WNBA mock draft 2026: Azzi Fudd returns to projected No. 1

WNBA draft day is right here, and the league’s latest rookies are about to discover out the place they’re chosen. Before the draft begins Monday evening (7 pm ET, ESPN) in New York, ESPN takes one final take a look at how the 45 picks may shake out.

Our ultimate projection comes with one other change on the high: UConn taking pictures guard Azzi Fudd returns because the projected No. 1 choose for the Dallas Wingswho’ve been busy throughout free company this previous week. The Wings are bringing again veteran guard Arike Ogunbowalethe No. 5 choose in 2019 who has spent his profession with Dallas. They even have 2025 Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers returning to guard. They added veteran free brokers Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepardwho had been each with the Minnesota Lynx final 12 months.

With Fudd being an elite 3-point shooter, plus her progress as a defender, she ought to match properly with the Wings. The different high guard within the draft, TCU‘s Olivia Mileswas the No. 1 choose in final week’s mock, however she is projected to be chosen very early.

History may be made Monday: National champion UCLA might grow to be the primary crew to have a record six players draftedas projected.

UConn | taking pictures guard | 5-foot-11 | senior

Fudd was the Most Outstanding Player on the 2025 Final Four, however she did not have as sturdy an NCAA event this season. After a career-high 34 factors, together with eight 3-pointers, within the second spherical, Fudd totaled simply 31 factors on 12-of-39 taking pictures (30.8%) in his final three video games. She was 3-of-15 for eight factors within the Huskies’ nationwide semifinal loss to South Carolina. Still, she shot 42.2% from 3-point vary in her school profession. With her fast launch and footwork, her taking pictures ought to proceed to be vital on the subsequent stage.

TCU | level guard | 5-foot-10 | senior

Miles averaged a career-best 19.6 factors this season because the Horned Frogs went 32-6 and received the Big 12 regular-season title. She had six triple-doubles this season, together with one within the first spherical of the NCAA event. Her court docket imaginative and prescient is superb. She made 73 3-pointers this season at TCU and in addition final season at Notre Dame. The Lynx have misplaced some key gamers in free company and may gain advantage from a younger level guard who can develop in Minnesota. Miles wants to enhance her protection, however she’s already offensively dynamic.

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Olivia Miles drops close to triple-double as TCU advances to the Elite Eight

Olivia Miles drops 28 factors, 10 rebounds and eight assists as TCU places away Virginia 79-69.

Spain | heart | 6-foot-4

Fam, who’s averaging 9.2 factors and 5.0 rebounds for Valencia in Spain, is simply 19 and has a ton of potential. The Storm, who misplaced veteran ahead Nneka Ogwumike to Los Angeles in free company, most likely may gain advantage from choosing up one other younger submit participant. Considering how properly UCLA’s Lauren Betts performed her senior season, she is likely to be thought of for this spot, too.

UCLA | heart | 6-foot-7 | senior

Betts helped his draft inventory throughout the NCAA event, a pleasant facet profit to successful the nationwide championship. She shot at the least 60% from the sphere in all six NCAA event video games, ending with a 68.8 area aim share. She averaged 21 factors, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and a couple of.8 blocks and was named the event’s Most Outstanding Player. Betts seemingly most closely fits the Mystics’ wants.

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UCLA routs South Carolina for first NCAA title

UCLA takes dwelling the nationwide title after an enormous win over South Carolina.

France | small ahead | 5-foot-11

Angloma is averaging 15.5 factors and 5.6 rebounds for Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (BMLA) in France’s premiere league, BWL. She does not flip 20 till June and certain can play small ahead or taking pictures guard within the WNBA. This previous week, the Sky parted ahead Angel Reese and introduced in ahead Rickea Jackson in separate trades.

L.S.U. | taking pictures guard | 5-foot-10 | senior

Johnson had ups and downs this season, however she has lots of means and may want to play towards execs to begin her subsequent stage of growth. She averaged 19.0 factors and shot 52.4% within the Tigers’ three NCAA event video games. This season, she shot a career-best 39.3% from behind the arc (48 of 122) and tied a profession excessive with 89 assists. Her vitality and protection are two different sturdy factors for the enlargement franchise.

(*1*)play

Emotional Flau’jae Johnson displays on ultimate sport at PMAC as a Tiger

Following LSU’s Sweet 16-clinching win, Johnson delivers a heartfelt reflection on her time in Baton Rouge, expressing gratitude for individuals who formed her journey.

South Carolina | level guard | 5-foot-9 | senior

It seems Johnson helped her draft inventory a lot as a senior after displaying management, maturity and resilience. She displayed these qualities all through her profession at South Carolina, however they had been key in serving to the Gamecocks attain the nationwide championship sport once more and finish UConn’s unbeaten season. Johnson was the SEC Defensive Player of the Year. She may be very sturdy and might successfully guard several types of gamers.

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Raven Johnson scores her 1,000th profession level

Raven Johnson pokes the ball free and lays in her 1,000th profession level for South Carolina.

Spain | level guard | 5-foot-8

Martin, who turned 20 in January, was a part of the Spanish crew that superior to the EuroBasket championship sport final summer season. Despite her youth, she has lots of expertise taking part in on the skilled stage. She is averaging 14.8 factors and 4.2 assists for Perfumerias Avenida in Spain’s LF Endesa. In 2023, she was the MVP of the FIBA ​​U19 World Cup. The Valkyries might see her as a stable addition at level guard.

9. Washington Mystics: Kiki Rice

UCLA | level guard | 5-foot-11 | senior

Similar to her fellow UCLA seniors, Rice saved her greatest for final. She averaged 14.9 factors, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals and shot 49% from the sphere, 38.5% from past the arc and 90.2% on the foul line this season. All these numbers had been profession highs. She additionally averaged 4.6 assists and confirmed a lot poise in clutch conditions, together with her 4 free throws within the ultimate 13 seconds that clinched UCLA’s nationwide semifinal win over Texas. She is from Bethesda, Maryland, and is likely to be reunited with UCLA teammate Betts within the WNBA.

South Carolina | heart | 6-foot-6 | senior

Okot averaged 12.8 factors, 10.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.4 blocks for the nationwide runner-up Gamecocks. South Carolina hoped she would get another 12 months of school eligibility, however the NCAA denied the request. She performed simply two years within the US school system — at Mississippi State in 2024-25 and South Carolina this season — after competing two years in school in her native Kenya. She will want to be taught extra on the fly within the WNBA however may very well be one other massive goal for level guard Caitlin Clark.

Ole Miss | small ahead | 6-foot | senior

McMahon may have to transition to the perimeter within the WNBA and enhance her 3-point taking pictures. She has labored on that throughout the previous two seasons. This season, after transferring to Ole Miss after three years at Ohio State, McMahon averaged a career-high 19.5 factors and had a career-best 36 3-pointers. But she shot 28.6% from behind the arc. McMahon’s bodily model ought to translate properly within the WNBA.

UCLA | taking pictures guard | 6-foot | senior

If somebody noticed solely Jaquez’s nationwide championship sport efficiency — 21 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and sufficient vitality to gentle up the sector — that will be purpose to draft her. But she has provided that sort of effort for 4 seasons at UCLA. She averaged a career-high 13.5 factors and shot 53.9% from the sphere, 39% on 3-pointers and 86% on free throws — all profession bests. It will probably be an emotional season for the Sun and their followers, understanding the franchise is transferring to Houston in 2027. But a participant equivalent to Jaquez might nonetheless grow to be a fan favourite.

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Emotional Gabriela Jaquez reacts to UCLA’s nationwide title victory

UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez discusses her emotions following the Bruins successful their first NCAA girls’s basketball nationwide championship.

South Carolina | taking pictures guard | 5-foot-8 | senior

Latson transferring from Florida State to South Carolina for her senior season labored out properly. She helped lead the Gamecocks to the nationwide championship sport thanks to an enormous efficiency — 16 factors and 11 rebounds — towards UConn within the semifinals. She averaged 14.1 factors and three.6 assists this season and confirmed she might play South Carolina-style protection. The Dream have mentioned they are going to be drafting much less on “need” and extra on greatest accessible participant, and Latson suits that definition if she’s nonetheless on the board.

TCU | small ahead | 6-foot-3 | senior

A local of Oviedo, Spain, Suarez performed two seasons at Tennessee and two at Cal earlier than leaving for TCU. But what she confirmed in her lone season in Fort Worth, Texas, is likely to be sufficient to make her a first-round choose. Suarez averaged 17.1 factors and seven.4 rebounds whereas hitting a team-best 84 3-pointers. Her 33-point, 10-rebound efficiency in TCU’s Sweet 16 victory over Virginia was her most spectacular NCAA event sport. If the Storm additionally draft Fam, it is likely to be good for her to have a fellow Spaniard on the crew.

UCLA | taking pictures guard | 5-foot-11 | senior

Kneepkens’ most well-known talent is long-range taking pictures. She spent 4 years (with one damage redshirt season) at Utah earlier than transferring to UCLA as a senior, a call that labored out nice for her and the nationwide champion Bruins. Her scoring common dipped, as anticipated, with extra expertise round her. But Kneepkens nonetheless shot 42.9% from behind the arc (87 of 203). She completed her school profession at 43.1% from 3-point vary (335 of 777).

Second spherical

16. Seattle Storm: Charlisse Leger-WalkerUCLA, P.G.

17. Portland Fire: Angela DugalicUCLA, P.F.

18. Connecticut Sun: Janiah BarkerTennessee, P.F.

19. Washington Mystics: Ashlon JacksonDuke, S.G.

20. Los Angeles Sparks: Raegan BeersOklahoma, C

21. Chicago Sky: Tony MorganKentucky, P.G.

22. Toronto Tempo: Frieda Bühner, Germany, PF

23. Golden State Valkyries: Yarden GarzonMaryland, SG

24. Los Angeles Sparks: Justine PissottVanderbilt, S.G.

25. Indiana Fever: Taina MairDuke, P.G.

26. Toronto Tempo: Rori HarmonTexas, P.G.

27. Phoenix Mercury: Laila PheliaSyracuse, SG

28. Atlanta Dream: Maggie DooganRichmond, P.F.

29. Las Vegas Aces: Kierra WheelerWest Virginia, P.F.

30. Washington Mystics: Grace Van SlootenMichigan State, P.F.

Third spherical

31. Dallas Wings: Darianna Littlepage-BuggsBaylor, P.F.

32. Chicago Sky: Cassandre ProsperNotre Dame, SG

33. Connecticut Sun: Latasha LattimoreOle Miss, P.F.

34. Washington Mystics: Chance GrayOhio State, S.G.

35. Los Angeles Sparks: Kara DunnUSC, S.G.

36. Toronto Tempo: Sacha WashingtonVanderbilt, P.F.

37. Portland Fire: Christeen IwualaOle Miss, P.F.

38. Golden State Valkyries: Hannah StuelkeIowa, P.F.

39. Seattle Storm: Jessica TimmonsAlabama, SG

40. Indiana Fever: Shay CiezkiIndiana, SG

41. New York Liberty: Mya PerryCincinnati, SG

42. Phoenix Mercury: Teonni KeyKentucky, P.F.

43. Atlanta Dream: Lani WhiteUtah, SG

44. Las Vegas Aces: Micah GrayOklahoma State, S.G.

45. Minnesota Lynx: Serah WilliamsUConn, C