Jordan Hobbs enters the WNBA as an intriguing sleeper pick in a draft class headlined by generational talents Paige Bueckers and Hailey Van Lith. Selected 34th overall by the Seattle Storm, the 6’3″ Michigan guard brings versatility and size rarely found in the backcourt.
Her journey from Ann Arbor to Seattle represents both opportunity and challenge in a league increasingly defined by its star power.
Storm Rookie Faces Uphill Battle for Roster Spot
The WNBA’s popularity surge continues with Bueckers going first overall to Dallas and Van Lith heading to Chicago at number eleven.
Meanwhile, Hobbs arrives with less fanfare but considerable upside. Throughout her collegiate career, she demonstrated scoring touch, defensive versatility, and leadership that could translate well professionally despite her third-round draft status.
Hobbs enters Seattle as a third-round selection. The Michigan standout must quickly prove her value despite the inherent challenges facing late draft picks. Her 13.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game as a senior showcase her potential, but the jump to professional competition represents a significant step up in both pace and physicality.
Her distinctive skill set and physical attributes separate Hobbs from typical third-round selections. Standing 6’3″ with guard skills, she creates matchup problems with her length and shooting ability. Her career high 28 points against Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament demonstrated her capacity to perform on big stages a quality that could help her stand out during preseason opportunities with Seattle.
Michigan Star Brings Unique Skill Set to Seattle
While Bueckers enters Dallas as the franchise cornerstone and Van Lith brings Olympic experience to Chicago, Hobbs must carve out a specialized role.
The modern WNBA increasingly values positional versatility, especially from perimeter players who can defend multiple positions. Hobbs’ four years at Michigan developed her into precisely this type of adaptable contributor capable of impacting games in various ways.
Seattle’s roster construction could ultimately determine Hobbs’ immediate future. The Storm have historically valued intelligent players with high basketball IQ and defensive discipline attributes that defined Hobbs’ Michigan career.
Her ability to play multiple positions gives her additional pathways to earn minutes even if not in a primary scoring role that she often filled for the Wolverines.
Also Read: 5 Underrated Players in the 2025 WNBA Draft Class You Need To Know
The 2025 WNBA rookie class will inevitably be measured against last year’s transformative group led by Caitlin Clark, whom Bueckers praised, saying, “Caitlin brought so much new attention to the rise of women’s college basketball, the WNBA, and women’s sports in general.”
For players like Hobbs, this elevated platform offers unprecedented visibility if she can translate her college success into professional production and carve out her place among the stars.
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