As the NCAA women’s basketball regular season concludes this March, anticipation is building for the 2026 WNBA Draft, spotlighting top prospects including Azzi Fudd and standout players from UCLA. The draft’s timing remains uncertain due to ongoing collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations between the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association, with potential impacts on team rosters and offseason moves.
With the league and players’ union currently at an impasse, key offseason activities such as free agency and the expansion draft for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire have stalled, adding complexity for teams preparing their 2026 lineups. Despite these hurdles, CBS Sports’ latest mock draft projects a dynamic top 15, led by a mix of international talents and dominant college stars, including several from UCLA who have risen as pivotal draft prospects.
Stalemate in CBA Talks Threatens WNBA Season
The WNBA and its players’ union are entrenched in difficult negotiations, highlighted by internal criticism following a leaked letter from stars Breanna Stewart and Kelsey Plum addressing concerns over union leadership’s handling of talks. With a deadline looming next Tuesday, failure to reach an agreement could put the 2026 season’s start at risk.
This deadlock has complicated the draft process as free agency remains on hold, leaving many teams with incomplete rosters and making mock drafts more speculative than usual. Depending on the outcome, the league might hold the draft before free agency, a deviation from standard practice, forcing franchises to make important decisions with limited roster clarity.
Dallas Wings Hold the Top Pick with No Clear Favorite
The Dallas Wings will again have the number one overall pick for the second consecutive year, this time with a challenging selection ahead after last year’s choice of Paige Bueckers. The Wings must decide on a player who can transform the franchise and complement Bueckers’ talents.
At the top of the mock draft is Awa Fam, a 19-year-old center from Spain standing 6-foot-4, known for her exceptional athleticism and advanced offensive skills demonstrated in EuroLeague play. Fam could become the first international player to be selected first overall since Lauren Jackson in 2001. Her synergy with Bueckers in a pick-and-roll offense would give Dallas a formidable foundation on both ends of the floor.
Minnesota Lynx Eye Elite Playmaker Olivia Miles
Projected to go second overall is Olivia Miles, a guard from TCU, who has impressed with her all-around game, averaging over 20 points, nearly 7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. The Lynx have managed strong offenses over the last two seasons despite lacking a traditional point guard, and Miles’ arrival could provide the needed playmaking dynamic.
Miles is recognized for her ambidextrous passing and court vision, skills that could unlock Minnesota’s offensive potential by integrating with stars like Napheesa Collier while relying on a solid team defense to support her.
Azzi Fudd Emerges as a Premier Shooting Talent for Seattle Storm
At third, the Seattle Storm are linked to UConn’s Azzi Fudd, widely regarded as one of the best three-point shooting prospects in recent memory. Fudd’s shooting percentages—45.1% beyond the arc and 95% from the free-throw line—showcase her elite scoring ability and quick release, making her a perfect candidate to solve Seattle’s spacing challenges.
In addition to her offense, Fudd has improved substantially as a help defender, adding value to a team eager to strengthen its perimeter defense. Her presence could be transformative for a Storm roster that has struggled with effective floor spacing in recent seasons.
Washington Mystics Target Defensive Anchor Lauren Betts
The fourth pick is expected to be UCLA’s Lauren Betts, a 6-foot-7 center known for rim protection and efficient scoring inside the paint. Betts represents the archetype of a traditional big in a league rapidly embracing versatility, yet her elite defensive instincts around the basket make her a highly coveted asset.
With the Mystics having traded Aaliyah Edwards and facing free agency questions regarding Shakira Austin and Stefanie Dolson, acquiring Betts would address a pressing frontcourt need and help rebuild their interior presence for the future.
Chicago Sky’s Strategic Choice: Kiki Rice’s Versatility
Rounding out the top five is Kiki Rice, another UCLA star, who has developed into a versatile guard noted for her perimeter defense, rebounding, and improved shooting accuracy. Rice’s ability to defend multiple positions and organize the offense positions her as a crucial floor general for the Sky.
Playing alongside Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso, Rice’s leadership and skill set could elevate Chicago’s offensive flow, making the team’s promising frontcourt more effective through her playmaking and hustle.
Expansion Teams Set to Make Early Draft Moves
Following the lottery, the newly introduced Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire hold the sixth and seventh picks, determined by a coin flip simulation favoring Toronto at No. 6 in this mock draft. These expansion franchises face the task of building competitive rosters from scratch and will need cornerstone players immediately.
Toronto’s top prospect, Flau’jae Johnson from LSU, is a dynamic guard with three-level scoring capability, although her senior year production has dipped. Despite this, she has the potential to be a franchise player who provides immediate offense and defensive energy.
Portland’s selection, Nell Angloma, a 19-year-old French forward, rose swiftly thanks to a breakout EuroCup season. Known for her athleticism and ability to excel in transition, Angloma’s offensive aggressiveness and European experience could align well with coach Alex Sarama and general manager Vanja Cernivic’s familiarity with European talent.
Golden State Valkyries Pick Sharpshooter Gianna Kneepkens
Golden State’s draft profile points to Gianna Kneepkens, a UCLA guard demonstrating elite shooting prowess. Kneepkens is on pace for a rare 50/40/90 season, showcasing 45.7% from three-point range while handling over five attempts per game.
The Valkyries have historically struggled with outside shooting percentages despite many attempts, and Kneepkens’ accurate long-range scoring could directly address this vulnerability, benefiting from a system willing to emphasize high-volume perimeter shooting.
Additional Noteworthy Prospects Across the First Round
The Washington Mystics are poised to strengthen their wing rotation with Gabriela Jaquez, a relentless UCLA guard known for her energy and improving three-point shot. Described by her brother, NBA player Jaime Jaquez, as a “plug-and-play” type, she offers immediate team value through hustle and smart defense.
Indiana Fever could add defensive versatility and playmaking with Raven Johnson from South Carolina, who has drastically improved her 3-point shooting and ball-handling this season. Her length and defensive skills complement the Fever’s need for multifaceted guards to support stars like Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell.
The Mystics might also select forward Marta Suarez from TCU with the 11th pick, a shooter who can stretch the floor at the four position, crucial for their offensive spacing given their league-low three-point attempts last season.
Connecticut Sun’s backcourt options may include Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina, whose scoring role has diminished recently but who remains a strong fit for the team needing more offensive firepower. The Sun might also gamble on Madina Okot, a center from South Carolina with impressive defensive tools and raw athleticism despite limited basketball experience.
Atlanta Dream’s first-round choice, Janiah Barker of Tennessee, addresses perimeter shooting concerns. Despite her inconsistencies, Barker’s career-best three-point shooting and offensive upside offer the Dream a potential scoring boost to complement Karl Smesko’s system.
Seattle Storm’s second first-round pick could go to Iyana Martín from Spain, a gifted young playmaker and recipient of the EuroLeague Young Player of the Year award. Though she may need time to adjust to the WNBA, her skills make her a candidate for a draft-and-stash strategy.
Implications for Teams and the League Ahead
The 2026 WNBA Draft presents a pivotal moment for franchises as they anticipate building rosters amidst uncertainty from stalled CBA negotiations. Teams like Dallas, Seattle, and Washington face critical decisions to assemble competitive, balanced squads incorporating top rookies blending shooting, defense, and playmaking skills.
Expansion teams Toronto and Portland look to anchor their fledgling franchises with versatile guards and athletic wings eager to make immediate impacts. Meanwhile, established teams attempt to augment their cores with players who can meet defined tactical needs, such as floor spacing, rim protection, and playmaking leadership.
As the NCAA Tournament captures national attention, the evolving draft landscape underscores how essential future prospects like Azzi Fudd and UCLA’s talented contingent are to shaping the next era of the WNBA, provided that the collective bargaining talks are resolved timely to ensure a stable and competitive 2026 season.
