Before hearing her name called at the 2025 WNBA Draft, Aneesah Morrow stepped behind the counter at Raising Cane’s in New York City for a pre-draft celebration that honored her rise as one of the most dominant players in women’s college basketball.
The projected top-10 pick and LSU standout suited up for a special “shift” at Cane’s Astor Place location, where she served fans, took selfies, buttered toast, and reflected on the path that brought her to this moment — one that has included transfer success, record-breaking rebounding, and the influence of high-profile teammates.
“It’s great being a part of a women’s sports legacy. I’ve been able to play during a time when more people are engaged,” Morrow said. “I’m excited and a little nervous for the Draft, but I am just trying to enjoy the moment.”
Morrow, the 2024 USA Today SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, averaged 18.8 points and 13.7 rebounds while shooting 49.4 percent from the field in her senior season. She earned unanimous All-SEC First Team honors and was named the nation’s top power forward with the Katrina McClain Award.
She finishes her collegiate career as the third all-time leading rebounder in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history and led the nation in rebounding in 2024.
Aneesah Morrow’s WNBA Draft Stock Rises
Aneesah Morrow’s dominant postseason performances helped push her higher up draft boards. She tallied 26 points and 11 rebounds against Florida State in the second round and posted 30 points and 19 rebounds in a Sweet 16 win. With Olivia Miles opting to return to school, Morrow surged into the top-five conversation.
Multiple outlets project Morrow to be selected seventh overall by the Connecticut Sun, while Ballislife has her projected fifth to the expansion Golden State Valkyries. Other potential landing spots include the Washington Mystics, who hold picks Nos. 3, 4, and 6, and the Los Angeles Sparks at No. 9.
Ahead of the draft, longtime WNBA coach and current Dallas Wings general manager Curt Miller praised Morrow’s defining strength: Rebounding.
“Whichever franchise is fortunate to end up with her is getting a really talented player,” Miller said. “First and foremost, I personally, in my decade in this league, think that rebounding has translated, and players that rebounded in college ended up rebounding in the pros. And so one of the things that you have that just pops off the chart [is] when she leads the nation in rebounding.”
Miller added that Morrow’s impact on the boards, despite being 6-foot-1, makes her accomplishments even more impressive.
“She’s undersized, so it talks about tenacity, it talks about desire,” he said. “Rebounding is a big hustle statistic.”
Morrow embraces that reputation and says it’s something she takes personal pride in.
“Rebounding is a big part of my game, and I’ll never stray from it,” she said. “Getting extra possessions for my team is huge. It requires hunger and grit. If it were easy, everyone would do it, but I’m going to stay the course and keep that mindset. In the WNBA, it’ll be important to stay active on the boards and contribute to my team’s success by securing those extra chances. I take pride in being relentless in that aspect, and I know that’ll be valuable at the next level.”
While the Wings are unlikely to select Morrow with the first two picks, Miller believes her approach would benefit any locker room.
“All of us are looking to add dawgs to our locker room,” he said. “I think we all believe that she’ll be a dawg in the locker room.”
Building A Brand AT LSU And Beyond
At Raising Cane’s in New York, Aneesah Morrow reflected on her journey to LSU and how it shaped her—not just as an athlete but also as a person and public figure.
“Cane’s was my first meal at LSU, and it was so good,” Morrow said. “My go-to order is the Box Combo, no slaw, extra fries, and extra toast.”
She credited the LSU community and culture for supporting her goals from day one and giving her the platform to succeed.
“When I came to LSU, I knew the fan base and the community were A1,” she said. “I wanted to perform at the highest level, and I knew I could do that on the floor, but it’s always better with that community support. The LSU culture just loves on you. Being able to make history was a goal I had, not just at LSU, but at any program. So, seeing that I was able to accomplish that is great.”
Morrow also drew inspiration from Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves, a prominent LSU supporter whose entrepreneurial story resonated with her.
“Todd’s story inspires me,” Morrow said. “There are mornings where you wake up with doubts, but you push through, and a month later you’re proud of what you did. That’s what he represents, and it’s amazing to be part of something he built.”
The double-double standard 📊
Aneesah Morrow is one of just two players in D-I history with 100+ double-doubles and led the nation twice in rebounds per game this season. She’s a 3x AP All-American and won the Katrina McClain Award as the nation’s top power forward in 2025. At… pic.twitter.com/xshgPIeqTD
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 11, 2025
For Morrow, her time at LSU was about more than stats and awards — it was about building something lasting off the court.
“That’s exactly why I came to LSU — to build my brand,” she said. “The LSU brand is the best, honestly. Cane’s took me in with open arms. It was the first meal I had on campus. Now to be here again, right before the draft, it’s full circle.”
Morrow credited teammate Angel Reese for helping her navigate the spotlight during a season of high expectations and attention.
“Angel helped me a lot at LSU, especially at boards,” Morrow said. “It’ll be interesting playing against her and seeing how we’ve changed. Being with Angel every day at practice and seeing the media impact and how she handled it, I really learned a lot from her.”
“I can’t do my job without Aneesah…
I don’t get the player of the year without Aneesah.
I don’t get my rebounds without Aneesah.
I don’t score without Aneesah…
We both player of the year at this point.” @Reese10Angel with powerful props to Aneesah Morrow. pic.twitter.com/mirypth2m4
— Women’s Hoops Network (@WomensHoops_USA) March 10, 2024
Morrow Praised Kim Mulkey For Her Success
Surrounded by other high-profile athletes, like gymnast Livvy Dunne, Morrow said she learned important lessons about managing the public eye.
“I was able to learn a lot from them, honestly,” she said. “Some days I’d check in with Angel like, ‘You good?’ because the media impact was real. But she always stayed composed. She taught me that media isn’t the real world — you can turn your phone off and it’s gone.”
She said LSU head coach Kim Mulkey played a steady hand in helping her remain grounded and confident.
“Coach Kim tried to instill as much confidence in me as she could,” Morrow said. “She always told me to be who I am, don’t change for anybody, and keep growing my game.”
From Baton Rouge, LA to @TheShedNY🗽
Aneesah Morrow is officially invited to the 2025 #WNBADraft presented by @StateFarm.
📺 Tune in April 14 at 7:30pm/ET on ESPN to see where her next chapter begins! pic.twitter.com/h5pF5g8Loy
— WNBA (@WNBA) April 11, 2025
Aneesah Morrow Is Ready For The WNBA
That support was significant during her final game in a Tigers uniform, which she said left her reflecting on how far she’d come.
“I didn’t want my last game as a Tiger to be my last,” she said. “Right before I got subbed out, I had to let it sink in. I tried not to be sad and told myself what I’ve done over the past two years has been incredible.”
Now preparing for the professional level, Morrow is focused on refining her skill set.
“Yes, I want to improve my ball-handling and knocking down the three consistently,” she said. “As I move to the next level, being able to create for myself and others off the dribble is important, and I want to be more reliable from the three-point line. These are areas I’m focusing on to help elevate my game.”
When asked what message she hopes to send to WNBA teams, Morrow pointed to her mindset.
“I don’t like to be denied. I don’t like to be told no,” she said. “It might sound like being a little spoiled, but at the same time, I work very hard on and off the floor — academically, in the classroom, in the weight room, trying to see my body change. I really work hard to accomplish the goals that I want.”
She added that she looks forward to joining a team that can help her grow through structure and mentorship.
“I want to be on a team where I can learn and be a sponge to pros and some of the best players in the world,” Morrow said. “Get that constructive criticism from coaches, grow, and just keep getting better.”
Morrow said she’s proud to enter the WNBA at a time when women’s basketball is experiencing unprecedented momentum.
“I remember being in high school thinking, ‘There’s so much more to women’s sports,’ but people hadn’t seen it yet,” she said. “Now people are engaged and paying attention — it’s powerful, and I’m really enjoying it.”
Off the court, she has plans that extend well beyond basketball.
“I always want to give back to Chicago,” Morrow said. “Growing up on the South Side, I saw a lot. I want to be a role model for kids who think their dreams are out of reach. I want to show them it’s possible.”
As the draft approaches, Morrow said she plans to embrace the moment, emotions and all.
“Draft day is going to be busy,” she said with a smile. “Hair, makeup, a few TikToks — just trying to enjoy the moment. It’s going to be emotional. I’m going to try not to cry and mess up my makeup, but I know how much work went into this. Hearing my name called will be a relief.”
When asked what she’ll miss most from LSU, she didn’t hesitate.
“That sisterhood,” she said. “I was just telling Aalyah Del Rosario how much I’ll miss them. They pushed me to lead and grow, and I’ll always remember that.”
The 2025 WNBA Draft takes place Monday in New York. Wherever Aneesah Morrow lands, she’ll arrive with a relentless motor, a lot of upside, and something to prove.
