As of March 3, 2025, the WNBA season is still in its offseason phase, with the 2025 regular season set to begin in mid-May. Since the full rosters, free agency moves, and draft outcomes are not yet finalized, we’ll focus on players who showed potential in 2024, recent trends, and their likelihood to take a step forward in 2025—making them intriguing 2025 WNBA Sleepers for both on-court performance, fantasy sports and card collecting / NFT investment value. Trading cards & NFTs, like Panini’s WNBA trading cards (e.g., Prizm or Select), often gain value from players who exceed expectations, especially if they’re under-the-radar names with growing popularity.
Here are five 2025 WNBA sleepers who could outperform expectations in 2025:
-
Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky, Center)
-
Why She’s a Sleeper: Cardoso, a rookie in 2024, averaged 9.8 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, showing flashes of dominance as a 6’7” interior force. She was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft and started to find her footing late in the season despite a shoulder injury delaying her debut. With Elena Delle Donne no longer with the Sky and Angel Reese drawing defensive attention, Cardoso could see an expanded role in 2025.
-
NFT Potential: As a rookie featured in 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA (cards #93 and #149), her value could spike if she becomes a double-double machine or an All-Star candidate. Her Brazilian background and marketability add upside. Her Colorblast NFT is sitting at $105 while her Gold /10 is just under $100 at $97.
-
Kamilla Cardoso is our SITE RECOMMENDATION VALUE PICK OF MARCH 2025.
-
-
Jacy Sheldon (Connecticut Sun, Guard)
-
Why She’s a Sleeper: Traded to the Sun Feb 1st, she was selected No. 5 overall in 2024, Sheldon had a quiet rookie year (3.2 PPG in 13.5 MPG), overshadowed by stars like Arike Ogunbowale and Satou Sabally. However, her college stats at Ohio State (17.8 PPG, 44.7% FG) suggest she’s a sharpshooter waiting to break out. With the Sun adjusting and in the middle of a complete rebuild, Sheldon could step into a bigger scoring role.
-
NFT Potential: Low current hype means her cards are quite affordable now, but a breakout could drive demand, especially if she becomes a fan favorite in Dallas. Her Base Prizms Mojo /25 has a current floor still sub $100 at $90 while her variation (pose picture) actually has a higher floor at $120. Typically the variation/pose NFT is lower priced.
-
-
Alissa Pili (Minnesota Lynx, Forward)
-
Why She’s a Sleeper: Pili, the No. 8 pick in 2024, played sparingly (3.5 PPG in 6.7 MPG) as a rookie due to the Lynx’s deep roster, which won the 2024 championship. Her college career at Utah (21.4 PPG, 47.8% FG) showcased her scoring versatility, and with veterans like Napheesa Collier mentoring her, she could emerge as a key bench scorer or starter if injuries hit.
-
NFT Potential: Her Polynesian heritage and potential to shine on a contending team make her a sleeper for collectors. Her 2024 Panini cards are extremely undervalued relative to her upside. Her Base Prizm GOLD /10 has a current floor price of just $25.
-
-
DiJonai Carrington (Dallas Wings, Guard)
-
Why She’s a Sleeper: Traded to the Wings February 1st. Carrington averaged 12.7 PPG in 2024, stepping up as a spark plug off the bench and occasionally starting. Her defensive tenacity (1.6 SPG) and improved three-point shooting (32.8%) suggest she’s on the cusp of a breakout. She’s considered one of the top on-ball-defenders in the league. With new surroundings in Dallas, Carrington could see even more minutes this season.
-
NFT Potential: Her growing social media presence and highlight-reel plays could boost her card value (e.g., 2024 Prizm parallels). She’s still flying under the radar compared to Sun stars.
-
-
Teaira McCowan (Dallas Wings, Center)
-
Why She’s a Sleeper: McCowan posted 10.8 PPG and 7.3 RPG in 2024, often as a reserve behind Natasha Howard. At 6’7”, she’s a rebounding machine with soft touch around the rim. If the Wings lean into her physicality or Howard’s role shifts, McCowan could become a consistent double-double threat—something she’s flirted with for years.
-
NFT Potential: Her cards are fairly inexpensive now, (her Base Prizm Orange /99 has a floor price of only $15) but a leap to starter-level production could make her a hot commodity, especially if Dallas contends in 2025.
-
Investment Notes for Panini NFTs
-
Timing: The 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA set released in February 2025 includes rookies like Cardoso, Sheldon, and Pili, while veterans like Carrington and McCowan appear in base sets and inserts. Buying low on these players’ NFTs before the season starts could yield returns if they break out.
-
Risks: Performance isn’t guaranteed—roster changes, injuries, or coaching decisions could limit their minutes. NFT values also depend on collector hype, which often trails behind on-court success for lesser-known players.
-
Strategy: Look for low-serial-number or jersey-number-matches for higher upside. Rookies tend to have more volatility, so Cardoso and Pili might offer the biggest potential swings.
Please note: These picks are speculative based on current trajectories as of March 3, 2025. Keep an eye on free agency (ongoing through early 2025) and the April 2025 WNBA Draft, as team dynamics will clarify their opportunities. Our coverage of both WNBA and Panini NFT will continue to expand this season. We are also looking at adding fantasy draft and Pick’Em games this season for WNBA. Let us know in the Discord if you enjoy this content! We’ll be hosting giveaways all season long to collectors who participate in the Discord.
