2025 WNBA Youth Power Rankings: Which Teams Have the Best Young Talent?

The 2025 WNBA season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting yet, with a new generation of stars making their mark. This year, we’re diving into which teams have the best young talent, ranking them based on their potential to dominate the league in the coming years.

Methodology

To determine which teams have the best young cores, we used a simplified forecasting system that projects each player's value over the next five seasons. This system, called Consensus Wins per 44 games (CW/44), blends estimates of wins added from three advanced stats: Estimated RAPTOR, Win Shares, and Player Efficiency Rating. The formula is based on a weighted average of each player's performance over the past three years, with adjustments for aging, draft status, and regression toward the mean.

Top Teams with the Best Young Talent

1. Indiana Fever (3-4)

   • Average Age: 28.5 (6th youngest)
   • Key Players: Caitlin Clark (23), Aliyah Boston (23), Lexie Hull (25)
   • Analysis: The Fever boast the brightest young stars in the WNBA, with Clark and Boston leading the charge. Clark, the 2023 No. 1 pick, and Boston, the 2024 No. 1 pick, have already made significant impacts. Clark’s perimeter play complements Boston’s inside scoring, making them a dynamic duo. Hull, a fourth-year guard, is also on track for a breakout season.

2. Washington Mystics (3-5)

   • Average Age: 24.8 (youngest in league)
   • Key Players: Sonia Citron (21), Aaliyah Edwards (22), Kiki Iriafen (21), Jade Melbourne (22)
   • Analysis: The Mystics have the youngest roster in the league, with three of their top four minute-earners aged 22 or younger. Citron and Iriafen, both top-five picks in the 2025 draft, have been immediate contributors. Edwards and Melbourne add depth and experience to this young core.

3. Seattle Storm (4-4)

   • Average Age: 30.6 (13th youngest)
   • Key Players: Ezi Magbegor (25), Dominique Malonga (19), Jordan Horston (24)
   • Analysis: The Storm are a mix of veteran experience and promising young talent. Magbegor has been one of the best young bigs in recent seasons, and Malonga, the No. 2 pick in the 2025 draft, brings size and skill. Horston, despite an ACL injury, has shown significant potential.

4. Atlanta Dream (5-2)

   • Average Age: 28.0 (3rd youngest)
   • Key Players: Rhyne Howard (25), Naz Hillmon (25), Te-Hina Paopao (22)
   • Analysis: Howard, the 2022 No. 1 pick, is the cornerstone of the Dream’s young core. Hillmon and Paopao add depth and versatility, making Atlanta one of the most improved teams this season.

5. Golden State Valkyries (2-4)

   • Average Age: 28.2 (4th youngest)
   • Key Players: Veronica Burton (24), Justė Jocytė (19), Carla Leite (21), Janelle Salaun (23)
   • Analysis: As the league’s newest team, the Valkyries have assembled a solid young core. Salaun, Burton, and Leite have been immediate contributors, while Jocytė, the No. 5 pick in the 2025 draft, remains a long-term investment.

Conclusion

The 2025 WNBA season is not just about the current stars but also about the future of the league. Teams like the Indiana Fever and Washington Mystics are leading the charge with their young talent, setting the stage for an exciting future. As these young players continue to develop, the WNBA’s next generation of stars is poised to take the league to new heights.