2026 WNBA Mock Draft and Analyzing Elite Prospects, Hidden Gems
The WNBA landscape is going to look a lot different between now and when the Dallas Wings are on the clock with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft.
The first blockbuster move of the offseason came together when the Chicago Sky traded two-time All-Star Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream.
Other dominoes started to fall with the free-agent negotiating window opening Wednesday. Deals can be finalized starting beginning Saturday.
In a typical offseason, general managers and coaches have weeks to evaluate college prospects knowing their rosters are pretty settled. They weren't afforded that kind of time this spring.
That could make an already unpredictable night even tougher to forecast.
2026 Mock Draft
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1. Wings: Awa Fam, C, Spain
2. Lynx: Olivia Miles, G, TCU
3. Storm: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
4. Mystics: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
5. Sky: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA
6. Tempo: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU
7. Fire: Nell Angloma, F, France
8: Valkyries: Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina
9. Mystics: Gianna Kneepkens, F, UCLA
10. Fever: Gabriela Jaquez, F, UCLA
11. Mystics: Raven Johnson, G, South Carolina
12: Sun: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
13. Dream: Angela Dugalić, F, UCLA
14. Iyana Martín, G, Spain
15. Sun: Lani White, G, Utah
Mock draft via Hunter Cruse for Bleacher Report
Elite Prospects
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Awa Fam, C, Spain
Like Dominique Malonga a season ago, Awa Fam is unlikely to make the biggest immediate impact from her draft class. In time, the 19-year-old could grow to be the crown jewel of the group.
During the FIBA Women's EuroBasket, Fam had 21 points and nine rebounds as Spain beat France in the semifinals. She has more than held her own against some of the world's best.
The 6'4" big has also averaged 9.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 0.4 blocks in 25 appearances for Valencia Basket in Spain's top division.
Olivia Miles, G, TCU
Olivia Miles almost certainly would've been a lottery pick if she entered the 2025 draft. Instead, she transferred to TCU and further solidified her stock.
In 38 appearances for the Horned Frogs, the 5'10" guard averaged 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists. Her three-point shooting did tick downward, going from 40.6 percent in 2024-25 to 35.1 percent.
That might've been partially down to shouldering a heavier load on offense. Miles had a career-high 28.5 percent usage rate and saw her assist percentage jump to 36.4 percent, according to Sports Reference.
Her playmaking and vision will serve her well in the WNBA.
Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
Azzi Fudd might've been a slightly different player by this point had it not been for the injuries that took her out for extended spells during her first three years at UConn.
Still, the Huskies guard possesses an elite trait that aligns perfectly with the WNBA's offensive trends.
Fudd was a 44.2 percent shooter between 2024-26. Her efficiency actually improved this year despite the fact she didn't have Paige Bueckers feeding her passes and occupying the defense's attention.
Fudd's ability to space the floor makes her a fit with any team.
Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
As players with Fudd's skill set are being coveted more than ever, traditional centers are falling out of favor somewhat. The WNBA is basically following the NBA, which started this trend much earlier.
That led Lauren Betts to be somewhat undervalued leading into the draft.
In three years at UCLA, the 6'7" big averaged 17.5 points on 62.1 percent shooting along with 9.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. She closed her career with three straight double-doubles as the Bruins won their first title.
Betts may not fit the profile of the ideal center in the current WNBA, but this is a case where the stats and the tape are undeniable.
Hidden Gems
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Janiah Barker, F, Tennessee
Absent suffering a major injury, the 2025-26 season couldn't have gone much worse for Janiah Barker. She transfers from UCLA and watches the Bruins lift a title, and she was part of a Tennessee squad that fell massively short of expectations.
At one point, Barker didn't travel with the Lady Vols for their February game against Oklahoma because she "didn't meet team standards" in the words of coach Kim Caldwell. That will factor into her evaluation by WNBA teams.
Barker is a 6'4" forward who averaged 14.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 27 games with Tennessee. She also shot 36.5 percent from beyond the arc.
As the league expands, general managers may begin to find more value toward the end of the first round and further into the draft. More roster spots inevitably dilutes the talent pool a bit.
For now, you're lucky if you manage to unearth a starter in that range.
Barker is good enough to merit taking the gamble if she's still on the board heading into Round 2.
Charlisse Leger-Walker, G, UCLA
In addition to winning a championship, Charlisse Leger-Walker's transfer to UCLA was beneficial toward preparing her for the next level.
In four seasons at Washington State, the 5'10" guard had a 28.3 percent usage rate, per Sports Reference. That number fell to 16.6 percent in 2025-26 as she slotted into a much more talented roster.
Operating primarily as a facilitator, Leger-Walker averaged more assists than she ever had (5.6 per game) despite playing fewer minutes compared to her time with the Cougars. She was also a 35.5 percent shooter from the perimeter.
At 24, Leger-Walker is on the older side for an incoming rookie, and she missed all of 2024-25 due to a torn ACL. Her ceiling isn't as high as other prominent college players in the draft.
She is, however, the kind of high-floor prospect who outplays her draft position if she falls toward the latter stage of the first round or into the second.
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