In a historic moment for Australian basketball, Georgia Amoore has been selected as the sixth overall pick by the Washington Mystics in the 2025 WNBA Draft. This marks a significant achievement for Amoore, as she becomes the highest-selected Australian player since Liz Cambage was taken at pick two by the Tulsa Shock in 2011.
The WNBA Draft took place on April 14, 2025 (April 15 AEST), and the Mystics, under new coach and general manager, had a remarkable night, securing three of the first six picks. Alongside Amoore, they selected Sonia Citron at No. 3 and Kiki Iriafen at No. 4, showcasing their commitment to rebuilding the team after a challenging 14-26 season in 2024.
Amoore, a standout guard from Ballarat, Australia, has made waves in the college basketball scene. She spent her first four years at Virginia Tech before transferring to the University of Kentucky for her final season. During her time at Kentucky, she averaged an impressive 19.6 points, 6.9 assists, and 2.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 42.3% from the field. Her performance helped elevate the Wildcats to a 22-7 record and a fourth-place finish in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Despite standing at just 5’6” (168 cm), Amoore has always relied on her competitive spirit and skill to excel on the court. "As long as people call me too short, I’ve been working on how to counteract that," she stated. "I know I have to work in different ways and use my brain a bit more, but with my competitive background, I’ve got that dog in me." This determination and resilience have defined her journey from local basketball courts in Ballarat to the bright lights of the WNBA.
Her college career has been nothing short of remarkable. She is one of only three NCAA Division I players to record over 2,300 points and 800 assists in their careers, joining elite company with Caitlin Clark and Sabrina Ionescu. Amoore also made history during her junior season by recording the first triple-double in Virginia Tech's program history, achieving 24 points, 11 assists, and 10 rebounds in a game against Nebraska.
Amoore's draft day was made even more special as she was styled by NBA star Russell Westbrook, who designed her outfit through his clothing brand, Honor The Gift. She expressed her gratitude, saying, "Westbrook designed my outfit and was amazing to work with since we first got together on a Zoom session last November." This unique collaboration added a touch of flair to her momentous occasion.
The draft itself was filled with excitement, with the first overall pick going to Paige Bueckers, the talented guard from UConn, who was selected by the Dallas Wings. Bueckers, who played a pivotal role in leading UConn to its 12th national championship earlier this month, expressed her enthusiasm for her new beginning in Dallas, stating, "I’m so excited, a new city, a new start. A fresh start, so let’s get it."
Following Bueckers, the Seattle Storm selected 19-year-old French center Dominique Malonga with the second pick. Malonga, who played a key role in helping the French national team secure a silver medal at the Olympics, is the highest-drafted French player since Isabelle Fijalkowski in 1997. She expressed her pride in the achievement, saying, "It showed that French basketball has evolved as we’ve seen the past few years on the NBA side. We see Wemby (Victor Wembanyama) and Zaccharie (Risacher) show that French basketball is great."
As the draft unfolded, the expansion Golden State Valkyries made history by selecting Juste Jocyte of Lithuania with their first-ever pick. This selection adds to the growing international presence in the league, showcasing the global nature of women’s basketball.
Looking ahead, Georgia Amoore is set to join the Mystics as they prepare for the upcoming WNBA season, which kicks off on May 16, 2025. Training camp is set to begin on April 27, where she will have the opportunity to integrate with her new teammates, including fellow Australian guard Jade Melbourne.
Amoore’s journey is a testament to her hard work and dedication, and as she embarks on this new chapter in her career, she hopes to bring her scoring prowess and playmaking abilities to the Mystics. With her impressive college career behind her, the basketball world is eager to see how this talented young player will make her mark in the WNBA.
As the league continues to evolve and expand, Georgia Amoore's selection serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, particularly young women in Australia looking to pursue their dreams in sports. Her story is one of resilience, talent, and the relentless pursuit of excellence, and it is a celebration of the growing representation of Australian talent on the global stage.
