{"id":559981,"date":"2026-04-02T09:51:07","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T09:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/559981\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T09:51:07","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T09:51:07","slug":"wnba-mock-draft-2026-projecting-where-azzi-fudd-lauren-betts-other-college-stars-will-be-picked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/559981\/","title":{"rendered":"WNBA Mock Draft 2026: Projecting where Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts, other college stars will be picked"},"content":{"rendered":"

WNBA Mock Draft 2026: Projecting where Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts, other college stars will be picked<\/a> originally appeared on The Sporting News<\/a>. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The future is now in the WNBA, with youngsters making marked impacts in recent seasons.<\/p>\n

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Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Paige Bueckers, Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen all landed All-Star appearances in their maiden seasons in 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n

There are plenty more supernovas on the horizon in this year\u2019s class, with Awa Fam, Olivia Miles and Azzi Fudd leading an impressive cast of characters set to take the leap in 2026.<\/p>\n

The No. 1 pick remains up for debate, although Fam looks to have stolen a match on Miles and Fudd in recent weeks.<\/p>\n

With that, here\u2019s a look at the 2026 WNBA Mock Draft.<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0What to know about Connecticut Sun’s impending relocation to Houston<\/a><\/p>\n

WNBA Mock Draft 2026First round1. Dallas Wings: Awa Fam, Valencia (Spain) | Spain<\/p>\n

Position:\u00a0Forward\/Center<\/p>\n

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Fam is the best prospect available in this year’s draft. Her size, versatility, footwork and passing chops — especially in the short roll — make her an enchanting prospect, especially to a side already blessed with one gifted pick-and-roll operator in Paige Bueckers.<\/p>\n

Three years younger than the majority of her draft class peers, Fam and her two-way skillset should make her the first international prospect to go No. 1 overall since Lauren Jackson did so in 2001.<\/p>\n

2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, TCU<\/p>\n

Miles would’ve gone top-three had she declared for the WNBA Draft like expected in 2025. She’ll earn similar billing in 2026. Few guards in recent college basketball history have flaunted passing skills quite like Miles, a dizzying ball-handler who has displayed sumptuous shooting over the years.<\/p>\n

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With Kayla McBride in their ranks, the Lynx don’t necessarily need\u00a0a point guard. But she’ll turn 34 before the end of the season. Miles figures to inject youth and skill into a championship-caliber roster.<\/p>\n

3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd, UConn<\/p>\n

Fudd is the best shooter in this year’s class, blessed with an effortless shooting form that should translate at the next level. She might not present the dynamism of Fam or Miles. But she’s dependable on both ends of the floor. Fudd should fit nicely into Seattle’s burgeoning young core. Her off-ball shooting should open up space for Dominique Malonga and Jordan Horston, both of whom are at their best when attacking the rim.<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0Who are the best UConn women’s players ever?<\/a><\/p>\n

4. Washington Mystics: Kiki Rice, UCLA<\/p>\n

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Conventional wisdom might suggest the Mystics take Lauren Betts at this spot. We’ll go for her UCLA teammate, Kiki Rice, who projects to fill a position of need for a Washington side lacking a floor general.<\/p>\n

The Mystics have invested heavily into their frontcourt in recent years — so much so that they were forced to trade away 2024 first-round pick Aaliyah Edwards last season. Rice is an explosive talent in the lead guard role who could nestle nicely with All-Stars Iriafen and Sonia Citron. She also went to high school at DC powerhouse Sidwell and Friends, further sweetening the pot.<\/p>\n

5. Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson, LSU<\/p>\n

Angel Reese’s progression as a passer was a godsend for the Sky, who boasted perhaps women’s basketball’s worst backcourt in 2025. The Sky will get reinforcements in the form of Johnson, Reese’s old college teammate.<\/p>\n

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Johnson is a dogged defender who will inject much-needed athleticism into a Chicago side bereft of it. Her stock dipped slightly in her senior season. But Johnson remains an alluring prospect. She should be able to feed Reese and Kamilla Cardoso with a healthy portion of entry passes in 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0Before Kim Mulkey was an eccentric coach, she was a player<\/a><\/p>\n

6. Toronto Tempo: Lauren Betts, UCLA<\/p>\n

Toronto general manager Monica Wright will want to make a splash with the franchise’s first-ever draft pick. We think she’ll go with Betts, a hulking talent whose interior scoring could pop at the next level.<\/p>\n

Some observers considered Betts a No. 1 pick candidate heading into the college season. That hasn’t quite materialized as she would have hoped, with her rebounding frailties and below-average physicality giving some scouts pause. Nevertheless, Betts is a skillful big whose mobility, touch and defensive gifts are hard to ignore.<\/p>\n

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7. Portland Fire: Nell Angloma, BMLA (France) | France<\/p>\n

Angloma is the latest in France’s prospect factory line, enjoying a splendid campaign with Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration. Her success at the EuroCup level has captivated admirers, although there are questions about her ability to shoot the ball at the next level.<\/p>\n

Still, Angloma is a strong, lanky athlete who should have ample time to fill into her frame. If Angloma can consistently hit shots from range, the Fire will have quite the building block at their disposal.<\/p>\n

8. Golden State Valkyries: Raven Johnson, South Carolina<\/p>\n

The Valkyries dipped into the international market during the 2025 WNBA Draft, adding Janelle Salaun and Juste Jocyte to a roster that already featured Carla Leite and — for a moment — Julie Vanloo.<\/p>\n

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We think they’ll stay closer to home when they come to the stage in 2026. Johnson’s calling card has long been her defense. But she has come on leaps and bounds as a shooter, hitting 41.4 percent of her triples as a senior. Johnson might not be the flashiest prospect. But she should be able to find some success in Natalie Nakase’s setup.<\/p>\n

MORE: Revisiting South Carolina coach Dawn Staley’s playing career<\/a><\/p>\n

9. Washington Mystics: Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA<\/p>\n

Kneepkens is the easy pick for the Mystics, who ranked bottom of the league in three-point attempts. Citron is a trebuchet, flaunting a scorching 44.5% three-point rate in her rookie season. Beyond her, Washington was lacking in floor spacers.<\/p>\n

Kneepkens should fill that role with aplomb. The Utah transfer is a career 43.2% three-point shooter across five collegiate seasons.<\/p>\n

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10. Indiana Fever: Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA<\/p>\n

The Fever fell just short of a Finals berth in 2025. Assuming Caitlin Clark has a clean bill of health in 2026, they should be able to contend for glory in 2026.<\/p>\n

Jaquez possesses all the skills desired out of a modern wing. She projects to be something of a utility player at the next level, with her potential hinging on whether her jumper is consistent. Jaquez sank 54% of her threes against non-conference opposition. That figure dropped to just 30% against Big Ten foes.<\/p>\n

11. Washington Mystics: Madina Okot, South Carolina<\/p>\n

At the time of this mock draft’s writing, Okot has not declared for the WNBA Draft. Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley told reporters that South Carolina would be petitioning for Okot to be granted a waiver to play another season of college.<\/p>\n

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If she\u00a0does\u00a0declare, though, Okot could draw first-round buzz. Her youth, athleticism and hands are enchanting. So, too, are her budding shooting skills — Okot has hit 48.1% of her three-pointers, albeit on limited attempts.<\/p>\n

Okot has her flaws, particularly in regards to her interior scoring. Nevertheless, she projects as a first-round talent.<\/p>\n

12. Connecticut Sun: Ta\u2019Niya Latson, South Carolina<\/p>\n

Latson can light the basket up like few others in the nation. At Florida State, she was artful, particularly in transition. Her athletic gifts make her a difficult matchup to handle out in the open floor.<\/p>\n

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The South Carolina guard has her detractors \u2014 she\u2019s not much of a shooter and can struggle to attack defenders one-on-one. But Latson\u2019s athleticism should be enough to draw first-round consideration, especially for a Connecticut side still finding its way after Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones\u2019 departures.<\/p>\n

13. Atlanta Dream: Iyana Martin, Perfumerias Avenida (Spain) | Spain<\/p>\n

Martin is one of the best passers in this year\u2019s draft, adept at finding cutters and shooters with unique passing angles.<\/p>\n

She\u2019s undoubtedly a prospect player, needing to add some dynamism in other parts of her game. Her lackluster frame is also of concern, although Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray should have the defensive chops to help her at the next level.<\/p>\n

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Martin projects as a draft-and-stash. Atlanta has the talent to justify keeping her in Europe for an additional season.<\/p>\n

MORE:\u00a0Most points scored in a women’s March Madness game<\/a><\/p>\n

14. Seattle Storm: Ashton Jackson, Duke<\/p>\n

Jackson is far from your proverbial 3-and-D wing, also offering a play-making flourish. She averaged a career-best 4.6 assists as a senior and should sizzle coming off the bench for Seattle.<\/p>\n

15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss<\/p>\n

McMahon rounds out the list of first-rounders. The Ole Miss wing needs to improve her shooting stroke at the next level. But she\u2019s an athletic marvel at her size. That\u2019s a welcome addition to the Sun\u2019s underwhelming roster.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"WNBA Mock Draft 2026: Projecting where Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts, other college stars will be picked originally appeared…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":559982,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[53534,4130,15447,3691,3444,161082,16393,18417,1760,77719,438,4384,2834,11649,56300,4129,4804,2839,32286,29492,18117,8255,65485,65479,66038,1077,15114,2833,12077,3751,72670,18118,4676,8254,99,85228,8253,434,2940],"class_list":{"0":"post-559981","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wnba","8":"tag-aaliyah-edwards","9":"tag-allisha-gray","10":"tag-alyssa-thomas","11":"tag-angel-reese","12":"tag-atlanta-dream","13":"tag-awa-fam","14":"tag-azzi-fudd","15":"tag-brionna-jones","16":"tag-caitlin-clark","17":"tag-carla-leite","18":"tag-chicago-sky","19":"tag-connecticut-sun","20":"tag-dallas-wings","21":"tag-dewanna-bonner","22":"tag-dominique-malonga","23":"tag-fever","24":"tag-golden-state-valkyries","25":"tag-indiana-fever","26":"tag-julie-vanloo","27":"tag-kamilla-cardoso","28":"tag-kayla-mcbride","29":"tag-kiki-iriafen","30":"tag-kiki-rice","31":"tag-lauren-betts","32":"tag-lauren-jackson","33":"tag-minnesota-lynx","34":"tag-olivia-miles","35":"tag-paige-bueckers","36":"tag-portland-fire","37":"tag-position","38":"tag-raven-johnson","39":"tag-rhyne-howard","40":"tag-seattle-storm","41":"tag-sonia-citron","42":"tag-sports","43":"tag-toronto-tempo","44":"tag-washington-mystics","45":"tag-wnba","46":"tag-wnba-draft"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/559981","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=559981"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/559981\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/559982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=559981"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=559981"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=559981"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}