The Lab: WNBA 2K25 - "The W" Project (PS5)

[jbooc13]

The Lab: WNBA 2K25 - "The W" Project (PS5)

With the conclusion of the 2025 Draft, the pending look at Paige Bueckers' welcome to the league, upcoming expansions in the WNBA, and the increased eyeballs on the product following Caitlin Clark's rookie season, I figured I would start this now before the season commences. Being a fan of a lot of the roster makers who have been around, I figured I'd give WNBA rosters a try since I have had my own personal ones for a couple years now. The timing of the WNBA season and the release of 2K games always makes the window peculiar, so draft classes will be missing cyberfaces and probably won't be updated for a while, but we can do the best we can.

Project Overview
* Ratings & Statistics
* Statistical accuracy using Synergy data
* Shot tendencies and play metrics
* Badge distribution analysis
* Roster Management
* Current rosters and opening day lineup
* Regular season updates

Rating System
2K typically inflates WNBA player ratings, but by scale I found top players in the low 90s. Key considerations include:
* Impact of shorter season on statistics
* Strength ratings
* Free throw attempt frequency

Player Details
Badges will be redistributed to accurately reflect player abilities. Player data includes:
* Traditional 1-5 position mapping
* Current injury and contract status
* Accurate physical measurements
* Starting lineup adjustments
* Role assignments based on stats
Additional Features
Shot and touch tendencies are primary focus areas.
Contracts? Maybe.
Team playbooks? maybe.
Play types? Using the Synergy Stats data I have and my eyes.
Historic teams and players? A look at Mya Moore , LJ and any other historic players and teams would be cool to do and may be added in future updates.
Foundation
Building on PTsports84's base roster (including Golden State Valkyries), focusing exclusively on ratings refinement.

Current Plan
Week of 4/14 - Free Agents and Draft Class, Look at Notable Players from Last season Week of 4/21 - Heights, Weights & Jersey Numbers, Pre Alpha Save Release
Week of 4/28 - WNBA Preseason Starts - Roster Spots , Thoughts and Musings Alpha Release of Roster
Week of 5/5 - Suspended Contracts and Other Abscences
Week of 5/12 - End of preseason and release of opening day roster

*WILL UPDATE WHEN LIVE**
1. Gamertag: cjamod
2. Look for "THE LAB: WNBA 2K25"

[ImperialScruggs]

Looking forward to this roster!


Sent from my iPad using Operation Sports

[WadePlays]

Very cool, looking forward to giving this a try. Thanks for your work!

[NicksEnglishHut]

Very specific situation/question: I really want to play as Mackenzie Holmes (Seattle Storm) - she was drafted last year but had to sit out last season due to an injury. Since she was drafted last year, do you think there will be a roster update with her on the team (once they start playing and she makes the cut)? Or will I have to wait until 2k26 to see her in the game, officially? Didn't know if this type of situation has happened before and how 2k handles updating WNBA rosters.

[jbooc13]

Injury & Contract Updates

Holly Winterburn - Injured (Atlanta Dream)
Awak Kuier - Contract Suspended (Dallas Wings)
Lou Lopez Senechal - Contract Suspended (Dallas Wings)
Kristy Wallace - Contract Suspended (Indiana Fever)
Cameron Brink - Injured, expected return in June (LA Sparks)
Jordan Horston - Injured, out for season (Seattle Storm)
Nika Mühl - Injured, out for season (Seattle Storm)

Dimer Badge (2024 Season AST%)

45% + = HOF (Hall of Fame)
> 40% = GOLD
> 35% = SILVER
> 30% = BRONZE

Historical Context - Top 4 AST% All Time in WNBA:

Courtney Vandersloot:
2019: 46.5% (HOF Badge)
2020: 46.26% (HOF Badge)
2021: 44.93% (GOLD Badge)
2018: 43.42% (GOLD Badge)

Legend
—

Hall of Fame
—

Gold
Alyssa Thomas (40.85)
Caitlin Clark (39.14)

Silver
Courtney Williams (37.0)
Natasha Cloud (34.5)
Skylar Diggins-Smith (34.0)
Sabrina Ionescu (33.6)
Courtney Vandersloot (33.1)

Bronze
Jordin Canada (32.2)
Julie Vanloo (30.8)
Aari McDonald (29.9)
Chelsea Gray (28.9)
Georgia Amoore (36.8 at Kentucky)

Preseason Watch Points
Rotations and players playing for a roster spot
Project Depth Charts
Adjusting coach bench depth? Depends on what the goal of each team is for the preseason

Players to Watch

Lexie Hull

Had a good showing in Unrivaled, looking to carry momentum into her next season with the Fever. Likely getting big minutes off the bench. Was abysmal shooting 21% from 3pt for first 2 seasons but improved to 40% with about 4 attempts a game last season.

Rickea Jackson

Looking to increase consistency after being a bright spot in the Sparks' season

Caitlin Clark + Stephanie White

Interesting coach-player pairing with improved roster compared to previous season. Will also be the primary ball handler instead of sharing with Erica Wheeler (it was bad)

Angel Reese

Likely to improve shooting efficiency

At Rim: 116/223 49%FG 57%AST
3-10ft: 31/124 25%FG 77%AST - Where the memes came from

Already an elite rebounder; with consistent 15-foot shot and better rim finishing could average 17/15

Intangibles

Using Real2KRosters scale as this is the most feasible use for this rating as far as player value and role to team and rotations. With no G league will have to use overseas and other leagues.

99 - Greats
90 - All Stars
80 - Starter/Sixth Man
70 - Rotation Player
60 - Bench Player
50 - Fringe/International/Overseas Players

[jbooc13]

Quote: Originally Posted by NicksEnglishHut

Very specific situation/question: I really want to play as Mackenzie Holmes (Seattle Storm) - she was drafted last year but had to sit out last season due to an injury. Since she was drafted last year, do you think there will be a roster update with her on the team (once they start playing and she makes the cut)? Or will I have to wait until 2k26 to see her in the game, officially? Didn't know if this type of situation has happened before and how 2k handles updating WNBA rosters.

TL/DR: She might make the roster but will most likely not be a priority for 2K

Seattle Storm

Salary Cap Space: ~$120-140k
Available Roster Spots: 4-5

Guaranteed Contracts

Skylar Diggins-Smith
Gabby Williams
Nneka Ogwumike
Ezi Magbegor
Lexie Brown
Katie Lou Samuelson
Alysha Clark
Nika Mühl (OUT)
Jordan Horston (OUT)

Final Roster Spots

Dominique Malonga (R1P2)
Erica Wheeler
Li Yueru - Traded for her, want to keep her
Serena Sundell (R3P26) more guard play / Mackenzie Holmes -

Draft and Stash

Madison Conner (R3P29)
Jordan Hobbs (R3P34)

On the Outs

Zia Cooke
Brianna Fraser