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Wings Soar to Top Pick Again, Mock Draft Shakes Up with Fudd at No. 1
Dallas, TX – For the second consecutive year, the Dallas Wings have secured the coveted No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA draft, a position that historically provides a significant boost to a franchise. Sunday’s draft lottery unfolded without a hitch, with the top five teams – the Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky – aligning perfectly with their pre-lottery odds.
While Spanish teenage post player Awa Fam was initially projected as the top pick in pre-lottery discussions, a recent dazzling performance by UConn guard Azzi Fudd has shifted the focus. Fudd’s impressive shooting display at the Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase has propelled the Huskies senior to the top spot in the latest mock draft. This move could be particularly advantageous for the Wings, whose new head coach, Jose Fernandez, boasts extensive recruiting experience in Europe, a factor that still keeps Fam as a strong candidate.
The prospect of pairing Fudd with last year’s top pick, 2025 WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers, presents an exciting future for the Wings. Both are elite backcourt players who have proven to complement each other on the court, even leading the Huskies to a national championship in April. Their off-court relationship is also well-known within the league, but their on-court chemistry speaks for itself.
The WNBA’s labor negotiations are currently ongoing, with a previously extended deadline of November 30. Following a new collective bargaining agreement, the league will see expansion drafts for new franchises in Toronto and Portland, Oregon, along with the free agency period. These crucial events will precede April’s draft, offering more clarity on each team’s roster composition.
For now, here’s a look at the latest mock draft, which notably features four players from No. 3 UCLA projected as first-round picks:
Latest WNBA Mock Draft
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd
UConn | Shooting Guard | 5-foot-11 | Senior
Fudd’s recent performances have been nothing short of spectacular, with a combined 55 points on 58.1% shooting in victories over Michigan and Utah. Averaging 21.0 points per game on 51.1% shooting overall and an impressive 54.8% from beyond the arc this season, Fudd is an offensive powerhouse. While she’s faced injuries in her career, a healthy Fudd would be a highly valued asset in the WNBA.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Awa Fam
Spain | Center | 6-foot-4
Fam’s agent has indicated that playing in the WNBA is her “top priority” for 2026. Currently playing for Valencia in Spain, she will turn 20 in June. Her high potential suggests she may need time to develop fully, a process the Lynx could facilitate at a pace that allows her to blossom.
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles
TCU | Point Guard | 5-foot-10 | Senior
Miles, a transfer from Notre Dame, has been a game-changer for No. 10 TCU in her final collegiate season. Averaging 18.3 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 7.5 APG, she stands out as the top point guard among college seniors and could be a future backcourt star for the Storm.
4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts
UCLA | Center | 6-foot-7 | Senior
Betts, a first-team All-American last season, was our initial No. 1 pick in October. Her strong senior start (15.7 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.2 BPG) hasn’t diminished her draft stock.
While traditional centers may require an adjustment period to the WNBA’s offensive style, Betts’ talent is undeniable. She could join last season’s standout rookies, guard Sonia Citron and forward Kiki Iriafen, to form a formidable young core for the Mystics.
5. Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson
LSU | Shooting Guard | 5-foot-10 | Senior
Johnson’s ability to run the court will be on full display this season for the guard-heavy Tigers. Averaging 17.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 3.7 APG for No. 5 LSU, Johnson has already proven her capabilities over three years of SEC play, despite a soft nonconference schedule.
6. Toronto Tempo: Ta’Niya Latson
South Carolina | Shooting Guard | 5-foot-8 | Senior
- (Expansion team draft order to be determined by coin flip; Tempo currently projected here, Portland Fire at No. 7.)
- Latson led Division I in scoring last season with 25.2 PPG for Florida State. Now with No.
2 South Carolina, she’s averaging 18.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 3.7 APG in a more balanced offense. While her 54.5% three-point shooting from a small sample size is impressive, maintaining it would be a significant development.
7. Portland Fire: Cotie McMahon
Ole Miss | Small Forward | 6-foot-0 | Senior
After three years at Ohio State, where she achieved a career-high 16.5 PPG last season, McMahon joins the No. 13 Rebels, averaging 17.5 PPG and 6.5 RPG. Demonstrating defensive improvement at Ole Miss will further enhance her draft prospects.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Gianna Kneepkens
UCLA | Shooting Guard | 5-foot-11 | Senior
Kneepkens’ primary strength lies in her three-point shooting, which stretches defenses. While currently at a career-low 36.7% from beyond the arc, her history (previously at Utah) suggests an upward trend. She’s averaging 12.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG, and 3.7 APG.
9. Washington Mystics: Serah Williams
UConn | Power Forward | 6-foot-4 | Senior
Williams’ transition from being the star of a 13-17 team (19.2 PPG and 9.8 RPG for Wisconsin last season) to a talent-rich program like No. 1 UConn will likely see a drop in her individual stats, but a rise in her draft stock, given UConn’s track record of producing WNBA players. She’s currently averaging 7.2 PPG and 4.3 RPG.
10. Indiana Fever: Madina Okot
South Carolina | Center | 6-foot-6 | Senior
Okot, originally from Kenya, has seamlessly integrated into the Gamecocks in her final season. She leads South Carolina in rebounding (10.8 RPG) and blocks (2.2 BPG), while also averaging 13.3 PPG. Like Betts, she represents a more traditional center, but there’s still a place for such players in the WNBA, particularly those with strong defensive capabilities.
11. Washington Mystics: Gabriela Jaquez
UCLA | Shooting Guard | 6-foot-0 | Senior
Jaquez has been a consistent performer for the Bruins, averaging 14.0 PPG, a team-high 7.8 RPG, and 2.8 APG, with 39.1% shooting from beyond the arc. Becoming a full-time starter last season, continued improvement in her three-point shooting will bolster her draft stock.
12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martin Carrion
Spain | Point Guard | 5-foot-8
In April, Martin Carrion was named Young Player of the Year for her EuroLeague debut season. A teammate of Fam on the Spanish national team, she also helped her squad reach the EuroBasket championship game this summer. She turns 20 in January.
13. Atlanta Dream: Kiki Rice
UCLA | Point Guard | 5-foot-11 | Senior
The Bruins, already strong last season in reaching the Final Four, could be even better this season. Rice is averaging 14.0 PPG, 7.2 RPG, and 3.7 APG. Improving her three-point shooting – currently at 30.8% after a career-best 31.3% last season – will be key.
14. Seattle Storm: Janiah Barker
Tennessee | Power Forward | 6-foot-4 | Senior
Barker, with previous stints at Texas A&M and UCLA, will conclude her collegiate career at No. 15 Tennessee.
WNBA evaluators have long been interested in her skill set at her size, but she’ll need to demonstrate consistency throughout the season. She’s averaging 15.2 PPG and 6.5 RPG for the Lady Vols.
15. Connecticut Sun: Nell Angloma
France | Small Forward | 5-foot-11
Sun coach Rachid Meziane, being from France, is naturally familiar with Angloma, who plays for Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (BMLA). Angloma averaged 17.0 PPG and 5.5 RPG for France in the U19 Women’s World Cup this summer. She turns 20 in June.