The 2025 WNBA Draft generated excitement as teams introduced a fresh wave of talents. However, the event raised fans’ curiosity and left many stunned by the omission of several high-profile prospects, including Sedona Prince and Deja Kelly.
These omissions won’t slide without a widespread debate about the factors influencing draft decisions and the future paths available to undrafted players. Here is a closer look at what could be the potential cause of the surprising exclusion of these high-profile players.
Why Sedona Prince is Overlooked
Sedona Prince entered the 2025 WNBA Draft as one of the most intriguing prospects, given her standout collegiate career at TCU. Standing at 6’7”, Prince was a force to be reckoned with, averaging 17.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, and three blocks per game in her final season. Despite this impressive resume, Prince went unselected.
Several factors contributed to Prince’s draft snub. At 24 years old, she was older than most prospects, a detail that likely concerned teams prioritizing younger players with longer career potential. Age alone might not have deterred teams, but Prince’s injury history added another layer of risk. S
he suffered a significant setback early in her career, breaking her leg while competing for the U18 U.S. team, which sidelined her for an extended period. This injury, coupled with subsequent health challenges, posed questions about her durability at the professional level.
Beyond the physical concerns, off-court issues further complicated Prince’s draft stock, as reports of abuse allegations and personal controversies emerged, potentially making teams wary of investing a draft pick in her.
Prince’s talent is undeniable, as she shoots 51.2% from the field and displays versatility on both ends of the floor, so being undrafted, she could still sign with a team willing to take a chance on her skills.
Deja Kelly Omission
Deja Kelly, a dynamic guard who transferred to Oregon for her final collegiate season, was another omitted from the 2025 WNBA Draft. Kelly had established herself as a standout at North Carolina before moving to the Ducks, where she thrived as the team’s go-to scorer.
Having spent four years at the University of North Carolina ( UNC), she scored 1858 points, securing her place as the eighth all-time leading scorer. She earned ( ACC) Atlantic Coast Conference honors and led her team, the Tar Heels, to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen run in 2022.
Her ability to create her own shot and lead an offense made her a strong candidate for the pros, yet she, too, went undrafted.
Unlike Prince, One plausible explanation for Kelly’s situation is the depth of the guard position in this year’s draft class. With a wealth of talented guards available, teams may have, in a way, prioritized players with greater size, defensive upside, or immediate WNBA readiness over Kelly’s skill set.
Of course, at 5’8″, one might say she lacks the height of some peers, which could have influenced teams’ decisions in a draft heavy on positional versatility.
Also Read: 5 Underrated Players in the 2025 WNBA Draft Class You Need To Know
Another player who went undrafted is Diamond Johnson, another skilled guard known for her scoring ability at Norfolk State. She also went unselected, reinforcing the notion that this year’s guard-heavy pool may have left little room for error. For Kelly and Johnson, the snub marks a detour, not a dead end.
Both players’ collegiate performances suggest they could attract interest as free agents, potentially earning roster spots with teams seeking an offensive spark off the bench.
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