WNBA Mock Draft 2026: Azzi Fudd Reunites with Paige Bueckers; Who Will Sun Pick? originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Dallas Wings are once again at the top of the draft board and looking to select a young superstar to pair with Paige Bueckers. Ever since Dallas secured the No. 1 pick, WNBA and college basketball fans have consistently pointed to one player: Azzi Fudd.
Advertisement
A professional reunion between the two former UConn teammates could help the Wings emerge as a contender in the near future. While the WNBA world fixates on the potential of a Bueckers-Fudd backcourt, the rest of the draft board is filled with plenty of intrigue.
The Connecticut Sun will be one of the top teams to watch on draft night, as they own two first-round picks. Can a couple of prospects immediately help the Sun during the 2026 season?
WNBA Mock Draft 2026
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, SG, UConn
Azzi Fudd
Imagn Images
By selecting Fudd at No. 1 overall, the Dallas Wings aren’t just chasing a sentimental UConn narrative. They are finalizing an extremely dangerous backcourt.
Advertisement
The synergy between Bueckers and Fudd is well-documented, but the logic for taking Fudd goes beyond chemistry. Her elite perimeter gravity and quick trigger from deep will help solve the spacing issues that plagued Dallas last season, forcing defenders to pick their poison between Fudd’s range and Bueckers’ playmaking.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Awa Fam, C, Spain
Taking Fam at No. 2 allows the Minnesota Lynx to pair the most versatile interior prospect in the world with All-Star forward Napheesa Collier.
Fam’s game is built on a rare combination of physical strength and high-level basketball IQ. She is a traditional rim protector as well as a mobile big who thrives in the short roll. Her experience in the Spanish league has prepared her for the pace of the WNBA.
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles, PG, TCU
Imagn Images
Advertisement
With the No. 3 pick, the Storm secure Miles, who reached a new level of dominance this past season at TCU.
Miles led the Horned Frogs to the Elite Eight while averaging nearly 20 points per game. Her vision and ability to rebound at her position allow her to ignite the break, putting constant pressure on opposing defenses.
4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
Lauren Betts
Imagn Images
Betts provides the Mystics with a legitimate low-post anchor who can score with her back to the basket. By pairing Betts with Sonia Citron, Washington forms a foundational inside-out duo.
While Citron provides the versatile wing scoring and perimeter defense, Betts offers the gravity and rim protection to balance the floor.
Advertisement
5. Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson, SG, LSU
Johnson will surely inject chemistry and energy into a team that is trying to make a leap. She is an elite defender, and she won’t need to develop chemistry with Angel Reese after sharing the court with her at LSU.
If Johnson can continue her upward trajectory as a 3-point shooter, she could provide a huge boost on both ends of the floor for the Sky.
6. Toronto Tempo: Kiki Rice, PG, UCLA
By bringing in a player with Rice’s poise and leadership, Toronto establishes a culture of stability from Day 1, ensuring they have a primary creator who can handle the immense pressure of leading a first-year roster.
Advertisement
Rice cut down on turnovers while significantly increasing her efficiency from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line during her college career. She offers the perfect blend of a prospect with both a high floor and high ceiling.
7. Portland Fire: Gianna Kneepkens, SG, UCLA
By selecting Kneepkens at No. 7, the Fire secure one of the most efficient scorers in this class. A member of the 50-40-90 club, Kneepkens can stretch WNBA defenses from Day 1.
Beyond her shooting, Kneepkens brings a high-IQ approach to the game. Her gravity as a scorer opens up lanes for teammates, and she has the size to finish through contact when defenders close out too aggressively.
Advertisement
8. Golden State Valkyries: Ta’Niya Latson, SG, South Carolina
Latson’s athleticism in transition and improving perimeter shot add an exciting element to Valkyries’ offensive attack as they enter their second season.
While her raw production dipped when she went from Florida State to South Carolina, she was one of Dawn Staley’s top scorers throughout the season.
9. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, PG, South Carolina
Raven Johnson
Imagn Images
Johnson is a relentless on-ball disruptor who became famous for her lockdown defense. She brings a winning mentality and steady hand at point guard.
By selecting Johnson, the Mystics leave the first round with a complete overhaul: an interior anchor in Betts and a premier perimeter defender in Johnson.
Advertisement
10. Indiana Fever: Nell Angloma, SF, France
The Fever shift their focus toward high-upside international talent by selecting Angloma. Her ability to slash to the rim and finish through contact provides the Fever with a presence they’ve lacked, offering a different look than their current sharpshooters.
Adding Angloma is a strategic move to surround the Caitlin Clark-Aliyah Boston combination with a versatile athlete who can thrive in transition without needing the ball.
11. Washington Mystics: Cotie McMahon, SF, Ole Miss
Cotie McMahon
Alex Martin/Greenville News-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
McMahon is a strong small forward who plays with a high level of physicality and edge. She often looks like a freight train in transition, powering her way through defenders.
Advertisement
As a senior at Ole Miss, she posted career highs in points and assists, and she saw a significant bump in her free throw percentage.
12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martin, PG, Spain
Martin possesses an advanced understanding of passing angles, providing a steady hand for an organization that values basketball IQ and tactical execution.
She excels at finding shooters in rhythm and manipulating defenses, which will be invaluable for a Connecticut team that often relies on its defensive grit in order to generate offense.
13. Atlanta Dream: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
The Dream snag the ultimate defensive anchor in Okot, a walking double-double who provides the rim protection Atlanta has craved.
Advertisement
Her growing confidence from beyond the arc could make her a nightmare to defend for opposing bigs.
14. Seattle Storm: Gabriela Jaquez, SG, UCLA
Jaquez is a versatile wing who can rebound, facilitate and hit an open 3-pointer. She perfectly complements the Storm’s existing core by doing the dirty work that wins games.
Her addition gives Seattle a rugged athlete who can impact the game without needing to be the primary scoring option.
15. Connecticut Sun: Serah Williams, F, UConn
Imagn Images
Williams saw a massive drop in her individual numbers when she went from Wisconsin to UConn. However, context is everything, as she expertly handled her new role on a loaded Huskies roster.
Advertisement
For the Sun, this pick isn’t about the 20-point games she had in the Big Ten. It’s about a player who proved she could play winning basketball at the highest level.
