WNBA Mock Draft 2026: Projecting Rounds 1-2 for Awa Fam, Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd, more

WNBA Mock Draft 2026: Projecting Rounds 1-2 for Awa Fam, Olivia Miles, Azzi Fudd, more originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The next generation of hoop mavens will bask beneath the moonlight at The Shed at Hudson Yards on Monday night. The 2026 WNBA Draft is on the horizon, vowing to enchant the masses — and drum up controversy, too.

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Who will WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert call first? There are a host of captivating options, with Spanish forward Awa Fam and college stars Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles and Lauren Betts all drawing interest. The Wings found their franchise cornerstone in last year’s draft. Can they repeat the feat once more?

The drama is certain to continue down the board. Players like Flau’jae Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson and Janiah Barker could see their stock wax and wane as the draft wears on.

With that, here are The Sporting News’ latest pick projections for the 2026 WNBA Draft, now going from picks No. 1 through No. 30.

MORE: What to know about Connecticut Sun’s impending relocation to Houston

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WNBA Mock Draft 2026

First round

1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, UConn

After weeks of deliberation, it seems the Wings have landed on Fudd. The UConn guard is the best shooter in her class — and one of the best in draft history. Blessed with impressive relocation skills and effortless form, Fudd figures to fit nicely next to girlfriend Paige Bueckers.

MORE: Who are the best UConn women’s players ever?

Awa Fam, Valencia (Spain) | Spain

• Position: Forward/Center

Fam is the best prospect available in this year’s draft. Her size, versatility, footwork and passing chops — especially in the short roll — make her an enchanting prospect, especially to a side already blessed with one gifted pick-and-roll operator in Paige Bueckers.

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Three years younger than the majority of her draft class peers, Fam and her two-way skillset make her poised to be the first international prospect to go No. 1 overall since Lauren Jackson did so in 2001.

2. Minnesota Lynx: Lauren Betts, UCLA

Minnesota saw its front-court depth dissipate in the first few days of free agency, with Jessica Shepard and reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith exiting stage left. The Lynx will swiftly find a replacement in Betts, the draft’s best defensive prospect.

It’s unclear how Betts’ offensive game will scale up at the next level. But she is a defensive savant, adept at contesting and swatting away shots and stepping out on ball-handlers in drop coverage. Her defensive potential is enchanting. That should be enough to prompt Cheryl Reeve to invest in her services in 2026.

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3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles, TCU

Miles is one of the best passers in draft history, blessed with a passing repertoire awash with glitter and gold.

Her defense leaves a lot to be desired. But her offensive gifts are dizzying, both as a driver and shooter. Miles sank 37.6 percent of her threes across her final two collegiate seasons. If that shooting prowess sticks at the WNBA level, she could find herself in contention for All-Star berths for years to come.

Seattle needs a ball-handler to join its ranks after Skylar Diggins and Gabby Williams left town in the offseason. Who better than Miles, who was widely assumed to be interested in Miles’ services before she spurned last year’s draft?

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4. Washington Mystics: Awa Fam, Valencia (Spain) | Spain

Fam has the highest upside of any player in this year’s draft. Her size, versatility, footwork and passing chops — especially in the short roll — are befitting of ballads.

She finds a home in Washington after a brief tumble, a dynamic that had less to do with her skillset than her fit on Dallas, Minnesota and Seattle’s rosters. Washington will benefit

Her slide has less to do with her gifts and more to do with fit. Dallas looks to have settled on its frontcourt, while Minnesota and Seattle have more glaring holes in their roster than at forward.

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Betts showed out in the tournament, flaunting her considerable defensive traits while showcasing a deft passing touch out of the post. She’s not the perfect prospect by any means — her build doesn’t appear to lend itself to fast-pace play. But the Mystics need help on the defensive side of the court, especially with Shakira Austin slated to hit restricted free agency in the offseason.

5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice, UCLA

Angel Reese’s departure kicks off a new era in Chicago. Reinforcements are on the way in the form of Rice, a talented senior who helped push the Bruins during their run to the national title.

Rice is athletic, aggressive and defensively sound. She also sank 38 percent of her threes during her senior year, an enchanting proposition for a Chicago side that ranked fifth-worst in three-point shooting. The Sky boasted the league’s worst backcourt in 2025. Rice figures to change that.

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6. Toronto Tempo: Flau’jae Johnson, LSU

Johnson slips slightly in our latest mock draft. She struggled at times during her final season in Baton Rouge.

Still, the talent is enchanting. Johnson is a dogged defender whose athletic gifts alone bring her the title of her draft class’ best slasher. Johnson could be a star in the right setting. We think she’ll land in Toronto, where she should get a chance to see plenty of the ball.

MORE: Before Kim Mulkey was an eccentric coach, she was a player

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7. Portland Fire: Raven Johnson, South Carolina

Johnson has all the makings of a steady pro, pairing strong defense with a burgeoning 3-point stroke to propel South Carolina up the college ranks. Johnson brings her 41.4% 3-point shooting to a Fire squad that will look to find consistency in its maiden WNBA season.

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8. Golden State Valkyries: Nell Angloma, BMLA (France) | France

The Valkyries dipped into the international market during the 2025 WNBA Draft, adding Janelle Salaun and Juste Jocyte to a roster already teeming with foreign flavor.

We think they’ll go to that well once more to land Angloma. She is the latest standout France prospect, enjoying a splendid campaign with Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration. Her success at the EuroCup level has drawn admirers, although there are questions about her ability to shoot the ball at the next level.

Still, Angloma is a strong, lanky athlete who should have ample time to fill into her frame. If she can consistently hit shots from range, the Valkyries will have quite the building block at their disposal.

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MORE: Revisiting South Carolina coach Dawn Staley’s playing career

9. Washington Mystics: Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA

Kneepkens is the easy pick for the Mystics, who ranked bottom of the league in three-point attempts. Sonia Citron is a trebuchet, flaunting a scorching 44.5% three-point rate in her rookie season. Beyond her, Washington was lacking in floor spacers.

Kneepkens should fill that role with aplomb. The Utah transfer is a career 43.2% three-point shooter across five collegiate seasons.

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10. Indiana Fever: Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA

The Fever fell just short of a Finals berth in 2025. Assuming Caitlin Clark has a clean bill of health in 2026, they should be able to contend for glory in 2026.

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Jaquez possesses all the skills desired out of a modern wing. She projects to be something of a utility player at the next level, with her potential hinging on whether her jumper is consistent. If the NCAA tournament was any indication, things are trending up in that direction.

11. Washington Mystics: Madina Okot, South Carolina | Kenya

Okot is the youngest college prospect in this year’s class. Her game is fairly unrefined — she only started playing basketball five years ago. But she has shown flashes of brilliance on both ends of the floor, touting a burgeoning shooting stroke on triples — albeit on limited attempts.

If she does declare, though, Okot could draw first-round buzz. Her youth, athleticism and hands are enchanting. So, too, are her budding shooting skills — Okot has hit 48.1% of her three-pointers, albeit on limited attempts.

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Washington enjoyed marked success putting its faith in youngsters last season. With Stefanie Dolson’s contract expiring, the Mystics could do worse than add another young big to their ranks.

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12. Connecticut Sun: Ta’Niya Latson, South Carolina

Latson can light the basket up like few others in the nation. At Florida State, she was artful, particularly in transition. Her athletic gifts make her a difficult matchup to handle out in the open floor.

The South Carolina guard has her detractors — she’s not much of a shooter and can struggle to attack defenders one-on-one. But Latson’s athleticism should be enough to draw first-round consideration, especially for a Connecticut side still finding its way after Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones’ departures.

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13. Atlanta Dream: Iyana Martin, Perfumerias Avenida (Spain) | Spain

Martin is one of the best passers in this year’s draft, adept at finding cutters and shooters with unique passing angles.

She’s undoubtedly a prospect player, needing to add some dynamism in other parts of her game. Her lackluster frame is also of concern, although Rhyne Howard, Allisha Gray and Angel Reese should have the defensive chops to help her at the next level.

Martin projects as a draft-and-stash. Atlanta has the talent to justify keeping her in Europe for an additional season.

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14. Seattle Storm: Ashlon Jackson, Duke

Jackson is far from your proverbial 3-and-D wing, also offering a play-making flourish. She averaged a career-best 4.6 assists as a senior and should sizzle coming off the bench for Seattle.

15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss

McMahon rounds out the list of first-rounders. The Ole Miss wing needs to improve her shooting stroke at the next level. But she’s an athletic marvel at her size. That’s a welcome addition to the Sun’s underwhelming roster.

Second round

16. Seattle Storm (via Dallas Wings)

• Janiah Barker, F, Tennessee (6-4)

17. Portland Fire (via Chicago Sky)

• Charlisse Leger-Walker, G, UCLA | New Zealand (5-10)

18. Connecticut Sun

• Lani White, G, Utah (5-11)

19. Washington Mystics

• Maggie Doogan, F, Richmond (6-2)

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20. Los Angeles Sparks

• Taina Mair, G, Duke (5-9)

21. Chicago Sky (Portland Fire)

• Shay Ciezki, G, Indiana (5-7)

22. Toronto Tempo

• Justine Pissott, F, Vanderbilt (6-4)

23. Golden State Valkyries

• Frieda Buhner, F, Movistar Estudiantes (Spain) | Germany (6-1)

24. Los Angeles Sparks (via Seattle Storm)

• Angela Dugalic, F, UCLA | Serbia (6-4)

25. Indiana Fever

• Laila Phelia, G, Syracuse (6-0)

26. Toronto Tempo (via New York Liberty)

• Marta Suarez, F, TCU | Spain (6-3)

27. Phoenix Mercury

28. Atlanta Dream

• Teonni Key, F, Kentucky (6-5)

29. Las Vegas Aces

• Raegan Beers, C, Oklahoma (6-4)

30. Washington Mystics (via Minnesota Lynx)

• Saffron Shiels, F, Townsville Fire (Australia) |  Australia (6-2)