Azzi Fudd poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Azzi Fudd

Olivia Miles poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Olivia Miles

Awa Fam Thiam poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Awa Fam Thiam

Gabriela Jaquez poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Lauren Betts

Gabriela Jaquez

Kiki Rice poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Kiki Rice

Flau'jae Johnson poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Flau'jae Johnson

Angela Dugalić poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Angela Dugalić

Raven Johnson poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Raven Johnson

Cotie McMahon pose for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Cotie McMahon

Nell Angloma poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Nell Angloma

Madina Okot poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Madina Okot

Gianna Kneepkens poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Gianna Kneepkens

Marta Suárez poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Marta Suárez

Cassandre Prosper poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Cassandre Prosper

Ta'Niya Latson poses for photos on the creative set at the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York City, NY (Photos by. Brandon Todd via Fresh Tape Media for WNBA)

Ta'Niya Latson

Draft 2026

<div>
		<h2>Gallery Block</h2>
	</div>

WNBA_DRAFT_2026_logo_specialapplication_logowoman_white

photo-gallery-wnba-draft-2026-portraits

Photo Gallery: 2026 WNBA Draft Night Portraits

After agreeing to a historic CBA, and amid a whirlwind free agency and expansion draft period, the WNBA’s 2026 Draft went on without a hitch. The night featured one shocking trade, a very expected first overall pick, and some surprising sliding (and rising) up the draft board.
But, as we learned from last year seeing Atlanta Dream guard Te-Hina Paopao and Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa-Makani thrive, it’s not about where you land in the draft as a rookie, but rather, what you make of your limited opportunities. Sliding in this year’s draft shouldn’t immediately write anyone off.
Preseason games tip off on April 25, with the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty being given the honor of unofficially starting off the WNBA’s 30th season that day. Ahead of that slate of games, let’s take a look at some of the standout selections from this year’s draft, and how each rookie fits in with their new teams.
<hr />
<h2>Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings</h2>
<div id="attachment_258679" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258679" class="wp-image-258679" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Azzi Fudd (R) of UConn after being drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA draft</div>
This pick might’ve felt like writing on the wall for some, but Fudd’s fit goes beyond fulfilling the dream of reuniting her with her former championship-winning backcourt partner in Paige Bueckers. The sharpshooter is finally realizing her dream of playing in the WNBA after an arduous, injury-riddled start to her UConn Huskies career. 
 
The Wings shot 30.4 percent from 3-point range as a team in 2025. Fudd just finished up her college career as a 42.2 percent 3-point shooter. 
 
She immediately raises their ceiling in that respect. Dallas now has the luxury of playing a three-guard lineup between Fudd, Bueckers, and All-Star Arike Ogunbowale, who are all complemented by recent signings of reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith and former Minnesota Lynx forward Jess Sheppard. 
<hr />
<h2>Gabriela Jaquez, Chicago Sky</h2>
<div id="attachment_258680" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258680" class="wp-image-258680" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Gabriela Jaquez (L) of UCLA after being selected with the 5th pick in the first round by the Chicago Sky during the 2026 WNBA Draft</div>
Role players who manage to shine on the biggest stages in college basketball will always boost their stock ahead of the draft. Jaquez just experienced first-hand how an electric NCAA Tournament run, which ended in a championship for the UCLA Bruins, can make you a top pick. 
 
Jaquez landed 5th overall to a new-look Chicago Sky during the 2026 WNBA Draft, and it’s an excellent fit for the guard who recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists on 57 percent shooting for UCLA in their championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. 
 
The Sky just signed All-Star Skylar Diggings, in addition to trading for Jacy Sheldon. Their guard room seems rounded out with the addition of Jaquez, who had a career year as a shooter in 2025-26. 
<hr />
<h2>Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm</h2>
<div id="attachment_258681" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258681" class="wp-image-258681" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="535" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-300x201.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-768x514.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-1536x1027.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-2048x1369.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Flau jae Johnson of LSU prior the 2026 WNBA Draft</div>
One of the bigger shocks of draft night was the Golden State Valkyries’ trade of Flau’jae Johnson to the Seattle Storm in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick and the rights to Marta Suárez. Johnson has been a star at LSU for the last four years and was one of the best guards available in the first round of this year’s draft. 
 
She averaged 14.6 points per game in her career with the Tigers, in addition to 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 46.7 percent shooting from the field overall. 
This was a huge move for the Storm, who are in full rebuild mode after selecting Awa Fam Thiam and Johnson to their 2026 roster. Johnson can become the face of a franchise thanks to her sure-handed hooping and her dual-threat status as a basketball star and a musical artist. Seattle, likely looking ahead to a deep 2027 draft class, made the choice to snag Johnson to add to their extremely young team. 
<hr />
<h2>Ta’Niya Latson, Los Angeles Sparks</h2>
<div id="attachment_258694" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258694" class="wp-image-258694" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Ta’Niya Latson (R) of South Carolina after being selected with the 20th pick in the second round by the Los Angeles Sparks during the 2026 WNBA Draft</div>
On the flip side of what Jaquez experienced in this year’s NCAA Tournament, Latson saw her draft stock fall quite a bit this year. The former FSU star transferred to South Carolina for her final year of college basketball, seeking a way to round out her game beyond just being a threat driving to the basket. While she shot a career-best 48.6 percent from the field in 2025-26, she was also far less of a focus for the Gamecocks as an initiator on offense. 
 
That might’ve contributed to her falling all the way to the Los Angeles Sparks, who suddenly have a great guard room between All-Star Kelsey Plum, veteran Erica Wheeler, and now Latson. Despite a weaker showing during the NCAA Women’s Championship game, Latson was, and is, still a guard worth investing in. The Sparks might’ve landed a steal in the 2nd round. 
<hr />
<h2>Janiah Barker, Las Vegas Aces</h2>
<div id="attachment_258695" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258695" class="wp-image-258695" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Janiah Barker of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers</div>
Barker, who went to the Las Vegas Aces at 29th overall, is another sneakily good pick from the 2nd round. Las Vegas could use some depth in its frontcourt after losing Kiah Stokes and Megan Gustafson in free agency, and Barker is a raw talent who is about to share a team with the best center in the WNBA &#8211; and, potentially, the best center to ever play in the WNBA. While she’s a forward by trade, learning the ropes from A’ja Wilson can’t hurt her early career development. 
 
The former Tennessee Lady Vol finished up her college career averaging 11.2 points per game in addition to 6.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and shooting 46.8 percent from the field overall. She could develop into a stretch-4 under the right system, which would be huge for Las Vegas’ bench as they seek to rebuild that part of the team. 
The potential is what’s most intriguing with Barker as she lands with the Aces. Her gamble of transferring to Tennessee might not have paid off in the way she thought it would, but she’s landed in possibly the best scenario for a young forward looking to grow in the WNBA. 
<hr />
<h2>Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx</h2>
<div id="attachment_258696" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258696" class="wp-image-258696" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Olivia Miles (R) of TCU after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft</div>
Miles getting taken off the board at 2nd overall in this year’s draft should come as a shock to no one. She was the best point guard available for the Lynx and head coach Cheryl Reeve, and the team’s selection of the Horned Frogs star means one obvious thing about Minnesota’s offensive game planning for 2026: the pick-and-roll will rule. 
All-Star and perennial MVP candidate forward Napheesa Collier is the perfect pairing with Miles, as both are proficient PnR executors. In 2025, the Lynx averaged 34.5 points in the paint per game, which was essentially middle-of-the-pack scoring across the league. 
 
They were atop the league in three-point shooting, hitting at a clip of 37.8 percent overall, but they could add a new dimension to their offense with the addition of Miles to the court. Making Collier a greater threat in the paint by way of a clinical PnR game alongside Miles would raise their contention ceiling even higher.

how-2026-draft-picks-align-with-their-new-teams

A Perfect Fit: How 2026 Draft Picks Align with Their New Teams

Power Rankings

2026-power-rankings-offseason-moves

2026 WNBA Power Rankings: Offseason Moves

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The party isn’t over for UCLA’s national champions. The Bruins had another big celebration at the <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-draft-0a00d49021a7aca63629b01c36e20d95" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">WNBA draft.</a>
Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez and Kiki Rice were taken with picks Nos. 4-6 on Monday night, barely a week after helping the <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-ucla-south-carolina-score-1b7d7aa969d6bded7ad857fa1d760e32" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Bruins win their first NCAA championship.</a> UCLA became the first team to have five first-round selections, and the first with six players selected in one draft.
In a whirlwind stretch where the Bruins were feted from coast to coast, the good times hit their peak at the draft, where the best team this season took its place among the best of all time.
“It’s really hard to sum up because there’s so much,” Jaquez said. “I think that we’re just on a high right now. We just won the national championship. A lot of us have also graduated college, which is a huge step and something to be super proud of, especially at UCLA. And then we got to go to Jimmy Kimmel, a Laker game, Clipper game, dance, have the celebration at Pauley Pavilion. We went on ‘Good Morning America’ this morning. Obviously, a lot of us are here at the draft tonight being drafted. It’s just been a special moment.”
The 6-foot-7 Betts was selected by the Washington Mystics, with Jaquez then taken by the Chicago Sky. The expansion Toronto Tempo made Rice their first draft pick with the No. 6 selection.
With coach Cori Close sitting up front near her players, the Bruins kept having reasons to stand up and cheer. They were going so quickly that after Angela Dugalic was taken at No. 9 to join Betts in Washington, she worried she’d miss witnessing more big moments for her teammates.
Betts said she wasn’t surprised, having watched how hard her teammates worked.
“These are like my sisters, and getting to watch your family do something like that is amazing,” Betts said. “But I mean, this team is just so special. We knew the type of players that we had on the team, and to really just have this night really showcase all of the things that we’ve worked on all season is just amazing.”
UCLA went 37-1, routing South Carolina on April 5 in the title game — with their seniors scoring all of their points in the Final Four — and then made WNBA history when Gianna Kneepkens was drafted by Connecticut with the 15th and final pick of the first round. Close has said she doesn’t care about records, but that changed Monday.
“Well, I mean, I sort of do care about this one actually, because No. 1, it helps us in recruiting. I think we’ve really taken a developmental approach to this and to see it come to fruition the way it has is obviously really gratifying,” she said.
“Just to be a part of an historic night and for them to be so excited for each other, that’s sort of representative of how they’ve been all year long. But it’s a pretty cool record to be a part of.”
UConn had the previous record of four first-round selections — all in the first six picks — in 2002. Sue Bird was No. 1, Swin Cash No. 2, Asjha Jones No. 4 and Tamika Williams No. 6 from a team that went 39-0.
Tennessee, in 1999 and again in 2008, had five players selected in the draft, as did Notre Dame in 2019 and South Carolina in 2023. But those players weren’t all taken in the first round.
“I think it definitely demonstrates that being a selfless team, that maybe giving up individual stats for team success, that you can win with that formula. You can still be successful. You can win at a high level as a team but you can also achieve individual goals,” Rice said.
“We knew we all wanted to go to the WNBA. We all wanted to be pros, but that wasn’t the only focus during the season. It was winning, it was giving to each other, it was how can we be the best team possible. In the process of doing that, we still got the results that we wanted to at the end of the day, and that’s something that is really special.”
Charlisse Leger-Walker was taken by the Sun in the second round, set to remain teammates with Kneepkens.
The Bruins went to dinner together while in New York and were going to spend more time together after the draft. But Kneepkens said they wouldn’t be saying their goodbyes yet.
“Yeah, those girls mean the most to me, and good thing we live in this day and age and we have phones,” she said. “So hopefully we’ll keep in touch, and obviously we’ll see each other around.”
___
AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this report.

ucla-record-draft-night-2026

National Champion UCLA Has Record Night at WNBA Draft 2026

The 2026 WNBA Draft has concluded, and it was a record-breaking night for the UCLA Bruins. The reigning national champions had six players selected in the draft, including five first-round picks.
With the No. 1 pick for the second straight year, the Dallas Wings opened the night by selecting Azzi Fudd, reuniting the 5-foot-11 guard with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers.
The Minnesota Lynx used the No. 2 pick on Olivia Miles, and the Seattle Storm welcomed Awa Fam Thiam with the No. 3 pick.
Here’s what to know:
<ul id="rte-cb30aee0-3358-11f1-a14c-4312176f5ae1" class="rte2-style-ul">
<li>UCLA’s record night: UCLA set a WNBA draft record with six players selected, the most by a single program in one draft.</li>
<li>How it worked: Fifteen teams combined to make 45 picks across three rounds.</li>
<li>Draft order: Dallas picked No. 1 for the second straight year, followed by Minnesota, and Seattle, Washington and Chicago rounded the top five. Expansion teams Toronto and Portland selected sixth and seventh.</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<div class="LiveBlogPost-body RichTextBody">
Azzi Fudd of UConn joined her old Huskies’ teammate Paige Bueckers as the WNBA’s No. 1 draft selection overall and now are together again with the Dallas Wings.
The WNBA wrapped up its draft Monday night ahead of the league’s 30th season with a busy and record-setting night.
National champion <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-draft-ucla-betts-jaquez-rice-49db76880e010ef1cb15015da18fdeec" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">UCLA set records</a> with five Bruins taken in the first round in Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic and Gianna Kneepkens. Then UCLA added another WNBA draft mark when Charlisse Leger-Walker became the sixth drafted. That topped the record of five held by Tennessee, Notre Dame and South Carolina.
Only one trade was made during the draft, and it was a big one.
Golden State took Flau’jae Johnson at No. 8 overall, then swapped her rights to Seattle in exchange for the rights to forward Marta Suarez of TCU along with a 2028 second-round selection. Suarez was the first pick of the second round at No. 16 overall.
A total of 10 international players also were drafted over three rounds and 45 selections. That included three in the first round, three more in the second and four in the third.
</div>

wnba-draft-2026-highlights

WNBA Draft 2026 Highlights: Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, Awa Fam Thiam Go 1-2-3

WNBA logo outside The Shed during the 2026 WNBA Draft 

The Shed

Angela Dugalić of UCLA, Kiki Rice of UCLA, Gianna Kneepkens of UCLA, Lauren Betts of UCLA and Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA

Angela, Kiki, Gianna, Lauren, and Gabriela

Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings  and the UConn basketball team 

Azzi Fudd and UConn

Raven Johnson of the Indiana Fever, Makina Okot of the Atlanta Dream, and Ta'Niya Latson of the Los Angeles Sparks 

Raven, Madina and Ta'Niya

Awa Fam Thiam of the Seattle Storm and Nell Angloma of the Connecticut Sun

Awa and Nell

An overall view of the overall number one pick Azzi Fudd during the 2026 WNBA draft

Draft Floor Overview

Azzi Fudd, the overall number one pick, goes to Dallas Wings 

Olivia Miles after being drafted second overall by the Minnesota Lynx

Awa Fam Thiam after being drafted third overall by the Seattle Storm

Lauren Betts poses for a photo after being drafted fourth overall by the Washington Mystics

Gabriela Jaquez pose for a photo after getting drafted by the Chicago Sky

Kiki Rice poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Toronto Tempo

Flau'jae Johnson poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Golden State Valkyries

Angela Dugalić poses for a photo after being drafted ninth overall by the Washington Mystics

Raven Johnson poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Indiana Fever

Cotie McMahon celebrates after getting drafted eleventh overall by the Washington Mystics

Cotie McMahon poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Washington Mystics

Nell Angloma poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Connecticut Sun

Dawn Staley and Madina Okot  hug after getting drafted thirteenth overall by the Atlanta Dream

Dawn Staley and Madina Okot

Madina Okot poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Atlanta Dream 

Gianna Kneepkens poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Connecticut Sun

A full layout of all of the selections in the First Round of the 2026 WNBA Draft

First Round Draft Board

Marta Suarez pose for a photo after getting drafted by the Seattle Storm

Marta Suarez

Charlisse Leger-Walker poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Connecticut Sun

Charlisse Leger-Walker

Cassandre Prosper poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Washington Mystics

Ta'Niya Latson poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks

Serah Williams poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Connecticut Sun

Serah Williams

photo-gallery-wnba-draft-2026

Photo Gallery: WNBA Draft 2026

Orange Carpet hosts Jordan Robinson and Autumn Johnson 

Jordan Robinson and Autumn Johnson

A goat poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet 

Season 30 GOAT

WNBA Commissioner 
Cathy Engelbert poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet 

WNBA Commissioner  Cathy Engelbert

Wale poses for a photo on the orange carpet

Wale

Azzi Fudd poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet 

Olivia Miles poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Awa Fam Thiam poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Gabriela Jaquez poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Gabriela Jaquez and Lauren Betts pose for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Gabriela Jaquez and Lauren Betts

Kiki Rice poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Flau'Jae Johnson poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Flau'Jae Johnson

Raven Johnson poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Cotie McMahon poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Nell Angloma poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet 

Madina Okot poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Gianna Kneepkens poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet 

Marta Suarez poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Serah Williams poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet

Ta'Niya Latson poses for a photo on the Orange Carpet 

Photo Gallery

<div>
		<h2>Gallery Block</h2>
	</div>

photo-gallery-draft-2026-orange-carpet

Photo Gallery: WNBA Draft Orange Carpet LIVE Presented by Coach

Get ready for WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY with an analysis of three forwards/centers: Lauren Betts, Awa Fam Thiam, and Cotie McMahon.
This year’s draft class features a real battle between a ton of talented bigs. That’s excellent news for teams right on the border of postseason contention who already have solid guard rooms in tow, and still solid news for teams looking to add depth to their F/C room with rookie talent. 
<hr />
<h2>Lauren Betts (UCLA) – 17.2 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, 2.1 BPG</h2>
<div id="attachment_258206" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258206" class="wp-image-258206" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268077057-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268077057-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268077057-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268077057-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268077057-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268077057-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268077057-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Lauren Betts #51 of the UCLA Bruins</div>
Betts is a natural center who uses her strength and size in the paint to establish her dominance. Her accolades speak for themselves, with multiple AP All-American selections, two Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year awards, and the Big Ten Player of the Year award for the 2025-26 season. If plugged into a roster with an established point guard, she could thrive as a defensive stalwart with the hands to make passes directly to the paint mostly turn into points. 
Betts’ shooting took a bit of a dip in 2025-26, going 58.2 percent from the field compared to her career average of 61.9 percent. However, she had a big role in UCLA’s offense alongside guard Kiki Rice, taking the second-most shots of her career this past season (12.9 attempts per game). That increase in usage was bound to cause some of her shooting numbers to go down, but she still acted as a hub for the Bruins’ go-to, “break class in case of emergency” option on offense because of how reliable she is in the paint. 
Her defense is, of course, her bread and butter. She’s imposing against other bigs, similarly to the presence that WNBA players like Brionna Jones or Jonquel Jones have for their teams’ defenses. It’s difficult to stop her without a double or triple team, and that’s helped turn her assist numbers up to 3.2 per game &#8211; the highest of her college career. She may be the most polished true center in this year’s class. 
<hr />
<h2>Awa Fam Thiam (Spain/Valencia Basketball Club) – 7.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.2 SPG</h2>
<div id="attachment_258207" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258207" class="wp-image-258207" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2266587106-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2266587106-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2266587106-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2266587106-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2266587106-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2266587106-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2266587106-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Awa Fam of Spain</div>
Similar to McMahon in the sense that she’s not a true forward or center, Fam Thiam is a fluid big who can likely thrive at the 4 or 5, depending on which team decides to take a swing on the Spanish star in this year’s draft. Fam Thiam, who is going to be just 20 years old in her rookie season in the WNBA, has one of the highest ceilings in this year’s class. 
She has the potential to be an efficient three-level scorer, but is currently at her best as the beneficiary of a pick-and-pop system alongside an effective point guard. Her speed and finesse when driving to the paint pop off the screen, and she’s only going to get more proficient with her driving and popping as she gains more professional experience under her belt.  
Seeing her in a lineup alongside another “big” who is more of a paint presence could really unlock her game as a mid-range threat, as well as spread the floor out enough for her to get more shots up from three-point range. She only hit 30.8 percent from deep this last year, but she’s markedly not afraid to try and get those shots up if given the space. 
If you’re looking for a proper professional comparison to Fam Thiam that isn’t someone who’s a traditional center, look to the Seattle Storm’s Nneka Ogwumike: a silky-smooth scorer with footwork and ballhandling that can slice through the paint against smaller matchups. Fam Thiam, again, has some development underway. But she’s a versatile forward that could thrive with a quick point guard that loves to feed bigs.
<hr />
<h2>Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss) – 19.5 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 3.0 APG</h2>
<div id="attachment_258205" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258205" class="wp-image-258205" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2267589345-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2267589345-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2267589345-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2267589345-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2267589345-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2267589345-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2267589345-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Cotie McMahon #32 of the Mississippi Rebels</div>
McMahon posted a successful transfer season with Ole Miss in her final collegiate year. The former Ohio State Buckeye spent her final year with head coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin and helped the Rebels to a 24-12 season. McMahon is a force with the ball in her hand, acting as more of a hybrid forward-guard than a traditional big. When on the floor, she attracts a ton of attention thanks to her proficiency as a rim-runner and a cutter. 
Her three-point shooting (28.6 percent from the field) isn’t an eye-popper, but that’s not where she’s dangerous for opposing defenses. Watching any highlight reel of McMahon from her four years in the NCAA, you’re immediately struck by her ability to get downhill and poise when facing down a defensive challenge from scrambling guards in the paint. 
The 3x All-Big Ten, 2025-26 All-SEC, 2026 All-SEC Tourney, and former 2022-23 Big Ten ROY could be a sneakily impactful selection for a team seeking scoring depth off the bench. She’s a fluid forward who should land with a team willing to find a role for her scoring capabilities in addition to her facilitating skills.

draft-class-dna-2026-forwards-centers

2026 WNBA Draft Class DNA: Meet The Forwards/Centers

Get ready for WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY with an analysis of three guards: Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, and Flau’jae Johnson.
Guards. The ones who control the pace. The sharpshooters. The floor generals. 
These three guards make up the future backcourt of the WNBA. 
<hr />
<h2>Azzi Fudd (UConn): 14.1 PPG, 3.1 APG, 2.5 SPG</h2>
<div id="attachment_258201" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258201" class="wp-image-258201" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2265816815-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2265816815-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2265816815-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2265816815-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2265816815-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2265816815-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2265816815-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Azzi Fudd #35 of the Connecticut Huskies</div>
There are shooters, and then there are makers. Azzi Fudd is a maker, one of the best in the country at that. Her sizzling 42% from beyond the arc only tells a fraction of the story. It’s the rapid-fire release, the idyllic follow-through, and the zippy footwork that Fudd has perfected during her five years at UConn. “I do feel like this is the most confident I’ve been on and off the floor,” she told <a href="https://www.self.com/story/azzi-fudd-cover-interview">SELF</a> last month. 
The confidence was easy to spot; it was evident on both ends of the floor. At five-foot-eleven, Fudd has the length to crowd guards on defense, but also the ability to switch all five positions. Her 2.5 steals per game are a testament to her fearlessness in jumping passing lanes and picking the dribbler’s pocket. On offense, Fudd’s air-tight handle allows her to shake loose from defenders and to pull up from the midrange. Her 34-point eruption (13-18 from the field, eight made 3-pointers) in the Sweet 16 was a reel of all the tricks in her bag. And it was a riveting preview of what we can expect from her WNBA debut. 
<hr />
<h2>Olivia Miles (TCU): 15.6 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 6.5 APG</h2>
<div id="attachment_258202" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258202" class="wp-image-258202" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2269160154-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2269160154-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2269160154-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2269160154-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2269160154-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2269160154-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2269160154-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Olivia Miles #5 of the TCU Horned Frogs</div>
There was a mix of excitement and curiosity when Olivia Miles chose to spend her final season at TCU, and it was thrilling to watch it unfold. She led the hornfrogs to an Elite Eight berth, tallied 19.6 points per game — her best season yet, and dished out 6.5 assists per game, which ranked second in the country. She leaves college as the lone D1 player with at least 25 double-doubles and at least five triple-doubles (she has 12 total). Miles’ elite playmaking ability separates her from other point guards in the draft. She could throw a no-look pass to a post-player rolling to the rim, step-back and swish the 3, or slither her way to the rim to score with a one-handed layup. Pick your poison. 
There’s the same excitement and curiosity surrounding Miles entering the WNBA as a rookie. The anticipation of how she’ll slice through teams’ defensive schemes and the question mark of who her lucky pick-and-roll partner will be make everyone count down the days until the draft. She’s a creative scorer with razor-sharp vision that can elevate a WNBA roster immediately. 
<hr />
<h2>Flau’jae Johnson (LSU): 14.6 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.3 APG</h2>
<div id="attachment_258203" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258203" class="wp-image-258203" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268836788-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268836788-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268836788-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268836788-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268836788-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268836788-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2268836788-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Flau&#8217;jae Johnson #4 of the LSU Tigers</div>
As an LSU freshman, Flau’jae Johnson burst onto the college basketball scene, winning a National Championship in Year 1. She has a name that’s hard to forget, and a swagger that you’ll always remember. Johnson hooked fans on her electrifying presence; her energy and ability to score in bunches captivated audiences in arenas. And she did it for four years with the Tigers.  
This past season, she captained the No. 1 scoring offense (95.0 points per game), as LSU scored over 100 points 16 times. Her 14.6 points per game were a key factor there, but it’s how she finds so many ways to score. Johnson’s craftiness around the rim looks effortless; the hangtime, the pumpfakes, the Eurosteps— it’s the perfect blend of fundamentals and sheer athleticism. Her overall shot selection has much improved, her midrange in transition is lethal, and she can knock down the open 3. 
Already a pioneer in the NIL space and a budding rap career, she has real star power. Wherever she lands in the WNBA, her on- and off-court impact will be felt right away.

2026-draft-class-dna-guards

2026 WNBA Draft Class DNA: Meet the Guards

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258168" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/draftlogo-260x300.png" alt="" width="200" height="231" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/draftlogo-260x300.png 260w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/draftlogo.png 412w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" />
– ESPN to Air Draft April 13 at 7 p.m. ET; WNBA Countdown Presented by Google at 6:30 p.m. ET –
NEW YORK, April 9, 2026 – UCLA center Lauren Betts, Connecticut guard Azzi Fudd, Spain National Team center Awa Fam Thiam and TCU guard Olivia Miles headline the list of 15 prospects who will attend the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY on Monday, April 13 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert will announce the draft picks live on ESPN, with exclusive coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET. The draft on ESPN, along with the WNBA Orange Carpet Special (ESPN2, 5:30 p.m. ET) and WNBA Countdown Presented by Google (ESPN, 6:30 p.m. ET), will also be available live on the ESPN App.
The other prospects who will be in attendance are forward Nell Angloma (France), forward Angela Dugalić (UCLA), guard Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA), guard Flau’jae Johnson (LSU), guard Raven Johnson (South Carolina), guard Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA), guard Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina), forward Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss), center Madina Okot (South Carolina/Kenya), guard Kiki Rice (UCLA), and forward Marta Suárez (TCU/Spain).
As determined by the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery on Nov. 23, the Dallas Wings hold the top pick in the draft, followed by the Minnesota Lynx at No. 2 and the Seattle Storm at No. 3. The Washington Mystics have the fourth selection, and the Chicago Sky have the fifth. The WNBA’s newest teams, the expansion Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, will select sixth and seventh, respectively, in the first round.
The draft-night festivities will tip off with invited players showcasing their personalities and unique fashion styles on the WNBA’s iconic Orange Carpet presented by Coach. Earlier in the day, they will visit the Empire State Building for a lighting ceremony celebrating the draft.
Here is a closer look at the prospects who will attend the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY.
Nell Angloma (France): A 5-11 forward who most recently played at Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration, Angloma has excelled for France in international competition. At the FIBA Women’s Basketball U19 World Cup last July, Angloma earned All-Second Team honors after averaging a team-leading 17.0 points per game and adding 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists. That followed her MVP performance at the FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket 2024, where she led France to the title.
Lauren Betts (UCLA / USA): The 6-7 Betts led UCLA to the national championship and was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. In both 2025 and 2026, she was an AP All-America First Team pick, the Lisa Leslie Award winner as the nation’s best center, and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. This season, Betts was also the Big Ten Player of the Year and a candidate for multiple national Player of the Year honors while averaging 17.1 points and 8.8 rebounds.
Angela Dugalić (UCLA / USA): Dugalić helped UCLA reach the Final Four in 2025 and again this season when the Bruins won the national championship. The 6-4 forward won the Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year Award this season after averaging 9.0 points per game to go with 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists. A native of Des Plaines, Ill., Dugalić has represented her parents’ homeland as a member of the Serbia National Team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and 2024 Paris Olympics.
Awa Fam Thiam (Spain): The 6-4 center has played professionally with Valencia Basket of Spain’s Liga Femenina de Baloncesto, debuting with the club at age 15 in December 2021. Fam Thiam, who will turn 20 on June 17, also plays for the Spain National Team, for whom she averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds per game at the FIBA Women’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Tournament in March. At the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 last June, she averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
Azzi Fudd (Connecticut / USA): A 5-11 guard, Fudd helped UConn to four Final Fours and win the 2025 national championship, earning the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player honor that year. An AP All-America First Team pick this season, Fudd was also a finalist for numerous national Player of the Year honors and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the top shooting guard. She averaged a career-high 17.3 points per game, led the nation with 117 made threes, and was fifth in three-point shooting percentage (.447).
Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA / USA): The 6-0 guard helped UCLA reach the Final Four for the second consecutive year and propelled the Bruins to their first NCAA national championship with 21 points and 10 rebounds in the title game. Jaquez was a finalist for the 2026 Cheryl Miller Award as the nation’s best small forward and an All-Big Ten Second Team pick after averaging a career high 13.5 points per game. She also set personal bests in field goal percentage (53.9) and three-point shooting percentage (39.0).
Flau’jae Johnson (LSU / USA): A two-time finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard (2025 and 2026) and a finalist for the John R. Wooden Award as the National Player of the Year this year, Johnson ranks sixth in LSU history with 2,050 career points. An AP All-America Third Team pick her final two seasons, she averaged 14.2 points per game this year. The 5-10 guard helped LSU to the 2023 national title, followed by two Elite Eight appearances and a Sweet 16 berth this season.
Raven Johnson (South Carolina / USA): As a starter, Johnson helped the Gamecocks to three straight Final Fours, including an undefeated 38-0 national championship in 2023-24. This season, the 5-9 Johnson was a finalist for the Dawn Staley Award and Nancy Lieberman Award for her play at guard when she ranked fourth nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.16). She also recorded career highs of 9.8 points and 5.1 assists per game and career-best percentages in all shooting categories.
Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA / USA): In her first season with the Bruins, the Utah transfer helped UCLA win the national title with a team-high 87 made threes. The 6-0 guard was an AP All-America Honorable Mention pick and a finalist for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the country’s top shooting guard after having twice been a semifinalist for the Cheryl Miller Award as a small forward. She shot 49.3 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three-point range this season.
Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina / USA): A transfer from Florida State this season, Latson helped South Carolina reach the national championship game, averaging 14.1 points and 3.6 assists while shooting a career best 48.6 percent from the field. The 5-9 guard, who averaged more than 21 points per game in each of her three prior seasons, was a finalist this year for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard for the second consecutive year.
Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss / USA): McMahon starred at Ole Miss this season after transferring from Ohio State, where she was a two-time All-Big Ten First Team pick. The 6-4 forward made the ballot for the John R. Wooden Award as the National Player of the Year this season and was a Cheryl Miller Award finalist as the nation’s best small forward. She also was the SEC Newcomer of the Year, and an All-SEC First Team pick after averaging career highs of 19.5 points and 3.0 assists per game.
Olivia Miles (TCU / USA): Miles was a three-time AP All-America Second Team pick and finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s best point guard (2023, 2025, and 2026). This season, the 5-10 guard was also a candidate for multiple National Player of the Year honors. She led the nation in triple-doubles (6) and ranked seventh in assists per game (6.6). The Big 12 Player of the Year, Miles became the first NCAA player to average at least 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 1.5 steals per game in a season.
Madina Okot (South Carolina / Kenya): In her second season of NCAA basketball, Okot, a 6-6 center from Mumias, Kenya, was a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award as the nation’s top center and an All-SEC Second Team choice while helping the Gamecocks reach the national championship game. A transfer from Mississippi State, Okot ranked tied for third in the nation in double-doubles (22) and 16th in rebounds per game (10.6) this season while contributing 12.8 points per game.
Kiki Rice (UCLA / USA): Rice helped UCLA to the Final Four in 2025 and to the 2026 national championship. This season, the 5-11 guard was a semifinalist for both the Naismith Trophy as the National Player of the Year and the Nancy Lieberman Award as the nation’s best point guard when she ranked eighth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.5). An AP All-America Honorable Mention pick, Rice also averaged career-bests of 14.9 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Marta Suárez (TCU / Spain): A 6-3 forward and a member of Spain’s national team program, Suárez capped her college career at TCU this season after previously excelling at Tennessee and California. She recorded career highs of 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds and shot a career-best 37.0 percent from three-point range, joining Olivia Miles to give TCU one of the nation’s top scoring duos. Suárez’s career-high 33 points in a Sweet 16 win over Virginia propelled TCU into the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament.
Below are the players confirmed to attend the WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY.
&nbsp;
<table style="width: 100.039%" width="515">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Name</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">School/Country</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">Position</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">Height</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Nell Angloma</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">France</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">F</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Lauren Betts</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">C</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-7</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Angela Dugalić</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">F</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Awa Fam Thiam</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">Valencia Basket / Spain</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">C</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-4</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Azzi Fudd</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">Connecticut / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Gabriela Jaquez</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Flau’jae Johnson</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">LSU / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Raven Johnson</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">South Carolina / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Gianna Kneepkens</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Ta’Niya Latson</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">South Carolina / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-9</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Cotie McMahon</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">Ole Miss / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">F</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Olivia Miles</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">TCU / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-10</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Madina Okot</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">South Carolina / Kenya</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">C</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-6</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Kiki Rice</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">UCLA / USA</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">G</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">5-11</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 29.8828%" width="163">Marta Suárez</td>
<td style="width: 37.6953%" width="201">TCU / Spain</td>
<td style="width: 16.6016%" width="84">F</td>
<td style="width: 81.0547%" width="67">6-3</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
The list of athletes invited to draft, as well as the broader pool of prospects, includes international players who participated in WNBA/NBA- and FIBA-led events during their journeys. Madina Okot, from Kenya, participated in the 2022 Basketball Without Borders Africa camp, and Gisela Sanchez of Spain attended the 2019 Basketball Without Borders Europe camp. Taking part in the NBA and FIBA’s Basketball Without Borders All-Star camp were Charlisse Leger-Walker of New Zealand (2019) and Saffron Shiels of Australia (2024). To date, 19 former Basketball Without Borders participants have gone on to be selected in the WNBA Draft. A complete list of those players can be found <a href="https://nba1-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/rhoward_nba_com/IQAfcMQp1ID9SYMFoAQfxTDxAfuO9YHBOQ1BC00FQL3rqB0?e=ZhOLzL">here</a>.
Additional details regarding WNBA Draft 2026 presented by State Street Investment Management SPY are available <a href="https://www.wnba.com/news/wnba-draft-2026-to-be-held-april-13">here</a>.
# # #

wnba-draft-2026-invitees

Betts, Fam Thiam, Fudd, and Miles Headline Prospects Invited to WNBA Draft 2026 Presented by State Street Investment Management SPY

Latest

att2

CarMax+Logo-White

DEL_PRI_ALL_WHT

google-logo-transparent

Nike-Logo-PNG

Get a courtside seat. Every week. With WNBA League Pass, watch live games across the league.