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2026 WNBA Mock Draft Led by Early Top Prospects Lauren Betts, Olivia Miles
We're less than a week into 2025 WNBA training camps and about 10 days from the opening tipoff. With the draft behind us, teams are beginning to assess which rookies might earn a roster spot.
As we shift focus beyond the 2025 class, it's time for an early look at 2026's top prospects. Over the past three weeks, we've tracked key transfer movement and major additions across the NCAA landscape following the season's end.
The 2026 class features a strong group of post players—led by early No. 1 favorite Lauren Betts—alongside wing depth, perimeter shooting and intriguing international prospects.
For the first time, the first round will include 15 picks, thanks to expansion teams in Toronto and Portland. Complicating projections further, most players will become unrestricted free agents after this season due to the expiring CBA. The teams we know today could look drastically different a year from now.
Every team will need nearly everything as of now.
1. Golden State Valkyries: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
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Lauren Betts is unlike anyone else in the country at 6'7", and her skill set is one that time after time has been highly sought-after at the next level. She's coming off a dominant junior campaign for UCLA, averaging 20.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game and shooting 65 percent from the field this past season while leading the Bruins to their first ever Final Four appearance and Big Ten championship.
The Golden State Valkyries are at the starting blocks as a franchise and are the current favorites to finish last overall, according to DraftKings. While they will look to find ways to attract free agents in 2026, adding key pieces through the draft will be critical for any future success.
Betts would be a prized pick for the Valkyries, who will need to add just about everything. Her dominance in the paint, ability to defend in space, rim protection and scoring efficiency will likely be at the top of the list.
2. Dallas Wings: Olivia Miles, PG, TCU
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Olivia Miles skipped the 2025 draft to utilize her final year of eligibility in a transfer from Notre Dame to TCU. The walking highlight reel was considered a lottery pick in 2025, and should be in 2026 as well.
Dallas' pick could very much be determined by the direction Arike Ogunbowale goes following this season, as she's slated to be a free agent. Does she explore free agency and end up with a new franchise? If so, the Wings could deem it important to establish that one-two punch with Paige Bueckers and Miles.
Miles is electric with the pressure she puts on defenses, her passing and her ability to get downhill against anyone. As a multi-level scoring threat, she is coming off one of her most productive, efficient seasons, averaging 15.4 points per game and shooting 48 percent from the field and a career-best 41 percent from the perimeter.
The 22-year-old has played alongside other dynamic guards during her career, and a deep and talented backcourt for the Wings would be a huge win for the organization.
3. Minnesota Lynx (via Chicago): Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
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For as good as the Minnesota Lynx are expected to be this season, it's wild to think they could end up with a lottery pick in 2026—a pick they acquired from the Chicago Sky. Adding a player like Azzi Fudd would be a no-brainer.
The UConn star announced she would return to school to utilize a final year of collegiate eligibility. In the last four seasons, the 5'11" wing has played 72 games after battling injuries from 2022 through 2024.
Fudd's stock rose consistently through the 2024-25 season and skyrocketed during the Huskies' title run through the NCAA tournament, as she put up 17.5 points, 3.0 steals and 2.5 assists across six games while shooting 44.4 percent from three.
She has all the tools to be a successful WNBA pro as one of the most pure shot-makers in the country.
Washington Mystics: Flau'jae Johnson, LSU
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Flau'jae Johnson would have been a first-rounder in 2025 had she declared early for the draft, but she remained at LSU one more year. The 5'10" wing has scored over 1,500 points in her three collegiate seasons and is coming off her most impressive yet, averaging a career-best 18.6 points per game and shooting a career-high 38 percent from the three-point line.
Johnson's athleticism, speed and multi-level scoring ability will make her one of the most sought-after prospects in this class.
She makes big plays on both ends of the floor and has consistently proved to be a great rebounder from the guard spot (career 5.7 rpg) and is highly effective on the offensive glass (2.0).
5. Chicago Sky (via Conn.): Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina
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One of the most prolific scorers in college basketball, Ta'Niya Latson led the nation in scoring at 25.2 points per game last season. The 5'8" guard became just the third player in ACC history to record 2,000 points in her first three seasons at Florida State. After three seasons as a Seminole, Latson transferred to South Carolina to finish her collegiate career.
The Sky are likely still involved in this draft from a lottery standpoint, even after the trade with Minnesota, and can continue to build with top-level talent.
Latson would help beef up Chicago's backcourt as a versatile combo-guard who would put pressure on opponents with her scoring ability and help to space the floor for Chicago's post play to operate.
6. Toronto Tempo: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA
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With the Toronto Tempo building a franchise from the ground up beginning play in 2027, this draft is critical.
Gianna Kneepkens graduated from Utah and was draft-eligible in 2025, opting to utilize a final year of eligibility with a transfer to UCLA.
The 6'0" guard is one of the most efficient shooters in the country at 43 percent for her career. She has size and a natural feel for the game that just makes it look easy.
With an extra year under a new system, it's safe to assume Kneepkens has an opportunity to fine tune her overall skill set in the Big Ten and enter the draft as one of the more experienced, versatile shot-makers in this class.
7. Portland: Awa Fam, F, Spain
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The yet-to-be-named Portland franchise is the other team facing its inaugural draft. We've seen the international game continue to be a priority for WNBA front offices that are able to draft young, talented players with immediate or future potential.
The 6'6" forward is draft-eligible in 2026 and will still just be 19 years old. She is considered to be one of the most promising talents out of Spain in the last decade. Fam's length and athleticism have always been fun to watch, and as her offensive game continues to expand, she has all of the intangibles to develop into a successful WNBA forward.
She can rebound, finish around the paint, is explosive off the jump and can guard inside and out. She continues to expand her offensive game, and is capable of facing up and attacking off the dribble and knocking down perimeter shots. Though young, Fam has competed at the highest levels of national team competition and was named MVP of FIBA U20 Women's EuroBasket 2024 at just 17 years old.
Get used to hearing her name, as she will be a highly sought-after early first-round selection in 2026.
8. Seattle Storm (via LA): Cotie McMahon, G, Ole Miss
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Cotie McMahon has had a dominant career at Ohio State for the last three seasons, scoring just under 1,500 career points and grabbing over 500 rebounds. The 6'0" wing opted to take her talents to Ole Miss for her final collegiate season.
McMahon has improved year after year and put up career-bests with 16.5 points and 1.2 three pointers per game while shooting 37 percent from the field.
She plays with a power and strength unlike anyone else in the country. That physicality and overall skill set will translate well into the pros, and I look forward to her final year of development under Yolett McPhee-McCuin's system.
9. Seattle Storm: Iyana Martin, PG, Spain
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I've had the privilege to watch Iyana Martin grow up before my eyes over the last few years, and she's evolved into one of the best young, true point guards I have ever seen come out of Europe.
Martin has continuously played well beyond her years and has had an impact at the highest levels from even a young age. She was named MVP of the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2023 at just 17 years old and was named EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year in 2025.
Martin shows exceptional skill via her ability to facilitate, control the pace of the game, operate in the open floor and half court and create her own shot. Her tact and way she sees the game feels like she is constantly three steps ahead of her opponents.
Martin should be on every WNBA front office's draft board as one of the next top point guards in the world.
10. Atlanta Dream: Chloe Kitts, F, South Carolina
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Chloe Kitts is coming off her most impressive and well-rounded season with the Gamecocks, averaging 10.2 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
She continues to add levels to her game year after year and made strides in her comfort level from the perimeter this season, shooting 21 threes and connecting on seven for 33 percent. Prior to this season she had only attempted six total, and I expect that to be an area she hones this offseason.
Kitts' passing is one of the most impressive aspects of her game and will translate exceptionally well in the pros. The 6'2" forward is extremely versatile and can operate from facing up, create out of ball screens and has really good vision from the perimeter and in the post.
11. Connecticut Sun (via Phoenix): Serah Williams, C, UConn
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Serah Williams' name might feel a little under the radar for those outside the Big Ten, but it won't be for long. The 6'6" center spent the last three seasons at Wisconsin but opted to transfer to UConn for her senior season and was one of the most coveted transfers during this portal season.
A frontcourt duo of Sarah Strong and Williams is sure to turn heads as the Huskies will look to repeat as defending national champions.
She's coming off one of her most impressive and complete campaigns, averaging 19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. Williams has the size, the tools and potential to increase her stock majorly this coming season under head coach Geno Auriemma.
12. Washington Mystics (via Minn.): Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
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While we have only seen Madina Okot in the NCAA for one season, she made an impression as one of the top centers to keep an eye on this coming year.
Okot transferred to South Carolina, which will help increase the team's frontcourt depth and give the 6'6" center an opportunity to learn under Dawn Staley's system. Okot averaged 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds per game and shot a wildly efficient 65 percent from the floor.
Her size, hands, footwork and potential ceiling is one of the best in this class. She's one of the most intriguing prospects to keep an eye on from a development standpoint during her second year of NCAA play.
13. Indiana Fever: Ashlon Jackson, G, Duke
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Ashlon Jackson turned a lot of heads this past season, leading her Duke squad to its first Elite Eight appearance in 12 years. The 6'0" guard tied the Duke single-season record for three-pointers with 87 triples while shooting a career-best 37 percent from the field, which was top-20 in the nation.
Jackson can stop on a dime, elevate over opponents and create separation for herself. She is more than capable of shooting it steps off the line and with a hand in her face. She can attack the paint and is effective in the midrange, and she plays with a confidence that can grab just about anyone's attention.
14. Seattle Storm (via Las Vegas): Yarden Garzon, G, Maryland
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Yarden Garzon has been dazzling fans in Indiana for the last three seasons but opted to transfer to Maryland for her senior year. As a long sharpshooter, the 6'3" Garzon is arguably one of the most potent and efficient shooters in the country.
She averaged 14.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game and has never had a season when she shot under 40 percent from the three-point line.
Garzon has great length at the guard spot that will be appealing to front offices. That, combined with her versatility, can help maximize mismatches—and every team in the league needs a sharpshooter to space the floor and stretch the defense.
It will be interesting to see how Garzon adapts to a new system, but that in itself can be one of the key areas GMs and front offices are looking at in the new age of the transfer portal.
15. Connecticut Sun (via NY): Kiki Rice, PG, UCLA
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It's going to take some time for the Connecticut Sun to redefine themselves following massive offseason attrition that saw them lose DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas and DiJonai Carrington, among others. The draft will be key for the organization as the Sun have a chance to pick up two quality prospects.
After sending them center help at No. 11 in Serah Williams, let's turn to the backcourt.
Kiki Rice helped lead the UCLA Bruins to their first Final Four appearance this past season, averaging 12.8 points and a career-high 5.0 assists per game, and shooting a career-best 37 percent from the perimeter.
Ultimately where she falls in this draft will be determined by the steps she can take in her final season at UCLA, but right now has all the tools, vision and poise at the guard spot to climb the draft boards next season.
