Fantasy WNBA sleepers, breakouts and busts: Late-round draft picks and players to know

Building a great fantasy women’s basketball roster starts with the draft. To get it right, you need a clear understanding of which players to target and which to fade.

Who is poised to outperform their average draft position this season? Which players are ready to make the jump and which may hold back?

This column highlights a group of sleepers, breakout candidates and potential shakeups to keep in mind for the 2026 season.

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sleeper

Kahlah CopperYes, phoenix mercury

Copper enters 2026 as a strong bounce-back candidate after injuries impacted the 2025 season. She sat out the first month after undergoing offseason knee surgery and did not fully return to her workload until midseason, finishing with 15.6 ppg in 26.9 mpg in 28 games. Those numbers were less than Copper’s 2024 breakout (21.1 ppg in 32.1 mpg), but his role expanded during the Mercury’s playoff run, where he averaged 34.2 mpg.

with Satou Sabli departure and alyssa thomas Serving as an all-around presence, Copper is well-positioned to play a primary scoring role for Phoenix. Copper’s 31.5 fantasy points per game in 2024 represent what his ceiling could be if fully healthy. If his minutes return to the low-30s, as is projected, he is an excellent target in Round 4 or 5.

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brittany sykesYes, toronto tempo

Sykes is entering 2026 as a sleeper due to his projected role and proven versatility. He played 39 games while splitting time in 2025 washington mystic And seattle hurricaneand showed clear production differences depending on the occasion. As Washington’s primary ball handler, Sykes averaged 27.1 fantasy points, compared to 21.8 in a lesser role with Seattle.

Now with one of the league’s new expansion teams, Sykes is projected as a top two fantasy option marina mabreyThat should bring his usage rate closer to his Washington level (25.2%). Sykes averaged 15.4 ppg, 4.4 apg and 3.4 rpg to earn his first All-Star award before the trade, demonstrating his ability to produce when given the opportunity.

Although efficiency (38.1% cumulative FG%) remains a concern, Sykes contributes in multiple categories and makes an impact on both ends of the court. With a steady role and increased usage, if he stays healthy, Sykes has a real chance to beat his current ADP and provide early-to-mid value.

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bridget carltonF/C, portland fire

Carlton has become an interesting sleeper this season due to his predictable role and usage. He averaged 6.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 2.0 apg in 27.9 mpg in limited offensive role with the Lynx last season. Carlton’s lead was limited in Minnesota, but that should change in Portland.

Selected No. 1 in the expansion draft, Carlton should step into a much bigger role with the Fire. If his minutes remain stable and his shot volume increases, he has a realistic path to averaging over 20 fantasy points per game. Carlton doesn’t have an attractive profile, but increased opportunities only add to his sleeper appeal in later rounds. He has a clear chance to outperform his ADP due to a more prominent role.

game

Bridget Carlton with 2 pts

Bridget Carlton with 2 pts, 05/03/2026

statues

Nneka OgwumikeF/C, los angeles sparks

Ogwumike remains one of the most consistent and reliable players in the league, but his situation with the Sparks offers some potential downsides relative to his draft cost. He averaged 18.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 2.3 apg while playing all 44 games with the Storm last season, and has maintained a high fantasy level even at this stage of his career. Ogwumike’s 24.5% usage rate led Seattle.

But the move back to the Sparks puts Ogwumike in a more crowded frontcourt diorica hamby And cameron brinkWhich should not have any restriction of minutes. kelsey plum Will also order critical use. Unlike his role in Seattle, Ogwumike will probably share touches more evenly, which could limit his imagination. Low utilization is the main concern.

At 36, Ogwumike can still produce at a high level, but the combination of role uncertainty and a deep roster may make it difficult for him to return top-tier fantasy value. She remains a safe choice, but expectations may need to be curbed.

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jewel lloydYes, Las Vegas Aces

Lloyd values ​​her time with the Storm, but her fantasy perspective in Las Vegas is limited by the role. After years as the primary option, his usage dropped off significantly in 2025, resulting in just 21.3 fantasy points per game on 28.3 MPG, down from 35.7 the year before. Although Loyd adapted well as a complementary player and floor spacer, that transition limited his ceiling.

aces offense continues Aja Wilson, jackie young And chelsea grayLeaving Loyd as a marginal option. Additional depth, including potential breakout chennady carterCould further limit his opportunities. Even if Loyd’s efficiency improves, it is difficult to predict a meaningful increase in usage without injuries.

Loyd should still provide a steady floor, but his lack of upside makes him a risky option at his current ADP. Managers may be better off targeting other high-end options at similar levels.

breakout

cameron brinkF/C, Los Angeles Sparks

Brink is one of my favorite breakout candidates heading into 2026 as he is sidelined by a torn ACL that has limited his early career. She missed the first 25 games last season and was held to less than 20 minutes per game after returning, but still showed efficiency, averaging 0.90 fantasy points per minute. This production mirrors his rookie-year flashes in 2024, when he posted 22.0 fantasy points in 22.0 minutes per game before the injury.

With Brink recovering from an entire offseason, Brink is expected to take on more workload, although the Sparks can still manage her minutes early. His elite defensive ability gives him a high fantasy ceiling, especially if his offensive game continues to develop. If Brink’s minutes reach the mid-to-high 20s, he has a clear path to outperforming his current ADP, making him a high-upside target in the later rounds.

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dorka juhaszF/C, minnesota lynx

Juhasz is a name that probably won’t be on the radar of many managers. He’s poised for a breakout in 2026 due to a combination of opportunity and recent overseas production. After sitting out the 2025 WNBA season, she returned to a Lynx team that lost key frontcourt players, opening the door for a larger role. Juhasz is coming off a dominant EuroLeague campaign in which he was named MVP while averaging 12.8 ppg and 8.0 rpg while demonstrating efficiency and leadership.

If Juhasz can take that form back to the WNBA, she has a clear path to increased minutes and production. With expanded opportunities and proven growth, Juhaaz is well-positioned to outperform expectations. He’s going undrafted in many leagues and deserves to be picked in the last round, or at least at the top of your watch list.