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2026 WNBA mock draft: UConn's Azzi Fudd vaults to No. 1 spot
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- 2026 WNBA mock draft: UConn's Azzi Fudd vaults to No. 1 spot
When the 2026 WNBA draft kicks off on Monday, April 13, 2026, all eyes will turn to the Dallas Wings , who own the No. 1 overall pick.
On Sunday, the Wings won the draft lottery and their choice will impact how the draft board unfolds. Unlike last year, when it was widely known Paige Bueckers was going to be the top pick, there isn't a consensus No. 1 pick for 2026. Add in the uncertainty of an impending WNBA free agency with ongoing CBA negotiations, and who the Wings select becomes that much more pivotal.
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Will it be Spain center Awa Fam? Will it be UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd ? Could TCU Horned Frogs guard Olivia Miles or UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts be the choice? Or will it be a selection that sends shockwaves through the basketball landscape?
Here's USA TODAY's 2026 WNBA mock draft*:
*The order in which the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will pick has yet to be determined due to ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations . It is expected to be decided by a coin flip at a later date.
1. Dallas Wings : Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
Fudd is one of the most electric shooters in all of college basketball. The UConn star has a silky smooth release and is most known for her ability to inflict pain from beyond the arc on opposing defenses. To that notion, she's currently shooting over 50% from 3-point range this season. Her ability to space the floor and attack the perimeter would dramatically help a team that ranked 11th in made 3-pointers last season. What's more, she's an underrated three-level scorer who can create and be a willing defender.
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2. Minnesota Lynx : Awa Fam, C, Spain
Assuming the Lynx attempt to keep most of their core during free agency, including superstar forward Napheesa Collier , it would help to add a mobile big like Fam to the roster. She's fluid in her movements and can score in several ways, including through a sneaky good face-up game. Fam also has impeccable footwork and patience to get out of any jam, along with underrated vision to find open teammates.
3. Seattle Storm : Olivia Miles, G, Notre Dame
Skylar Diggins seemingly isn't retiring anytime soon, but the Storm would be wise to draft Miles as her potential successor. The TCU guard is currently top-10 in the country in assists per game (7.5) and undoubtedly the best passer in the 2026 draft. Her court vision is elite (similar to Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray ) and so is her ability to create separation between herself and the defender. She gets downhill at blazing speeds with thoughtful footwork, but can also pull up for a shot when needed.
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4. Washington Mystics : Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
The Mystics already have a young core with guards Georgia Amoore and Sonia Citron on board, along with forward Kiki Iriafen . However, adding strength and size with the trio is something that would serve Washington well. At 6-foot-7, Betts uses every bit of her length to unravel defensive pressure and to elevate herself over her competition when scoring. She's a walking mismatch who also uses her size and skill to be disruptive on the defensive end, making her one of the best rim protectors in the country.
5. Chicago Sky : Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina
After losing starting point guard Courtney Vandersloot to a season-ending injury, the Sky spent the rest of their year shuffling through players who tried to fill her role. Until Vandersloot returns, the Sky need a reliable replacement. Latson led the nation in scoring last season at Florida State, averaging 25 points a game, and while she's not asked to do as much at South Carolina, she's a three-level scorer who can get a basket when necessary or dish it out. Her defense is a work in progress with the Gamecocks, but her ceiling could entice Chicago.
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6. Toronto Tempo/Portland Fire: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU
Any team that drafts Johnson is automatically getting a burst of energy on both ends of the floor. She has an elite knack for finding the ball, stripping the other team of it and turning it into transition points. Additionally, the LSU star is at her best when she uses her speed to get downhill to the basket or stop and pop right into a jumpshot (similar to Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper ). Johnson can also knock down shots from 3-point range, and Toronto or Portland should appreciate that.
7. Portland Fire/Toronto Tempo: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss
McMahon is a chaos agent who enjoys causing disruption. The Ole Miss transfer imposes her will on whoever is in front of her, combining footwork and power to glide through opposing defenses. Her proverbial on-court motto is simple: move or be moved. If Portland or Toronto can work with McMahon to make her movements more fluid at the pro level and improve her defense in one-on-one situations, she'll be a mid-round steal.
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8. Golden State Valkyries : Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA
The Valkyries value shot-making, and Kneepkens would be a very nice fit in Golden State's system. Her bread and butter is 3-point shooting, but it's her mid-range work that makes her stand out. Her patience and footwork in that area will be a welcome addition at the pro level. What's more, the UCLA guard works well in a two-man game (as she has with teammate Lauren Betts this season), and the Valkyries could use that experience to exploit opposing defenses.
9. Washington Mystics: Yarden Garzon, G, Maryland
The thought of pairing Garzon with Citron should excite the Mystics. Garzon is a career 40% shooter from deep and would pair beautifully with the All-Star guard who shot 44% during her first year. However, Garzon isn't all perimeter shooting. She has no problem getting into the paint to score or dishing it out in the pick-and-roll game to a waiting big.
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10. Indiana Fever : Madina Okot, C, South Carolina
At 6-foot-6, Okot is a smooth blend of size and speed. She utilizes it to score efficiently and quickly, while being sound in her footwork. The Gamecocks transfer grabs rebounds at an elite clip of nearly 11 boards per game and can also defend well, using her length to cause disruption. Okot stays patient on defense, even when out of position, allowing her to regularly unleash two blocks per game.
11. Washington Mystics: Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA
Jaquez at 11 to the Mystics will likely feel like an embarrassment of riches, but when glue players are available, you take them. Jaquez does many things that don't often show up on the stat sheet, but that's what makes her so good. She can score from anywhere on the court and shines in the gritty areas that are underappreciated: rebounds, steals, deflections and saving possessions.
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12. Connecticut Sun : Iyana Martin Carrion, G, Spain
The Sun play with a level of physicality that would suit Martin Carrion well. She has exquisite body control that allows her to attack the paint and finish at the basket through contact. The Spain guard is also adept at navigating screens, whether that's to knock it down from 3-point range or find her teammates for an open shot using her vision.
13. Atlanta Dream : Serah Williams, F, UConn
Williams' numbers this season don't leap off the page as they did in three years at Wisconsin (close to 16 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per matchup), but she's just as impressive. The UConn forward regularly puts on a footwork clinic that few young players master before turning pro. Williams makes her paint touches count, which is something the Dream could utilize in their big depth. The UConn forward also keeps active hands on the defensive end, which will help her stay in Atlanta's rotation.
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14. Seattle Storm: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA
Adding Rice to pair with Miles is a decision Seattle should consider. Rice's isn't as prolific as Miles offensively, but she, too, can score when asked, and has formidable court vision that can help the Storm. Furthermore, her defense and ability to crash the glass (7.2 rebounds per game) are something that could help her earn minutes early.
15. Connecticut Sun: Janiah Barker, F, Tennessee
Barker's athleticism and ability to get downhill with her head down are her best assets. The combination of size and skill makes her hard to defend. The Tennessee forward's activity on the boards will be appreciated in Connecticut as well. If she can be consistent on both sides of the ball, she can easily be a plug-and-play player for the Sun.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 WNBA mock draft: UConn's Azzi Fudd vaults to No. 1 spot
