been enhancing their numbers early this season earlier than Clark bought harm. Boston has a sky-high 65.7 True Taking pictures % (TS%) this season, for example, whereas scoring 16.8 factors per recreation.
Do not sleep on Hull, both; the fourth-year guard out of Stanford has improved annually of her WNBA profession and is monitoring for a breakout efficiency.
Common age: 24.8 (youngest in league)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: 4.6 (sixth)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: 13.8 (2nd)
Key gamers to construct on: Sonia Citron (21), Aaliyah Edwards (22), Kiki Iriafen (21), Jade Melbourne (22)
The Mystics have improved already from final 12 months, with their web score rising from -3.7 factors per 100 possessions in 2024 to +0.8 in 2025, and their youth motion is a giant purpose why. Three of their 4 main minute-earners are of their age-22 season or youthful — led by Citron and Iriafen, choose Nos. 3 and 4 on this April’s WNBA draft.
Citron, who helped lead Notre Dame to the Candy 16 in March, has taken to the Mystics straight away; she’s scoring 15.0 PPG with a scorching 65.5 TS% (hitting 40% of her 3s). Fellow rookie Iriafen is taking part in past her years as nicely, and we won’t neglect in regards to the comparative veterans of the bunch as nicely: Edwards, the No. 6 choose within the 2024 draft who’s just lately getting back from damage, and Melbourne, who’s incomes extra taking part in time together with her all-around play.
We might additionally name-drop extra gamers right here from the league’s youngest staff — 2022 draft picks Shakira Austin (No. 3) and Emily Engstler (No. 4) and 2025 No. 6 choose Georgia Amoore (who suffered a torn ACL and can miss the season). Backside line: Washington is loaded for the long run.
Common age: 30.6 (thirteenth youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: 6.9 (third)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: -0.2 (tenth)
Key gamers to construct on: Ezi Magbegor (25), Dominique Malonga (19), Jordan Horston (24)
The Storm are in an attention-grabbing place right here, as they’re concurrently probably the most veteran-laden groups within the league — Gabby Williams is 28 whereas Skylar Diggins, Nneka Ogwumike, Alysha Clark and Erica Wheeler are all 34 or older — but in addition a staff with promising next-generation expertise.
Magbegor is having a tough begin to the 2025 season, however she has been among the best younger two-way bigs in current seasons, and Malonga went No. 2 on this 12 months’s draft due to her spectacular mixture of dimension and ability. The Storm even have Horston (who made massive strides final season) and 2024 rookie Nika Mühl, however each will miss the 2025 season with ACL accidents.
That creates uncertainty about simply how a lot this group can produce down the road, however Magbegor and Malonga are an imposing pair to construct from.
Common age: 28.0 (third youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: 5.5 (fifth)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: 8.2 (fifth)
Key gamers to construct on: Rhyne Howard (25), Naz Hillmon (25), Te-Hina Paopao (22)
Howard alone provides Atlanta a powerful basis: The 2022 No. 1 draft choose and WNBA Rookie of the Yr turned 25 about three weeks earlier than the season opened, and she or he simply has essentially the most whole factors by a participant beneath 25 over the previous 4 seasons. The Dream are probably the most improved groups early on regardless of Howard’s offense not fairly rolling but, so there’s much more room for them to develop.
Past Howard, Atlanta additionally has Hillmon, a fourth-year ahead who has nice per-minute numbers regardless of decrease taking part in time this 12 months, and a pair of 2025 rookies: Paopao and Taylor Thierry. Neither has seen a lot recreation motion up to now, however Paopao’s taking pictures might assist her carve out a daily position.
Common age: 28.2 (4th youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: N/A
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: 6.7 (sixth)
Key gamers to construct on: Veronica Burton (24), Justė Jocytė (19), Carla Leite (21), Janelle Salaun (23)
The Valkyries are the youngest franchise within the WNBA, because the league’s first growth squad in 17 years. However what about Golden State’s foundational younger gamers? They’re additionally in good condition, after the staff poached Burton, Leite and Kate Martin within the growth draft, signed Salaün as a global free agent and drafted Jocytė at No. 5 within the 2025 draft as a long-term funding.
Salaün has instantly been the staff’s prime scorer, Burton has embraced a higher offensive position whereas sustaining her trademark effectivity, and Leite has carried out nicely in restricted taking part in time. Jocytė stays in Europe for 2025, however her upside is plain.
Common age: 26.1 (2nd youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: -1.4 (twelfth)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: 8.9 (4th)
Key gamers to construct on: Paige Bueckers (23), NaLyssa Smith (24), Maddy Siegrist (25)
Armed with a trio of current top-three draft picks — Smith (No. 2 in 2022), Siegrist (No. 3 in 2023) and Bueckers (No. 1 in 2025) — plus the intriguing potential of Aziaha James, the Wings have a strong younger supporting solid arrange across the prime-age core of Arike Ogunbowale, DiJonai Carrington and Myisha Hines-Allen.
A lot of this bunch’s means to rise or fall comes all the way down to Bueckers’ ceiling as a star, and the early returns have been fairly good. She at present boasts a +3.1 Estimated RAPTOR, which is especially spectacular contemplating the tendency for extremely touted WNBA rookie guards to face a steeper studying curve than bigs within the execs.
That Bueckers has stepped in and performed with effectivity straight away is a terrific signal for her — and Dallas’ — potential.
Common age: 28.7 (ninth youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: 9.4 (2nd)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: -1.0 (eleventh)
Key gamers to construct on: Angel Reese (23), Kamilla Cardoso (24), Hailey Van Lith (23)
The Sky had probably the most productive 25-and-under corps within the league final season, between rookies Reese and Cardoso, and Chennedy Carter (who has since graduated out of that age class and is not within the league).
However some inconsistency from Reese and Cardoso additionally confounded the superior metrics, and the staff’s tough begin in 2025 (they’re being outscored by 18.0 factors per 100) provides additional confusion. Cardoso has definitely improved her offensive recreation this season; she has boosted her PPG from 9.8 to 12.8 whereas taking pictures higher and passing extra successfully.
Reese, however, has been underperforming. She stays one of many prime rebounders within the league, however her taking pictures proportion has dipped from 39.1% final season to 31.3%. It is a small pattern up to now, and Chicago has the potential to land increased on this record.
Common age: 29.3 (twelfth youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: 6.4 (4th)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: 4.1 (seventh)
Key gamers to construct on: Leonie Fiebich (25), Nyara Sabally (25), Marquesha Davis (24)
The defending champion Liberty are one of many oldest groups within the league, however the younger gamers they’ve punch above their weight by way of efficiency. Chief amongst these is Fiebich, who performed a key position in New York’s title run as a rookie a 12 months in the past. She’s off to a slower begin in 2025, however her mixture of all-around effectivity will likely be essential because the Liberty try to repeat.
The opposite teen in New York’s foremost rotation is Sabally, who’s battling a knee damage however makes a giant distinction on protection as a rim protector when she’s on the court docket. Davis, the No. 11 choose in 2024’s draft, continues to be ready for extra of a possibility, that are typically arduous to come back by for up-and-comers on this roster.
Common age: 28.3 (fifth youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: 2.0 (eighth)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: -2.6 (twelfth)
Key gamers to construct on: Olivia Nelson-Ododa (24), Jacy Sheldon (24), Saniya Rivers (22), Rayah Marshall (21)
A full-scale rebuild for the Solar, just some years faraway from a Finals run in 2022, means loads of concentrate on the following era which may lead Connecticut again to a title push. Proper now, that is still a piece in progress for a one-win staff.
Below-25 gamers Sheldon, Nelson-Ododa and Rivers are getting no less than 24 minutes per recreation apiece for the staff this season, to various levels of success — Nelson-Ododa has a constructive RAPTOR on offense, Rivers is constructive on protection and Sheldon continues to wrestle to ship on her potential as 2024’s No. 5 choose.
A few different decently excessive draftees, Marshall and Aneesah Morrow, have not gotten a lot of a glance but, however which may change with accidents throughout the roster and a common sense of desirous to see what the staff has in what seems to be an in any other case misplaced season.
Common age: 28.6 (tied for seventh youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: 0.3 (ninth)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: -0.1 (ninth)
Key gamers to construct on: Diamond Miller (24), Dorka Juhász (25), Alissa Pili (24), Anastasiia Olairi Kosu (20)
Just like the Liberty, the Lynx are in win-now mode and have no need for growing younger gamers who cannot contribute straight away. Napheesa Collier is having an MVP-level profession season, and none of that may go to waste.
Every of Minnesota’s prime seven gamers by minutes this season is 28 or older this 12 months, so the long run is considerably on the backburner — its most used participant within the 25-or-under membership is Miller, the 2023 No. 2 choose who has improved however is averaging 8.2 MPG. The expertise for these youthful Lynx is not missing as a lot because the alternatives.
Common age: 28.9 (tenth youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: 2.7 (seventh)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: -5.6 (thirteenth)
Key gamers to construct on: Cameron Brink (23), Rickea Jackson (24), Sania Feagin (22), Sarah Ashlee Barker (23)
The Sparks’ younger contingent is riddled with absences — with Brink out since midseason final 12 months with a torn ACL, and Jackson and Rae Burrell lacking video games just lately as nicely. After they have performed, L.A.’s 25-and-under set has struggled, producing the bottom worth within the league this season. (Every of the Sparks’ 5 gamers in that class — Barker, Jackson, Liatu King, Burrell and Feagin — has a RAPTOR of -5.7 or worse.)
Brink and Jackson, two of the top-four gamers drafted in 2024, have the very best potential, however the former suffered a torn ACL final June (she’s anticipated to return this month), and the latter has not impressed within the superior metrics but. Each tendencies have an opportunity to vary later this season.
Common age: 29.2 (eleventh youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: -0.8 (eleventh)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: 9.3 (third)
Key gamers to construct on: Monique Akoa Makani (24), Lexi Held (25)
If we have been simply basing this rating off of 2025 outcomes so far, the Mercury could be a lot increased. The staff’s shocking begin (Phoenix ranks No. 4 in web score) has been pushed partially by the play of rookies Akoa-Makani and Held, each of whom are rotation regulars (Akoa-Makani is even beginning) and are producing superb numbers early within the season.
The one factor holding down the Mercury on this projection is that neither participant has a lot of a observe document and every went undrafted, which outweighs the upside of a handful of video games’ price of pattern dimension. But when each find yourself being this good all season lengthy, Phoenix would have a few wonderful diamond-in-the-rough pickups on its fingers to assist them each now and sooner or later.
Common age: 28.6 (tied for seventh youngest)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2024: 0.0 (tenth)
CW/44 from Below-25 gamers in 2025: 1.8 (eighth)
Key gamers to construct on: Aaliyah Nye (22), Elizabeth Kitley (23), Kierstan Bell (25)
A 12 months after having virtually no rotation members age 25 or youthful — Kate Martin was the one one who performed greater than six video games — the Aces are nonetheless closely depending on their veterans, with good purpose, however they’ve no less than thrown a couple of extra minutes (7 to 10 per recreation) to the likes of Nye, Bell and Kitley this season. None of that group was drafted any increased than Bell at No. 11, nevertheless, and she or he is the oldest of the group. (Kitley, for what it is price, has good metrics in a really small pattern up to now.)
So long as A’ja Wilson, Chelsea Grey, Jewell Loyd and Jackie Younger are the franchise’s current, the Aces aren’t precisely seeking to the long run era fairly but.
