Early Look at the 2026 WNBA Draft Class

As the WNBA season has now been underway for nearly a month, it seems like a good moment to take stock of how the 2026 draft class is shaping up. Just a heads-up: it’s still pretty early, and things can — and likely will — shift as the season progresses. That said, here’s a preliminary glance at the Rookie of the Year race.

1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx

Draft number: No. 2
Statistics: 15.8 points (49.5% shooting), 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals
Average minutes per game: 30.6

Olivia Miles has had a remarkable beginning to her WNBA career. She leads all rookies in several categories, including minutes played, points, field goals made (5.4 per game), and free throws made (4.7). Her presence on the floor has been significant for the Lynx, who currently boast a league-best 7-2 record, outscoring opponents by an impressive 12.1 points per game. Honestly, she seems to play more like a seasoned veteran than a rookie at this stage.

2. Aj Fuad, Dallas Wings

Draft number: No. 1
Statistics: 12.1 points (57.1% shooting, 43.8% from three), 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1 block
Average minutes per game: 25.5

Azi Fuad began the season in a bench role but is clearly on the rise. The Dallas Wings have been winning consistently, and Fudd’s performance has improved significantly; she scored at least 22 points in two of her last three games and has managed to reach double figures in four of her last six outings.

3. Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo

Draft number: No. 6
Statistics: 13.1 points (55.2% shooting, 40.9% from three), 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Average minutes per game: 27

The former UCLA player has made a solid impact for Tempo in her rookie season. She ranks as the second-leading scorer and the fifth-leading rebounder among rookies and has been crucial in helping Tempo achieve a 5-4 record so far. Rice continues to excel in her three-point shooting while exhibiting versatility on both ends of the court.

4. Pauline Astier, New York Liberty

Draft number: Undrafted
Statistics: 12 points (61.2% shooting, 47.1% from three), 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Average minutes per game: 26.2

Pauline Astier, a 24-year-old from France, has emerged as a key player for the Liberty, particularly due to several injuries within the team early in the season. She’s the fifth leading scorer among rookies and has excelled in her shooting. Astier has started eight of Liberty’s nine games, stepping up notably in the absence of Savirna Ionescu.

5. Gabriella Jax, Chicago Sky

Draft number: No. 5
Statistics: 11.5 points (42.9% shooting, 33.3% from three), 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Average minutes per game: 28.3

Questions linger about whether Gabriella Jax was selected a bit too high at No. 5 and to what extent UCLA’s recent success may have influenced the decision-makers. Regardless, she’s played the role envisioned by Jeff Pagliocca and the Chicago Sky front office. Jax has scored in the double digits in four of her last six games and ranks among the top rebounders in her class. The one downside? She’s been sidelined since May 23 with a knee injury.

6. Giovana Norgic, Phoenix Mercury

Draft number: Undrafted
Statistics: 12.8 points (42.9% shooting, 50.9% from three), 1.5 assists, 1 rebound
Average minutes per game: 21.9

Giovana Nogic, a 28-year-old rookie from Serbia, has had an eventful season. She’s proving to be an offensive asset, currently the third-leading scorer on her team and among the top three rookies in scoring. However, the Mercury have struggled as a team, sitting at just 2-8. While Nogic’s scoring ability is evident, she likely needs to improve her defensive skills.

7. Frauge Johnson, Seattle Storm

Draft number: No. 8
Statistics: 11.9 points (31.2% shooting, 25% from three), 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Average minutes per game: 26.2

Frauge Johnson was picked eighth overall by the Golden State Valkyries but was traded to the Seattle Storm on draft night. Unfortunately, she was later waived. Still, she’s playing a good number of games among rookies and is averaging a respectable amount of points. While her efficiency hasn’t been stellar, that’s often common for rookies in the WNBA. Seattle could be a good place for her to develop her game further.

8. Sidney Taylor, Chicago Sky

Draft number: Undrafted
Statistics: 9.2 points (32.7% shooting, 21.2% from three), 1.5 assists, 1.2 rebounds
Average minutes per game: 13.9

Sidney Taylor is one of the more unexpected stories in this rookie class. After going undrafted, she signed with the Sky and quickly became a regular in the rotation. Last Wednesday, she scored a career-high 27 points in a game against Toronto Tempo. Like Johnson, she hasn’t been the most efficient scorer, but she has shown enough potential to stay involved and continue contributing on the court.