WNBA Mock Draft: The Podium Finish’s View

Here is the complete editorial compilation of the 2026 WNBA Mock Draft, organized by pick with commentary from Lauren Rosenberg, Rob Tiongson, and Aya Abdeen in that specific order.

Lauren Betts concluded her UCLA Women’s Basketball career with the Bruins as the 2026 Most Outstanding Player in NCAA tournament play, and she’s a top choice in our WNBA Mock Draft. (Photo: John McClellan via Wikimedia Commons)

Pick 1: Dallas Wings

• Lauren Rosenberg: Lauren Betts (C, UCLA)

  • “Betts proved time and time again that she’s a force in the paint. Dallas lacked a viable option and hustler who could do damage last season. Betts brings not only elite defense but high offensive IQ and footwork to establish herself as a dominant paint presence.”

• Rob Tiongson: Lauren Betts (C, UCLA)

  • “Rob’s Lock: After leading UCLA to the 2026 title, she’s the defensive anchor Dallas needs to protect the paint for Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.”

• Aya Abdeen: Azzi Fudd (G, UConn)

  • “After bringing in Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith in free agency, it’ll make sense with the Wings drafting Azzi Fudd at top pick, which will reunite with her UConn teammate, Paige Bueckers.”

Pick 2: Minnesota Lynx

• Lauren Rosenberg: Olivia Miles (G, TCU)

  • “A change of scenery helped Miles grow her game as a star for the Horned Frogs. Minnesota needs a point guard after losing Natisha Hiedman to Seattle to compliment combo guard Courtney Williams.”

• Rob Tiongson: Awa Fam (C, Spain)

  • “The 19-year-old Spanish star is the betting favorite for some, but fits the Lynx’s love for high-IQ international size.”

• Aya Abdeen: Lauren Betts (C, UCLA)

  • “Minnesota having the second overall pick pretty much fascinates me, especially after losing most of their key contributor players in free agency. The question for the Lynx is how they could address frontcourt needs while dealing with injuries to Napheesa Collier. In my opinion, Lauren Betts is the best option as Cheryl Reeve is familiar with coaching big name frontcourt players throughout her tenure with the team.”

Pick 3: Seattle Storm

• Lauren Rosenberg: Awa Fam (C, Spain)

  • “The Storm are in rebuild mode after losing Nneka Ogwumike to Los Angeles and Gabby Williams to Golden State. Fam doesn’t have the flashiest numbers but she’s young and played against pros overseas. Ezi Magbegor is a perfect post player to help guide her in this next phase.”

• Rob Tiongson: Olivia Miles (G, TCU)

  • “One of the best playmakers in years; she’s the heir apparent to the Storm’s backcourt.”

• Aya Abdeen: Olivia Miles (G, TCU)

  • “Olivia Miles is a triple-double machine, and the Seattle Storm, especially after losing Skylar Diggins and Erica Wheeler in free agency, will need to fill the point guard position. The team will also pick again in the late first round.”

Pick 4: Washington Mystics

Azzi Fudd (No. 35) brings her sharpshooting skills to the WNBA from her UConn Huskies years, projected inside the top five of our WNBA Mock Draft. (Photo: UConn Huskies)

• Lauren Rosenberg: Azzi Fudd (G, UConn)

  • “With the news of Shakira Austin re-signing with Washington, the need for a post player is less dire. Washington can use a player like Fudd who can play 1-4, shoot and defend.”

• Rob Tiongson: Azzi Fudd (G, UConn)

  • “With Jacy Sheldon in Chicago, Fudd’s elite spacing and 3PT gravity become the Mystics’ No. 1 priority.”

• Aya Abdeen: Awa Fam (C, Spain)

  • “The Washington Mystics also fascinates me as well, especially they have ninth and eleventh overall picks later in the first round. Pending on Shakira Austin, the team will need a center to fill in the void of Stefanie Dolson‘s departure. Awa Fam has so much potential with her play style, especially having overseas experience as well.”

Pick 5: Chicago Sky

• Lauren Rosenberg: Nell Angloma (G/F, France)

  • “Chicago is in desperate need of a combo guard/forward who has all around versatility. Their one glaring weakness, even after signing DiJonai Carrington, is someone with dynamic skills at both positions.”

• Rob Tiongson: Kiki Rice (G, UCLA)

  • “New Sky Logic: They kept this pick! Rice provides the defensive grit and playmaking they need for their rebuild.”

• Aya Abdeen: Flau’jae Johnson (G, LSU)

  • “After restructuring its roster throughout the off-season, the Chicago Sky will need to bring in a point guard to prepare for the future, especially having traded away first round picks to the Washington Mystics. Flau’jae Johnson’s play style is so familiar to Kahleah Copper, as she brings in the two-way production on both ends of the court.”

Pick 6: Toronto Tempo

• Lauren Rosenberg: Flau’jae Johnson (G, LSU)

  • “If there’s one thing Sandy Brondello loves, it’s defensive guards. Johnson’s ability to matchup and lock down team’s best shooters is a perfect piece to the Tempo’s puzzle as they make an identity as a new franchise.”

• Rob Tiongson: Flau’jae Johnson (G, LSU)

  • “The perfect ‘star power’ pick for the Toronto expansion debut.”

• Aya Abdeen: Raven Johnson (G, South Carolina)

  • “Raven Johnson led the South Carolina Gamecocks to four consecutive appearances in the women’s final four. She is the type of guard that can bring in the defensive intensity for the Toronto Tempo, having brought in Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes.”

Pick 7: Portland Fire

• Lauren Rosenberg: Iyana Martin (PG, Spain)

  • “Martin is young but a solid point guard. She’s exploded in Spain and in FIBA play. She’s played against professionals and currently averages 14.8 points and 4.2 assists overseas.”

• Rob Tiongson: Nell Angloma (F, France)

  • “A physical, athletic riser from France who fits Portland’s ‘youth and potential’ build.”

• Aya Abdeen: Nell Angloma (F, France)

  • “I could see the Portland Fire taking some sort of international approach with their first ever draft pick, especially with Vanja Cernivec and Alex Sarama having international experience. Nell Angloma is one of the rising stars in France who excels as a wing.”

Pick 8: Golden State Valkyries

• Lauren Rosenberg: Kiki Rice (PG, UCLA)

  • “Rice stayed the course with the Bruins and continued to improve in her game. Learning behind Veronica Burton defensively while having a forward like Williams to excel in the high-low game is reminiscent of her and Betts’ chemistry.”

• Rob Tiongson: Gianna Kneepkens (G, UCLA)

  • “An elite 50/40/90 shooter to fix the Valkyries’ spacing issues.”

• Aya Abdeen: Kiki Rice (G, UCLA)

  • “After adding in Gabby Williams and Kiah Stokes through free agency, the Golden State Valkyries will need to bring in a backup guard. Kiki Rice brings in the versatility as a point guard.”

Pick 9: Washington Mystics

• Lauren Rosenberg: Raven Johnson (PG, South Carolina)

  • “The Mystics are lacking a lot. The young squad haven’t made nearly any moves so why not add a young point guard to the mix.”

• Rob Tiongson: Angela Dugalić (F, UCLA)

  • “Another UCLA champion; brings size, versatility, and EuroLeague experience to DC.”

• Aya Abdeen: Ta’Niya Latson (G, South Carolina)

  • “The Washington Mystics are back at it again, with their second first round pick. I could see them bringing in Ta’Niya Latson, in case if Georgia Amoore isn’t fully recovered. Latson brings in the explosive shooting on the court.”

Pick 10: Indiana Fever

• Lauren Rosenberg: Madina Okot (C, South Carolina)

  • “Why not add another post player for Caitlin Clark to pass to in the post alongside former Gamecock Aliyah Boston. Okot is a match made in heaven for the Fever who have championship aspirations.”

• Rob Tiongson: Gabriela Jaquez (G/F, UCLA)

  • “Her high-motor ‘glue player’ style is exactly what the Fever need alongside CC.”

• Aya Abdeen: Madina Okot (C, South Carolina)

  • “The Indiana Fever will need a backup center for Aliyah Boston. Madina Okot made contributions in South Carolina’s run to the national championship games”

Pick 11: Washington Mystics

• Lauren Rosenberg: Cotie McMahon (F, Ole Miss)

  • “Just like the ninth pick, Washington hasn’t made any splashy moves. She’s improved her versatility and three point shooting with Ole Miss. Washington needs a lot and McMahon can fill in a ton of gaps in a franchise with a lot of unknowns.”

• Rob Tiongson: Ta’Niya Latson (G, So. Carolina)

  • “An explosive transition scorer to finalize Washington’s three-pick haul.”

• Aya Abdeen: Cotie McMahon (F, Ole Miss)

  • “To top it off with their final first round pick of this year’s draft, the Mystics will need a small forward. Cotie McMahon is known for her three-point shooting and physical style.”

Pick 12: Connecticut Sun

• Lauren Rosenberg: Gabriella Jaquez (G, UCLA)

  • “The sun is setting on the Sun’s franchise before they move down south to Houston but that’s not going to stop them from making a splash. They signed Brittney Griner, who is a league favorite. Jaquez captured the hearts of the nation and will bring a lot of happiness to the Sun’s fanbase in their last year at Mohegan.”

• Rob Tiongson: Cotie McMahon (F, Ole Miss)

  • “Adds raw athleticism and toughness to a Sun roster in transition.”

• Aya Abdeen: Gabriela Jaquez (G, UCLA)

  • “Gabriela Jaquez has risen in her draft stock, especially after her impressive performance in UCLA’S victory over South Carolina in the national championship game.”

Pick 13: Atlanta Dream

• Lauren Rosenberg: Charlise Leger-Walker (PG, UCLA)

  • “I’m a lot higher on the New Zealand native than a lot of folks are. I have her slipping into the first round as a perfect developmental piece and passing threat to Angel Reese and Allisha Gray. Rhyne Howard is the perfect mentor for the Kiwi to expand her skillset at the next level.”

• Rob Tiongson: Raven Johnson (G, So. Carolina)

  • “With Angel Reese now in Atlanta, playing alongside Allisah Gray is the perfect teammate to feed the selfless Raven Johnson.”

• Aya Abdeen: Gianna Kneepens (G, UCLA)

  • “The Atlanta Dream, having brought in the trio of Gray/Howard/Canada, will need a backup guard that could get minutes. They had success with Te-Hina PaoPao last year. Gianna Kneepens, one of the contributors in UCLA’s National Championship run, could be the one. Kneepens is known for her shooting from long range, which Karl Smesko admires.”

Pick 14: Seattle Storm

• Lauren Rosenberg: Marta Suarez (F, TCU)

  • “Suarez broke many records in her lone season in Fort Worth. She finally found her place and the right fit at TCU which helped scouts see her scoring versatility and ability to crash the boards with ease.”

• Rob Tiongson: Madina Okot (C, So. Carolina)

  • “Massive 6’6″ frame with elite defensive upside to develop in Seattle.”

• Aya Abdeen: Marta Suarez (F, TCU)

  • “Imagine Marta Suarez, Olivia Miles, and Dominique Malonga as a three to see, that’s tough. Suarez has been one of the standouts for the TCU Horned Frogs on both ends of the court throughout this past season.”

Pick 15: Connecticut Sun

• Lauren Rosenberg: Gianna Kneepkens (G, UCLA)

  • “I’m extremely high on Kneepkens and her fit in Connecticut. They desperately need a three-point sharpshooter after losing Marina Mabrey to the Tempo in the expansion draft. She proved she can shoot with the best of them and gets to reunite with Jaquez.”

• Rob Tiongson: Marta Suárez (F, TCU)

  • “A versatile Spanish forward who can stretch the floor for the Sun.”

• Aya Abdeen: Angela Dugalic (F, UCLA)

  • “After drafting a shooting guard, the Sun would need to bring in a power forward. Angela Dugalic could reunite with Jaquez while getting the opportunity to learn from Brittney Griner, who came from the Atlanta Dream in the off-season.”