The WNBA Draft Lottery is set for tomorrow, November 23rd, where teams will discover their positions for the 2026 WNBA Draft. It looks like Dallas might land the No. 1 pick for the second consecutive year. If that happens, it would mirror Indiana’s run with back-to-back No. 1s in 2023 and 2024, featuring Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark.
Every fan dreams of snagging the top pick, but history shows that plenty of standout players have been chosen within the top five. So, if you’re curious about the best talents your team could potentially select based on their lottery results, here are some of the most notable players ever to break into the top five:
A’ja Wilson — 2018 No. 1 pick
Honorable mention: Brianna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Candice Parker, Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird
There’s no shortage of incredible players who could have been drafted No. 1. For instance, Bird has secured four WNBA championships, while Taurasi has three and boasts six Olympic golds. Candace Parker has rewritten the record books in WNBA history, with several being surpassed only by A’ja Wilson, the standout No. 1 of all time.
When the Las Vegas Aces picked A’ja Wilson from South Carolina in 2018, it marked a fresh chapter for the franchise, which had just moved from San Antonio. This draft choice signaled not only a new beginning for the team but also one of the most impressive careers in WNBA history.
Since her selection, Wilson has claimed three WNBA Championships, four MVP Awards, two Finals MVPs, and has been named to seven All-Star Games—all with the Aces. In 2024, she not only scored the most points in a season with 1,021 but also set a record for the highest scoring average at 26.87 points per game.
At just 29, Wilson remains in the peak of her career and is likely to continue her dominance for years. While she’s still playing, it’s clear that she’ll be remembered as one of the all-time greats and a future Hall of Famer.
Sylvia Fowles — 2008 No. 2 pick
Honorable mention: Elena Delle Donne, Kelsey Mitchell
The No. 2 pick has also brought forth remarkable talents, like Sylvia Fowles, who was snatched up by the Chicago Sky in 2008. Some might wonder why she wasn’t the top pick—well, Candace Parker had that honor that year, going first overall to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Fowles has two WNBA Championships, two Finals MVPs, one MVP, and eight All-Star appearances to her name. Also, she was a major defensive force, winning the Defensive Player of the Year award four times before wrapping up her career after the 2022 season. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, few could rival her on defense, and she’s set to be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Skyler Diggins — 2013 No. 3 pick
Honorable mention: Courtney Vandersloot
Drafted third overall by the Tulsa Shock (now Dallas Wings) in 2013, Skyler Diggins has remained a standout player. Known for her speed and remarkable shots, she brings unique skills to the court that are tough to imitate.
A seven-time All-Star, Olympic gold medalist, and four-time First Team selection, she has played for Tulsa and has since moved to Dallas, Phoenix, and currently Seattle. Though she’s still on the hunt for her first WNBA Championship, she came close in 2021 during the Finals with Phoenix.
Alisha Gray — 2017 No. 4 pick
Honorable mention: Gabby Williams
Another Dallas Wings selection, Alisha Gray, has shown remarkable growth during her WNBA journey. Now with the Atlanta Dream, she enjoyed her best season in 2025, averaging a career-high 18.4 points on efficient shooting.
Gray is a three-time All-Star and was recognized on the first team in 2025. Remarkably, she took home both the Skills Challenge and Three-Point Contest titles during the 2024 All-Star Game.
Arike Ogunbowale — 2019 No. 5 pick
Honorable mention: Natasha Howard, Dewana Bonner
Arike Ogunbowale, the fifth pick from Notre Dame in 2019 for the Dallas Wings, is celebrated for her clutch performances. She previously won a national championship in college and has brought that skill set to the WNBA.
In her seven seasons, she has averaged 19.9 points with a 34.6% success rate from beyond the arc. Arike has spent her entire career with the Wings and has made four All-Star appearances and received First Team honors.
