2026 WNBA Draft Live Results: Picks, Trades, Analysis & Updates

Dwell from New York, the 2026 WNBA Draft is right here. Ballislife brings reside updates and immediate evaluation of each participant choice tonight!

New York—Set to happen at The Shed at Hudson Yards, the WNBA Draft will take over the Massive Apple! It is a historic draft, that includes two growth groups: the Portland Fireplace and Toronto Tempo. In actual fact, this rookie class would be the first underneath the league’s new collective bargaining settlement.

(Picture by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Pictures)

The Dallas Wings maintain the No. 1 choose for the second consecutive season. Former UConn standout Paige Bueckers was the consensus selection final yr and, after going No. 1, earned Rookie of the 12 months, All-Star, All-WNBA Second Staff, and WNBA All-Rookie Staff honors. The Wings‘ 2025 season was outlined by accidents and rising pains. Consequently, Dallas completed with a 10-34 document, securing one other No. 1 choice.

Who Will Go No. 1 Total to the Dallas Wings?

2026 incorporates a loaded, star-studded group that runs deep. There hasn’t been a transparent consensus No. 1 choose, though the percentages have shifted since free company. The prospects who could possibly be the No. 1 choose embrace Azzi Fudd (UConn), Lauren Betts (UCLA), Awa Fam (Spain), and Olivia Miles (Notre Dame). The category is closely rooted in high school applications, akin to South Carolina and UCLA; in reality, 9 prospects performed within the NCAA Nationwide Championship recreation.

Tonight’s draft options 45 picks throughout three rounds. The Wings, Minnesota Lynx, and Seattle Storm maintain the highest three picks, however there’s loads of worth throughout the board.

Ballislife has reside picks, updates, information, trades, and extra throughout the WNBA. Beneath are the reside outcomes from the 2026 WNBA Draft held at The Shed at Hudson Yards.

Staff Trades

The Seattle Storm trades the draft rights to Marta Suárez (No. 16 total) and its personal 2025 second-round choose to the Golden State Valkyries in change for Flau’jae Johnson (No. 8 total).

“Flau’jae is among the most dynamic, artistic and explosive gamers on this draft and we’re excited to get one other first spherical choose to pick her,” stated Storm Common Supervisor Talisa Rhea in a press launch. “Her playmaking, capacity to attain in a number of methods and vitality on each ends of the courtroom will influence our group instantly. We will’t look forward to Flau’jae to get to Seattle.”

The Portland Fireplace acquired Serah Williams (No. 33) from the Connecticut Solar in change for Taylor Bigby (No. 37) and a future third-round choose.

(Up to date: April 13, 11:00 p.m. ET)

1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, Guard, UConn

There it’s, the Dallas Wings choose UConn guard Azzi Fudd. Fudd is reunited with former teammate Paige Bueckers and joins a Dallas group as arguably the most effective sharpshooter within the draft. She was totally wholesome for 2 seasons and is an NCAA champion. It is even a greater match provided that the Wings bolstered its frontcourt with Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith in free company.

Fudd will be part of each Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale, who signed a multi-year contract with Dallas in free company. She brings 3-point prowess and shot a career-high 44.7% from past the arc. She’s an elite defender who makes hustle performs and strikes effectively off the ball. The addition of Fudd ought to spherical out a much-improved Wings roster that completed 10-34 final season. Fudd averaged a career-best 17.3 factors per recreation final season and brings instant scoring to Dallas.

–Sara Jane Gamelli

2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, Guard, TCU

The Lynx simply secured the most effective level guard within the draft by deciding on TCU’s Olivia Miles No. 2 total. The Lynx took successful in free company and misplaced Natisha Hiedeman, Jessica Shepard, Bridget Carleton, and Alanna Smith to different offers. Regardless that the group re-signed Kayla McBride and Courtney Williams, Minnesota will get its franchise level guard of the longer term.

Miles has unbelievable courtroom imaginative and prescient, is a flexible scorer, and is among the most elite passers within the recreation. Averaging a career-high 19.6 factors per recreation, 7.2 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per recreation, Miles guess on herself by forgoing final yr’s draft and transferring from Notre Dame to TCU. Miles made a powerful case for the No. 1 choose, and her playmaking is second-to-none. Defensively, she’s an elite on-ball defender and shot 35.1% from three in her senior season. If Collier re-signs, this group has gained an important piece. Miles, McBride, Williams, and Phee?

I initially projected Lauren Betts second total, which is an indication that Minnesota is dedicated to constructing its future whereas additionally remaining in win-now mode. Name her a double-double machine. Miles impacts the field rating in a number of methods, even posting a triple-double towards UC San Diego in March.

–Sara Jane Gamelli

3. Seattle Storm: Awa Fam Thiam, C, Spain

The Seattle Storm selects Awa Fam Thiam No. 3 total out of Spain. Seattle misplaced a number of members of its beginning core after the firing of former coach Noelle Quinn. That included Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Nneka Ogwumike, and Brittney Sykes. It is clear the Storm is in rebuild mode, and it will likely be fascinating to see how Fam Thiam will match alongside Dominique Malonga and Ezi Magbegor. The Storm simply re-signed Magbegor, so Seattle has no scarcity of bigs.

Fam has loads of upside, brings peak at 6’4, and may stretch the ground. Speak about pick-and-rolls: Fam is a two-way participant with unbelievable measurement and a novel talent set. She’s a drive inside, and her passing is underrated. Count on Fam Thiam to stay a part of Seattle’s rebuild by including pristine worldwide gamers.

–Sara Jane Gamelli

4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts, Middle, UCLA

–Isabelle McCarthy

At choose No. 4, the Mystics had been capable of draft an absolute steal of a participant. For the place the Mystics had been drafting, getting Lauren Betts, who shone throughout the NCAA Match, is an exceptional funding.

With the departure of Stefanie Dolson, Betts brings the scale and rebounding caliber to this younger Washington group. With Shakira Austin re-signing with the group, this duo within the paint will convey chaos. Betts has distinctive measurement, a excessive basketball IQ, and is a dominant submit scorer.

Pairing Lauren Betts with the younger expertise in Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, the Mystics‘ future is ready. Though they’re a younger group, they’re now stuffed with expertise. Betts is a franchise participant. At UCLA, she averaged 17.1 factors, 8.8 rebounds, and shot 58.2% from the sector. There’s a motive why UCLA gained its first nationwide championship, and Betts can convey that vitality into Washington to chase a WNBA title.

5. Chicago Sky: Gabriela Jaquez, Guard, UCLA

This is perhaps the most effective picks within the draft. Gabriela Jaquez is headed to the Chicago Sky and was drafted No. 5 total by the franchise. Jaquez joins a Sky franchise that’s rebuilding after the Angel Reese period. She joins Skylar Diggins, Rickea Jackson, DiJonai Carrington, and Kamilla Cardoso. Speak about a stacked lineup!

Jaquez helped convey UCLA its first NCAA title and arguably made the case for Most Excellent Participant. She’s an lively participant who’s extraordinarily versatile. A defensive-minded participant, Jaquez averaged 13.5 factors, 5.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.1 steals in her senior season. Beginning all 38 video games, she shot a career-best 39% from three.

Jaquez is an environment friendly shooter and brings a flexible talent set to a rebuilt Sky franchise. I’m pleasantly shocked by the Chicago entrance workplace for drafting a pro-ready participant with great upside. Her tempo and vitality ought to sustain with each Diggins and Carrington.

–Sara Jane Gamelli

6. Toronto Tempo: Kiki Rice, Guard, UCLA

The primary rookie draft choose in franchise historical past is an efficient one for Toronto, because the Tempo selects UCLA’s nationwide champion level guard Kiki Rice. That marks three consecutive Bruins taken off the board on a night that would plausibly see a league document six gamers drafted from the senior-laden group.

Rice was a headlining member of UCLA’s program-defining 2022 recruiting class and was a driving drive behind this system’s four-year rise from a WNIT participant in 2021-22 to one of the vital dominant nationwide champions in current reminiscence this previous season. She averaged 14.9 factors, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per recreation as a senior throughout the Bruins’ dominant 37-1 run to the title.

Rice is a flexible guard who shot a career-high 49% from the sector this previous season and 38.5% from 3-point vary whereas anchoring UCLA’s backcourt on each ends of the ground. She’s additionally the niece of former U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice, who has notably proven public help for Kiki all through her prep and collegiate profession.

–Will Despart

7. Portland Fireplace: Iyana Martín Carrión, Guard, Spain

With the No. 7 choose, the Portland Fireplace chosen Iyana Martín Carrión. She brings elite scoring capacity, which is an efficient match for this brand-new group. Proper now, the Fireplace wants somebody who can rating immediately. Nonetheless, she won’t come to the US instantly.

Pairing Carrión with any individual like Bridget Carleton and Sug Sutton might make for a great begin. She is constant, and within the 2024-25 EuroLeague, she was named EuroLeague Ladies Younger Participant of the 12 months, and averaged 10.5 factors, 4.3 rebounds, and three.4 assists. At simply 20, she has the potential to change into a starter and will even change into the purpose guard of the longer term.

–Isabelle McCarthy

8. Golden State Valkyries: Flau’jae Johnson, Guards, LSU (Traded to Seattle Storm)

An lively offseason for the Golden State Valkyries will get much more intriguing with the choice of LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson with the eighth total choose. Johnson has been one of the vital recognizable figures in girls’s basketball since establishing herself throughout LSU’s 2023 NCAA Match run, and she or he continued to develop into one of the vital efficient guards within the nation throughout her prestigious four-year profession.

Johnson is bound to be a fan favourite within the Bay Space, the place the Valkyries drew document attendance numbers of their first season at their Chase Middle house in San Francisco. She’s a scoring-first guard who does so successfully in any respect three ranges, which ought to permit her to carve a job within the rotation as a rookie.

Johnson particularly shines from the mid-range and is an efficient defender, which ought to make her a comparatively seamless match on a Valkyries roster that established a transparent id final season and will definitely be positioned to thrive once more underneath reigning WNBA Coach of the 12 months Natalie Nakase. She averaged 14.2 factors per recreation as a senior and shot a career-high 39.2% from 3-point vary after averaging a career-high 18.6 factors per recreation as a junior in 2024-25

*The Seattle Storm trades the draft rights to Marta Suárez (No. 16 total) and its personal 2025 second-round choose to the Golden State Valkyries in change for Flau’jae Johnson (No. 8 total).*

–Will Despart

9. Washington Mystics: Angela Dugalić, Ahead, UCLA

The Washington Mystics have one other first-round choose; with their second one, they picked Angela Dugalić. That is the second UCLA participant the Mystics have picked, and one more participant with a excessive IQ. She was the 2025-2026 Massive Ten Sixth Participant of the 12 months, which, when it comes to depth, is what the Mystics need.

To pair with Sonia Citron, Georgia Amoore, and Lucy Olsen, this guard room goes to be harmful. Dugalić is prepared and will very effectively begin. Standing at 6’4, she is going to convey the scale and protection in comparison with different guards within the league.

She is the proper guard to herald for Washington to extend their possibilities of chasing a hoop.

–Isabelle McCarthy

10. Indiana Fever: Raven Johnson, Guard, South Carolina

What a steal for the Indiana Fever. Indiana selects Raven Johnson No. 10 total out of South Carolina. Johnson joins Caitlin Clark and firm, who had been knocking on the door of a championship final season. Raven is a pro-ready participant who spent 5 years underneath Daybreak Staley and the Gamecocks. She is the proper match behind Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, who signed a one-year supermax cope with the Fever.

She’s gained two championships and is the most effective defensive prospect within the draft. Who would move up on a participant who locked up the Nationwide Participant of the 12 months (Sarah Robust) within the Last 4? She improved her offense and shot a career-high 48.6% from the sector. She is a high-energy participant who does no matter it takes to win. She’s a confirmed winner and chief, and even improved her 3-point capturing in her last yr (39.8%).

Raven Johnson is a canine. She is an unbelievable asset to the Fever and can convey much-needed defensive prowess to a group that achieved success regardless of accidents final season.

–Sara Jane Gamelli

11. Washington Mystics: Cotie McMahon, Guard, Ole Miss

With their final first-round choose within the draft, the Washington Mystics have added Cotie McMahon. This previous season with Ole Miss, she averaged 19.5 factors, 5.1 rebounds, three assists, and 1.1 steals. She brings nice versatility to a group that should create more room.

As soon as once more, it is a younger however proficient group, and the development to date for the Mystics is to draft somebody who can facilitate the ball effectively and in addition be a bucket-getter.

The Mystics had been on the lookout for somebody with a strong defensive bag, but in addition somebody who can care for the ball. McMahon brings the final word package deal, and the Mystics‘ capacity to draft her is a superb worth choose.

–Isabelle McCarthy

12. Connecticut Solar: Nell Angloma, Guard, France

The Connecticut Solar continues to stockpile worldwide gamers, deciding on Nell Angloma with the No. 12 total choose. Angloma is among the most intriguing gamers within the draft and is an authorized bucket-getter. At 5’11, do not let her measurement idiot you. Angloma is a defensive-minded participant, which ought to work effectively with Saniya Rivers and Leila Lacan.

Angloma ought to match on this roster properly, contemplating the Solar misplaced guard Marina Mabrey to Toronto’s growth draft. This group is younger and consists of Aneesah Morrow, Aaliyah Edwards, and Migna Touré. Angloma is not a terrific 3-point shooter, however she’s extraordinarily versatile on offense. Her capacity to get downhill is robust, and she or he brings a ton of worldwide expertise. She might not get the beginning function immediately, however her protection ought to mesh effectively with Connecticut’s tradition.

–Sara Jane Gamelli

13. Atlanta Dream: Madina Okot, Middle, South Carolina

Karl Smesko’s Atlanta Dream had been the shock of the WNBA common season in 2025, profitable 30 video games earlier than being upset by the Indiana Fever within the opening spherical of the playoffs. The Dream have already made headlines this offseason with the addition of Angel Reese from Chicago, they usually added one other former SEC star in South Carolina’s Madina Okot with the thirteenth total choose.

Okot is among the most intriguing prospects within the draft within the sense that she solely began enjoying basketball seven years in the past, however is a fluent scorer and a cornerstone defender at 6’6. At South Carolina, she averaged 11.2 factors and grabbed 9.6 rebounds per recreation this previous season, along with amassing 2.5 shares (1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks) per recreation on the defensive finish.

Okot solely performed two seasons of Division I basketball, coming to Mississippi State in 2024 after an MVP efficiency on the 2023 3×3 Africa Cup together with her native Kenya. After transferring to South Carolina after a powerful marketing campaign at MSU, Okot instantly turned a pivotal member of Daybreak Staley’s operation this season and helped lead the Gamecocks to a runner-up end within the NCAA event.

–Will Despart

14. Seattle Storm: Taina Mair, Guard, Duke

I initially thought that Olivia Miles could be the Storm’s level guard of the longer term, however Seattle will get a strong choose with Taina Mair from Duke.

Mair has a small stature, however do not let that idiot you. She’s a pass-first level guard and can get an opportunity to change into the participant of the longer term within the Emerald Metropolis. There’s at all times room for enchancment, however Mair will be part of a Storm roster that simply drafted Awa Fam Thiam No. 3 total. Seattle rounds out its frontcourt, and Mair sits behind a loaded backcourt together with Natisha Hiedeman, Jade Melbourne, Lexie Brown, and Zia Cooke.

The chance to begin might not be in retailer immediately, however Mair has great upside. Her offense improved sufficient to pique Seattle’s curiosity.

–Sara Jane Gamelli

15. Connecticut Solar: Gianna Kneepkens, Guard, UCLA

One other Bruin off the board! The Connecticut Solar spherical out the primary spherical by deciding on UCLA sharpshooter Gianna Kneepkens with the fifteenth total choose, marking a document 5 first-round alternatives from UCLA’s 2026 nationwide championship-winning squad, which additionally ties the general document for a single group in a single draft.

Kneepkens was flawlessly inserted into UCLA’s beginning lineup after spending the primary 4 seasons of her collegiate profession with Utah. She averaged a career-high 19.5 factors per recreation with the Utes as a junior, practically ending with a 50/40/90 season after capturing 50.4% from the sector total, 44.8% from 3-point vary, and 89% from the free throw line. Kneepkens noticed her scoring lower to 12.5 factors per recreation at UCLA, however she nonetheless shot 49.3% from the sector and 42.9% from past the arc along with being an important ground spacer for the Bruins.

–Will Despart