[1] Unlike the previous year, the draft did not have a free agent draft but only a college phase of 1979 seniors.
In total, 143 players were selected in ten rounds.
[1][2] Pat Colasurdo Mayo from Montclair State University was selected first overall by the San Francisco Pioneers.
[3] Cindy Brogdon, who was selected second by the California Dreams, was traded to the New Orleans Pride prior to the start of the season after she had decided to return to school.
She joined the Pride for the 1980–81 WBL season[4] where she averaged 14.7 points in 18 games and was named to the WBL All-Pro second team.