The college season is now underway, giving scouts a first look at players in action, and the buzz around the 2026 WNBA Draft is heating up. Last weekend’s Draft Lottery has set the stage for the order of the returning and rebuilding teams, but the exact positioning for the expansion franchises remains uncertain until the coin flip determines their picks. With a mix of established stars, high-upside newcomers, and talented transfers, this year’s class is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most intriguing in recent memory.
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd
UConn | Shooting Guard | 5-foot-11 | Redshirt Senior
Dallas enters this draft with the number one pick, and with Azzi Fudd putting together the strongest season of her college career, the picture at the top has shifted. She’s averaging 19.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on standout efficiency — 51% from the field, 55.1% from three, and perfect at the line. Her connection with last year’s top pick, Paige Bueckers, is an added layer in this decision. The two played off each other for years at UConn, and that familiarity translates smoothly to how their games could complement each other at the pro level.
Dallas once looked like a team that might target a post player here, but with frontcourt options available through the expansion draft and free agency, the need isn’t as pressing. What they can’t replicate elsewhere is Fudd’s shooting gravity and the way she warps defenses the moment she steps into range.
With the top pick, reuniting Bueckers with a scorer this gifted gives Dallas a ready-made backcourt identity. Fudd’s current form makes her the natural choice at number one.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Lauren Betts
UCLA | Center | 6-foot-7 | Senior
Minnesota has the talent to compete, but as I noted in my season review, adding a true center could take them to another level — and 6-foot-7 players with Betts’ touch and mobility don’t come around often. Lauren Betts has been dominant, currently averaging 13.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, and 2.0 BPG on 57.9% shooting, while still refining parts of her game. She consistently elevates when playing alongside other elite players, demonstrating her impact on both ends of the floor.
Few coaches are better suited to guide a player of her caliber than Cheryl Reeve, whose track record of developing elite frontcourt talent speaks for itself. Betts’ size, efficiency, and feel would immediately give Minnesota the interior anchor they’ve been missing, offering long-term upside that could reshape a franchise’s ceiling.
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles
TCU | Point Guard | 5-foot-10 | Redshirt Senior
Seattle holds the No. 3 pick, and Olivia Miles still feels like the perfect fit for the franchise’s long-term plans. She’s putting up 18.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, 7.1 assists, and 2.1 steals per game, showing off elite court vision and decision-making. While her basketball IQ is off the charts, she could benefit from dialing back some of the flashiness that occasionally leads to unnecessary turnovers.
Miles’ ability to run an offense and create for others makes her a strong addition to a Storm team that has struggled with consistency and ball movement. At her best, she can stabilize Seattle’s attack and generate scoring opportunities for the entire roster.
4. Washington Mystics: Awa Fam
Spain | Center | 6-foot-6
Awa Fam remains a highly intriguing prospect in this edition. At just 19, she’s already demonstrating the tools of a future star, with versatility, court vision, and defensive instincts that stand out for her age. Currently playing for Valencia in Spain, she still has time to develop her game and reach her full potential.
Washington, in the midst of a rebuild and having held multiple high picks last season, offers an ideal environment for Fam. Her size, skill set, and basketball IQ project her as a long-term two-way contributor who could grow into a cornerstone for the franchise.
5. Chicago Sky: Gianna Kneepkens
UCLA | Combo Guard | 6-foot-0 | Senior
Gianna Kneepkens rises higher in this edition after an impressive showing in the Players Era Championship Tournament. Her current averages, including 13.9 points per game, don’t fully reflect her on-court impact — watching her play makes it clear. A career 43.4% shooter from three and highly efficient overall, Kneepkens can heat up quickly and also create opportunities for teammates.
For the Chicago Sky, she offers shooting, playmaking, and floor spacing, complementing backcourt stars and keeping the offense flowing. Kneepkens’ versatility allows her to adapt to multiple roles, supporting interior talents like Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso while working alongside a returning Vandersloot. Questions about her defensive consistency remain, but her offensive upside makes her a high-value selection at this spot.
6. Toronto Tempo: Ta’Niya Latson
South Carolina | Guard | 5-foot-8 | Senior
Expansion teams may not have their rosters fully defined until the expansion draft and free agency, but a proven scorer like Ta’Niya Latson would be an immediate asset. Currently averaging 17.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting efficiently from inside and out, she brings a ready-made offensive weapon.
Entering her final season at South Carolina, Latson demonstrated her ability to carry a team, leading the nation in scoring with 25.2 points per game while also contributing on the boards and in playmaking. Her quickness, shot creation, and clutch instincts make her one of the most versatile and reliable guards in this class.
7. Portland Fire: Flau’jae Johnson
LSU | Guard | 5-foot-10 | Senior
Flau’jae Johnson impacts the game in multiple ways beyond scoring. She’s putting up 17.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting efficiently both inside the arc and from deep. Her vision and playmaking allow her to create opportunities for herself and teammates alike, making her a consistent two-way threat.
For an expansion franchise like Portland, Johnson would inject energy and leadership from the start, setting a competitive tone and giving the team a reliable presence in the backcourt.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Marta Suarez
TCU | Forward | 6-foot-3 | Senior
Marta Suarez enters the draft conversation as she continues to have her most complete season yet at TCU under Mark Campbell. She’s currently averaging 19.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 54.0% from the field, 43.4% from three, and 85.7% from the free-throw line. Standing 6-foot-3, she can score inside and out, handle the ball confidently, and create opportunities for teammates, forming a strong combo with Olivia Miles. Suarez also brings experience with the Spanish National Team, adding an international edge to her game.
For the Golden State Valkyries, who boast a versatile roster with several internationally experienced players, Suarez offers size, scoring, and playmaking that could make her an immediate contributor to the team’s developing core.
9. Washington Mystics: Cotie McMahon
Ole Miss | Forward | 6-foot-0 | Senior
Cotie McMahon is having one of her best seasons in her final collegiate year at Ole Miss after transferring from Ohio State. She’s currently averaging 17.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 54.7% from the field, showing both efficiency and versatility on offense.
Though her scoring and all-around production stand out, defensive consistency remains an area for improvement. Even so, McMahon’s offensive polish and experience make her an intriguing prospect with clear upside at the next level.
10. Indiana Fever: Madina Okot
South Carolina | Center | 6-foot-6 | Senior
Madina Okot makes her first appearance in the mock draft after transferring from Mississippi State to South Carolina and making an immediate impact. Through eight games, she’s averaging 14.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks while shooting 61.3% from the field, and she’s already recorded six double-doubles. What makes her rise even more impressive is that she only started playing basketball five years ago.
There’s also a possibility she could have additional collegiate eligibility remaining, though that’s still unclear. If she were to enter the draft, her upside and interior presence would make her an intriguing fit for the Indiana Fever as a developing frontcourt option behind Aliyah Boston.
11. Washington Mystics: Gabriela Jaquez
UCLA | Guard | 6-foot-0 | Senior
Gabriela Jaquez makes her debut in the mock after a strong start to the season for UCLA. Through the early stretch, she’s averaging 15.6 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 57.1% from the field and 48.6% from three. Jaquez is a true utility player — she impacts games through effort, toughness, and the hustle plays that rarely show up on a stat sheet. If she continues to have games like she did against Tennessee we can absolutely see her move up this list but one thing guaranteed is that every night you know exactly what she brings: grit.
12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martín Carrión
Spain | Guard | 5-foot-8
Named Young Player of the Year in her EuroLeague debut season, Iyana Martín Carrión brings a polished, high-IQ approach to the point guard spot. She’s physical, reads the floor at a high level, and navigates screens with composure well beyond her age. Her style fits seamlessly with what the Connecticut Sun value: toughness, control, and a guard who can steady an offense from day one.
13. Atlanta Dream: Raven Johnson
South Carolina | Point Guard | 5-foot-9 | Senior
Raven Johnson continues to solidify herself as a major 2026 WNBA Draft prospect thanks to a sharper, more confident offensive approach this season. She’s averaging 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 6.6 assists on efficient splits of 49.1% from the field and 47.1% from three. Johnson is a winner in every sense — she makes the right reads, controls pace, and consistently puts her team in positions to succeed. Even Diana Taurasi has taken notice of her command of the game. A two-time national champion, Johnson is now steering South Carolina toward what would be its sixth straight Final Four appearance — and the fifth of her own career — further underscoring the winning pedigree she brings. For the Atlanta Dream, who could benefit from adding another true point guard to their system, Johnson’s leadership and game management would be a seamless fit.
14. Seattle Storm: Jalyn Brown
Michigan State | Guard | 6-foot-1 | Senior
Jalyn Brown has quietly positioned herself as a versatile and impactful prospect in this draft. She’s averaging 10.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 60.8% shooting from the field and 44.4 % from three, all while coming off the bench for a deep team. Brown’s combination of length, athleticism, and scoring ability at multiple levels makes her a threat in transition and half-court situations alike.
Her ability to create space with her dribble and attack off the bounce gives her a pro-ready feel. For a team like Seattle, looking to add wings who can thrive in a fast-paced, open-court system, Brown provides instant versatility and scoring potential.
15. Connecticut Sun: Janiah Barker
Tennessee | Forward | 6-foot-4 | Senior
Janiah Barker has long drawn attention for her blend of size and skill, though consistency has sometimes been a question. This season with the Lady Vols, she’s showing her most complete game yet, averaging 16.6 points and 6 rebounds while shooting 49.4% from the field. Barker’s ability to score inside, rebound aggressively, and contribute on both ends makes her a versatile frontcourt piece, and she’s starting to put together the kind of performances that could translate at the next level.
Also Considered: From Baylor – Darianna Littlepage-Buggs; from Duke – Ashlon Jackson; from Iowa – Hannah Stuelke; from Kentucky – Clara Strack, Teonni Key, and Tonie Morgan; from Maryland – Kaylene Smikle, Saylor Poffenbarger, and Yarden Garzon; from Michigan State – Grace VanSlooten; from Minnesota – Mara Braun (missed the 2024-25 season); from Ohio State – Chance Gray; from Oklahoma – Payton Verhulst and Raegan Beers; from Ole Miss – Latasha Lattimore; from South Carolina – Maryam Dauda; from Syracuse – Laila Phelia; from TCU – Maddie Scherr; from Tennessee – Talaysia Cooper, Zee Spearman, and Jersey Wolfenbarger; from Texas – Rori Harmon; from UCLA – Kiki Rice, Timea Gardiner, and Charlisse Leger-Walker; from UConn – Serah Williams; and from USC – Kara Dunn, and more.
Note: South Carolina forward, Chloe Kitts, is out for the season with an ACL injury.