Dallas Wings Secure the First Pick of the WNBA Draft
The Dallas Wings once again have the first pick in the WNBA draft. The league’s history indicates that having two consecutive top picks is usually a great boost for a 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 odds.
In the mock draft prior to Friday’s draft, Awa Fam, a Spanish player, was projected as the first pick. She remains a strong candidate to join the Wings.
However, after witnessing the shooting performance of UConn guard Azzi Fudd at the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase, the number one spot now leans towards the Huskies’ senior.
Last year’s number one draft pick, Paige Bueckers, and Fudd are elite players who complement each other and could be pillars to bring the Wings back to the playoffs.
The April draft is approaching, and with it, more information about the composition of each team is expected.
Here’s the latest mock draft, which once again includes four UCLA players in the first rounds.
WNBA Mock Draft
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd
UConn | Guard | 5 feet 11 inches | Senior
In the victories over Michigan and Utah, Fudd scored a total of 55 points with 58.1% shooting. On the season, she averages 21.0 points per game with 51.1% shooting overall and 54.8% from the three-point line. Fudd has dealt with injuries in her career, but if she stays healthy, she is an offensive standout who will be highly valued in the WNBA.UConn’s Azzi Fudd has consistently been projected as a lottery pick. After Sunday’s draft lottery, she moved 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 “top priority” for 2026. She currently plays for Valencia in Spain and will turn 20 in June. Her potential seems very high. Since she is so young, she will probably need some 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 playing his final college season at TCU, has been just what the Horned Frogs needed. He is averaging 18.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 7.5 APG and appears to be the top point guard choice among college seniors. Miles could be a standout in the backcourt for the future of the Storm.
4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts
UCLA | Center | 6 feet 7 inches | Senior
Betts was the first pick in our first 2026 mock draft in October. First-team All-American last season, she’s off to a good start (15.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.2 BPG) as a senior and hasn’t done anything to drop down the draft board. However, 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 strong presence of guards, will showcase Johnson’s ability to run the court this season. He averages 17.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.7 APG for the No. 5 LSU. The conference’s non-competitive schedule hasn’t challenged them, but Johnson has already proven his worth in three years of SEC play.
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 PPG last season with Florida State. Now, in a more balanced offense with number 2 South Carolina, she averages 18.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 3.7 APG. Her 54.5% 3-point shooting is from too small a sample (6 of 11) to judge yet, but that would be a big step if she maintains it.
7. Portland Fire: Cotie McMahon
Ole Miss | Guard | 6 feet 0 inches | Senior
After three years at Ohio State, where her 16.5 PPG was a personal record last season, she is now with the number 13 Rebels and averages 17.5 PPG and 6.5 RPG. 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 is currently at a career-low 36.7% from behind the arc, but his history (playing previously at Utah) suggests that will rise. He averages 12.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 3.7 APG.
9. Washington Mystics: Serah Williams
UConn | Power Forward | 6 feet 4 inches | Senior
Williams went from being the star of a 13-17 team (19.2 PPG and 9.8 RPG for Wisconsin last season) to finishing her career with the number 1, talent-filled Huskies. Her stats will go down, but her draft stock will rise with a program that regularly puts players in the WNBA. She averages 7.2 PPG and 4.3 RPG 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 RPG) and blocks (2.2 BPG) while averaging 13.3 PPG. Like Betts, she is a more traditional post player, 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 PPG, a team-high 7.8 RPG and 2.8 APG, while shooting 39.1% from behind the arc. Jaquez became a full-time starter for UCLA last season and should help his draft stock if he continues his improvement in 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 will turn 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 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 3.7 APG. Some improvement in 3-point shooting, currently at 30.8%, will help. Last season, he shot 31.3% from behind the arc, a career-best.
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 skillset at her size has long interested WNBA evaluators, but she will need to show consistency during this season. She averages 15.2 PPG and 6.5 RPG for the Lady Vols.
15. Connecticut Sun: Nell Angloma
France | Guard | 5 feet 11 inches
Sun coach Rachid Meziane, from France, is familiar with Angloma, who plays for Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (BMLA). Angloma averaged 17.0 PPG and 5.5 RPG for France in the U19 Women’s World Cup this summer. She will turn 20 in June.
