The New Year is upon us and that means we’re inching closer to the WNBA Draft.
In 2026, though, we are unsure when or if prospects get to hear their names called due to a potential locking looming as the WNBA and the player’s association remain distant on a new collective bargaining agreement.
In recent years, the WNBA Draft took place in April — right after the conclusion of the NCAA’s Final Four. Draftees would later make the quick turnaround to WNBA training camp.
As of now, there’s no draft date or location — and no real true indicator that there will even be a 2026 WNBA.
That leaves top collegiate and international prospects unclear of their immediate WNBA futures.
The Daily News, however, takes a look on where prospects could land if a 2026 WNBA Draft takes place.
1. Dallas Wings: Awa Fam – Spain/Center/6-4
The Dallas Wings struck gold in 2025 after selecting Rookie of the Year winner Paige Bueckers No. 1 overall. Basketball gods once again granted the Wings good luck with a chance to select another franchise cornerstone: Awa Fam.
Fam, a versatile 6-4 big, fits the mold for the changing WNBA landscape. Her positionless play makes her a scoring option around the rim, a threat in pick-and-rolls and a viable passer to set up teammates. Pairing the big with Bueckers could form a 1-2 punch for the foreseeable future.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Azzi Fudd – UConn/Guard/ 5-11
Several injuries halted Azzi Fudd’s career in high school and college: torn right ACL (twice), torn MCL and less serious right knee and foot injuries. But, the UConn star seemingly kicked the injury bug and looks like a top projected pick draft experts expected her to be.
Fudd’s elite shooting opens up the floor for any WNBA franchise — even on a championship-level roster in Minnesota where her minutes may not be maximized right away. Fudd shot 43.6% from deep during the last season’s NCAA title-winning campaign and is up to 50.6% in her final season in Storrs. The elite sharpshooting is too good to pass up on.
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles – TCU/Guard/5-10
TCU’s Olivia Miles is on triple-double watch any time she takes the floor for the Horned Frogs. Miles picked up right where she left off from last season’s AP All-American Team selection year: 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists.
She’s the best point guard in the class. She likely would’ve gone top 3 in last year’s WNBA Draft had she decided to declare and not transfer out of Notre Dame. She’s a good fit for new head coach Sonia Raman regardless if the franchise decides to rebuild or remain in contention.
4.Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts – UCLA/Center/6-7
Before the 2025-26 collegiate season began, draft experts heralded Betts as the presumptive No. 1 pick. But the rise of Fam and elite guards raise questions where Betts could land. The WNBA’s clear transition to quicker pace, positionless basketball and spread out offenses don’t work in the favor of Betts, who is a traditional center.
But her talent and defensive ability is too great to pass up on. She’s averaged at least two blocks per game since her sophomore season and nearly notched three per game last season (2.9) with the Bruins. Through 12 games this season, she’s averaging 15.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
5. Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson – LSU/Guard/5-10
Much has been said about LSU’s weak non-conference schedule and its inability to provide a real showcase on the growth of Flau’jae Johnson and the Tigers — which still proves to be true. But enough prior tape is out on Johnson to validate her as a top WNBA draft pick.
Devotion to defense. Speedy transition buckets. Dribble pull-up jumpshots. That’s what you’re getting with Johnson. And landing her No. 5 overall will pair her with Angel Reese — the LSU duo won a national championship together back in 2023.
6. Toronto Tempo: Ta’Niya Latson – South Carolina/Guard/5-8
The WNBA’s newest expansion teams — Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire — will flip a coin to decide which franchise gets the sixth and seventh overall picks in this draft. Both teams, of course, have no current roster.
In that case, why not go for the best player available in South Carolina’s Ta’Niya Latson. Her scoring ability is undeniable after averaging at least 21 points per game in her first three collegiate seasons at Florida State, including a Division I-leading 25.2 last season. Under head coach Dawn Staley, Latson is still doing damage: 16.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game through 14 games.
Latson, however, suffered a lower leg injury that could impact her senior season and draft stock.
7. Portland Fire: Gianna Kneepkens — UCLA/Guard/5-11
Again, we currently don’t know what the expansion team’s roster will look like. But there’s always a need for shooters.
UCLA’s Gianna Kneepkens provides that — averaging no worse than 42.3% from deep in collegiate season she’s shot at least five treys per game. Through 13 games with the Bruins, Kneepkens is averaging 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists with 50.7/44.2/91.7 splits.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Cotie McMahon — Ole Miss/Forward/6-0
The former Buckeye’s glaring need to improve her defense has been a topic discussed by draft experts. But where she lacks there is made up for on the other side of the court.
Footwork and strength is pacing McMahon to a career-best 18.6 points per game through 15 appearances. Golden State got a head start in their first-ever WNBA season — clinching a playoff berth after going 23-21 in the regular season. Adding McMahon will add to the team’s promising progress.
9. Washington Mystics: Yarden Garzon — Maryland/Guard/6-3
The Washington Mystics shot the fourth-worst three-point percentage (32.9%) on the fewest attempts (17.1) in 2025. So why not try fixing that with a sharpshooter like Yarden Garzon?
Before transferring to Maryland, Garzon departed Indiana as the program’s best women’s shooter after logging 45.8%, 42.2% and 40.7% from her freshman to junior seasons, respectively. Her senior season at Maryland has seen her percentage drop under 40% — 39.0% through 14 games — but her track record shows picking her is worth a shot.
10. Indiana Fever: Madina Okot — South Carolina/Center/6-6
Medina Okot — like Betts — is another traditional center with enough talent to land in a league shifting away from its previous playstyle.
And the Indiana Fever could benefit from defensive players to complement its rapid offense. Okot helps provide that defense with her lane-clogging length. She’s 11.2 rebounds per game through 13 appearances. Her 1.5 blocks per games leads the team and ranks among the best in the conference.
11.Washington Mystics: Gabriela Jaquez — UCLA/Guard/6-0
The Mystics already have four guards under contract through the 2027 season — one through 2028 — and are projected to select Yarden Garzon in this mock draft. But after shooting so poorly last season and with the emphasis of floor spacing becoming more prevalent, UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez could be a fit.
Her 6-0 frame allows her to stay on the floor while sharing playing time with ball-dominant guards. And her career-best 52.8% shooting from deep could help improve Washington’s shooting woes.
12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martín Carrión — Spain/Guard/5-9
Iyana Martín Carrión, the 2024-25 Euroleague Young Player of the Year, is a standout in overseas play. The potential of striking gold on an international prospect for the Connecticut Sun would be a major stepping stone for the rebuilding franchise.
Front offices years ago should’ve taken notice of the Spanish guard, who averaged 16.1 points and 3.3 assists at the U-19 World Cup playing against some of America’s brightest prospects.
13. Atlanta Dream: Raven Johnson — South Carolina/Guard/5-8
Most prospects picked at this spot — by a playoff team like the Dream — may not see much playing time, assuming most of Atlanta’s roster returns in free agency. But why not take a two-way, Dawn-Staley product?
Raven Johnson, a two-time NCAA champion and fifth-year season, is a seasoned prospect. The Dream notched a franchise-best regular season record (30-14) after much improvement to the team’s overall defense under first-year head coach Karl Smesko. Johnson’s willingness on defense could find her some minutes in Smesko’s rotation.
14. Seattle Storm: Serah Williams — UConn/Forward/6-4
Williams put up big numbers in her junior season at Wisconsin (19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game) before transferring to Fudd’s UConn team. Her senior season numbers dropped playing alongside more talented teammates: 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
Still, Williams’ footwork and length can’t be ignored. Seattle’s future looks bright with the emergence of French phenom Dominique Malonga, but adding Williams is a plus for the Storm’s frontcourt depth.
15. Connecticut Sun: Janiah Barker — Tennessee/Forward/6-4
The talent is there.
Whether Janiah Baker could remain consistent or not was the question as she entered her final collegiate season with the Lady Vols.
Through 11 games, she averaging 14.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals. She may be worth a try as the Sun close out the first round.
