With the 2025 WNBA Draft just hours away, the top picks seem clear—Paige Bueckers at No. 1, and French standout Dominique Malonga likely heading into the lottery. But there’s still one name that’s creating tension among GMs and fans alike: Sedona Prince.
At 6-foot-7, Prince has been a dominant force in the Big 12, posting impressive stats—17.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. She led TCU to its deepest tournament run in history, showcasing her talent on the national stage. SP’s path to this point, though, has been filled with challenges. Injuries, including a broken finger, have tested her resolve, but she has continuously fought through them. “Knockdown, knockdown, knockdown,” she once said. “I just kept fighting.”
But Prince’s journey to the WNBA hasn’t been straightforward. At 25, she’s an older prospect compared to most, but her talent and experience are undeniable. Yet, with the draft nearing, Prince is facing a tough dilemma: how to separate her undeniable skills from the controversies surrounding her.
Her most defining moment off the court came in 2021 when she posted a TikTok that exposed the stark disparity between the men’s and women’s NCAA tournament facilities. Her video, which was viewed over 12 million times, sparked a nationwide conversation about gender inequality in sports. This simple act of advocacy forced the NCAA to take action, leading to the expansion of the women’s tournament, the introduction of revenue-sharing models, and the adoption of the “March Madness” branding for the women’s tournament. Prince became a symbol of athlete empowerment, leading the charge for equity in sports.
But then, in 2024, came a turning point. Multiple women accused Prince of non-consensual physical misconduct and intimate partner violence. While she denied the allegations and faced no criminal charges, the accusations quickly gained traction on social media. Public opinion became divided, and petitions began circulating, calling for her removal from TCU’s team. For WNBA general managers, the question has shifted from whether she has the talent to play in the league to whether her off-court controversies will affect her future in the WNBA.
For GMs, the decision remains a difficult one. “Why wouldn’t she be drafted?” one GM asked per ESPN, referring to her undeniable talent and impact on the court. But another GM argued, saying, “The chips are stacked against her,” acknowledging the complicated cloud surrounding her personal life.
Prince has continued to fight. Even with the noise surrounding her, she led TCU’s March surge, earning praise for her resilience. “Sedona has grown a lot,” TCU guard Madison Conner said. “I’ve seen her mature a lot on and off the court, just handling her business in the way that she needs to and not caring about what other people have to say. I think that’s why she’s succeeding so much this year.”
Yet, as the draft approaches, Prince’s future hangs in the balance, with the unresolved allegations complicating her narrative. WNBA teams are left grappling with the reality of her dual legacy: a trailblazer for gender equity, but now also a figure of controversy. And also facing the wrath of fans who now cheer and whoop when she walks off the court after getting fouled.
Sedona Prince’s Draft Dilemma Mixed Fan Reactions
Fan skepticism about Sedona Prince isn’t just Twitter noise. It echoes what WNBA front offices are saying behind the scenes. For example, when one fan asked, “Realistically, who do y’all think is stupid enough to draft Sedona?” it echoed the cautious tone some teams have already struck. Prince has talent, but is also a double-edged sword. She’s a 6-foot-7 center who shoots over 70% from the line and brings rare length to a league that values size. But, on top of the controversies, she hasn’t stayed healthy. Her college career stretched over seven years due to injuries and transfers. For some front offices, the concern isn’t her skill—it’s her durability and reliability. In a 40-game season, that matters.
Then there’s the fan who said, “It has to be a team with a man as a GM because no woman would try to use feminism to draft her.” That comment—cynical as it sounds—touches on real gender dynamics in sports leadership. While it may oversimplify things, the sentiment reflects how delicate this pick could be from a PR perspective. Some front offices worry that drafting Prince could signal they’re overlooking serious character concerns. While the WNBA has dealt with player controversies before, those usually surfaced after players were already on a roster. This situation is different—the league has never faced a prospect entering the draft under this level of public scrutiny.
A third fan pointed out, “At least 8 teams will be ‘stupid enough’ in the right spot.” And this one actually lines up with how most GMs are thinking. Prince isn’t out of the picture. She’s still seen as one of the top 38 players in the draft. Some teams are just doing their homework and waiting. History shows male athletes with worse allegations—like Jameis Winston or Joe Mixon—were still drafted. They went on to have careers. And since no charges have been filed against Prince, the idea that she’ll go undrafted just for that doesn’t match how pro sports usually work.
And when another fan said, “Anyone not personally affected by what she did and wanting a good player…”—they were cutting right to the core of how this is being weighed. On pure talent alone, there’s still a case for Prince. She may not be a first-round lock—most mock drafts, including ESPN’s, don’t have her there. But when you’re 6-7, can hit mid-range shots, and knock down free throws, teams notice. Size like that can’t be taught. In the second or third round, teams will ask a simple question: Is the upside worth the risk?
The mixed reactions also bring up potential landing spots for Prince. Fans have suggested that teams like “Atlanta, Ct, Seattle” could end up drafting her. Seattle needs a future star, but with Malonga still available, they may choose her instead. The 6-foot-6 center from France has impressed in EuroCup Women. If drafted by Seattle, she could become a franchise cornerstone under Nneka Ogwumike’s mentorship.
Connecticut, in a rebuilding phase after losing key players, might favor a pick like Morrow, a relentless rebounder with a non-stop motor. Even though she’s undersized, Morrow could bring energy to the roster, fitting better with the Sun’s current needs than focusing purely on position.
Lastly, Atlanta could be the most likely spot for Prince out of those three, although it’s unclear if they’ll take the risk. What’s evident is that teams in need of talent might be willing to overlook off-court drama for a skilled player. In the end, it’s a complex decision, but one that ultimately boils down to the players’ abilities and how teams weigh them against the off-court narrative.
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