After a pair of trades leading up to the 2025 WNBA Draft, the Lynx ended up selecting a trio of forwards to add to the roster heading into training camp.
The next wave of WNBA players took center stage in The Big Apple on Monday with the 2025 WNBA Draft taking place at The Shed at Hudson Yards in Manhattan, New York City.
Many from Minnesota had their eyes on this draft specifically, in part due to Hopkins native Paige Bueckers going first overall but also to see who the Minnesota Lynx would select at No. 11 overall and with one of their four draft selections.
But, like on the eve of the draft last year, Minnesota traded away its top selection before the draft began, obtaining an additional first-round pick in 2026 only to trade one of the them away the morning of the draft with the acquisition of Karlie Samuelson from Washington.
As a result, the Lynx ended up with three selections in this year’s draft — two in the second round and one in the third. Let’s take a look at the new faces of the Lynx.
Courtesy of Anastasiia Olairi Kosu on Instagram
Round 2, Pick 3: Anastasiia Olairi Kosu
6-foot-1 Forward | Russia
18.7 mins | 9.5 points | 5.1 rebounds | 1.2 assists | 1.8 steals | 1.0 blocks
55.5 FG% | 25.0 3PT% | 70.0 FT%
With the first selection of the night, the Lynx went with somewhat of a surprising pick with the selection of Russian forward Anastasiia Olairi Kosu.
Kosu is a name some might not be familiar with, but those who keep close tabs on the international game are familiar with the potential that resides within the 19-year-old who will turn 20 on April 21.
The selection of Kosu is another draft-and-stash selection for the Lynx, who don’t really have a need for a rookie to come in and contribute and quite frankly don’t have much room left for a rookie to claim a roster spot.
“Olairi is a young talent who has been playing the game at a high level in Europe from a young age,” Cheryl Reeve stated after the draft. “She plays with pace, is a very good cutter and she defends and rebounds at a high level.”
Kosu is a young athletic forward that is strong defensively while still developing her overall game. In 2019, she made her debut with the Russian National Team in the FIBA U16 European Championships, later becoming one of the youngest players to play in the EuroLeague at 15. Currently, Kosu is playing with Russian club UMMC Ekaterinburg, having appeared in 34 games while impacting the game in many ways.
The selection of Kosu might not get fans as excited as other prospects might have, but Reeve and her coaching staff keep a close eye on the international game, so we could eventually see the selection of Kosu paying off in a Lynx uniform as she develops.
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Round 2, Pick 12: Dalayah Daniels
6-foot-4 Forward | Washington
29.3 mins | 12.8 points | 7.2 rebounds | 2.0 assists | 1.5 steals | 1.5 blocks
57.5 FG% | 25.0 3PT% | 60.6 FT%
In the second pick of the second round, the Lynx once again went forward with the selection of a player who stepped up and had a career year in her senior season at Washington, Dalayah Daniels.
Daniels, a 6-foot-4 forward that can occasionally stretch the floor offensively, had her best season in 2024-25 with the Huskies, averaging 12.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest, shooting an efficient 57.5% from the field over 33 games.
“Dalayah is a skilled big with good footwork who finishes around the rim,” Reeve said. “She has ball skills away from the basket and is a good defender who possesses strong pursuit of the ball in rebounding situations.”
To go along with her offensive abilities Daniels has also shown the ability to provide a spark on the defensive end, something that is valuable to Reeve and the Lynx, especially at the forward position in the paint. Her defense has some room to grow, but that will come with development as she makes the leap from college to the WNBA.
The odds aren’t looking great for Daniels to grab one of the final roster spots in Minnesota, but she will have the chance to try and carve out a spot and either prove to the Lynx that she deserves a spot on the roster or prove to another team to take a chance on her in 2025.
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Round 3, Pick 12: Aubrey Griffin
6-foot-1 Forward | UConn
11.1 mins | 4.4 points | 3.4 rebounds | 0.9 assists | 0.5 steals | 0.4 blocks
59.5 FG% | 0.0 3PT% | 83.3 FT%
To round out the trio of draft picks, Minnesota went with a feel-good story of picking one of the fan favorites from UConn’s National Championship team, that being forward Aubrey Griffin.
Griffin played somewhat of a limited role off the Huskies bench during their title season, though she came in and stepped up in key moments off the bench for Geno Auriemma’s squad.
“Aubrey is a versatile athlete who defends, rebounds, runs the floor, is a willing cutter and efficient scorer,” Reeve said. “As a member of four Final Four teams, Aubrey understands what it takes to win.”
Griffin shot the best mark of her career in 2024-25, shooting 59.5% from the field over 16 games. She also found success from the free throw line, shooting a career-best 83.3% from the line in her fifth and final season with UConn.
As is the case with most of these third-round draft picks — which is not a knock on them and their abilities — Griffin will likely be more of a training camp body than a serious contender to make the final roster.
But regardless, the feel-good stories that are these picks towards the end of the draft never get old. And Reeve and the Lynx never miss an opportunity to create lasting memories like this for players, which is what it’s all about.
Draft Results
First Round:
- Paige Bueckers, Dallas
- Dominique Malonga, Seattle
- Sonia Citron, Washington
- Kiki Iriafen, Washington
- Justé Jocyté, Golden State
- Georgia Amoore, Washington
- Aneesah Morrow, Connecticut
- Saniya Rivers, Connecticut
- Sarah Ashlee Barker, Los Angeles
- Ajša Sivka, Chicago
- Hailey Van Lith, Chicago
- Aziaha James, Dallas
Las Vegas Aces forfeited 2025 first-round pick
Second Round:
- Aaliyah Nye, Las Vegas
- Madison Scott, Dallas
- Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, Minnesota
- Maddy Westbeld, Chicago
- Shyanne Sellers, Golden State
- Te-Hina Paopao, Atlanta
- Makayla Timpson, Indiana
- Bree Hall, Indiana
- Sania Feagin, Los Angeles
- Aicha Coulibaly, Chicago
- Lucy Olsen, Washington
- Dalayah Daniels, Minnesota
- Rayah Marshall, Connecticut
Third Round:
- Serena Sundell, Seattle
- JJ Quinerly, Dallas
- Liatu King, Los Angeles
- Madison Conner, Seattle
- Kaitlyn Chen, Golden State
- Aaronette Vonleh, Dallas
- Zaay Green, Washington
- Yvonne Ejim, Indiana
- Jordan Hobbs, Seattle
- Harmoni Turner, Las Vegas
- Taylor Thierry, Atlanta
- Aubrey Griffin, Minnesota
- Adja Kane, New York