The Dallas Wings are poised to lead the WNBA draft for the second consecutive year. League history indicates that having two consecutive top picks can be a big boost for any franchise.
The Sunday draw held no surprises, as the top five teams – Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky – maintained their initial positions.
In the pre-draft projections, it was anticipated that Awa Fam, a young Spanish player, would be the first pick. Although she remains a strong candidate to join the Wings, UConn guard Azzi Fudd has gained ground in the number one spot.
Last year, Paige Bueckers, the top draft pick, and Fudd, are elite players who could lead the Wings to the playoffs.
WNBA labor negotiations are ongoing, and it is expected that after a new agreement, the expansion drafts for the new franchises in Toronto and Portland, Oregon, will be defined, in addition to free agency. All this will precede the April draft, where more information will be available on the composition of each team.
For now, this is the draft draft, which again includes four UCLA players among the possible first-round picks.
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd
UConn | Shooting Guard | 5 feet 11 inches | Senior
Fudd, in victories against Michigan and Utah, 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 shooting and 54.8% from the three-point line. Although he has dealt with injuries in his career, if he stays healthy, he is an outstanding offensive player who will be highly valued in the WNBA.Caption: UConn’s Azzi Fudd has been consistently projected as a lottery pick. After Sunday’s draw, she moved up to number 1.
Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images
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. 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 and playing her final college season at TCU, has been just what the Horned Frogs needed. She averages 18.3 points, 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.Caption: 0:21Olivia Miles with the 2 PtOlivia Miles with the 2 Pt, 11/23/2025
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. A first-team All-American last season, she’s off to a good start (15.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 blocks) as a senior and hasn’t done anything to drop 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 | Shooting Guard | 5 feet 10 inches | Senior
The Tigers, with a lot of guard, will showcase Johnson’s ability to run the court this season. He averages 17.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for the number 5 LSU. The Tigers’ 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 | Shooting 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, he averages 18.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. His 54.5% from 3-point range is 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 | Guard | 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 and averages 17.5 points 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 | Shooting guard | 5 feet 11 inches | Senior
Kneepkens’ greatest skill is stretching defenses with his 3-point shot. He is currently at a career-low 36.7% from beyond the arc, but his history (playing previously at Utah) suggests that will go up. He averages 12.7 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.7 assists.Caption: 1:17Southern Jaguars vs. UCLA Bruins: Game HighlightsSouthern 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 13-17 team (19.2 points and 9.8 rebounds for Wisconsin last season) to finishing his career with the number 1 Huskies filled with talent. His stats will go down, but his draft value will go up with a program that regularly puts players in the WNBA. He averages 7.2 points 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) and blocks (2.2) while averaging 13.3 points. 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 | Shooting guard | 6 feet 0 inches | Senior
Jaquez has been solid for the Bruins, averaging 14.0 points, a team-high 7.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while shooting 39.1% from behind the arc. Jaquez became a full-time starter for UCLA last season and should help her draft stock if she continues to improve her 3-point shot.
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 Perfumerías 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, 7.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists. Some improvement in 3-point shooting, currently at 30.8%, will help. Last season, he shot 31.3% from behind the arc, his personal best.
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 skillset at her size has long interested WNBA evaluators, but she will need to show consistency during this season. She averages 15.2 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Lady Vols.
15. Connecticut Sun: Nell Angloma
France | Forward | 5 ft 11 in
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 U19 Women’s World Cup this summer. She turns 20 in June.
