WNBA Mock Draft 2026: Projecting where Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts, other college stars will be picked
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WNBA Mock Draft 2026: Projecting where Gabriela Jaquez, Lauren Betts, other college stars will be picked originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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Women's March Madness was filled with thrills, spills and plenty of controversy in 2026. After the dust settled on another memorable slate of games, UCLA reigned supreme, hoisting its first-ever national championship with a dizzying display against South Carolina.
Hoop enthusiasts won't have to wait too long to have their basketball craving filled. In eight days, the 2026 WNBA Draft will take place, introducing masses of W supporters to the next generation of basketball mavens.
Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez and Olivia Miles enjoyed scorching campaigns during tournament play. All figure to see their draft stock reflect their impressive play.
With that, here’s a look The Sporting News' updated mock draft following the conclusion of the women's NCAA tournament.
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WNBA Mock Draft 2026
First round
1. Dallas Wings: Awa Fam, Valencia (Spain) | Spain
- Age: 19
- Position: Forward/Center
- Height: 6-foot-4
Fam is the best prospect available in this year's draft. Her size, versatility, footwork and passing chops -- especially in the short roll -- make her an enchanting prospect, especially to a side already blessed with one gifted pick-and-roll operator in Paige Bueckers.
Three years younger than the majority of her draft class peers, Fam and her two-way skillset make her poised to be the first international prospect to go No. 1 overall since Lauren Jackson did so in 2001.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, TCU
- Age: 23, Senior
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-foot-10
Miles would've gone top-three had she declared for the WNBA Draft like expected in 2025. She'll earn similar billing in 2026. Few guards in recent college basketball history have flaunted passing skills quite like Miles, a dizzying ball-handler who has displayed sumptuous shooting over the years.
With Kayla McBride in their ranks, the Lynx don't necessarily need a point guard. But she'll turn 34 before the end of the season. Miles figures to inject youth and skill into a championship-caliber roster. Bridget Carleton's departure amplifies the need for another steady offensive contributor.
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3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd, UConn
- Age: 23, Senior
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-foot-11
Fudd is the best shooter in this year's class, blessed with an effortless shooting form that should translate at the next level. She struggled in UConn's loss to South Carolina, failing to provide the sort of dynamism one would hope to get out of a top-two pick. Nevertheless, Fudd has the skillset to fit nicely into Seattle's burgeoning young core. Her off-ball shooting should open up space for Dominique Malonga and Jordan Horston, both of whom are at their best when attacking the rim.
MORE: Who are the best UConn women's players ever?
4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts, UCLA
- Age: 22, Senior
- Position: Center
- Height: 6-foot-7
Betts showed out in the tournament, flaunting her considerable defensive traits while showcasing a deft passing touch out of the post. She's not the perfect prospect by any means -- her build doesn't appear to lend itself to fast-pace play. But the Mystics need help on the defensive side of the court, especially with Shakira Austin slated to hit restricted free agency in the offseason.
5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice, UCLA
- Age: 22, Senior
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-foot-11
Angel Reese's departure kicks off a new era in Chicago. Reinforcements are on the way in the form of Rice, a talented senior who helped push the Bruins during their run to the national title.
Rice is athletic, aggressive and defensively sound. She also sank 38 percent of her threes during her senior year, an enchanting proposition for a Chicago side that ranked fifth-worst in three-point shooting. The Sky boasted the league's worst backcourt in 2025. Rice figures to change that.
6. Toronto Tempo: Flau'jae Johnson, LSU
- Age: 22, Senior
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-foot-10
Johnson slips slightly in our latest mock draft. She struggled at times during her final season in Baton Rouge.
Still, the talent is enchanting. Johnson is a dogged defender whose athletic gifts alone bring her the title of her draft class' best slasher. Johnson could be a star in the right setting. We think she'll land in Toronto, where she should get a chance to see plenty of the ball.
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7. Portland Fire: Raven Johnson, South Carolina
- Age: 23, Senior
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-foot-9
Johnson has all the makings of a steady pro, pairing strong defense with a burgeoning 3-point stroke to propel South Carolina up the college ranks. Johnson brings her 41.4% 3-point shooting to a Fire squad that will look to find consistency in its maiden WNBA season.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Nell Angloma, BMLA (France) | France
- Age: 19
- Position: Forward
- Height: 5-foot-10
The Valkyries dipped into the international market during the 2025 WNBA Draft, adding Janelle Salaun and Juste Jocyte to a roster that already featured Carla Leite and -- for a moment -- Julie Vanloo.
We think they'll go to that well once more to land Angloma. She is the latest France prospect, enjoying a splendid campaign with Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration. Her success at the EuroCup level has drawn admirers, although there are questions about her ability to shoot the ball at the next level.
Still, Angloma is a strong, lanky athlete who should have ample time to fill into her frame. If she can consistently hit shots from range, the Valkyries will have quite the building block at their disposal.
MORE: Revisiting South Carolina coach Dawn Staley's playing career
9. Washington Mystics: Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA
- Age: 23, Senior
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-foot-11
Kneepkens is the easy pick for the Mystics, who ranked bottom of the league in three-point attempts. Citron is a trebuchet, flaunting a scorching 44.5% three-point rate in her rookie season. Beyond her, Washington was lacking in floor spacers.
Kneepkens should fill that role with aplomb. The Utah transfer is a career 43.2% three-point shooter across five collegiate seasons.
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10. Indiana Fever: Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA
- Age: 22, Senior
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-foot
The Fever fell just short of a Finals berth in 2025. Assuming Caitlin Clark has a clean bill of health in 2026, they should be able to contend for glory in 2026.
Jaquez possesses all the skills desired out of a modern wing. She projects to be something of a utility player at the next level, with her potential hinging on whether her jumper is consistent. If the NCAA tournament was any indication, things are trending up in that direction.
11. Washington Mystics: Madina Okot, South Carolina
- Age: 21, Senior
- Position: Center
- Height: 6-foot-6
At the time of this mock draft's writing, Okot has not yet declared for the WNBA Draft. Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley told reporters that South Carolina would be petitioning for Okot to be granted a waiver to play another season of college.
If she does declare, though, Okot could draw first-round buzz. Her youth, athleticism and hands are enchanting. So, too, are her budding shooting skills -- Okot has hit 48.1% of her three-pointers, albeit on limited attempts.
Okot has her flaws, particularly in regards to her interior scoring. Nevertheless, she projects as a first-round talent.
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12. Connecticut Sun: Ta’Niya Latson, South Carolina
- Age: 22
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-foot-8
Latson can light the basket up like few others in the nation. At Florida State, she was artful, particularly in transition. Her athletic gifts make her a difficult matchup to handle out in the open floor.
The South Carolina guard has her detractors — she’s not much of a shooter and can struggle to attack defenders one-on-one. But Latson’s athleticism should be enough to draw first-round consideration, especially for a Connecticut side still finding its way after Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones’ departures.
13. Atlanta Dream: Iyana Martin, Perfumerias Avenida (Spain) | Spain
- Age: 20
- Position: Guard
- Height: 5-foot-8
Martin is one of the best passers in this year’s draft, adept at finding cutters and shooters with unique passing angles.
She’s undoubtedly a prospect player, needing to add some dynamism in other parts of her game. Her lackluster frame is also of concern, although Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray should have the defensive chops to help her at the next level.
Martin projects as a draft-and-stash. Atlanta has the talent to justify keeping her in Europe for an additional season.
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14. Seattle Storm: Ashton Jackson, Duke
- Age: 22
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6-foot
Jackson is far from your proverbial 3-and-D wing, also offering a play-making flourish. She averaged a career-best 4.6 assists as a senior and should sizzle coming off the bench for Seattle.
15. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss
- Age: 21
- Position: Forward
- Height: 6-foot-1
McMahon rounds out the list of first-rounders. The Ole Miss wing needs to improve her shooting stroke at the next level. But she’s an athletic marvel at her size. That’s a welcome addition to the Sun’s underwhelming roster.