The 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled for Monday, April 13, 2026, at The Shed in Hudson Yards, New York City. Top prospects include UCLA's Lauren Betts and UConn's Azzi Fudd.
The next batch of WNBA stars is set to take center stage.
With the college basketball season completed, the biggest eligible professional prospects will head to The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City for the 2026 WNBA Draft. Unlike previous years with a clear favorite for the top pick, several prospects will be holding their breaths when the Dallas Wings make the first selection.
After winning the national championship this year in dominant fashion, UCLA center Lauren Betts is among the favorites to go No. 1 overall. Joining her are UConn guard Azzi Fudd, TCU guard Olivia Miles, and international center Awa Fam.
∎Date: Monday, April 13, 2026.
∎Time: 7:30 p.m. Eastern.
∎ TV channel: Live on ESPN. Coverage will begin at 7 p.m. Eastern.
∎Streaming: ESPN Unlimited, Fubo.
Fans looking for additional coverage can head to ESPN2 for the "WNBA Draft Orange Carpet Special," beginning at 5:30 p.m. The 15 potential draftees invited will make their entrances.
The WNBA Draft will take place at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City.
For the second year in a row, the Dallas Wings have the No. 1 pick. Last year, the Wings selected Paige Bueckers from UConn. Here's the first-round draft order:
1. Dallas Wings2. Minnesota Lynx (from Chicago Sky)3. Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles Sparks)4. Washington Mystics5. Chicago Sky (from Connecticut Sun)6. Toronto Tempo7. Portland Fire8. Golden State Valkyries9. Washington Mystics (from Seattle Storm)10. Indiana Fever11. Washington Mystics (from New York Liberty via Connecticut Sun)12. Connecticut Sun (from Phoenix Mercury)13. Atlanta Dream14. Seattle Storm (from Las Vegas Aces)15. Connecticut Sun (from Minnesota Lynx via Washington Mystics)
In the latest mock draft from the USA Today, Fudd is the anticipated No. 1 overall pick. Fudd averaged 17.3 points per game for the Huskies as UConn advanced to the Final Four. She could become the second-straight UConn guard selected first overall, joining former teammate Bueckers in Dallas.
Check out the USA Today's final 2026 WNBA mock draft to see who's expected to hear their name called on Monday night.
Fifteen top prospects were invited to New York City to participate in the WNBA Draft. Here's who will walk the orange carpet April 13:
∎ Nell Angloma, 5-11, F, France
∎ Lauren Betts, 6-7, C, UCLA
∎ Angela Dugalić, 6-4, F, UCLA
∎ Awa Fan, 6-4, C, Spain
∎ Azzi Fudd, 6-1, G, UConn
∎ Gabriela Jaquez, 6-0, G, UCLA
∎ Flau'jae Johnson, 5-10, G, LSU
∎ Raven Johnson, 5-8, G, South Carolina
∎ Gianna Kneepkens, 6-0, G, UCLA
∎ Ta'Niya Latson, 5-9, G, South Carolina
∎ Cotie McMahon, 6-0, F, Ole Miss
∎ Olivia Miles, 5-10, G, TCU
∎ Madina Okot, 6-6, C, South Carolina
∎ Kiki Rice, 5-11, G, UCLA
∎ Marta Suárez, 6-3, F, TCU
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When is the 2026 WNBA Draft? Date, time, location, and how to watch
The 2026 WNBA Draft will take place on Monday, April 13, 2026.
Top prospects include UCLA center Lauren Betts, UConn guard Azzi Fudd, TCU guard Olivia Miles, and international center Awa Fam.
The 2026 WNBA Draft will be held at The Shed in Hudson Yards, New York City.
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