Fever select three in 2025 WNBA Draft, focus on defense and versatility
After a transformative 2024 draft and free agency, the Fever took a quieter approach this year — using all three of their picks to boost defensive depth and fuel competition in training camp.
After a transformative draft last April, selecting Caitlin Clark at No. 1, the 2025 WNBA Draft was much more low-key.
Since the 2024 season ended last September, the franchise underwent a significant overhaul from the top down, signed multiple key free agents, and broke ground on the league’s best practice facility — setting up the franchise for the next decade-plus.
Without a lottery pick — or even a selection in the first round — the Fever chose not to hold a draft party. You’d much rather hold a celebration at the end of the season, not before a new one begins.
When the Fever were on the clock three times Monday night, they used each of their selections. They already have 12 players under contract — the league maximum — but they intend to have a competitive camp. Adding three prospects from the draft will help.
Coming off their return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, the trajectory of this team has fans giddy about the possibilities.
The front office — led by president Kelly Krauskopf, GM Amber Cox, and consultant Lin Dunn — spent months preparing for the draft and reshaping the look of the team. New head coach Stephanie White’s Connecticut teams ranked second and first in defense, respectively, the past two seasons. The Fever want to shift their identity in that direction, along with adding competitors who love the game, can keep up with the pace, and knock down open shots.
“The name of the game tonight was to really shore up our defense, continue to bring in more versatility and add more weapons to this potent offense,” Cox said afterward.
She was the one to phone in each of their selections to the draft, which was held at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.
The Fever selected forward Makayla Timpson, guard Bree Hall, and forward Yvonne Ejim — a trio of players who defend and compete at a high level.
“I think the most important thing for us is defensive versatility,” said White, who had exactly that in Connecticut. “We know we have a lot of weapons on the offensive end of the floor, but on those nights when we're not making shots when things are a little bit more difficult, we've got to get stops and we've got to get better in that area”