MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – In a strategic move to bolster their roster, the Minnesota Lynx made headlines during the 2025 WNBA Draft by selecting three promising talents: Anastasiia Olairi Kosu with the No. 15 overall pick, Dalayah Daniels at No. 24, and Aubrey Griffin at No. 37. This draft marks a significant step for the Lynx as they aim to build on their recent success and prepare for the upcoming season.
The Lynx's first selection, Anastasiia Olairi Kosu, is a 19-year-old forward from Kurk, Russia, currently playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Premier League. "Olairi is a young talent who has been playing the game at a high level in Europe from a young age," said Lynx Head Coach Cheryl Reeve. "She plays with pace, is a very good cutter, she defends and rebounds at a high level." Kosu's impressive stats this season include an average of 9.5 points per game on 54.3% shooting, along with 5.1 rebounds, 1.76 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game over 34 appearances.
Kosu's accolades are noteworthy; she was named MVP of the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship, leading her team to a gold medal with a remarkable double-double performance of 17.0 points and 14.1 rebounds. She continued to shine on the international stage, averaging 15.7 points and 12.8 rebounds at the 2021 FIBA U19 World Cup in Hungary, showcasing her potential as a future star in the WNBA.
With their second pick, the Lynx chose Dalayah Daniels, a 6-4 forward who has shown versatility and skill throughout her college career. "Dalayah is a skilled big with good footwork who finishes around the rim," Reeve noted. Daniels, who played at both the University of California Berkeley and the University of Washington, was a 2025 All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and a 2024 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention. This past season, she averaged 12.8 points on 57.5% shooting, 7.2 rebounds, 1.55 blocks, and 1.55 steals in 33 games, helping the Huskies achieve a 19-14 record and their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017.
Daniels had standout performances, including a season-high 22 points against Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament and a career-high-tying 15 rebounds against Northwestern. Her defensive prowess is underscored by her ranking second in school history for blocked shots with 160, making her a valuable addition to the Lynx's frontcourt.
The Lynx's final pick in the draft was Aubrey Griffin, who was selected with the No. 37 overall pick. Griffin, a 6-1 guard/forward from the University of Connecticut, is coming off a challenging college career marked by injuries but has shown resilience and potential. "Aubrey is a versatile athlete who defends, rebounds, runs the floor, is a willing cutter and efficient scorer," Reeve said. Griffin's selection is particularly significant as she becomes the 50th WNBA draftee from UConn, a program renowned for its basketball excellence.
During her time at UConn, Griffin totaled 986 points and 680 rebounds, averaging 7.8 points on 53.3% shooting over her career. Despite battling injuries, including an ACL tear that sidelined her for a significant portion of the 2024-25 season, her talent has shone through. "It’s honestly just surreal," Griffin expressed about her selection. "I’m super proud of Kaitlyn and super excited to be here, and I’m just blessed. I honestly didn’t think I would get picked, so I’m just super grateful that I can be able to continue playing the game that I love."
Griffin's journey has not been easy; she missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a back surgery after suffering from lower leg and ankle issues. However, she has proven her mettle by working hard to return to the court, and at her best, she averaged 11.3 points and 6.6 rebounds in the 2022-23 season before her injury. Her family background in basketball, with her father Adrian having played in the NBA and her brother AJ also a former NBA player, adds to her pedigree as she transitions to the professional level.
The Lynx, who were the 2024 WNBA runners-up after a thrilling 3-2 Finals series against the New York Liberty, have retained most of their key players for the upcoming season, including their entire starting five. The addition of these three talented draftees aims to enhance their competitiveness as they look to make another deep playoff run.
In addition to their draft selections, the Lynx made strategic moves by trading their No. 11 pick to the Chicago Sky for a first-round pick in 2026 and trading their own 2026 first-round pick for guard Karlie Samuelson. As they prepare for the new season, the Lynx will face the Dallas Wings in their first game on May 16, 2025, followed by a home opener on May 21, 2025, at Target Center.
With the new collective bargaining agreement on the horizon for the 2026 season, this year's draft saw some potential top picks opting to stay in college or enter the transfer portal to capitalize on name, image, and likeness deals instead of risking their careers in the WNBA. Nevertheless, the Lynx have positioned themselves well with a mix of seasoned talent and promising newcomers who are ready to make an impact.
