WNBA mock draft 2026: UConn’s Azzi Fudd is projected No. 1

In a normal year, most of the major moves in WNBA free agency would likely have been made by now, and there would be more certainty about team needs. But things have been far from normal this entire offseason as the WNBA and the players union continue to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.

Because of that, most of the players who are not under rookie contract are free agents, as well as two expansion teams who do not have any players yet. So, like our previous mock draft in November, we are predicting draft selections without significant context about the players they will include.

However, what we now have is most of the season’s data on which to evaluate current college seniors who are eligible for the draft. (We’re not including any potentially draft-eligible juniors in this mock).

The No. 1 pick in ESPN’s WNBA mock draft remains the same: UConn guard azy fadWho could be on his way to join forces with former Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers2025 Rookie of the Year, with dallas wings.

champ week and this NCAA Tournament Draft position can have an impact, as we’ve seen players help their stock with March Madness success. So this is something to watch between now and our next mock draft.

Yukon | Shooting Guard 5-foot-11 senior

UConn is looking for the seventh perfect season in program history, and Fad has a lot to do with why the 26-0 Huskies have been undefeated so far. She’s averaging 17.5 ppg and shooting 45.5% (76 of 167) from behind the arc. Fudd’s ability to line up on guard will be very useful in the WNBA, and she is also a reliable defensive player. Plus, the UConn pedigree goes a long way in a league that has seen many outstanding former Huskies.

Spain center | 6 foot 4

Pham, who is averaging 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds for Valencia in Spain, is just 19 years old with a lot of potential. And what better coach to do than the most experienced in the WNBA: Cheryl Reeve. Despite playing professionally overseas, Pham will have the opportunity to learn in the WNBA. It is uncertain when the links will move forward Nafeesa CollierWho was it ankle surgery Will be back with full strength in January. Perhaps a young post player like Pham could get more playing time right away for Minnesota.

TCU | Point Guard 5-foot-10 senior

Miles, a former Notre Dame standout who played at TCU for her senior season, leads the Horned Frogs in points (20.5), assists (6.6) and steals (1.9). He also averages 6.8 rebounds. He played one of his most impressive games on Thursday, scoring a career-high 40 points and making 10 3-pointers as the Frogs defeated Baylor. She could have gone to the WNBA in the 2025 draft, but she thought another year of college would help her game and her confidence.

UCLA | center | 6-foot-7 | senior

Bates had some ups and downs in the early part of the season, but has been consistent since then. He is averaging 16.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the Bruins, who are 24-1 and lead the Big Ten at 14-0. There will be a lot of discussion about how well the true center still fits in the WNBA, but it seems like there are enough positives about Betts to make her one of the best lottery picks.

LSU | Shooting Guard 5-foot-10 senior

Johnson’s scoring average is down from last season (13.8 ppg compared to 18.6), but a lot of that has to do with LSU having such strong guard play and spread around the offense. Here’s a key stat for Johnson this season: She’s shooting a career-best 43.9% from behind the arc. His energy and effectiveness on defense are also big positives.

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Flo’Jay Johnson discusses leadership style ahead of Crunch matchup vs. South Carolina

Flaujae Johnson discusses leadership style ahead of crunch matchup vs. LSU. Flauzay Johnson discusses his leadership and playing with Mylesia Fulville ahead of LSU vs. South Carolina.

ole miss | small forward 6 feet senior

McMahon knows she needs to play more on the perimeter in the WNBA at her size and improve her 3-point shooting. That’s why he thought Ole Miss would be a good place to finish his college career after three seasons at Ohio State. McMahon spoke to Endscape’s Ari Chambers in January about understanding him better Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its impact on her. He said it’s helped him this season: He’s averaging a career-high 19.9 ppg.

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Coty McMahon falls into the smooth basket

Coty McMahon falls into the smooth basket

France small forward 5-foot-11

Angloma, who plays for Basket Latte Montpellier Agglomeration (BMLA) in France, is currently having a very good season, averaging 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists. She won’t turn 20 until June and could potentially play the small forward or shooting guard spots in the WNBA.

Spain Point Guard 5-foot-8

Martin, who just turned 20 last month, was part of the Spanish team that advanced to the EuroBasket championship game last summer. He is currently averaging 14.8 ppg and 4.6 apg for Perfumerias Avenida in Spain. In 2023, she was the MVP of the FIBA ​​Under-19 World Cup.

UCLA | Shooting Guard 5-foot-11 senior

Neepkens is part of the UCLA guard attack that has kept the Bruins undefeated in the Big Ten. She is renowned for her long-range shooting, which she brought to UCLA from Utah this season. For his college career, Neepkens has shot 43.7% from behind the arc. This season, he’s at 45.9%. His scoring average of 13.1 ppg is down from a career-best 19.3 last season, but he is now surrounded by a lot of talent with the Big Ten-leading Bruins.

South Carolina | center | 6-foot-6 senior

Okot didn’t start playing basketball until she was a teenager, but she has been a fast learner. After competing collegiately in her native Kenya, she was with Mississippi State last season, then transferred to South Carolina this season. There is a possibility that the Gamecocks could petition to grant him another season of college eligibility. But if she enters the draft this year, she has great potential, averaging 13.2 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.5 spg and 1.5 bpg.

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Medina Okot goes from coast to coast with stealth and stealth

Medina Okot gets into the passing lane and makes a fast-break basket for the Gamecocks.

ruler | Shooting Guard 6 feet senior

Jackson has been a stalwart of Duke’s stout defense throughout his career. And she’s also a good 3-point shooter; He has made 212 treys for the Blue Devils, 50 of them this season. He also averaged a career-best 4.6 assists as a senior.

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Ashlon Jackson sinks a clutch triple for Duke

Ashlon Jackson got wide open and drained a 3-pointer, increasing Duke’s lead over Louisville late.

UCLA | Point Guard 5-foot-11 senior

Rice saved his best for his final season with the Bruins. He averaged 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 50.8% overall from the field and 42.1% from 3-point range. These are all career highs. She averages 4.6 assists and knows how to make big plays when needed.

South Carolina Shooting Guard 5-foot-8 | senior

Latson wanted to play for a higher-profile program, so she left Florida State after averaging a Division I-leading 25.2 PPG last season. His draft stock may have dropped a bit given his numbers, plus he is dealing with a foot injury. Still, he is averaging 15.5 ppg and is one of those prospects who could move back up draft boards during the postseason.

TCU | small forward 6-foot-3 senior

A native of Oviedo, Spain, Suarez is at her third college program after playing two seasons at Tennessee and two seasons at Cal. But going to TCU for her last season may help her draft stock the most, as she’s become a better 3-point shooter (52-of-144, 36.1%) and a more versatile scorer at her size. She’ll turn 24 in May, so she’s a little older than most draftees, but it seems like her college experience has paid off.

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Marta Suarez scored 3 runs for TCU

Olivia Miles finds Marta Suarez, who sinks a 3-pointer for TCU.

UCLA | Shooting Guard 6-foot-0 senior

Jacquez is the fourth Bruin we’re going with in the first round. Also, guard Charlie’s Leger-Walker and further Angela Dugali Also almost certain to be drafted out of UCLA. Jacquez is averaging 14.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg and 2.0 apg. Like teammates Neepkens and Rice, she is shooting better than 40% from 3-point range (43.4).