2026 WNBA Draft: A Recap
On Monday, April 13, the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBA) welcomed a new class of young talent to the league with the 2026 WNBA Draft.
UConn’s Azzi Fudd reunited with past teammate Paige Bueckers as she was drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings. After an underperforming last season for the Wings, the team let go of Head Coach Chris Konclanes and brought in University of South Florida Coach Jose Fernandez.
Fernandez sees Fudd as a strong addition to the Wings, on the basis of skill and mentality. “She brings what this team needed in regards to spacing, her quick release, her 3-point shooting, and she’s coming from a program that is great in the locker room. They know how to win, and that’s what we want here in Dallas,” he said in an interview with Yahoo Sports.
For a majority veteran team, with players such as Napheesa Collier and Courtney Williams, the Minnesota Lynx brought in Olivia Miles as the second overall pick, with expectations to make a great impression with her growth as a point guard. 19-year-old international sensation Awa Fam followed Miles, being drafted third overall to the Seattle Storm. Fam previously played for Valencia Basket out of Spain, starting at just 15 years old.
Collegiate champions UCLA had the highest representation this draft, with six total players being inducted to the league, as well as five out of six draftees being in the preliminary round. The Bruins set a league record with players drafted within the first round, which was previously set by UConn in 2002.
Center Lauren Betts kicked off the historic run by being drafted fourth overall by the Washington Mystics, followed by Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5, Chicago Sky), Kiki Rice (No. 6) for the first-ever pick by expansion team Toronto Tempo, Angela Dugalic (No. 9, Mystics), and Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15, Sun).
The Golden State Valkyries also made a stunning move this draft, trading sixth overall pick Flau’jae Johnson to the Seattle Storm for sixteenth overall pick Marta Suarez.
With young talent, league expansions, and massive salary changes, the WNBA is set to break barriers in women’s sports, amidst the chaos.
