January 11, 2025
Locked On Women’s Basketball: Which 2025 WNBA draft prospects are rising and falling?
By The Next
Detailed analysis of top 2025 WNBA draft prospects
On Saturday’s episode of Locked On Women’s Basketball, host Hunter Cruse is joined by co-hosts Emily Adler and Lincoln Shafer to talk about the 2025 WNBA draft prospects rising and falling midway through the season.
Continue reading with a subscription to The Next
Get unlimited access to women’s basketball coverage and help support our hardworking staff of writers, editors, and photographers by subscribing today.
Already a member?
Login
First, the trio highlights Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles as a major riser due to her dramatic improvement in 3-point shooting. Miles is now not only creating space but hitting tough shots like pull-ups and step-backs, making her an even more dangerous offensive threat. This improvement, combined with her ability to draw defensive attention, has propelled her to the top of the draft board, making her “no doubt [one of the] top two prospect in this class.”
Order ‘Becoming Caitlin Clark’ and save 30%
Howard Megdal, founder and editor of The Next and The IX, just announced his latest book. It captures both the historic nature of Caitlin Clark’s rise along with the critical context, over the previous century, that helped make it possible — interviews with Clark, Lisa Bluder, C. Vivian Stringer, Jan Jensen, Molly Kazmer and so many others were vital to the process.
If you enjoy his coverage of women’s basketball every Wednesday at The IX, you will love “Becoming Caitlin Clark: The Unknown Origin Story of a Modern Basketball Superstar.” Click the link below to pre-order and enter MEGDAL30 at checkout.
The discussion later focuses on two draft prospects from South Carolina, guards Raven Johnson and Bree Hall, whose stock has fluctuated in recent months. Both players’ futures hinge on their ability to refine their weaknesses and make a more significant impact in the professional league.
Johnson, despite her strong defensive abilities and size, struggles with offensive consistency, particularly her shooting, which limits her impact on the game. While she’s a solid defender, her inability to draw defenders or create offensive advantages is a concern.
On the other hand, Hall’s stock has dropped due to her lack of development in key areas, particularly as a shooter. Her limited offensive volume and hesitation to take open shots make her a more specialized player with a narrow skill set, though she still holds potential as a late-round prospect.
Add Locked On Women’s Basketball to your daily routine
Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.
