International Players in the WNBA Draft
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Learn how international players in the WNBA Draft qualify, meet eligibility rules, and enter the league. Discover key requirements and pathways to selection.
The WNBA has specific eligibility rules that distinguish international players in the WNBA Draft from their U.S. college counterparts. These rules open the door for global talent to join the league—even without playing a single minute in the NCAA.
To be classified as an international player, an athlete must meet two criteria:
🔵 She must have permanent residence outside the United States.
🔵 She must not have played college basketball at a U.S. institution.
International players are automatically eligible for the draft in the calendar year they turn 20 years old. Unlike NCAA players, they don’t have to declare early or renounce any eligibility—they’re simply part of the pool once they reach that age threshold.
This system allows the WNBA to tap into global talent much earlier. In the 2024 WNBA Draft, French guard Carla Leite was automatically eligible at age 19 and was selected 9th overall. The 2025 WNBA Draft saw an even bigger international splash: French center Dominique Malonga (selected 2nd overall) and Lithuanian forward Justė Jocytė (selected 5th overall) were both automatically eligible despite being only 19 on draft night.
Because international players can be less familiar to U.S. audiences, teams often approach their selection with a mix of caution and long-term strategy. Some franchises view them as “draft-and-stash” investments, allowing them to continue developing professionally overseas before they officially join their WNBA roster.
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Draft-and-Stash: Leonie Fiebich
German forward Leonie Fiebich is a prime example of a successful draft-and-stash strategy. Drafted 22nd overall in 2020, she spent four years honing her skills in Europe before signing with the New York Liberty in 2024. During that time, she built a dominant resume with Casademont Zaragoza, collecting two Spanish League MVP awards, a 2023 Spanish Cup title, and 2024 All-EuroLeague First Team honors.
The New Wave: Carla Leite and Leila Lacan
The 2024 draft reinforced this trend with French guards Carla Leite (9th overall) and Leila Lacan (10th overall). Both players were “stashed” immediately after being drafted to continue their development in Europe and prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Carla Leite: After being drafted by Dallas, she remained in France and eventually led Villeneuve d’Ascq to a 2025 EuroCup title as the Finals MVP. Her rights were later high-profile enough to be a key pick for the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 Expansion Draft.
Leila Lacan: Drafted by the Connecticut Sun, she stayed overseas to play for Basket Landes, where she earned Finals MVP honors in 2025 before officially signing her rookie scale contract to join the WNBA for the 2025 season.
Immediate Impact: Dominique Malonga
On the other hand, some international players join the WNBA right away. Malonga was drafted 2nd overall by the Seattle Storm in 2025 and made her WNBA debut just weeks later. She made her debut on May 17 against the Phoenix Mercury, scoring 2 points in 9 minutes off the bench.
The growing influence of international basketball on the WNBA draft landscape is unmistakable, and these pathways provide exciting new dimensions to team-building and scouting.
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📖 This is part of our WNBA Draft 101 series.
