Dallas Wings Secure First Pick in WNBA Draft: Who Will Be Chosen?
The Dallas Wings once again position themselves at the top of the WNBA draft, securing the coveted first pick. League history suggests that having two consecutive top picks is a significant boost for any franchise.
The draft lottery on Sunday held no surprises, as the top five teams (Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky) maintained their positions according to the lottery odds.
In a preliminary draft prior to the draft, it was anticipated that Awa Fam, a young player from Spain, would be the first to be selected. Currently, she remains a strong candidate to join the Wings, whose new head coach, Jose Fernandez, recruited extensively in Europe during his time at South Florida.
However, after the outstanding performance of UConn guard Azzi Fudd in the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase, attention is focused on the Huskies’ senior player.
The number one pick of last draft, Paige Bueckers, and Fudd, are elite players who could be key to bringing the Wings back to the playoffs.
Bueckers and Fudd have spoken openly about their relationship, which is not unusual in the league. They have proven to be excellent teammates, leading the Huskies towards a national championship in April.
WNBA labor negotiations are ongoing, with the deadline extended to November 30. After a new collective bargaining agreement, expansion drafts will be held for the new franchises in Toronto and Portland, Oregon, in addition to free agency.
All of this must happen before the April draft, where more information will be available on the composition of each team. For now, this is the final draft, which includes four UCLA players in the first rounds.
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd
UConn | Guard | 5 feet 11 inches | Senior
In the victories against Michigan and Utah, Fudd scored a total of 55 points with 58.1% shooting efficiency. So far this season, he averages 21.0 points per game with 51.1% overall efficiency and 54.8% from the three-point line. Fudd has dealt with injuries in his career, but if he stays healthy, he is an outstanding offensive player who will be highly valued in the WNBA.
Azzi Fudd from UConn has been consistently projected as a lottery pick. After Sunday’s draft lottery, she moves up to number 1.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Awa Fam
Spain | Pivot | 6 feet 4 inches
Fam’s agent said that competing in the WNBA is her “main priority” for 2026. She currently plays for Valencia in Spain and will turn 20 in June. Her potential seems very high. Due to her youth, she will likely need time to fully develop. The Lynx could bring her along at a pace that allows her to flourish.
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles
TCU | Base | 5 feet 10 inches | Senior
Miles, transferred from Notre Dame and playing her final college season at TCU, has been just what the Horned Frogs needed. She averages 18.3 points per game, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.5 assists and appears to be the best point guard among college seniors. Miles could be a standout in the backcourt for the future of the Storm.
UCLA | Center | 6 feet 7 inches | Senior
Betts was the first pick in our first 2026 mock draft in October. She was a first-team All-American last season, and she’s off to a good start (15.7 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks) as a senior and hasn’t done anything to fall down the draft board. But true pivots in today’s WNBA might not fit as comfortably into offensive systems until they adapt to the style of play. Still, Betts is very talented and could join two star rookies from last season (guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen) in the Mystics’ young core.
5. Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson
LSU | Guard | 5 feet 10 inches | 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 per game, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for LSU, ranked number 5. The Tigers’ non-conference schedule has not been a challenge, but Johnson has already proven his worth in three years of playing in the SEC.
6. Toronto Tempo: Ta’Niya Latson
South Carolina | Guard | 5 feet 8 inches | Senior
The expansion team draft order will be decided by lottery; for now we have Tempo here and Portland Fire at number 7. Latson led Division I in scoring with 25.2 points per game last season with Florida State. Now, in a more balanced offense with South Carolina, number 2, he averages 18.2 points per game, 4.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists. His 54.5% three-point shooting efficiency comes from too small a sample (6 of 11) to judge yet, but that would be a big step if he maintains it.
7. Portland Fire: Cotie McMahon
Ole Miss | Alera | 6 feet 0 inches | Senior
After three years at Ohio State, where her 16.5 points per game were her personal record last season, she is now with the No. 13 Rebels, averaging 17.5 points per game and 6.5 rebounds. McMahon can help herself by showing defensive improvement, and Ole Miss is a good place to do it.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Gianna Kneepkens
UCLA | Guard | 5 feet 11 inches | Senior
Kneepkens’ greatest skill is stretching defenses with his 3-point shooting. He currently has a 36.7% from the three-point line, the lowest of his career, but his history (previously playing at Utah) suggests that will increase. He averages 12.7 points per game, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.
1:17 Southern Jaguars vs. UCLA Bruins: Game Highlights
9. Washington Mystics: Serah Williams
UConn | Power Forward | 6 feet 4 inches | Senior
Williams went from being the star of a team with a 13-17 record (19.2 points per game and 9.8 rebounds for Wisconsin last season) to finishing his career with the number 1, talent-filled Huskies. His stats will decrease, but his draft value will increase with a program that regularly sends players to the WNBA. He averages 7.2 points per game and 4.3 rebounds for UConn.
10. Indiana Fever: Madina Okot
South Carolina | Pivot | 6 feet 6 inches | Senior
Okot, originally from Kenya, transferred to spend her final season with the Gamecocks and has adapted well. She leads South Carolina in rebounds (10.8 rebounds per game) and blocks (2.2 blocks per game) while averaging 13.3 points per game. Like Betts, she is a more traditional center, but there is still a place for those players in the WNBA, especially if they defend well.
11. Washington Mystics: Gabriela Jaquez
UCLA | Guard | 6 feet 0 inches | Senior
Jaquez has been solid for the Bruins, averaging 14.0 points per game, a team-high 7.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while shooting 39.1% from the three-point line. Jaquez became a full-time starter for UCLA last season and should help his draft stock if he continues to improve his 3-point shooting.
12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martin Carrion
Spain | Base | 5 feet 8 inches
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 that team advance to the final of the EuroBasket championship this summer. She turns 20 in January.
13. Atlanta Dream: Kiki Rice
UCLA | Base | 5 feet 11 inches | Senior
As good as the Bruins were last season in reaching the Final Four, they could be better this season. Rice averages 14.0 points per game, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. A little improvement in 3-point shooting, currently at 30.8%, will help. Last season, he shot 31.3% from the three-point line, the best of his career.
14. Seattle Storm: Janiah Barker
Tennessee | Power Forward | 6 feet 4 inches | Senior
Barker previously played for Texas A&M and UCLA, and will now finish her college career at No. 15 Tennessee. Her skill set at her size has long interested WNBA evaluators, but she will need to show consistency during this season. She is averaging 15.2 points per game and 6.5 rebounds for the Lady Vols.
15. Connecticut Sun: Nell Angloma
France | Alera | 5 feet 11 inches
Sun’s coach, Rachid Meziane, from France, is familiar with Angloma, who plays for Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (BMLA). Angloma averaged 17.0 points per game and 5.5 rebounds for France in the U19 Women’s World Cup this summer. She turns 20 in June.
