Sports
Sources: Collier back to Lynx on supermax deal
Napheesa Collier signs supermax contract to return to the Lynx
ESPN News1 min read
Sports
WNBA draft best dressed: Flauâjae Johnson, Azzi Fudd stun on orange carpet
TL;DR
The 2026 WNBA Draft showcased top women's basketball stars on the orange carpet in New York, highlighting their stylish outfits. Notable players like Azzi Fudd and Lauren Betts made a fashion statement ahead of the event.
USA TODAY Sports is providing live coverage of the 2026 WNBA Draft, in addition to highlights and grades for each team. Follow along here for live updates.
The biggest stars in women's college basketball and international play are swapping out their school colors and basketball jerseys for something more stylish ahead of the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York.
UCLA center Lauren Betts, UConn guard Azzi Fudd, TCU guard Olivia Miles and one dozen potential draftees descended upon the WNBA's signature orange carpet on Monday in high-fashion ensembles that showcased their personal style under the bright lights of New York City.
"The fact that we can showcase our sense of style, our sense of self, on the orange carpet is super special," UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez said ahead of the draft. "I'm really excited. I love dressing up. I love wearing dresses, getting my hair and makeup done. And so it'll be a lot of fun."
Azzi Fudd of UConn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Lauren Betts of UCLA.
Awa Fam Thiam of Spain arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Flau'jae Johnson of LSU arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Marta Suarez of Spain arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Olivia Miles of TCU arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
TaâNiya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Hannah O'Flynn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Jazlyn Guerra arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Luciana Kristen arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Courtney Williams arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Brittney Elena arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
1 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Azzi Fudd of UConn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
1 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Azzi Fudd of UConn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
2 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Lauren Betts of UCLA.
3 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Awa Fam Thiam of Spain arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
4 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
5 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Flau'jae Johnson of LSU arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
6 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Marta Suarez of Spain arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
7 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Olivia Miles of TCU arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
8 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Cotie McMahon of Ole Miss arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
9 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
TaâNiya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
10 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
11 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Hannah O'Flynn arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
12 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Jazlyn Guerra arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
13 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Luciana Kristen arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
14 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Courtney Williams arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
15 / 15
Style takes center stage on the WNBA draft orange carpet
Brittney Elena arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City.
Here's the best looks from Monday's orange carpet:
Flau'jae Johnson, LSU
Johnson said she gave her stylist a vision. She wanted to look like "the draft is at 6 and the Met Gala is at 6:30." Mission accomplished. Johnson looked flawless in a velvet cutout gown that she paired with a black fur.
"Ever since I did the cover of Teen Vogue, I was like, I'm really into fashion," Johnson explained. "I'm really into exploring and doing different (things) and becoming a different character... Tunnel fits are going to be a movie."
Azzi Fudd, UConn
The People's Princess is shining in a sequin gown with black accents.
Raven Johnson, South Carolina
The South Carolina guard lived up to her nickname "Hollywood Raven" on Monday. Johnson partnered with Coach to come up with an "elegant, rich, classy look." She opted for a blazer dress that featured numerous patterns and paired the look with silver jewelry and black platform heels.
"I feel like I'm giving Kamala Harris, if you ask me," Latson said. "If you need me in the White House, right here."
Ta'Niya Latson, South Carolina
Latson channeled Marilyn Monroe in a sequin Revolve gown paired with elbow-length gloves. She completed her look with a pair of Christian Louboutin heels. "I was trying to give an old Hollywood, 1960s look," Latson said.
Olivia Miles, TCU
The TCU guard is letting her accessories do the talking. She kept it simple with a zip-up jacket, white button down top and black tie, but she brought the pizzazz with a pair of Alexander McQueen glasses.
"This is a once in a lifetime event. I needed the details," Miles explained. "Real diamonds on the fingers. In the ears, obviously designer on the glasses."
Marta SuĂĄrez, TCU
Suarez looked red-hot in a two-piece suit accessorized with a black belt, but the focal point of her outfit was a handprinted bag that she customized earlier Monday while getting her makeup done. "I actually sent my cousin to Times Square today to find me a purse. Shout-out H&M," Suårez revealed.
Awa Fam, Spain
The Spaniard didn't stray too far from Spain's national colors and turned heads in a red dress with cutouts and tassels. "This is my dream since I was super little," Fam said on the ESPN broadcast.
Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss
The Ole Miss forward dressed to impress in a burgundy, pinstriped blazer that's "street, but business style," McMahon explained on the orange carpet. She accessorized her look with a matching tie, gloves and white socks. "The legs are giving," McMahon playfully added.
Madina Okot, South Carolina
The forward stuck with South Carolinaâs colors, wearing a deep red pinstriped suit. Okot said she was inspired by fellow Gamecock Kamilla Cardosoâs draft-day look in 2024 and sought out the same stylist to assemble her outfit.
Reach USA TODAY National Womenâs Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news âDownload for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 WNBA Draft best dressed: Flauâjae Johnson, Azzi Fudd stun
Q&A
Who were the standout players at the 2026 WNBA Draft orange carpet?
Standout players included UCLA center Lauren Betts and UConn guard Azzi Fudd, among others.
What is the significance of the orange carpet at the WNBA Draft?
The orange carpet allows players to showcase their personal style and sense of self before the draft.
Where was the 2026 WNBA Draft held?
The 2026 WNBA Draft took place in New York City.
What did Gabriela Jaquez say about the orange carpet experience?
Gabriela Jaquez expressed excitement about showcasing her style and enjoying the experience of dressing up for the event.
