In the world of women's basketball, Monday night marked a significant milestone as three former Notre Dame players were chosen in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Sonia Citron, Maddy Westbeld, and Liatu King have etched their names into the annals of basketball history, continuing the legacy of excellence established by the Fighting Irish program. This remarkable achievement underscores the enduring prowess of Notre Dame’s women’s basketball team, with an impressive tally of 23 selections since the inception of the WNBA Draft in 1997.

A Night to Remember: Celebrating Excellence on the Court

The Washington Mystics made headlines by selecting guard Sonia Citron with the third overall pick, marking her as the eleventh Fighting Irish player drafted in the first round. Citron joins an illustrious group of All-Star caliber guards, including Arike Ogunbowale, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Jackie Young, and Jewell Loyd. Reflecting on her journey, Citron expressed admiration for her predecessors and acknowledged the invaluable network they provide. Her accomplishments at Notre Dame are nothing short of extraordinary, becoming the sole player in program history to achieve over 1700 points, 700 rebounds, and 300 assists.

Breaking Records and Building Legacies

Citron’s impact on the court is underscored by her numerous accolades. She ranks eleventh in program history with 1774 points, eighth with 173 three-pointers, and fifth with an impressive 84.3% free-throw accuracy during her tenure at Notre Dame. Notably, she set a new program record this past season by converting 91.2% of her free throws. Beyond these statistics, Citron was recognized thrice as an All-ACC Selection, received All-America Honorable Mention honors in 2023 and 2025, and was a finalist for the prestigious Cheryl Miller Award in 2025. Her contributions helped secure the 2024 ACC Tournament title and regular-season championships in both 2023 and 2025. Citron aims to bring the same level of success to her new home in Washington, D.C., emphasizing her hustle, heart, and versatility on both ends of the court.

Continuing the Legacy: Maddy Westbeld Joins the Chicago Sky

In the second round, the Chicago Sky selected forward Maddy Westbeld with the sixteenth overall pick. Over her five-year career at Notre Dame, Westbeld accumulated 1710 points, claimed 940 rebounds, registered 145 blocks, and started 138 games, tying for first place in program history. As a three-time All-ACC selection and the 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year, Westbeld brings formidable experience and skill to her new team. She looks forward to playing alongside Angel Reese, a 2024 WNBA All-Star, and relishes the opportunity to prove herself against elite competition. Additionally, there exists the tantalizing possibility of facing her older sister Kathryn, who recently signed a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury, adding a personal dimension to the professional rivalry.

Rising Star: Liatu King Enters the WNBA Spotlight

The Los Angeles Sparks rounded out the draft with the selection of Liatu King as the twenty-eighth overall pick in the final round. Originally hailing from Washington, D.C., King spent her initial four collegiate seasons at Pitt before transferring to Notre Dame last summer for her concluding campaign. During the 2024-25 season, she shattered the program’s single-season rebounding record with an average of 10.4 rebounds per game, surpassing Jessica Shepard’s previous mark. Throughout her college career, King amassed 1549 points and 1172 rebounds, showcasing her comprehensive abilities. Following the announcement, Magic Johnson, NBA Hall of Famer and co-owner of the Sparks, praised King as a versatile player capable of contributing significantly to victories.

A Missed Opportunity: Olivia Miles Chooses Academia Over Professionalism

This year’s draft could have been even more monumental for the Fighting Irish if second-team All-American guard Olivia Miles had opted to enter the professional arena. Instead, following the conclusion of the season, Miles entered the transfer portal and committed to TCU, the institution responsible for eliminating Notre Dame from the NCAA Tournament during the Sweet Sixteen phase. This decision, described as unprecedented by ESPN insider Shams Charania, saw the projected second overall pick bypassing the lucrative opportunity of turning pro to pursue another year of collegiate basketball. Despite missing the entire 2023-24 season due to a torn ACL, Miles remains a top prospect whose absence from the draft left a noticeable void.