.jpg?w=1280 "WNBA Mock Draft")
2026 WNBA Mock Draft One Month Ahead of NCAA Tournament
The 2026 WNBA draft is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in recent memory, with no consensus No. 1 pick for the first time since 2022 and a wide-open board for the Dallas Wings.
Ongoing CBA negotiations have delayed the offseason, but for now, we're operating under the assumption that a WNBA season will take place. Team fit will likely play a bigger role in our mock drafts once the expansion draft and free agency eventually occur.
For now, teams and scouts have nearly four years of film to evaluate college prospects, so let's assess where the draft stands midway through conference play and March Madness around the corner.
Note: Statistics accurate as of Sunday.
1. Dallas Wings: Awa Fam, Spain
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Position: F | Size: 6'4" | Age: 19
Pro Comp: Nneka Ogwumike
Awa Fam has the highest long-term upside in the class, thanks to a rare combination of size, athleticism and processing speed. She is an ideal complement to Paige Bueckers in Dallas, forming what could be the most dynamic two-player game in franchise history.
At just 19 years old, Fam is one of the most decorated international prospects ever. She is the youngest MVP in U20 EuroBasket history and the first teenager to score 20 points in a EuroBasket semifinal game since 1989.
Fam has an ideal offensive profile for a modern WNBA big, blending post scoring and efficient play as a roller and rim-runner with an expanding three-point shot. She leverages her scoring as a passer, where she projects not just as a good playmaker, but an all-time one.
Defensively, Fam's length and lateral movement allow her to defend in multiple coverages, but her defense is currently more flashes than consistent production. She will need to improve as a rim protector and rebounder at the next level.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, TCU
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Position: PG | Size: 5'10" | Age: 23
Pro Comp: Lindsay Whalen
The last time Minnesota's offense was orchestrated by a passer like Olivia Miles, it won four championships over an eight-year span. Miles isn't Lindsay Whalen, but she will enter the league as a top-five passer and an elite rebounder from the guard position.
Miles is at her best in ball screens, using her creative handle and pacing to pull-up, finish at the rim or find her teammates. She is generating 19.4 points per game out of pick-and-roll, the most by any high-major player in the last 15 years, according to Synergy Sports.
Miles has made massive strides as a shooter over the last two seasons, but whether she can create shots at a high-level—from three and the mid-range—will likely determine her ceiling.
Defensively, she's often out of position and struggles to contain dribble penetration, but if there's any coach who can minimize her weaknesses, it's Cheryl Reeve.
3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd, UConn
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Position: SG | Size: 5'11" | Age: 23
Pro Comp: Two-Way Allie Quigley
The Seattle Storm can't find a better spacing option than Azzi Fudd as they build around 20-year-old center Dominique Malonga. She takes smart shots, makes quick decisions and doesn't need the ball to be effective.
Fudd is the best off-ball shooting prospect in women's basketball history, with mechanics made in a lab. Over the last two seasons, her consistent availability and growth across other areas have solidified her as a no-doubt lottery prospect.
The biggest improvements for Fudd have come on the defensive end—she's always in the right spot off the ball, uses her core strength to bump ball-handlers and rarely fouls. She is posting career-highs in steal and block rate this season.
While Fudd is a knockdown shooter, just 9.1 percent of her three-point attempts come off the dribble, and she isn't quite dynamic enough with the ball in the half-court—evident by her 11.7 percent free-throw rate, the lowest in the draft. This keeps her from projecting as a No. 1 or No. 2 option on a championship team.
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4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts, UCLA
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Position: C | Size: 6'7" | Age: 22
Pro Comp: All-Defense Kamilla Cardoso
With Shakira Austin's impending restricted free agency this offseason, Lauren Betts could be a replacement for the Mystics, who ranked No. 12 in opponent rim field-goal percentage last season.
At 6'7", Betts has been the best defender in the country each of the last two seasons. She uses her size to take up space in the paint, often forcing opponents into mid-range jumpers or fadeaways. But she's more than just tall; Betts' short-area quickness, positioning and timing are special. She's never fouled out in her college career across 119 games.
On the other end, questions remain about Betts' offensive malleability as the WNBA continues to move toward pace-and-space concepts. She doesn't need a jumper to be a positive offensive contributor, but improving as a screener and refining her interior scoring process could go a long way.
5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice, UCLA
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Position: PG | Size: 5'11" | Age: 22
Pro Comp: Natasha Cloud
The Chicago Sky had one of the league's worst guard rooms in 2025, forcing Angel Reese into on-ball responsibilities. While she's at her best there, the Sky need another playmaker who can dribble, pass, defend and play on or off the ball.
Kiki Rice fits that need. The 5'11" guard is strong, explosive and instinctive on both ends. Rice is one of the best drivers in the class, consistently attacking the rim and drawing fouls, and she brings real defensive value at either guard spot.
Rice is having the best season of her college career as a senior, averaging 15.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists on 49.8 percent shooting.
A key question is whether she can maintain her three-point efficiency with higher volume. Rice is shooting 40 percent from three this season on 2.3 attempts per game, but her career mark sits at 32.4 percent.
6. Portland Fire: Flau'jae Johnson, LSU
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Position: SG | Size: 5'11" | Age: 22
Pro Comp: Rhyne Howard
As an expansion franchise, Portland is starting with a blank canvas, making this the time to swing on upside with its first pick.
If Flau'jae Johnson is on the board, the Fire would land the best two-way wing in the class. She is an electric athlete with a deep bag in the mid-range and a smooth three-point shot off the catch and dribble. The 5'11" wing is an impact defender across several roles, excelling on the ball, in help or uniquely as a weak-side rim protector.
Johnson slides to No. 6 because of inconsistent decision-making and struggles finishing against top competition. This season, she's converting just 41.7 percent of her half-court rim attempts against Power Four opponents, on volume far too low for an athlete of her caliber.
Still, it's hard to imagine Johnson slipping past Portland or Toronto. Her combination of physical tools and skill level gives her All-Star upside in the right system.
7. Toronto Tempo: Ta'Niya Latson, South Carolina
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Position: SG | Size: 5'8" | Age: 22
Pro Comp: Tiffany Hayes
Toronto should take a similar approach, selecting Ta'Niya Latson, who led the NCAA in scoring as a junior at Florida State with 25.2 points per game.
At 5'8", she is college basketball's best transition scorer, averaging 7.7 points per game on 71.7 percent shooting in transition, according to Synergy Sports. Latson's elite first step and all-around athleticism are undeniable, and those tools will translate immediately to the next level.
While she's had impressive flashes, Latson's half-court issues have been exposed in a reduced role with the Gamecocks. She doesn't have an efficient mid-range game and hesitates to shoot threes against top opponents, relying too heavily on driving into traffic.
In a developmental environment like Toronto, Latson would get the on-ball opportunities and freedom to grow her game. Head coach Sandy Brondello would also find creative ways to weaponize Latson's athleticism as a cutter.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Nell Angloma, France
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Position: SF | Size: 5'10" | Age: 19
Pro Comp: Kayla Thornton
It's no secret the Golden State Valkyries have leaned heavily into international scouting, and if they go that direction again, Nell Angloma could be an option here.
The 19-year-old is averaging 16.2 points and 5.7 rebounds on impressive efficiency at the professional level. Angloma is an MVP candidate in the French league, leading a team starting multiple teenagers to an 11-6 record so far this season.
Every defender knows Angloma is trying to get to the rim, but they can't stop her. She's explosive with a deadly spin move, a WNBA-ready frame and ambidextrous finishing.
Angloma can't really shoot right now, but if a team believes in its player development program to clean up her mechanics, it's not out of the realm of possibility for her to deliver top-five value. She's athletic, defends and already has a premier skill, which is a great starting point for a player at her age.
9. Washington Mystics: Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA
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Position: G | Size: 6'0" | Age: 22
Pro Comp: Karlie Samuelson
Giannia Kneepkens is an obvious fit with the Mystics, who ranked last in three-point attempts per game (17.1) last season.
Kneepkens has been a high-level shooter everywhere she's been. She's never shot below 38 percent from three in her college career, and that came as a freshman at Utah. Kneepkens is excellent at shooting off the catch, with consistent, repeatable mechanics and a great feel for perimeter movement.
She doesn't have a lot of self-creation upside, but she moves well without the ball and is an effective cutter. Kneepkens has converted 78.6 percent or her cuts over the last two seasons—No. 1 in the class.
Most of her concerns as a prospect come on the defensive end, where her athletic limitations and tendency to drift out of position off the ball can be exposed. Pairing Kneepkens with a young core of Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen and Betts in Washington would help ease the defensive burden.
10. Indiana Fever: Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA
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Position: SG/SF | Size: 6'0" | Age: 22
Pro Comp: Maya Caldwell
Gabriela Jaquez is solid at almost everything, making her a natural candidate for a contender like Indiana. She's a good shooter, instinctive cutter and smart defender who plays with a relentless motor.
Jaquez could hear her name called earlier on draft night, but much of that will hinge on where her shooting ultimately levels out. She knocked down 54 percent of her threes during UCLA's nonconference schedule, but that number has dipped to 27 percent in conference play—closer to her career averages.
She's not an impact defensive playmaker in terms of her steals or block production, yet her positioning and activity consistently put her in the right spots. Jaquez may not be flashy, but she understands how to complement high-usage players and projects as someone who can contribute from Day 1.
11. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, South Carolina
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Position: PG | Size: 5'9" | Age: 23
Pro Comp: Tanisha Wright
No prospect has helped themselves more this season than Raven Johnson. She's an improved shooter, a more confident driver and remains spectacular on defense.
Johnson has shown up in big moments for South Carolina, averaging a career-best 10.2 points and 5.4 assists to 1.7 turnovers on 55.8 percent shooting from two and 36.8 from three.
At 5'9" with a near 6'3" wingspan, Johnson is as good of a defensive prospect as you'll find from the guard position. She's a great lateral athlete with top-tier strength, hand-eye coordination and motor.
Although Washington selected Georgia Amoore in the first round in 2025, her defensive limitations and off-ball shooting ability make her a viable backcourt partner alongside Johnson in some lineups. A draft haul headlined by the two best defenders in the class and the top shooter outside of Fudd would be a home run for the Mystics.
12. Connecticut Sun: Lani White, Utah
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Position: SG | Size: 6'0" | Age: 22
Pro Comp: Aaliyah Nye
Connecticut has a strong nucleus of young talent, between Leïla Lacan, Saniya Rivers, Aneesah Morrow and Aaliyah Edwards. Each are outstanding athletes, but all have significant shooting questions.
At No. 12, the best floor-spacing option on the board is Lani White. A premier movement shooter with a lightning-quick release and solid athleticism. White is shooting 72.2 percent on off-screen threes (13-18) and 41.3 percent on spot-up threes overall.
She also has a strong off-the-dribble game when attacking closeouts, hitting 46.4 percent of her pull-up mid-range jumpers.
One potential concern for White's WNBA transition is her prior college production at just 5.3 points per game over her three previous seasons. She's also likely a below-average defender, but that isn't much of an issue if she's playing with one of the league's top perimeter defensive duos in Lacan and Rivers.
13. Atlanta Dream: Janiah Barker, Tennessee
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Position: PF | Size: 6'4" | Age: 22
Pro Comp: Perimeter-Oriented NaLyssa Smith
The Atlanta Dream don't have any glaring holes on their roster, which gives them the flexibility to take a real swing. If that's the approach, there may not be a bigger boom-or-bust bet in recent memory than Janiah Barker.
At her best, Barker looks like a future star as a 6'4" shot-creator with rare athleticism, strength and the ability to handle in space. She makes plays that very few players her size even attempt, and those flashes explain why she was once considered a future lottery pick.
But the inconsistency is just as real. Barker's shot selection, decision-making and body language lead to stretches when she's almost unplayable. The gap between her ceiling and floor is wider than anyone else in this class.
Even so, this draft isn't strong enough to justify dropping her out of the first round entirely. If the Dream believe they have the structure to stabilize her game, the reward might outweigh the risk. Barker's ability to space the floor, play in transition and theoretically defend multiple positions could add value in Atlanta's scheme.
14. Seattle Storm: Tonie Morgan, Kentucky
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Position: PG | Size: 5'9" | Age: 21
Pro Comp: Dominique Canty
Tonie Morgan is putting together a breakout senior season at Kentucky, where she could become the program's second point guard drafted in the first round in as many years.
The 5'9" guard thrives as a pick-and-roll operator, consistently putting pressure on the rim and creating in the mid-range. She plays with pace, sees the floor well and has a natural feel for setting up teammates. Morgan is averaging a career-best 8.4 assists per game, ranking No. 2 in the country.
Morgan is also shooting 40.4 percent from three on 1.7 attempts per game. While she has made real strides as a shooter, the volume is too low to fully project it translating to the next level.
Morgan is a reliable guard who could carve out a role as a quality backup. For a team like Seattle, which could use additional backcourt depth regardless of Skylar Diggins-Smith's free-agency decision, her steady playmaking and athleticism would provide immediate value.
15. Connecticut Sun: Madina Okot, South Carolina
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Position: C | Size: 6'6" | Age: 21
Pro Comp: Krystal Thomas
In November, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said she plans to fight for an extra year of NCAA eligibility for Madina Okot. Whether that waiver is granted remains unclear, but if she's in this draft, a rebuilding team like Connecticut may be intrigued by her long-term potential.
Okot is the youngest college prospect in the class, while averaging a double-double at 13.1 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. She moves fluidity for her size, showing flashes dribbling in the open court or driving from the perimeter.
Though, if she is granted an extra year of eligibility, those additional game reps could be beneficial for her development. Okot didn't start playing basketball until she was 16, and that inexperience shows up on film. She struggles reading the floor on both ends and rarely uses her left hand around the rim.
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