2026 WNBA Draft hours away as Azzi Fudd emerges as clear No. 1 pick

NEW YORK — The 2026 WNBA Draft gets underway in a few hours.

After months of waiting, on Monday, April 13, one of the biggest events of the offseason will commence at The Shed in New York. In the previous few years, there's been a consensus No. 1 pick leading up to the event. This year's top spot has been up for grabs for weeks, driving lots of chatter about all the possibilities.

However, after an action-packed first week of WNBA free agency, the choice for the Dallas Wings got a lot clearer. The Wings should draft UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd at No. 1. Others in the mix for No. 1 include Spaniard Awa Fam, UCLA center Lauren Betts and TCU guard Olivia Miles.

How will all shake out? Here's USA TODAY's final 2026 WNBA mock draft:

With the Women's Final Four complete, all eyes turn towards the 2026 WNBA Draft. The WNBA draft takes place Monday, April 13, in New York, and this year's event has a different feel. Unlike the last two drafts, where Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were consensus No. 1 overall picks, this year's top spot is up for grabs. After an exciting March Madness, it's time to see who helped their stock and who fell down the draft board. Is Awa Fam still at the top? Is Azzi Fudd a top-five draft pick? Who vaulted into the first round?

Here's USA TODAY's latest 2026 WNBA mock draft: 1. Dallas Wings: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA

• After a stellar NCAA Tournament run, Betts has done enough to earn consideration for the No. 1 overall pick. While the Bruins center will need to work on shooting more baskets in the mid-range and later from deep, she can be inserted into Dallas's lineup when the season starts on May 8. Her length and size make her an immediate threat in the post, along with her passing abilities and rebounding prowess.

2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, G, TCU

• Minnesota doesn't struggle to move the ball, but adding Miles into the mix gives the Lynx the ability to take their offensive movement up a level. The TCU guard has a high basketball IQ, which should help her with the rookie learning curve on a team with championship aspirations. Head coach Cheryl Reeve can also bring out the best in Miles defensive skills as she adjusts to WNBA play.

3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn

• Fudd had a very underwhelming NCAA Tournament aside from her second round game against Syracuse. The slump won't stop her from being drafted. The UConn guard's shot is still the purest in college basketball, and her ability to be an offensive threat at any moment is something you don't see as often at the rookie level. Fudd also rarely wastes a movement or a shot, making her a prime candidate to draft.

5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA

• Until veteran Courtney Vandersloot returns, the Sky need a guard who can facilitate, score when needed and defend. Rice, who finished a career year in a UCLA uniform, has proven she can do it all. The senior guard has improved her ability to read opposing defenses, maintain patience with solid footwork and recover in help defense. Rice would also take some pressure off Hailey Van Lith, who struggled during her rookie season.

6. Toronto Tempo: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU

• Johnson has a score-first mentality, and she does it in a variety of ways: midrange, downhill in the paint and from the 3-point line. She's one of the top defensive guards in the 2026 class, and if she can improve her defensive awareness at the pro level, she can become an elite two-way guard. Head coach Sandy Brondello should also be a tremendous asset to Johnson's growth.

7. Portland Fire: Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina

• Latson's NCAA Tournament run was a mixed bag. That shouldn't hurt her WNBA draft stock, but it wasn't hard to notice as the level of competition rose (with games against TCU, UConn and UCLA), she struggled to find her shot or ways to contribute. At the pro level, she'll be asked to do more, and she'll need to lean into her aggressiveness to have success.

8. Golden State Valkyries: Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA

• If a team gives her any space, Jaquez will make them pay. The guard can do it all, with assists, 3-pointers, in the paint, on the boards or by creating a steal. She should fit well within Golden State's "hard hat and lunch pail" culture, where they pride themselves on having energy on both sides of the ball.

9. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, G South Carolina

• While Johnson has proven she can score when needed, it's her facilitation skills and defense that will make her a top 10 pick. The South Carolina guard does a great job of feeding her bigs and spreading the offense out to find the best shot. She is also a lockdown defender who leaves little room for error and isn't afraid of anyone on a court, regardless of size.

10. Indiana Fever: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA

• Kneepkens ended her college career shooting nearly 50-40-90, which is impressive and rare in today's college landscape. The UCLA guard's game isn't flashy, but it's often timely. Kneepkens knows how to step into the big moments, as she did in the national championship when she delivered two massive 3-point baskets during an extended Bruins' run.

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

• Atlanta needs depth. Adding Okot would help the Dream with their post presence and perimeter shooting. The South Carolina big can score from multiple levels and will crash the glass. If Atlanta brings veteran center Brittney Griner back, Okot would learn from one of the best in league history at the position.

14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez, F, TCU

• Suarez's NCAA Tournament run wasn't great, but she did have a breakout game against Virginia during the Sweet 16, which included a career high 33 points plus 10 rebounds. The outing was a glimpse of Suarez at her best, which could entice Seattle to add Suarez as depth now and starter later.

15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss

• McMahon would work well in a young core of players like Saniya Rivers, Leila Lacan, Aaliyah Edwards and Aneesah Morrow. The Ole Miss forward is a utility piece that the Sun could utilize to its advantage. She does most of her damage in the paint ― Connecticut's specialty ― and could also help facilitate, if needed. Once McMahon gets crisper as a defender, she'll be dynamite at the next level.

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Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

With the Women's Final Four complete, all eyes turn towards the 2026 WNBA Draft. The WNBA draft takes place Monday, April 13, in New York, and this year's event has a different feel. Unlike the last two drafts, where Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were consensus No. 1 overall picks, this year's top spot is up for grabs. After an exciting March Madness, it's time to see who helped their stock and who fell down the draft board. Is Awa Fam still at the top? Is Azzi Fudd a top-five draft pick? Who vaulted into the first round?

Here's USA TODAY's latest 2026 WNBA mock draft: 1. Dallas Wings: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA

• After a stellar NCAA Tournament run, Betts has done enough to earn consideration for the No. 1 overall pick. While the Bruins center will need to work on shooting more baskets in the mid-range and later from deep, she can be inserted into Dallas's lineup when the season starts on May 8. Her length and size make her an immediate threat in the post, along with her passing abilities and rebounding prowess.

1 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

With the Women's Final Four complete, all eyes turn towards the 2026 WNBA Draft. The WNBA draft takes place Monday, April 13, in New York, and this year's event has a different feel. Unlike the last two drafts, where Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers were consensus No. 1 overall picks, this year's top spot is up for grabs. After an exciting March Madness, it's time to see who helped their stock and who fell down the draft board. Is Awa Fam still at the top? Is Azzi Fudd a top-five draft pick? Who vaulted into the first round?

Here's USA TODAY's latest 2026 WNBA mock draft: 1. Dallas Wings: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA

• After a stellar NCAA Tournament run, Betts has done enough to earn consideration for the No. 1 overall pick. While the Bruins center will need to work on shooting more baskets in the mid-range and later from deep, she can be inserted into Dallas's lineup when the season starts on May 8. Her length and size make her an immediate threat in the post, along with her passing abilities and rebounding prowess.

2 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, G, TCU

• Minnesota doesn't struggle to move the ball, but adding Miles into the mix gives the Lynx the ability to take their offensive movement up a level. The TCU guard has a high basketball IQ, which should help her with the rookie learning curve on a team with championship aspirations. Head coach Cheryl Reeve can also bring out the best in Miles defensive skills as she adjusts to WNBA play.

3 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn

• Fudd had a very underwhelming NCAA Tournament aside from her second round game against Syracuse. The slump won't stop her from being drafted. The UConn guard's shot is still the purest in college basketball, and her ability to be an offensive threat at any moment is something you don't see as often at the rookie level. Fudd also rarely wastes a movement or a shot, making her a prime candidate to draft.

4 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA

• Until veteran Courtney Vandersloot returns, the Sky need a guard who can facilitate, score when needed and defend. Rice, who finished a career year in a UCLA uniform, has proven she can do it all. The senior guard has improved her ability to read opposing defenses, maintain patience with solid footwork and recover in help defense. Rice would also take some pressure off Hailey Van Lith, who struggled during her rookie season.

5 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

6. Toronto Tempo: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU

• Johnson has a score-first mentality, and she does it in a variety of ways: midrange, downhill in the paint and from the 3-point line. She's one of the top defensive guards in the 2026 class, and if she can improve her defensive awareness at the pro level, she can become an elite two-way guard. Head coach Sandy Brondello should also be a tremendous asset to Johnson's growth.

6 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

7. Portland Fire: Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina

• Latson's NCAA Tournament run was a mixed bag. That shouldn't hurt her WNBA draft stock, but it wasn't hard to notice as the level of competition rose (with games against TCU, UConn and UCLA), she struggled to find her shot or ways to contribute. At the pro level, she'll be asked to do more, and she'll need to lean into her aggressiveness to have success.

7 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

8. Golden State Valkyries: Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA

• If a team gives her any space, Jaquez will make them pay. The guard can do it all, with assists, 3-pointers, in the paint, on the boards or by creating a steal. She should fit well within Golden State's "hard hat and lunch pail" culture, where they pride themselves on having energy on both sides of the ball.

8 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

9. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, G South Carolina

• While Johnson has proven she can score when needed, it's her facilitation skills and defense that will make her a top 10 pick. The South Carolina guard does a great job of feeding her bigs and spreading the offense out to find the best shot. She is also a lockdown defender who leaves little room for error and isn't afraid of anyone on a court, regardless of size.

9 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

10. Indiana Fever: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA

• Kneepkens ended her college career shooting nearly 50-40-90, which is impressive and rare in today's college landscape. The UCLA guard's game isn't flashy, but it's often timely. Kneepkens knows how to step into the big moments, as she did in the national championship when she delivered two massive 3-point baskets during an extended Bruins' run.

10 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

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

• Atlanta needs depth. Adding Okot would help the Dream with their post presence and perimeter shooting. The South Carolina big can score from multiple levels and will crash the glass. If Atlanta brings veteran center Brittney Griner back, Okot would learn from one of the best in league history at the position.

11 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez, F, TCU

• Suarez's NCAA Tournament run wasn't great, but she did have a breakout game against Virginia during the Sweet 16, which included a career high 33 points plus 10 rebounds. The outing was a glimpse of Suarez at her best, which could entice Seattle to add Suarez as depth now and starter later.

12 / 12

Our WNBA mock draft could be full of future stars

15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss

• McMahon would work well in a young core of players like Saniya Rivers, Leila Lacan, Aaliyah Edwards and Aneesah Morrow. The Ole Miss forward is a utility piece that the Sun could utilize to its advantage. She does most of her damage in the paint ― Connecticut's specialty ― and could also help facilitate, if needed. Once McMahon gets crisper as a defender, she'll be dynamite at the next level.

1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn

After free agency, Dallas has a crowded front court. While drafting another post player would not be a bad option, the Wings need guard depth and shooting. Because of that, Fudd then becomes the easy choice. She can move off-ball, defend when asked and is the purest shooter in the draft class. Dallas will have to figure out where Fudd lands in the lineup with Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers, but a three-guard attack should dramatically help the offense.

2. Minnesota Lynx: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA

After losing key pieces in free agency like Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard, Minnesota would be wise to draft Betts. She provides an interior presence, has no problem cleaning up the board or kicking it out to an open teammate for an easy score. The Bruins center is a good defender, but Minnesota head coach Cheryl Reeve could potentially help Betts become elite.

3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles, G, TCU

It's no secret after the exits of Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams and Nneka Ogwumike, the Storm are in full rebuild mode. Seattle should lean into young talent like Dominique Malonga, who was drafted No. 2 overall in 2025, and pair her with Miles. The TCU product has exquisite vision and would easily become a scoring option the Storm could lean on. Early chemistry with Malonga is needed.

4. Washington Mystics: Awa Fam, C, Spain

The Mystics could sorely use some big depth. Veteran Stef Dolson joined Seattle during free agency, and it's unclear if current center Shakira Austin will return. (Austin has an offer from the Tempo as of this publishing. The Mystics can match.) Regardless, Fam could use a place that will be patient as she continues to grow. Washington can provide that without the pressure to produce now.

5. Chicago Sky: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU

Chicago made some solid moves during free agency to put itself in a position to compete. Rickea Jackson, DiJonai Carrington, Skylar Diggins and Azurá Stevens are all in the mix in the Windy City. The additions plug a lot of holes, but do leave a gap at shooting guard. Johnson immediately fills that need and could start now if the Sky needed her to, bringing immediate two-way production.

6. Toronto Tempo: Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina

The Tempo are also need guard help, and while Latson is a bit undersized at 5-foot-8, her confidence should help her at the next level. Latson needs to go into an environment that will elevate her as a score-first guard, and head coach Sandy Brondello has proven she can do that throughout her career. Latson may not start right away, but in Toronto, there may not be a rush.

7. Portland Fire: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA

Portland needs a floor general to round out its roster, and Rice fits the bill. During her senior season with UCLA, she proved she was more than capable of handling facilitation duties and calling her own number if needed. In the WNBA, if she can trust her judgment and take what the defense has given her, she should have a solid rookie season.

8. Golden State Valkyries: Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA

The thought of adding Jaquez to the roster should excite Golden State. The Valkyries would be getting a do-it-all player who isn't afraid to lean into the things that don't often show up on the stat sheet. She also comes with an electric 3-ball that should be a solid addition to a team that led the WNBA in made 3-points per game (9.7) last season.

9. Washington Mystics: Raven Johnson, G South Carolina

There's never anything wrong with taking guard depth and insurance as the Mystics wait to see how Georgia Amoore will fare once she returns to the court this season. Still, even with a healthy Amoore, Washington could use a gritty, scrappy guard like Johnson to anchor the defense and keep the offense running smoothly.

10. Indiana Fever: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA

The one thing Indiana could never have enough of last season was guards and shooters. Kneepkens is both. She can work inside out, is underrated with her footwork and can sink a corner 3-pointer, a Fever staple over the years. Head coach Stephanie White will likely appreciate Kneepkens' intensity and energy.

11. Washington Mystics: Nell Angloma, F, France

Angloma is a versatile piece the Mystics could lean into now or stash for later. At 5-foot-11, she's likely more of a wing than a pure forward, but she can play both. Angloma does a lot of work in the paint, getting downhill quickly, but can make her baskets from 3-point range, too, when asked.

12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martín Carrión, G, Spain

Carrión is the type of guard who exploits any second-guessing by opponents and makes them pay. She can get to the cup with her footwork, navigating traffic or she can let it go from deep without flinching. She may not play now, if drafted, but the Sun would be wise to hold on to the Spainish guard.

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

The Dream plan to take the best player available at 13. That player could contribute now, but Atlanta isn't looking for an immediate star. If the pick is Okot, the South Carolina center would be landing in a great place for her development. Head coach Karl Smesko could help her as a defender and strengthen her shooting, especially from 3-point range.

14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez, F, TCU

Reuniting Suarez with her college point guard might be worth it for Seattle. She led the Horned Frogs in 3-point shooting this past season and could help a Seattle team that needs chemistry sooner rather than later. A young trio of Malonga, Miles and Saurez could help the Storm build for the future.

15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss

McMahon is a versatile player who could find her groove with the Sun as a wing or forward. She brings a lot of energy and is not afraid to get downhill or pull up from the midrange. She also moves well without the ball, opening up lanes for teammates, which could help her earn more minutes as the season progresses.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA Draft 2026: Azzi Fudd a no-brainer at No. 1 for Wings