WNBA Draft grades 2026: Live results and analysis for every pick in Round 1 originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The orange carpet is laid out, the light fixtures are gleaming and the outfits are growing increasingly more ornate. After months of waiting and weeks of deliberation, the 2026 WNBA Draft is here. And it looks to be awash with starlight.
Visit h-doctor.club for more information.
Fifteen players will hear their names called in the first round. Those fabulous 15 will take their place among the league's grandest talents, looking to establish themselves as fixtures in the WNBA's constantly-shifting ecosystem.
Some names shine brighter than others. Azzi Fudd is the odds-on favorite to be selected by the Wings with the No. 1 overall pick. Her relationship with Paige Bueckers, dazzling off-ball shooting skills and solid defense make her an ideal candidate to become the seventh UConn player to be selected first overall.
There are plenty other leading lights expected to draw buzz in the night, from Olivia Miles to Awa Fam. The draft process has proven a fickle sorceress in recent weeks. It's unlikely that will change come draft night.
The Sporting News is tracking live grades from the first round of Monday's WNBA Draft. Follow below for analysis on how every team did with its first-round selection in 2026.
MORE: Inside Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd's relationship timeline
WNBA Draft grades 2026: Live picks, analysis for Round 1
1. Dallas Wings: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
- Grade: A-
Dallas started its work in the offseason, bringing in Alanna Smith and Jessica Shepard to shore up its frontcourt depth. Fudd might not be the best player available in this year's class. But her off-ball shooting and smart defense should shine alongside Paige Bueckers and Arike Ogunbowale.
2. Minnesota Lynx (via CHI): Olivia Miles, G, TCU
- Grade: A
This one came as a bit of surprise given Minnesota's glaring hole in the frontcourt following Smith and Shepard's departures. Still, Miles is arguably the best player in this year's draft, blessed with passing flair and an improving offensive skillset. Her defensive foibles are sure to be the subject of scrutiny. But the prospect of her and Napheesa Collier is enough to make this pick worth it. Cheryl Reeve's side just picked up one of the W's greatest-ever playmaking prospects.
3. Seattle Storm (via LA) Awa Fam, F, Valencia (Spain) | Spain
- Grade: A+
Fam has the highest ceiling of any player in this year's draft. Coming to prominence away from the shine of the collegiate game, it would be easy to label Fam as a "raw" prospect. She is anything but, gashing into a full-strength US side during the FIBA World Cup. Blessed with impressive athleticism, enchanting passing skills off the short roll and sumptuous footwork, Fam has all the talent to be the best player in this year's class.
4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
- Grade: A
Shakira Austin's decision to re-sign with the Mystics makes Betts' fit slightly more curious. Nevertheless, she was the best player available at this point in the draft. Her defensive prowess -- both as a rim protector and in space -- should fit nicely in a Washington side teeming with youthfulness.
5. Chicago Sky (via CON): Gabriela Jaquez, F, UCLA
- Grade: B
Jaquez might represent the first real reach in this year's draft. She possesses all the attributes to be a quality role player in the league. Still, there are questions about her shooting -- she was a below-average three-point shooter in conference play.
6. Toronto Tempo: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA
- Grade: A
Rice figures to be Julie Allemand's understudy in Toronto. That's certainly not a bad thing; Allemand is as decorated as they come at international level, possessing the nous and playmaking chops to spearhead the Tempo offense -- and Rice's development.
Rice, meanwhile, will get a chance to grow without being called upon to lead a WNBA offense from Day 1.
7. Portland Fire: Iyana Martin, G, Perfumerias Avenida (Spain) | Spain
- Grade: B+
Martin is a glorious passer, adept at finding cutters and shooters with unique passing angles. At just 20 years old, she could very well be a draft-and-stash candidate. Her size will almost certainly limit her defensive capabilities at the next level. But if her playmaking skills shine through as planned, Martin should be able to make a splash alongside Bridget Carleton and Co.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU
- Grade: A
Some considered Johnson a top-five player in her class. While she struggled with consistency during the second half of the season, her athleticism and defensive chops should pop in the Golden State starlight. The Valkyries showcased their talent development during their maiden season, with Janelle Salaun and Juste Jocyte playing major roles. Johnson could experience similar levels of success in the coming season.
9. Washington Mystics (via SEA): Angela Dugalic, F, UCLA | United States/Serbia
- Grade: B-
Dugalic was a solid offensive talent in the college game. But at 24 years old, you'd prefer her to be a little more well-rounded. There are questions over her long-term viability -- she played in a fairly limited role in UCLA's frontcourt and she never shot better than 34.8% from three during her collegiate career.
10. Indiana Fever: Raven Johnson, G, South Carolina
- Grade: A
Johnson is a dogged defender, solid playmaker and burgeoning three-point threat. She won't jump off the page with any one attribute. But she has all the makings of a valuable bench piece. For a Fever side with championship aspirations, that's just what is needed.
11. Washington Mystics (via NY): Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss
- Grade: A-
McMahon has her detractors. But her physical skills are already WNBA-worthy. Washington will have some work to do to help her refine her game. But if she hits, she has all the physical skills to be a force in the open floor.
12. Connecticut Sun (via PHO): Nell Angloma, F, Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (France) | France
- Grade: A+
Angloma quietly put forth one of the best draft seasons ever by a European prospect. She is lanky, springy and defensively sound. She's also just 19 years old, fitting right in with the Sun's growing collection of young talent.
13. Atlanta Dream: Madina Okot, C, South Carolina | South Sudan
- Grade: B+
The Dream took a flyer on Okot, who has only been playing basketball for five years. The South Carolina alum has plenty of holes in her game. But her three-point touch is intriguing, even if she did only show it on limited attempts. She'll find a good home in Atlanta, a side teeming with frontcourt talent.
14. Seattle Storm (via LV): Taina Mair, G, Duke
- Grade: B
The Storm needed a point guard. They found one in Mair, who was one of the ACC's best performers. Naturally, there will questions over her ability running an offense at the next level. But she'll have plenty of help in Fam and Dominique Malonga, both of whom should look good fielding passes from the Duke alum.
15. Connecticut Sun (via MIN): Gianna Kneepkens, F, UCLA
MORE: Latest updates on breaking news, signings from 2026 WNBA free agency
- Grade: B+
Kneepkens isn't quite a high-ceiling talent like some of her Bruins peers. She does possess a WNBA-level trait from Day One, however: her shooting. That should be enough to land her on a WNBA roster.