With theWomen's Final Fourcomplete, all eyes turn towards the2026 WNBA Draft.
TheWNBA drafttakes place Monday, April 13, in New York, and this year's event has a different feel. Unlike the last two drafts, where Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were consensus No. 1 overall picks, this year's top spot is up for grabs.
After an exciting March Madness, it's time to see who helped their stock and who fell down the draft board. Is Awa Fam still at the top? Is Azzi Fudd a top-five draft pick? Who vaulted into the first round?
Here's USA TODAY's latest 2026 WNBA mock draft:
1. Dallas Wings: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
After a stellar NCAA Tournament run, Betts has done enough to earn consideration for the No. 1 overall pick. While the Bruins center will need to work on shooting more baskets in the mid-range and later from deep, she can be inserted into Dallas's lineup when the season starts on May 8. Her length and size make her an immediate threat in the post, along with her passing abilities and rebounding prowess.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, G, TCU
Minnesota doesn't struggle to move the ball, but adding Miles into the mix gives the Lynx the ability to take their offensive movement up a level. The TCU guard has a high basketball IQ, which should help her with the rookie learning curve on a team with championship aspirations. Head coach Cheryl Reeve can also bring out the best in Miles defensive skills as she adjusts to WNBA play.
3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
Fudd had a very underwhelming NCAA Tournament aside from her second round game against Syracuse. The slump won't stop her from being drafted. The UConn guard's shot is still the purest in college basketball, and her ability to be an offensive threat at any moment is something you don't see as often at the rookie level. Fudd also rarely wastes a movement or a shot, making her a prime candidate to draft.
4. Washington Mystics: Awa Fam, C, Spain
Fam has an extremely high upside and could start for a team now. However, at 19 years old, she's a raw prospect and might benefit from an environment where she doesn't have immediate pressure to produce. Washington could plug Fam in behind center Shakira Austin, allowing her time to learn, grow and gain confidence. An aggressive Fam would be a dangerous Fam.
5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA
Until veteran Courtney Vandersloot returns, the Sky need a guard who can facilitate, score when needed and defend. Rice, who finished a career year in a UCLA uniform, has proven she can do it all. The senior guard has improved her ability to read opposing defenses, maintain patience with solid footwork and recover in help defense. Rice would also take some pressure off Hailey Van Lith, who struggled during her rookie season.
6. Toronto Tempo: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU
Johnson has a score-first mentality, and she does it in a variety of ways: midrange, downhill in the paint and from the 3-point line. She's one of the top defensive guards in the 2026 class, and if she can improve her defensive awareness at the pro level, she can become an elite two-way guard. Head coach Sandy Brondello should also be a tremendous asset to Johnson's growth.
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7. Portland Fire: Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina
Latson's NCAA Tournament run was a mixed bag. That shouldn't hurt her WNBA draft stock, but it wasn't hard to notice as the level of competition rose (with games against TCU, UConn and UCLA), she struggled to find her shot or ways to contribute. At the pro level, she'll be asked to do more, and she'll need to lean into her aggressiveness to have success.
Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in the NCAA women's basketball tournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.
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Kamy Peppler #1 of the Green Bay Phoenix reacts against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the third quarter during the First Round of the Women's NCAA Tournament at Williams Arena on March 20, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Golden Gophers defeated the Phoenix 75-58.
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March Sadness hits hard in the Women's NCAA basketball tournament
Michigan State's Rashunda Jones (1) walks off the court following a second-round game in theNCAA women's basketballtournament between the Oklahoma Sooners and Michigan State Spartans at Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, Okla., Sunday March 22, 2026.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA
If a team gives her any space, Jaquez will make them pay. The guard can do it all, with assists, 3-pointers, in the paint, on the boards or by creating a steal. She should fit well within Golden State's "hard hat and lunch pail" culture, where they pride themselves on having energy on both sides of the ball.
9. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, G South Carolina
While Johnson has proven she can score when needed, it's her facilitation skills and defense that will make her a top 10 pick. The South Carolina guard does a great job of feeding her bigs and spreading the offense out to find the best shot. She is also a lockdown defender who leaves little room for error and isn't afraid of anyone on a court, regardless of size.
10. Indiana Fever: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA
Kneepkens ended her college career shooting nearly 50-40-90, which is impressive and rare in today's college landscape. The UCLA guard's game isn't flashy, but it's often timely. Kneepkens knows how to step into the big moments, as she did in the national championship when she delivered two massive 3-point baskets during an extended Bruins' run.
11. Washington Mystics: Nell Angloma, F, France
Angloma is another international player who, despite a fierce first step when getting downhill, would need time to develop. The Mystics could look at perhaps a draft and stash situation to help Angloma improve her shot release and eventually be ready to slide into a wing role.
12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana MartÃn Carrión, G, Spain
Carrión is another young international prospect that teams might consider drafting and stashing for later. The 5-foot-9 Spanish guard might need a bit more size to play in the W, but she makes up for her slight build with her ability to create. Carrion can pass, shoot and score well, and she doesn't let her size stop her from defending well.
13. Atlanta Dream: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
Atlanta needs depth. Adding Okot would help the Dream with their post presence and perimeter shooting. The South Carolina big can score from multiple levels and will crash the glass. If Atlanta brings veteran center Brittney Griner back, Okot would learn from one of the best in league history at the position.
14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez, F, TCU
Suarez's NCAA Tournament run wasn't great, but she did have a breakout game against Virginia during the Sweet 16, which included a career high 33 points plus 10 rebounds. The outing was a glimpse of Suarez at her best, which could entice Seattle to add Suarez as depth now and starter later.
15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss
McMahon would work well in a young core of players like Saniya Rivers, Leila Lacan, Aaliyah Edwards and Aneesah Morrow. The Ole Miss forward is a utility piece that the Sun could utilize to its advantage. She does most of her damage in the paint ― Connecticut's specialty ― and could also help facilitate, if needed. Once McMahon gets crisper as a defender, she'll be dynamite at the next level.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:WNBA draft drama: Who deserves to be chosen No. 1 in 2026
