The 2026 WNBA Draft: A Preview
While WNBA labor negotiations continue, activity in the league doesn’t stop. The lottery draw for the 2026 draft will take place on Sunday.
Of the five head coaching vacancies, four have already been filled, with the New York Liberty’s position still pending. The Dallas Wings, with the highest odds (44%) of obtaining the first pick, hired Jose Fernandez, former coach of the University of South Florida, at the end of October.
Fernandez’s program at USF had extensive recruitment contacts in Europe, and this is reflected in the draft projections. Awa Fam, Spanish center, tops the list in this edition.
Featured Players in the 2026 WNBA Draft
Spain | Pivot | 1.93 meters
Fam’s agent has stated that competing in the WNBA is his “top priority” for 2026. He currently plays in Valencia, Spain, and will turn 20 in June. His potential is very high and he could be another key piece for the Wings, after the number 1 pick of 2025, Paige Bueckers, who was the WNBA Rookie of the Year last season.
- Minnesota Lynx: Lauren Betts
UCLA | Center | 2.01 meters | Senior
Betts is still competing for the top spot, where we placed her in our first 2026 mock draft last month. She was an All-American last season and is currently averaging 15.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks, while shooting 59.6% from the field for the Bruins.
- Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles
TCU | Base | 1.78 meters | Senior
Miles, transferred from Notre Dame and playing her final college season at TCU, has been what the Horned Frogs needed. She averages 17.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists and appears to be the best point guard among college seniors.
- Washington Mystics: Azzi Fudd
UConn | Guard | 1.80 meters | Senior
Last season, Fudd averaged 13.6 points and 43.6% on three-pointers for the national champions. This season, for the Huskies, she averages 17.8 points and 4.5 assists, with 45.2% on three-pointers. Her excellent shooting ability could take her to higher positions.
- Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson
LSU | Guard | 1.78 meters | Senior
The Tigers, with a large number of guards, will showcase Johnson’s ability to run the court this season. He averages 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for LSU. The game schedule hasn’t been very demanding, but Johnson has already proven his worth in three years of playing in the SEC.
- Toronto Tempo: Ta’Niya Latson
South Carolina | Guard | 1.73 meters | Senior
The WNBA has not specified the selection order for the two expansion teams; for now, Latson is here and the Portland Fire are in the number 7 spot. Latson led Division I in scoring with 25.2 PPG last season with Florida State. Now, in a more balanced offense with South Carolina, she averages 17.0 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. Her 44.4% three-point shooting is from a very small sample (4 of 9) to judge yet, but it would be a big step if she maintains it.
- Portland Fire: Cotie McMahon
Ole Miss | Forward | 1.83 meters | Senior
After three years at Ohio State, where he averaged 16.5 PPG, his career high last season, he is now with the Rebels and averages 17.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. McMahon can improve by showing greater defense, and Ole Miss is a good place to do it.
- Golden State Valkyries: Gianna Kneepkens
UCLA | Guard | 1.80 meters | Senior
Kneepkens’ greatest skill is stretching defenses with his three-point shot. He currently has a 34.5% from the arc, but his history suggests that it will increase. He averages 14.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
- Washington Mystics: Serah Williams
UConn | Power Forward | 1.93 meters | Senior
Williams went from being the star of a team with a 13-17 record (19.2 PPG and 9.8 RPG for Wisconsin last season) to finishing her career with the Huskies. Her stats will go down, but her draft value will increase with a program that regularly sends players to the WNBA. She averages 8.8 points and 4.0 rebounds for UConn.
- Indiana Fever: Madina Okot
South Carolina | Pivot | 1.98 meters | Senior
Okot, from Kenya, transferred to spend his final season with the Gamecocks and has adapted well. He leads South Carolina in rebounds (10.6) and blocks (2.0), while averaging 13.2 points. He is a more traditional center, but there is still a place for those players in the WNBA, especially if they defend well.
- Washington Mystics: Gabriela Jaquez
UCLA | Guard | 1.83 meters | Senior
Jaquez has had a good start for the Bruins, averaging 15.6 points, 7.8 rebounds (tied with Betts) and 2.4 assists, with 47.4% from the arc. Jaquez became a full-time starter for UCLA last season and should improve his draft position if he continues to improve his three-point shot.
- Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martin Carrion
Spain | Base | 1.73 meters
In April, she was named Young Player of the Year for her debut season in the EuroLeague with Perfumerias Avenida. Teammate of Fam in the Spanish national team, Martin Carrion also helped her team advance to the EuroBasket final this summer. She will turn 20 in January.
- Atlanta Dream: Janiah Barker
Tennessee | Power Forward | 1.93 meters | Senior
Barker previously played for Texas A&M and UCLA, and will finish her college career at Tennessee. Her skillset has long interested WNBA evaluators, but she will need to demonstrate consistency throughout this season. She averages 14.4 points and 6.2 rebounds for the Lady Vols.
UCLA | Base | 1.80 meters | Senior
As good as the Bruins were last season in reaching the Final Four, they could be better this season. Rice averages 13.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Some improvement in three-point shooting, currently at 30.8%, will help. Last season, he shot 36.5% from beyond the arc, a career best.
- Connecticut Sun: Nell Angloma
France | Forward | 1.80 meters
The Sun’s coach, Rachid Meziane, from France, is familiar with Angloma, who plays for Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (BMLA). Angloma averaged 17.0 points and 5.5 rebounds for France in the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup this summer. She will turn 20 in June.
