The landscape of professional women’s basketball is about to shift significantly as the 2026 WNBA Draft arrives this Monday, April 13, 2026. Held at “The Shed” in Hudson Yards, New York City, this year’s draft is the most anticipated in a decade, fueled by the league’s expansion to 14 teams with the debut of the Toronto Tempo and the Portland Fire.
The Top of the Board: Dallas on the Clock
As determined by the lottery held last November, the Dallas Wings hold the coveted No. 1 overall pick. They are followed by the Minnesota Lynx at No. 2 and the Seattle Storm at No. 3. The expansion teams, Toronto and Portland, will make their historic first-round debuts at picks No. 6 and No. 7, respectively.
While the 2027 draft is already being touted as the “JuJu Watkins Class,” the 2026 pool is exceptionally deep with “pro-ready” talent. The consensus No. 1 prospect is Awa Fam, the 6’4″ Spanish center from Valencia, whose international experience and elite rebounding make her a generational post talent. Right behind her is UConn’s Azzi Fudd, who, despite a career marred by early injuries, finished her 2025-26 collegiate season as the most lethal shooter in the nation.
The UCLA and South Carolina Connection
This draft is dominated by the two powerhouses of the 2025-26 season. UCLA, coming off a national championship run, has four potential first-rounders, led by 6’7″ center Lauren Betts and point guard Kiki Rice. Betts, the Big Ten Player of the Year, is expected to go in the top three, providing an immediate defensive anchor for whichever team lands her.
South Carolina continues its “pro factory” reputation with Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson (who transferred to the Gamecocks for her final season). Meanwhile, one of the most intriguing storylines involves MiLaysia Fulwiley, who recently earned her second consecutive SEC Sixth Player of the Year award after a high-scoring season at LSU.
Eligibility and the “JuJu” Factor
A major topic of discussion on the “Orange Carpet” tonight will be the eligibility rules. Under the current CBA, stars like JuJu Watkins and Hannah Hidalgo are not eligible for this year’s draft. Hidalgo has already officially confirmed her return to Notre Dame for her senior season, where she aims to build on her record-breaking 202 steals from last year.
There were whispers of a CBA change that might allow Watkins to declare early following her 2025 ACL injury, but she remains on track for the 2027 or 2028 draft. This has allowed the 2026 class—which also includes TCU’s Olivia Miles and LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson—to step into a spotlight that is entirely their own.
Draft Night Details:
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Time: 7:00 PM ET.
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Broadcast: Exclusively on ESPN.
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The “Tempo” Debut: All eyes are on Toronto as they look to build a franchise identity with their first-ever selection.
