2026 WNBA Mock Draft: First-Spherical Employees Predictions (April 13)

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The 2026 WNBA Draft is forthcoming, and 15 groups will choose 45 gamers from three rounds. Amid the free company chaos, the league will see its first official draft because the new collective bargaining settlement. This 12 months’s festivities embrace growth groups Toronto Tempo and Portland Fireplace.

2026 WNBA Mock Draft: First-Spherical Employees Predictions (April 13) — Justin Casterline/Getty Pictures

Curt Miller and the Dallas Wings maintain the No. 1 decide for the second consecutive season. Paige Bueckers was the consensus prime decide final 12 months, however who will Dallas choose this time round? Azzi Fudd, Lauren Betts, Olivia Miles, and Awa Fam are all prime candidates within the deep class. Finally, who will likely be chosen first total? 15 prospects will make their orange carpet debuts within the Large Apple. Will there be chaos and mock drafts shredded? Or will the draft go as predicted?

Tomorrow, desires develop into actuality… class of 2026, your second is right here 🏀

Tune in to the WNBA Draft at 7:00pm/ET on ESPN

WNBA Draft introduced by @StateStreetETFs SPY pic.twitter.com/021Es78z0E

— WNBA (@WNBA) April 12, 2026

Ballislife has our workers mock draft choices and predictions from the primary spherical, courtesy of Sara Jane Gamelli and Geoff Magliocchetti. We assembled a snake-type draft with alternating picks 1-12.

*Choices had been made mid-free company*

1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, UConn

At first, I initially had Lauren Betts, of UCLA, heading to the Lone Star state No. 1 total. That was till the Wings wheeled and dealt, creating free company chaos by signing former Lynx pair Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith. The Wings moreover signed Li Yueru and Awak Kuier, which presents much more depth. Now, Dallas has my consideration.

Azzi Fudd goes No. 1 total to the Wings and can reunite with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers, with whom she received an NCAA Nationwide Championship. On condition that Dallas re-signed long-time veteran Arike Ogunbowale to a multi-year deal, it’s clear the case for Fudd has gained momentum. A two-way guard, Fudd is the highest flamethrower within the draft and ranked fifth in 3-point share (44.7%) in her remaining 12 months with the Huskies. Fudd is a defensive-minded participant who additionally led the nation with 117 threes. Having familiarity with Bueckers may make them some of the deadly duos within the WNBA. Dallas reconstructed its roster, and Fudd could be an ideal match within the backcourt. That is very true since she thrives off-ball and might get to her spots/cuts.

-Sara Jane Gamelli

2. Minnesota Lynx (from Chicago): Lauren Betts, UCLA

This offseason was alleged to be a no tough stuff kind of deal for the Lynx, however they’ve endured a number of notable departures this offseason, none extra evident than these of Bridget Carleton and Alanna Smith. That doesn’t even account for the standing of franchise face Napheesa Collier after she spent this season recovering from ankle surgical procedures.

It’d be silly to rely the Lynx out till we see an precise pattern dimension, although, particularly in the event that they land the skills of a game-changer like Betts. A 12 months of working with Collier in any capability would make for one heck of a spot 12 months, if the Lynx are so inclined to have interaction in a single, after all. If not, Lauren Betts would rapidly make up for the misplaced submit prowess.

-Geoff Magliocchetti

3. Seattle Storm (from Los Angeles): Olivia Miles, TCU

Olivia Miles was a projected top-pick in final 12 months’s WNBA Draft earlier than returning to school. Having transferred to TCU from Notre Dame, Miles wager on herself. A number of mock drafts anticipated her to land with the Seattle Storm final 12 months, and right here we’re.

I do count on Miles to get drafted among the many prime three, however I just like the match with Seattle. Sure, the staff did implode following the firing of former head coach Noelle Quinn. In free company, Skylar Diggins, Brittney Sykes, Gabby Williams, and Nneka Ogwumike bolted for greener pastures.

The final 4 days of free company have been a whirlwind, however the Storm locked up its frontcourt by re-signing Ezi Magbegor. Though it’s at all times a chance she may very well be later traded, each Magbegor and Dominique Malonga have the prospect to develop into the franchise cornerstones… and so does Miles.

It might be an adjustment for Miles, who led TCU to the Elite Eight. She would immediately develop into the staff’s main level guard and franchise face. Miles is essentially the most elite level guard on this draft class, with unbelievable courtroom imaginative and prescient, IQ, and facilitating expertise.

-Sara Jane Gamelli

4. Washington Mystics: Awa Fam, Spain

The draft would possibly’ve been the proper recess from the free company frenzy. However the Mystics’ technique may effectively heart (pun supposed) on the destiny of Shakira Austin, who has a max provide sheet from the Toronto Tempo. That might make them take a waiver on Fam, the worldwide sensation trying to shake issues up on the prime.

If something, Washington may use a bit of construct with Stef Dolson shifting on, and Fam’s propensity for playmaking, significantly off the pick-and-roll, may mesh very well with final 12 months’s yields of Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen.

-Geoff Magliocchetti

5. Chicago Sky (from Connecticut): Kiki Rice, UCLA

The Sky have been making waves throughout the W world in free company. As soon as thought of a struggling franchise, the Sky have invested in a number of gamers this week. After delivery Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, the Sky has since signed Skylar Diggins, DiJonai Carrington, Azurà Stevens, Rachel Banham, Courtney Vandersloot, and Elizabeth Williams.

Underneath contract are Kamilla Cardoso, Hailey Van Lith, Maddy Westbeld, and Jacy Sheldon. In my protection, I made my draft decide earlier than Vandersloot re-signed. I personally really feel Kiki Rice is a steal within the draft and may very well be the face of the franchise sooner or later. All through her whole NCAA profession, she’s been an elite defender and a lot extra with the UCLA Bruins.

Rice may be 5’11”, however her vertical is kind of spectacular. She has the poise and elite decision-making that would make a distinction in Ch-City. Though she’s projected to be chosen later, she’s pro-ready.

Rice had a profession senior season, averaging 14.9 factors, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals. To not point out, she shot a career-best 38.5 % from three and 45.8 % from the ground. Whereas protection defines her, she will do all of it.

-Sara Jane Gamelli

6. Toronto Tempo: Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA

Toronto has wasted no time getting right down to enterprise, constructing a backcourt headlined by Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes. Such an assault can proceed with the versatile Gabriela Jaquez, one of many outstanding risers along with her event efficiency.

The house she generates, to not point out the additional defensive tenacity, could be coveted by any staff, however it may be downright explosive for an growth staff trying to get off on the suitable foot.

-Geoff Magliocchetti

7. Portland Fireplace: Flau’jae Johnson, LSU

I used to be torn between deciding on Flau’jae Johnson No. 5 total to the Sky, however I strongly consider that she has the chance to develop into a franchise face within the Rose Metropolis. One of many two growth groups, Portland, hasn’t made an enormous splash in free company and signed Bridget Carleton to a three-year deal on the max.

Within the draft, the Fireplace chosen and signed Chloe Bibby, Maya Caldwell, Emily Engstler, and Maya Caldwell. That mentioned, Portland very a lot wants dimension, however Johnson is among the finest gamers obtainable on the board.

By deciding on her at No. 7, Johnson may develop into the chief of this staff, since there’s no actual outlined participant at the moment. She’s a confirmed winner, received a nationwide championship with LSU, and led the Tigers to a number of Elite Eight appearances. Johnson is flexible and might get downhill. I can’t consider a greater staff to develop her recreation and fine-tune her recreation. On condition that Portland is headed for long-term growth, it is a excellent alternative for Johnson. Plus, Damian Lillard and Johnson may bond of their music careers.

-Sara Jane Gamelli

8. Golden State Valkyries: Raven Johnson, South Carolina

What can Golden State do to retain the momentum of their fabulous freshman tour? Touchdown a sterling first-round riser like Raven Johnson will surely be a powerful step in the suitable course. Johnson went for high quality, not amount, in her fifth and remaining tour of Columbia, averaging at the very least 4 factors, assists, and rebounds.

She additionally left a profound impression on head coach Daybreak Staley, who claimed that Johnson would be the participant she’ll miss most of all upon her skilled entry. Coming from the girl who oversaw the rise of Aaliyah Boston, A’ja Wilson, and extra, that’s reward that reigns within the stratosphere.

-Geoff Magliocchetti

9. Washington Mystics (from Seattle): Ta’Niya Latson, South Carolina

I’m going with the Washington Mystics to pick out South Carolina guard Ta’Niya Latson No. 9 total. The Mystics are an intriguing franchise, one which many say mirrors the NBA’s Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder.

Washington hit a grand slam by drafting Georgia Amoore, Sonia Citron, and Kiki Iriafen within the 2025 WNBA Draft. Though they narrowly missed the playoffs, the staff is preserving its youth whereas constructing for the long run. Over the subsequent three years, the Mystics will maintain 14 draft picks.

My decide was contingent on heart Shakira Austin, who obtained a restricted qualifying provide from Washington on April 7. Subsequently, Austin has signed a multi-year provide sheet with the Toronto Tempo, and the Mystics have two days to match that. If she doesn’t return, the Mystics will want frontcourt depth, particularly since Stefanie Dolson departed for the Storm.

Amoore is technically the purpose guard, however she’s subsequent to see motion on the hardwood because of struggling an ACL harm final 12 months. Latson may very well be a steal within the draft and is a participant who led the nation in factors (25.2 PPG) throughout her junior 12 months at Florida State. She since transferred to South Carolina for her senior 12 months.

Latson can rating in bunches, and her means to complete and drive is second-to-none. In 2025, she shot a career-high 48.6 % from the sector and averaged 14.1 factors and three.1 assists underneath Daybreak Staley and a loaded Gamecocks squad. Her scoring manufacturing dipped, however South Carolina rostered a number of weapons.

-Sara Jane Gamelli

10. Indiana Fever: Nell Angloma, France

With Caitlin Clark again within the fold, Indiana will face sizable expectations after final 12 months’s semifinal run. Indiana splurged on veterans of the acquainted and new selection alike, with Clark and Aliyah Boston nonetheless on their rookie offers, however that would create a little bit of a barrier for younger gamers in search of minutes.

That makes Indianapolis prime territory for a undertaking decide like Nell Angloma, a French ahead who hasn’t hit her 20s. If Angloma is straight away prepared for WNBA motion, she may compete with Makayla Timpson for the suitable to fill Natasha Howard’s departed minutes.

-Geoff Magliocchetti

11. Washington Mystics: Gianna Kneepkens, UCLA

And as soon as once more, the Washington Mystics are on the clock. This time, I’m taking them to pick out UCLA guard Gianna Kneepkens. Kneepkens is a guard with dimension who can play a number of positions. Transferring to UCLA for her senior 12 months, Kneepkens is a high-volume scorer who’s one other sleep decide within the draft.

Having averaged 12.8 factors, 3.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steals with UCLA in her remaining 12 months, she completed her school profession taking pictures 43.1 % from past the arc. Mix that with Sonia Citron, who’s a natural-born 3-point menace. This duo may deliver much-needed scoring and 3-point prowess to the nation’s capital.

Kneepkens is a sterling shooter who takes environment friendly photographs and has tailored to any state of affairs up to now. At 6 ft, she’s a stable rebounder, a flexible defender, who would slot in effectively with this growing Mystics squad. On condition that Washington didn’t make too many free company strikes (up to now), I count on them to proceed to construct their roster by way of the draft.

-Sara Jane Gamelli

12. Connecticut Solar (from Phoenix): Cottie McMahon, Ole Miss

Because it prepares to embark on its Comet period, endurance will likely be a advantage in terms of ready on the ultimate Solar decide(s) after they not directly traded out of the highest 5. Luckily, there’s a plethora of constant choices towards the underside of the primary spherical, significantly within the type of the inventive scoring menace Cotie McMahon.

The previous Ohio State Buckeye averaged just below 20 factors in her lone tour of Oxford, partly stealing among the highlight from her SEC sisters. That creates extra of a starry outlook for the long run Texans, who discovered sterling defensive assist in Aneesah Morrow and Saniya Rivers over the past draft and now should fill within the scoring gaps, particularly with Mabrey gone.

-Geoff Magliocchetti

13. Atlanta Dream: Angela Dugalić, UCLA

With the thirteenth total decide, I’m taking the Atlanta Dream to pick out UCLA’s Angela Dugalić. Atlanta meant enterprise once they re-signed Allisha Grey, Rhyne Howard, Brionna Jones, Jordin Canada, and Naz Hillmon in free company. Nonetheless, they went out and traded for frontcourt energy in Angel Reese.

Taylor Thierry and Te-Hina Paopo are underneath contract, and I do not assume the Dream wants any extra guard depth. At 6 ‘4”, Dugalić brings dimension to Atlanta, however can also be a powerful rebounder with robust defensive prowess. With Brittney Griner on her strategy to Connecticut, Dugalić would very a lot complement each Jones and Reese.

We are able to’t overlook that Dugalić was a starter for UCLA’s Cori Shut and produced off the bench in her senior season. She was greater than able to beginning, which I believe folks could overlook. Towards Duke within the Elite Eight, she delivered 15 factors, six rebounds, 4 assists, and two steals. She has the proper quantity of size and dimension across the rim that may solidify Atlanta’s frontcourt as one of many strongest.

-Sara Jane Gamelli

14. Seattle Storm (from Las Vegas): Charlisse Leger-Walker, UCLA

If a pickup recreation breaks out at The Shed, solely UCLA would be capable to type a 5. The Bruins may’ve simply had six ladies in New York, because the efforts of Charlisse Leger-Walker weren’t forgotten by these gathered. Leger-Walker established herself as a stable two-star between UCLA and Washington State, and top-heavy Seattle is raring to restock the backcourt after dropping veterans Skylar Diggins and Gabby Williams to the free company chaos.

The shortage of invite and a comparatively late choice makes Leger-Walker significantly harmful, as she’ll be a potential-packed expertise burdened with virtually nothing to lose.

-Geoff Magliocchetti

15. Connecticut Solar (from Minnesota): Rori Harmon, Texas

I needed to take Madina Okot right here, however the Connecticut Solar has loads of frontcourt depth with Aaliyah Edwards. Aneesah Morrow, Brittney Griner, and Olivia Nelson-Ododa. The Solar will bid farewell to the Nutmeg state because it prepares to spend its remaining season in Connecticut earlier than relocating to Houston. The staff hasn’t made many free company strikes, as Lelia Lacan and Saniya Rivers are additionally on rookie-scale contracts. I’m going to swing for the hills right here. Some don’t see Rori Harmon as a first-round decide, however she could be a fantastic addition to Connecticut. Having performed her whole profession for Texas, Harmon is an elite defender who could be an ideal match for the Solar’s tradition. Most have her projected as a second- or third-round decide because of her lack of scoring quantity and 3-point taking pictures. And whereas Harmon didn’t take many threes, she shot a career-best 44.8 % from past the arc.

Connecticut has some stable defenders, and Harmon’s shot is a piece in progress. However a staff equivalent to Connecticut can enhance that. Based mostly on the gamers taken, free company, and what Connecticut wants, I’m taking Harmon right here. She has a small stature, however don’t let that cease you. Her defensive presence, together with the power to facilitate, may type her into a pleasant backup position. Plus, she may discover her method again to Texas subsequent 12 months.

-Sara Jane Gamelli

The 2026 WNBA Draft will likely be held on Monday, April 13, at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York Metropolis. Protection will air on ESPN from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET

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