The 2025 WNBA Draft is an interesting one for the Indiana Fever. Unlike last year, when the team brought on Caitlin Clark as the No. 1 overall pick, the Fever isn't really expected to make any major moves this year — and in fact, the team doesn't have any roster spots available, so when it comes to drafting rookies their best bet might be to bring on a European player or two who can continue to develop overseas for the next few seasons.
One option is 19-year-old Anastasiia Kosu. She hasn't been getting a lot of draft attention, but sometimes the best picks are the ones who fly under the radar.
Anastasiia Kosu is on Russia's national team
At 19, Kosu already has plenty of professional basketball experience. The 6'1" forward has also played pro for BC UMMC Ekaterinburg, the same team that several WNBA greats have played for. Diana Taurasi spent 10 seasons with the club, and Courtney Vandersloot, Allie Quigley, and Jonquel Jones all played for the team in the WNBA offseason until the 2022 Russian-led invasion of Ukraine.
The club is also the team Brittney Griner played for until she was detained in Russia for 166 days after she was accused of attempting to bring vape cartridges containing cannabis oil into the country. For decades clubs such as BC UMMC Ekaterinburg have been among the best options for WNBA players looking to supplement their income overseas.
Kosu also already has a Fever connection through the club: DeWanna Bonner, who signed with the Fever for one year in February.
Kosu began her career with Dynamo Kursk
Kosu's pro career began with Dynamo Kursk back in 2020 at age 15. She made a big splash at the FIBA U16 Women's European Championship the year before, and has a history of often playing with athletes who are older than her due to her skills on the hardwood.
The team won the EuroLeague Women championship in 2017 (with help from WNBA players Nneka Ogwumike, Angel McCoughtry, and Epiphanny Prince), and joining the team at 15 gave Kosu the opportunity to progress into the EuroCup.
Interestingly enough, Kosu wasn't the only potential 2025 WNBA draftee who stood out at the U16 championships that year – Juste Jocyte, another potential Fever pick-up, was one of the youngest players to ever enter the tournament at the same time.
In an interview with FIBA at the time, Kosu said she's never felt fear during her basketball career, something that will serve her will if and when she makes this next incredible professional leap.