NEW YORK — The 2026 WNBA Draft gets underway in a few hours.
After months of waiting, on Monday, April 13, one of the biggest events of the offseason will commence at The Shed in New York. In the previous few years, there’s been a consensus No. 1 pick leading up to the event. This year’s top spot has been up for grabs for weeks, driving lots of chatter about all the possibilities.
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However, after an action-packed first week of WNBA free agency, the choice for the Dallas Wings got a lot clearer. The Wings should draft UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd at No. 1. Others in the mix for No. 1 include Spaniard Awa Fam, UCLA center Lauren Betts and TCU guard Olivia Miles.
How will all shake out? Here’s USA TODAY’s final 2026 WNBA mock draft:
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
After free agency, Dallas has a crowded front court. While drafting another post player would not be a bad option, the Wings need guard depth and shooting. Because of that, Fudd then becomes the easy choice. She can move off-ball, defend when asked and is the purest shooter in the draft class. Dallas will have to figure out where Fudd lands in the lineup with Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers, but a three-guard attack should dramatically help the offense.
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2. Minnesota Lynx: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
After losing key pieces in free agency like Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, Minnesota would be wise to draft Betts. She provides an interior presence, has no problem cleaning up the board or kicking it out to an open teammate for an easy score. The Bruins center is a good defender, but Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve could potentially help Betts become elite.
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles, G, TCU
It’s no secret after the exits of Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike, the Storm are in full rebuild mode. Seattle should lean into young talent like Dominique Malonga, who was drafted No. 2 overall in 2025, and pair her with Miles. The TCU product has exquisite vision and would easily become a scoring option the Storm could lean on. Early chemistry with Malonga is needed.
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4. Washington Mystics: Awa Fam, C, Spain
The Mystics could sorely use some big depth. Veteran Stef Dolson joined Seattle during free agency, and it’s unclear if current center Shakira Austin will return. (Austin has an offer from the Tempo as of this publishing. The Mystics can match.) Regardless, Fam could use a place that will be patient as she continues to grow. Washington can provide that without the pressure to produce now.
5. Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson, G, LSU
Chicago made some solid moves during free agency to put itself in a position to compete. Rickea Jackson, DiJonai Carrington, Skylar Diggins and Azurá Stevens are all in the mix in the Windy City. The additions plug a lot of holes, but do leave a gap at shooting guard. Johnson immediately fills that need and could start now if the Sky needed her to, bringing immediate two-way production.
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6. Toronto Tempo: Ta’Niya Latson, G, South Carolina
The Tempo are also need guard help, and while Latson is a bit undersized at 5-foot-8, her confidence should help her at the next level. Latson needs to go into an environment that will elevate her as a score-first guard, and head coach Sandy Brondello has proven she can do that throughout her career. Latson may not start right away, but in Toronto, there may not be a rush.
7. Portland Fire: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA
Portland needs a floor general to round out its roster, and Rice fits the bill. During her senior season with UCLA, she proved she was more than capable of handling facilitation duties and calling her own number if needed. In the WNBA, if she can trust her judgment and take what the defense has given her, she should have a solid rookie season.
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The thought of adding Jaquez to the roster should excite Golden State. The Valkyries would be getting a do-it-all player who isn’t afraid to lean into the things that don’t often show up on the stat sheet. She also comes with an electric 3-ball that should be a solid addition to a team that led the WNBA in made 3-points per game (9.7) last season.
9. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, G South Carolina
There’s never anything wrong with taking guard depth and insurance as the Mystics wait to see how Georgia Amoore will fare once she returns to the court this season. Still, even with a healthy Amoore, Washington could use a gritty, scrappy guard like Johnson to anchor the defense and keep the offense running smoothly.
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10. Indiana Fever: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA
The one thing Indiana could never have enough of last season was guards and shooters. Kneepkens is both. She can work inside out, is underrated with her footwork and can sink a corner 3-pointer, a Fever staple over the years. Head coach Stephanie White will likely appreciate Kneepkens’ intensity and energy.
11. Washington Mystics: Nell Angloma, F, France
Angloma is a versatile piece the Mystics could lean into now or stash for later. At 5-foot-11, she’s likely more of a wing than a pure forward, but she can play both. Angloma does a lot of work in the paint, getting downhill quickly, but can make her baskets from 3-point range, too, when asked.
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12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martín Carrión, G, Spain
Carrión is the type of guard who exploits any second-guessing by opponents and makes them pay. She can get to the cup with her footwork, navigating traffic or she can let it go from deep without flinching. She may not play now, if drafted, but the Sun would be wise to hold on to the Spainish guard.
13. Atlanta Dream: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
The Dream plan to take the best player available at 13. That player could contribute now, but Atlanta isn’t looking for an immediate star. If the pick is Okot, the South Carolina center would be landing in a great place for her development. Head coach Karl Smesko could help her as a defender and strengthen her shooting, especially from 3-point range.
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14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez, F, TCU
Reuniting Suarez with her college point guard might be worth it for Seattle. She led the Horned Frogs in 3-point shooting this past season and could help a Seattle team that needs chemistry sooner rather than later. A young trio of Malonga, Miles and Saurez could help the Storm build for the future.
15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss
McMahon is a versatile player who could find her groove with the Sun as a wing or forward. She brings a lot of energy and is not afraid to get downhill or pull up from the midrange. She also moves well without the ball, opening up lanes for teammates, which could help her earn more minutes as the season progresses.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA Draft 2026: Azzi Fudd a no-brainer at No. 1 for Wings
