2026 WNBA Draft Picks Unveiled

The leading choices for the 2026 WNBA Draft were uncertain right up until the final moments. The Dallas Wings had various options for the top pick but ultimately decided to bring together former teammates Paige Bueckers and Azzie Fudd in the backcourt. Fudd’s selection as the No. 1 pick set a unique tone for the draft, which was marked by several surprises in the early rounds.

A full summary of all the selections made during the draft can be found here. Now, let’s delve into the evening’s highlights and low points.

Of course, it’s really going to take a couple of years to evaluate how well a team performed in this draft. But why go through the trouble? Well, it can be quite entertaining to review our thoughts immediately after the draft. Teams make mistakes frequently, and writers do, too. So, feel free to revisit this in the future to see where we hit the mark and where we didn’t.

Many believe Pham to be the top prospect in this draft class. I honestly thought the Wings should’ve picked her over Fudd. Instead, the Seattle Storm grabbed her with the No. 3 pick, which was a smart move. And they didn’t stop there; Seattle also made a surprising trade to acquire standout LSU player Fraujae Johnson. With these picks, Seattle is perhaps building the best young core in the league.

Pham, a sizable 6-foot-4 player from Spain, embodies everything that teams are looking for in a modern forward—an impressive mix of length and agility. She’ll likely excel as a pick-and-roll option on offense while also providing defensive versatility. Joining her is Dominique Malonga, Seattle’s previous first-round choice, forming a dynamic young frontcourt. Malonga boasts an impressive wingspan of 7-foot-1 and proved to be a strong player last season at just 20 years old. Together, Pham and Malonga represent a formidable pairing. Adding Johnson will enhance their wing defense, maintain strong transition plays, and contribute with some three-point shooting, enriching the squad further.

Although the Storm will need time for these budding talents to reach their full potential, the future looks promising.

Evaluating the Draft: Dallas Wings and Beyond

Gabriela Jaquez isn’t lacking talent—she was one of my favorite role players due to her athleticism and versatility. However, she seems more suited for a late first-round pick rather than a top-five spot. By selecting her fifth overall, Chicago bypassed even stronger prospects.

It felt like Chicago prioritized fitting a need rather than selecting based on potential. This is puzzling, especially given their disappointing track record over the last two seasons. GM Jeff Pagliocca has a history of making hasty decisions that could harm the team’s future, trying to retain his position. After securing Skyler Diggins in free agency and trading Jaycee Sheldon, they might have neglected selecting Kiki Rice, a player who could really elevate the team. Diggins is 35, Vandersloot is 37, and the Sky probably shouldn’t overlook Rice’s long-term potential for the sake of Jaquez’s compatibility with the existing team structure.

My main concern regarding Jaquez is her low usage rate of just 18 percent during her time at UCLA. Choosing a less-utilized college player can be risky, despite the team’s expectations for a similar role in the pros. It’s often easier to scale back from a high-usage player than to build up one who hasn’t been featured prominently. Jaquez had a turnover count almost equal to her assists, which raises some eyebrows. While her shooting has shown potential, Pagliocca doesn’t have the same pedigree as some other team shooters, which he should have considered.

While Jaquez may serve as a solid role player, it seems the Sky should be searching for more than that, given their lack of a franchise-level player at this time. I think they’ll really come to regret not picking Rice.

The Bruins, having won the women’s college basketball national championship, saw six of their players taken in the top 18 spots of this draft, four of whom were in the first nine picks. I mean, what a pitch for future recruits! Cori Close is truly building a powerhouse over in Los Angeles.

To claim a draft victory, just look to the Chicago Sky. Kiki Rice falling to No. 6 is, quite frankly, hard to believe. She was once regarded as a potential No. 1 overall pick but took her time developing her outside shot. This season, she showcased her skills brilliantly. While Rice may not fit squarely as a point guard, she has an impressive first step, excellent driving skills, and knows how to finish at the basket. Her shooting has improved significantly, boasting a 90% free throw rate and a 38.5% three-point shooting mark—quite the leap from her freshman year shooting only 21% from beyond the arc.

The Portland Fire, another new team, seem to have a long road in this inaugural season, but Toronto is poised to perform well immediately. They made a savvy selection with Marina Mabry in the expansion draft, who is likely to start right away, and the addition of Brittney Sykes is exciting. With a veteran forward like Isabelle Harrison and Nyara Sabally in the lineup, Rice appears to have the potential to thrive in the coming years. If Toronto nurtures her talent, she could emerge as the face of the franchise.

Winner: Mystics’ Lauren Betts

There are some critiques of Washington’s choices in the 2026 draft, but they won’t hold water if Betts turns out to be as good as anticipated. The 6-foot-7 center was a major force during UCLA’s championship run. Yeah, perhaps people are leaning towards more mobile bigs nowadays, but there’s still no replacement for a physically dominating presence inside. Betts and Sonia Citron could form a lethal combination. The Mystics might need to work on their shooting, and yes, it seems odd they didn’t explore other options, but I rate Betts as a top-tier choice and have faith that Washington will find better fits around her in time.

Loser: Golden State Valkyries

I’m perplexed by the reasoning behind the Fraje Johnson trade. Golden State indicated it was finalized before the draft, which is a plus, but even then, the perceived value seems low. I think it would have made more sense to have chosen an 8th overall pick over two second-rounders. Generally, talent dips after the early second round, especially with three expansion teams added recently, which only serves to dilute the late rounds further. I was optimistic about Frey Jae Johnson after her strong debut season, so this feels like a letdown.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx had a stellar season, finishing 34-10, but ran into trouble when Napheesa Collier sustained an ankle injury in the playoff against Phoenix. Thanks to the trade with the Sky, they got the No. 2 overall pick and used it to draft an elite point guard prospect in Miles. Standing at 5’10”, her stats—36.4% assist percentage and superb shooting percentages—are impressive. Miles has been quick off the dribble and excels at finishing near the rim, which adds great value to her game.

It’s not common for a successful team to pick up a great prospect, but the Lynx certainly made a wise choice here. They continue to demonstrate why they’re one of the well-managed franchises in the WNBA.