At 19, Spain’s Awa Fam is one of the brightest young prospects in international basketball. Her 6’6″ size and versatility have made her one of the top picks in the 2026 WNBA mock drafts.

Before she signed her contract with Valencia Basket in December 2021 and became the youngest player to do so at 15 years, Fam was pursued by some of the top programs in women’s college basketball in the USA.

Awa Fam Explains Not Accepting Offers from UConn, LSU, Duke

In a recent interview with Hunter Cruse, Fam revealed she was pursued by Ole Miss, LSU, Duke, TCU, and UConn. These are some of the biggest names in college basketball, and the offers were tempting for the Alicante native.

“I was very, very interested, because I know the [biggest] advantage in the USA is that you can study, and you can practice playing games, and it is so very interesting to me. It was very confusing because I didn’t know what I want.”

However, being born and brought up in Valencia, she felt like it was the right choice for her to stay and improve her game by signing a long contract with Valencia Basket.

“For me, Valencia has always been like my second home. They treat me so well. I have my friends here, and I have my family, only two hours from here.”

She did not give up on her goal of playing for a U.S. college basketball team, but an even bigger dream was playing in the WNBA, Fam revealed.

“My dream since I was little has been to be in the WNBA. So, maybe, if I am really good in the Euro League and Valencia, maybe in one year or two, I can go to the WNBA.”

If the mock drafts are to be believed, she has a very real chance of achieving her childhood dreams next year. International prospects who don’t go to U.S. colleges become eligible for the WNBA draft when they turn 20, which Fam will do next year in June.

The 2026 WNBA draft is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 13, 2026. In 2025, three European players were picked in the first round: Dominique Malonga, Justė Jocytė, and Ajša Sivka.

After the Dallas Wings won the 2026 WNBA draft lottery, Awa Fam emerged as the No. 1 pick in Michael Voepel’s mock draft. He reported that Fam’s agent said competing in the WNBA is her “top priority” for 2026. She replaced UCLA’s Lauren Betts as the top pick. UConn’s Azzi Fudd is also being touted as the No. 1 pick, given her backcourt chemistry with former teammate Paige Bueckers.