Looking ahead to the WNBA Draft
USAT’s Mitch Northam breaks down some of the WNBA prospects to keep an eye on now that the women’s NCAA basketball season is over.
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NEW YORK — The 2026 WNBA Draft begins in a few hours.
After months of waiting, one of the biggest events of the offseason begins on Monday, April 13th at The Shed in New York. For the past few years, the No. 1 pick has been made by consensus heading into the tournament. This year’s top spot has been in contention for weeks, with much talk about all the possibilities.
But after an action-packed first week of WNBA free agency, the Dallas Wings’ choice has become clearer. The Wings are expected to draft University Huskies guard Aji Fuad with the No. 1 pick. No. 1 candidates also include Spaniard Our Pham, UCLA center Lauren Betts and TCU guard Olivia Miles.
How on earth do they escape? Here are USA TODAY’s final 2026 WNBA mock drafts:
1. Dallas Wings: Aj Fuad, G, UConn
Dallas’ frontcourt is crowded after free agency. Drafting another post player isn’t a bad option, but the Wings need guard depth and shooting. That makes Fudd an easy choice. She moves off the ball, can defend when called upon, and is the purest shooter in the draft class. Dallas will have to figure out where Fudd lands in the lineup with Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers, but a three-guard attack should help the offense dramatically.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
Minnesota would be wise to draft Betts after losing key players like Alana Smith and Jessica Shepard to free agency. She has a presence on the interior and has no problem cleaning up the boards or kicking out to open teammates for easy scores. The Bruins center is a good defender, but Minnesota head coach Sheryl Reeve could help Betts become elite.
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles, G, TCU
It’s no secret that the Storm are in full rebuild mode following the departures of Skyler Diggins, Gabby Williams, and Nneka Ogwumike. Seattle should acquire a young talent like Dominic Malonga, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft, to pair with Miles. The TCU product has great vision and will be the Storm’s go-to scoring option. Early compatibility with Malonga is required.
4. Washington Mystics: Our Fam, C, Spain
The Mystics could use quite a bit of depth. Veteran Steph Dolson joined Seattle during free agency, but it’s unclear whether current center Shakira Austin will return. (As of this publication, Austin has an offer from Tempo, and the Mystics could match.) Either way, Fam could be patient and take advantage of this space as they continue to grow. Washington can provide that without pressure to produce right away.
5. Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson, G, LSU
Chicago made some solid moves during free agency to put themselves in a position to compete. Rikea Jackson, Dijonai Carrington, Skyler Diggins and Azura Stevens are all members of the Windy City. This addition closed many of the holes, but left a gap in the shooting guard. Johnson fills that need right away, and if Sky needs her, she can start now and create two-way production on the fly.
6. Toronto Tempo: Tanya Latson, G, South Carolina
The Tempos also need help at guard, and Latson is a little undersized at 5-foot-8, but her confidence should help her at the next level. Latson needs to be in an environment where she can develop as a score-first guard, and head coach Sandy Brondello has proven she can do that throughout her career. Latson may not start right away, but there may be no rush in Toronto.
7. Portland Fire: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA
Portland needs a House General to fill out its roster, and Rice fits the bill. During her senior season at UCLA, she proved more than capable of handling facilitation duties and calling her own number when needed. She should have a solid rookie season in the WNBA if she can trust her judgment and accept what the defense gives her.
The idea of adding Jaquez to the roster should excite Golden State. The Valkyries will be getting a jack-of-all-trades player who isn’t afraid to tackle things that don’t really show up on the stat sheet. She also has an electric three-ball and should be a solid addition to a team that led the WNBA in 3-point scoring (9.7) per game last season.
9. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, G. South Carolina
The Mystics have no problem with guard depth and insurance as they wait to see what happens when Georgia Amoore returns to the court this season. Still, even with a healthy Amoore, Washington could use a gritty, skittish guard like Johnson to anchor the defense and keep the offense moving smoothly.
10. Indiana Fever: Gianna Neepkens, G, UCLA
What Indiana didn’t have enough of last season were guards and shooters. Knepkens is both. She can work inside and out, and her footwork is underrated, but she can sink the corner 3-point shot that has been a Fever staple for years. Head coach Stephanie White will appreciate Knepkens’ strength and energy.
11. Washington Mystics: Nell Anguloma, F, France
Angloma is a versatile piece that Mystics can rely on now or stash for later. At 5 feet 11 inches tall, she is considered more of a wing than a pure forward, but is capable of both. Anguloma does a lot of work in the paint and goes downhill quickly, but he can also make 3-pointers when called upon.
12. Connecticut: Iyana Martin Carrion, G., Spain
Karrion is the type of guard who takes advantage of his opponent’s assumptions and makes them pay the price. She can use her footwork to weave through traffic to reach the cup, or drop it from deep without flinching. The Sun would be wise to keep the Spanish guard, although she may not be able to play now if she is drafted.
13. Atlanta Dream: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
The Dream plans to acquire the best player at age 13. That player could contribute right away, but Atlanta isn’t looking for an instant star. If the pick goes to Okot, the South Carolina center would land in a great spot for her development. Head coach Karl Smesko could help her as a defender and improve her shooting, especially from 3-point range.
14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez, F, TCU
Reuniting Suarez with his college point guard could be valuable for Seattle. She led the Horned Frogs in 3-point shooting last season and could help a Seattle team that needs chemistry sooner rather than later. The young trio of Malonga, Miles and Saules could help build the Storm’s future.
15. Connecticut: Coty McMahon, F, Ole Miss
McMahon is a versatile player and could find his groove with Sun as a wing or forward. She brings a lot of energy and isn’t afraid to pull up downhill or from the midrange. She moves well without the ball and can open lanes for her teammates, which could earn her more playing time as the season progresses.
