Draft 2026

After agreeing to a historic CBA, and amid a whirlwind free agency and expansion draft period, the WNBA’s 2026 Draft went on without a hitch. The night featured one shocking trade, a very expected first overall pick, and some surprising sliding (and rising) up the draft board.
But, as we learned from last year seeing Atlanta Dream guard Te-Hina Paopao and Phoenix Mercury guard Monique Akoa-Makani thrive, it’s not about where you land in the draft as a rookie, but rather, what you make of your limited opportunities. Sliding in this year’s draft shouldn’t immediately write anyone off.
Preseason games tip off on April 25, with the Indiana Fever and New York Liberty being given the honor of unofficially starting off the WNBA’s 30th season that day. Ahead of that slate of games, let’s take a look at some of the standout selections from this year’s draft, and how each rookie fits in with their new teams.
<hr />
<h2>Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings</h2>
<div id="attachment_258679" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258679" class="wp-image-258679" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Azzi Fudd (R) of UConn after being drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA draft</div>
This pick might’ve felt like writing on the wall for some, but Fudd’s fit goes beyond fulfilling the dream of reuniting her with her former championship-winning backcourt partner in Paige Bueckers. The sharpshooter is finally realizing her dream of playing in the WNBA after an arduous, injury-riddled start to her UConn Huskies career. 
 
The Wings shot 30.4 percent from 3-point range as a team in 2025. Fudd just finished up her college career as a 42.2 percent 3-point shooter. 
 
She immediately raises their ceiling in that respect. Dallas now has the luxury of playing a three-guard lineup between Fudd, Bueckers, and All-Star Arike Ogunbowale, who are all complemented by recent signings of reigning co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith and former Minnesota Lynx forward Jess Sheppard. 
<hr />
<h2>Gabriela Jaquez, Chicago Sky</h2>
<div id="attachment_258680" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258680" class="wp-image-258680" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271214236-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Gabriela Jaquez (L) of UCLA after being selected with the 5th pick in the first round by the Chicago Sky during the 2026 WNBA Draft</div>
Role players who manage to shine on the biggest stages in college basketball will always boost their stock ahead of the draft. Jaquez just experienced first-hand how an electric NCAA Tournament run, which ended in a championship for the UCLA Bruins, can make you a top pick. 
 
Jaquez landed 5th overall to a new-look Chicago Sky during the 2026 WNBA Draft, and it’s an excellent fit for the guard who recorded 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists on 57 percent shooting for UCLA in their championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks. 
 
The Sky just signed All-Star Skylar Diggings, in addition to trading for Jacy Sheldon. Their guard room seems rounded out with the addition of Jaquez, who had a career year as a shooter in 2025-26. 
<hr />
<h2>Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm</h2>
<div id="attachment_258681" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258681" class="wp-image-258681" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="535" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-300x201.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-768x514.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-1536x1027.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271206601-2048x1369.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Flau jae Johnson of LSU prior the 2026 WNBA Draft</div>
One of the bigger shocks of draft night was the Golden State Valkyries’ trade of Flau’jae Johnson to the Seattle Storm in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick and the rights to Marta Suárez. Johnson has been a star at LSU for the last four years and was one of the best guards available in the first round of this year’s draft. 
 
She averaged 14.6 points per game in her career with the Tigers, in addition to 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.6 steals, and 46.7 percent shooting from the field overall. 
This was a huge move for the Storm, who are in full rebuild mode after selecting Awa Fam Thiam and Johnson to their 2026 roster. Johnson can become the face of a franchise thanks to her sure-handed hooping and her dual-threat status as a basketball star and a musical artist. Seattle, likely looking ahead to a deep 2027 draft class, made the choice to snag Johnson to add to their extremely young team. 
<hr />
<h2>Ta’Niya Latson, Los Angeles Sparks</h2>
<div id="attachment_258694" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258694" class="wp-image-258694" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271222412-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Ta’Niya Latson (R) of South Carolina after being selected with the 20th pick in the second round by the Los Angeles Sparks during the 2026 WNBA Draft</div>
On the flip side of what Jaquez experienced in this year’s NCAA Tournament, Latson saw her draft stock fall quite a bit this year. The former FSU star transferred to South Carolina for her final year of college basketball, seeking a way to round out her game beyond just being a threat driving to the basket. While she shot a career-best 48.6 percent from the field in 2025-26, she was also far less of a focus for the Gamecocks as an initiator on offense. 
 
That might’ve contributed to her falling all the way to the Los Angeles Sparks, who suddenly have a great guard room between All-Star Kelsey Plum, veteran Erica Wheeler, and now Latson. Despite a weaker showing during the NCAA Women’s Championship game, Latson was, and is, still a guard worth investing in. The Sparks might’ve landed a steal in the 2nd round. 
<hr />
<h2>Janiah Barker, Las Vegas Aces</h2>
<div id="attachment_258695" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258695" class="wp-image-258695" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2261080050-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Janiah Barker of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers</div>
Barker, who went to the Las Vegas Aces at 29th overall, is another sneakily good pick from the 2nd round. Las Vegas could use some depth in its frontcourt after losing Kiah Stokes and Megan Gustafson in free agency, and Barker is a raw talent who is about to share a team with the best center in the WNBA &#8211; and, potentially, the best center to ever play in the WNBA. While she’s a forward by trade, learning the ropes from A’ja Wilson can’t hurt her early career development. 
 
The former Tennessee Lady Vol finished up her college career averaging 11.2 points per game in addition to 6.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and shooting 46.8 percent from the field overall. She could develop into a stretch-4 under the right system, which would be huge for Las Vegas’ bench as they seek to rebuild that part of the team. 
The potential is what’s most intriguing with Barker as she lands with the Aces. Her gamble of transferring to Tennessee might not have paid off in the way she thought it would, but she’s landed in possibly the best scenario for a young forward looking to grow in the WNBA. 
<hr />
<h2>Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx</h2>
<div id="attachment_258696" style="width: 810px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-258696" class="wp-image-258696" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="800" height="533" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271213282-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px" />Olivia Miles (R) of TCU after being selected with the 2nd pick in the first round by the Minnesota Lynx during the 2026 WNBA Draft</div>
Miles getting taken off the board at 2nd overall in this year’s draft should come as a shock to no one. She was the best point guard available for the Lynx and head coach Cheryl Reeve, and the team’s selection of the Horned Frogs star means one obvious thing about Minnesota’s offensive game planning for 2026: the pick-and-roll will rule. 
All-Star and perennial MVP candidate forward Napheesa Collier is the perfect pairing with Miles, as both are proficient PnR executors. In 2025, the Lynx averaged 34.5 points in the paint per game, which was essentially middle-of-the-pack scoring across the league. 
 
They were atop the league in three-point shooting, hitting at a clip of 37.8 percent overall, but they could add a new dimension to their offense with the addition of Miles to the court. Making Collier a greater threat in the paint by way of a clinical PnR game alongside Miles would raise their contention ceiling even higher.

WNBA_DRAFT_2026_logo_specialapplication_logowoman_white

how-2026-draft-picks-align-with-their-new-teams

A Perfect Fit: How 2026 Draft Picks Align with Their New Teams

Power Rankings

2026-power-rankings-offseason-moves

2026 WNBA Power Rankings: Offseason Moves

Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — The party isn’t over for UCLA’s national champions. The Bruins had another big celebration at the <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-draft-0a00d49021a7aca63629b01c36e20d95" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">WNBA draft.</a>
Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez and Kiki Rice were taken with picks Nos. 4-6 on Monday night, barely a week after helping the <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-ucla-south-carolina-score-1b7d7aa969d6bded7ad857fa1d760e32" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">Bruins win their first NCAA championship.</a> UCLA became the first team to have five first-round selections, and the first with six players selected in one draft.
In a whirlwind stretch where the Bruins were feted from coast to coast, the good times hit their peak at the draft, where the best team this season took its place among the best of all time.
“It’s really hard to sum up because there’s so much,” Jaquez said. “I think that we’re just on a high right now. We just won the national championship. A lot of us have also graduated college, which is a huge step and something to be super proud of, especially at UCLA. And then we got to go to Jimmy Kimmel, a Laker game, Clipper game, dance, have the celebration at Pauley Pavilion. We went on ‘Good Morning America’ this morning. Obviously, a lot of us are here at the draft tonight being drafted. It’s just been a special moment.”
The 6-foot-7 Betts was selected by the Washington Mystics, with Jaquez then taken by the Chicago Sky. The expansion Toronto Tempo made Rice their first draft pick with the No. 6 selection.
With coach Cori Close sitting up front near her players, the Bruins kept having reasons to stand up and cheer. They were going so quickly that after Angela Dugalic was taken at No. 9 to join Betts in Washington, she worried she’d miss witnessing more big moments for her teammates.
Betts said she wasn’t surprised, having watched how hard her teammates worked.
“These are like my sisters, and getting to watch your family do something like that is amazing,” Betts said. “But I mean, this team is just so special. We knew the type of players that we had on the team, and to really just have this night really showcase all of the things that we’ve worked on all season is just amazing.”
UCLA went 37-1, routing South Carolina on April 5 in the title game — with their seniors scoring all of their points in the Final Four — and then made WNBA history when Gianna Kneepkens was drafted by Connecticut with the 15th and final pick of the first round. Close has said she doesn’t care about records, but that changed Monday.
“Well, I mean, I sort of do care about this one actually, because No. 1, it helps us in recruiting. I think we’ve really taken a developmental approach to this and to see it come to fruition the way it has is obviously really gratifying,” she said.
“Just to be a part of an historic night and for them to be so excited for each other, that’s sort of representative of how they’ve been all year long. But it’s a pretty cool record to be a part of.”
UConn had the previous record of four first-round selections — all in the first six picks — in 2002. Sue Bird was No. 1, Swin Cash No. 2, Asjha Jones No. 4 and Tamika Williams No. 6 from a team that went 39-0.
Tennessee, in 1999 and again in 2008, had five players selected in the draft, as did Notre Dame in 2019 and South Carolina in 2023. But those players weren’t all taken in the first round.
“I think it definitely demonstrates that being a selfless team, that maybe giving up individual stats for team success, that you can win with that formula. You can still be successful. You can win at a high level as a team but you can also achieve individual goals,” Rice said.
“We knew we all wanted to go to the WNBA. We all wanted to be pros, but that wasn’t the only focus during the season. It was winning, it was giving to each other, it was how can we be the best team possible. In the process of doing that, we still got the results that we wanted to at the end of the day, and that’s something that is really special.”
Charlisse Leger-Walker was taken by the Sun in the second round, set to remain teammates with Kneepkens.
The Bruins went to dinner together while in New York and were going to spend more time together after the draft. But Kneepkens said they wouldn’t be saying their goodbyes yet.
“Yeah, those girls mean the most to me, and good thing we live in this day and age and we have phones,” she said. “So hopefully we’ll keep in touch, and obviously we’ll see each other around.”
___
AP Basketball Writer Doug Feinberg contributed to this report.

ucla-record-draft-night-2026

National Champion UCLA Has Record Night at WNBA Draft 2026

Free Agency 2026

The following is a press release from the Chicago Sky:
CHICAGO (April 12, 2026) — The Chicago Sky officially signed guard/forward DiJonai Carrington, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“We’re thrilled to bring DiJonai to the Sky,” General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “She brings speed, defense, versatility and a fierce competitive spirit, and we can’t wait to see her electrify Skytown.”
Carrington appeared in a total of 31 games last season between Dallas and Minnesota. She averaged 9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 21.9 minutes and 14 starts.
She spent the first four years of her career with the Connecticut Sun after being drafted with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft. In four seasons and 131 games with Connecticut, Carrington averaged 8.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
Carrington gradually improved over her time with Connecticut, significantly growing her statistical output with each consecutive season. In 2023, Carrington averaged 8.3 points and finished runner-up in Sixth Player of the Year voting.
In 2024, Carrington broke out, averaging 12.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals. For her strong play, Carrington won Most Improved Player, earned a nod to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team and finished fourth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
During her time with Connecticut, Carrington saw tremendous experience in the postseason. In just three years as a rotation regular, she played in 25 playoff games with the Sun, averaging 7.4 points and 3.1 rebounds.
Prior to the WNBA, Carrington played five collegiate seasons across stints with Stanford and Baylor. She averaged 9.6 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals during her time in college.
She began her career playing four seasons at Stanford. She had her best statistical season in her third year, averaging 14.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals, earning All-Pac-12 honors. Carrington transferred to Baylor for her final college year, averaging 14.3 points and 2.1 steals while winning Big 12 Sixth Player of the Year.
<div class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing">Chicago tips off the 2026 regular season on Saturday, May 9 against the expansion Portland Fire on the road at 8 p.m. CT. Follow @chicagosky on all social media platforms and head to <a title="http://sky.wnba.com/" href="http://sky.wnba.com">sky.wnba.com</a> for the latest news, content and ticket purchasing. The full 2026 Sky season schedule can be viewed <a title="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/1611661329/2026/01/PDF-SCHEDULE-UPDATED.pdf" href="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/1611661329/2026/01/PDF-SCHEDULE-UPDATED.pdf" data-outlook-id="24a315dd-8d5f-482d-b8d1-b33ac6ce2a46">here</a>.</div>
<div class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing" dir="ltr"></div>
<div class="ms-outlook-mobile-reference-message skipProofing" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center">###</div>

chicago-sky-sign-dijonai-carrington

Chicago Sky Sign Guard/Forward DiJonai Carrington

The following is a press release from the Chicago Sky:
CHICAGO (April 12, 2026) — The Chicago Sky acquired forward Rickea Jackson from the Los Angeles Sparks after coring guard Ariel Atkins and subsequently trading Atkins for Jackson, the team announced today.
“It’s thrilling to acquire one of the great young talents in this league in Jackson,” General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “Rickea is only going to continue to ascend, and the organization is excited to witness that growth firsthand.”
Jackson was the No. 4 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, in the same class as Kamilla Cardoso. In two seasons in the league, Jackson maintains averages of 14.0 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists while shooting 43.9% from the field and 34.7% from three.
She took a step forward last season, jumping her scoring average by 1.3 points. She also maintained the same three-point shooting percentage as her All-Rookie season despite taking 1.8 more attempts per game.
For her efforts in her sophomore year in the WNBA, Jackson earned a vote for WNBA Most Valuable Player (finishing in the top 10).
She played collegiately at Mississippi State and Tennessee. Jackson began her college career at Mississippi State from 2019-22. In three seasons in Starkville, Mississippi, she averaged 16.2 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Jackson transferred to Tennessee, playing there from 2022-24 and averaging 19.6 points per game, which ranks second all time in program history. She helped lead Tennessee to the Sweet 16 and Round of 32 in back-to-back years.
In all, Jackson averaged 17.8 points and 6.1 rebounds in 127 career collegiate appearances.
The 6-foot-2 forward recently participated in USA Basketball’s Women’s National Team Training Camp in Phoenix. She has extensive experience with USA Basketball, suiting up for the 2023 USA Women&#8217;s AmeriCup Team and 2019 USA 3&#215;3 Women&#8217;s U18 National Team, winning silver and gold, respectively.
Jackson is from Royal Oak, Michigan. She was a McDonald’s All-American in high school in 2019.
The Sky originally acquired Atkins in a February 2025 trade. She appeared in 34 games with the Sky, averaging 13.1 points.
Chicago will tip off the 2026 regular season on Saturday, May 9 against the expansion Portland Fire on the road at 8 p.m. CT. Follow @chicagosky on all social media platforms and head to <a title="http://sky.wnba.com/" href="http://sky.wnba.com">sky.wnba.com</a> for the latest news, content and ticket purchasing. The full 2026 Sky season schedule can be viewed <a title="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/1611661329/2026/01/PDF-SCHEDULE-UPDATED.pdf" href="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/1611661329/2026/01/PDF-SCHEDULE-UPDATED.pdf" data-outlook-id="4dabe355-c4f2-4ac4-a8c5-0c9f3e336622">here</a>.

chicago-sky-acquire-rickea-jackson

Chicago Sky Acquire Forward Rickea Jackson

The following is a press release from the Chicago Sky:
CHICAGO (April 11, 2026) — The Chicago Sky signed free agent forward and 2021 WNBA Champion Azurá Stevens, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“I’m truly excited to be coming home to join the Chicago Sky,” Stevens said. “This city means everything to me. The culture, the people, the passion for the game. To have the opportunity to come back to Chicago is amazing. I’m ready to get to work, embrace the moment, and give everything I have. Let’s work.”
“We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring back Azurá, a pivotal part of our championship team,” Sky General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “Stevens brings a versatile element to our frontcourt as a shooter and shot blocker that we’re confident will pair nicely with the players we have under contract.”
Stevens returns to the franchise she helped lift to its first-ever WNBA championship. In the 2021 playoffs, she averaged 9.8 points and 6.9 rebounds as a full-time starter.
Stevens played the last three years with the Sparks, finishing second in Most Improved Player voting last season. Last year, Stevens averaged 12.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks while shooting 47.8% from the field and 38.1% from three (4.4 attempts).
She played three seasons for the Sky, including the 2021 championship year, from 2020-22, averaging 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in 78 games (32 starts). She ranks 10th on the Sky’s all-time three-point percentage leaderboard at 36.0%. In 2022 with the Sky, she finished runner-up for Sixth Player of the Year.
The 6-foot-6 forward was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft and finished fourth in Sixth Player of the Year voting in her rookie season with Dallas. She played 2018-19 with the Wings before the Sky acquired her.
Stevens played two collegiate seasons at Duke, averaging 16.2 points and 8.8 rebounds. She later transferred to Connecticut, playing her third and final college season there, averaging 14.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and a conference-leading 2.1 blocks per game.
She finished her collegiate career with two All-ACC selections, one All-AAC nomination, All-Defensive and All-Freshman nods and an AAC Sixth Player of the Year award in her junior year.
Stevens recently suited up for USA Basketball’s Women&#8217;s National Team Training Camp in Phoenix. She has played for three USA Basketball teams: the 2024 USA 3&#215;3 AmeriCup Team, 2023 USA 3&#215;3 Pan American Games Team and 2015 USA Women&#8217;s U19 National Team. She won gold in 2023 and 2015, and silver in 2024.
She also recently suited up for Hive BC in Unrivaled, averaging 10.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and shooting 35.1% from beyond the arc.
Chicago will tip off the 2026 regular season on Saturday, May 9 against the expansion Portland Fire on the road at 8 p.m. CT. Follow @chicagosky on all social media platforms and head to <a title="http://sky.wnba.com/" href="http://sky.wnba.com">sky.wnba.com</a> for the latest news, content and ticket purchasing. The full 2026 Sky season schedule can be viewed <a title="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/1611661329/2026/01/PDF-SCHEDULE-UPDATED.pdf" href="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/1611661329/2026/01/PDF-SCHEDULE-UPDATED.pdf" data-outlook-id="e1f90dfc-fdcc-4fbd-9f95-f0bacbcc6af3">here</a>.

chicago-sky-sign-azura-stevens

Chicago Sky Sign 2021 WNBA Champion Azurá Stevens

<div class="Blocks_Text__1cLuT BlockText">
The following is a press release from the Chicago Sky:
CHICAGO (April 11, 2026) — The Chicago Sky signed free agent guard and seven-time All-Star Skylar Diggins, the team announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
“Skylar is a player we have coveted for years. We are ecstatic to bring her to Chicago,” General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “She is one of the all-time elite passers in our game and continues to play at a high level on both sides of the ball.”
“Diggins is the kind of player who elevates everyone around her,” Head Coach Tyler Marsh said. “Skylar is a true veteran leader, and she possesses unmatched speed and shot creation potential. I can’t wait to work with her.”
In addition to her All-Star achievements, Diggins is a six-time All-WNBA Team selection and holds career averages of 16.4 points, 5.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 steals and 0.7 blocks.
She is among all-time leaderboards for several franchises. For Dallas, she is the team’s all-time leader in assists per game (4.9) while ranking third in points (2,670) and fourth in steals (225). Despite only playing three seasons in Phoenix, she is eighth on their all-time assists list (427). And in just two years with Seattle, she is fifth on their all-time assists leaderboard at (515).
Diggins is sixth all-time in league history in assists per game (5.3), 25th in points (5,489) and eighth in points-assists double-doubles (16).
Diggins played collegiately with Notre Dame from 2009-13. In 150 college appearances, she averaged 15.7 points and 5.0 assists. In her time with the Fighting Irish, she made two National Finals and a Final Four.
For her outstanding college play, Diggins owns a bevy of collegiate accolades. She was a three-time AP All-American, a two-time Big East Player of the Year and made an All-Big East Team in all of her college seasons.
She is Notre Dame’s all-time leader in free throws and minutes played, and ranks third in points (2,357), second in steals (381) and third in assists (745).
Diggins is an extremely decorated player in USA Basketball history, owning a 53-4 competitive record while there. She was part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics USA team, helping the squad win gold. She also won gold medals in the 2012 FIBA 3&#215;3 World Championship, 2011 World University Games, 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship and 2008 FIBA Americas U18 Championship.
Diggins is originally from South Bend, Indiana, fewer than two hours from Chicago.
Chicago tips off the 2026 regular season on Saturday, May 9 against the expansion Portland Fire on the road at 8 p.m. CT. Follow @chicagosky on all social media platforms and head to sky.wnba.com for the latest news, content and ticket purchasing. The full 2026 Sky season schedule can be viewed <a href="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/1611661329/2026/01/PDF-SCHEDULE-UPDATED.pdf">here</a>.
</div>
<div class="Blocks_Text__1cLuT BlockText">
###
</div>

chicago-sky-sign-skylar-diggins

Chicago Sky Sign Seven-Time All-Star Skylar Diggins

The following is a press release from the Chicago Sky:
CHICAGO (April 6, 2026) — The Chicago Sky are trading Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, the team announced today.
“The Sky are trading Angel to the Dream in exchange for two first-round picks. This trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties,” General Manager Jeff Pagliocca said.
“Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky,” Pagliocca added. “We are thankful for her many important contributions to this league and this game, and we know she will continue to have a big impact on the court and beyond. We wish Angel all the best in her next chapter.”
In the trade, the Sky are getting a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick from the Dream and are sending a second-round pick swap in 2028.
Reese was drafted with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Sky. In 64 career appearances with the Sky, Reese averaged 14.1 points, 12.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and was a two-time All-Star.
As a result of the trade, the Sky have five first-round picks in the next three seasons. They hold first-round picks in 2026 (No. 5 overall, via Connecticut), 2027 (own, Washington holds swap rights; via Atlanta), and 2028 (own, via Atlanta).
The Sky’s 2026 regular season kicks off on Saturday, May 9 at 8 p.m. CST on the road in Moda Center against the expansion Portland Fire.

chicago-sky-trade-angel-reese-to-atlanta-dream

Chicago Sky Trade Angel Reese to the Atlanta Dream, Acquire Draft Picks

PHOENIX (AP) — Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Chamique Holdsclaw and the 1996 U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team will be enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame later this year.
Parker, Holdsclaw and members of the 1996 Olympic team were all in attendance Friday at halftime of the <a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/march-madness-uconn-south-carolina-score-dde3360dc7558a9d98b573a3d07fe500" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">UConn-South Carolina game</a> during the women’s Final Four, where the selections were announced, as was Amar’e Stoudemire and Mike D’Antoni.
They will be joined by longtime NBA official Joey Crawford, NBA coach Doc Rivers and Gonzaga coach Mark Few in the Hall of Fame.
Parker won three titles in the WNBA with three different teams: Los Angeles, Chicago and Las Vegas. She is the only player in league history to win both the MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
She also won two titles while playing in college for Tennessee under Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt, plus two Olympic gold medals and two WNBA MVP awards.
<div class="FreeStar Advertisement" data-module="">
<div id="utxddys8luf" class="fs-feed-ad" data-freestar-ad="__336x280 __336x280" data-google-query-id="CJzA9sXS1JMDFfGF0QQdMPEHsg">
Delle Donne won two league MVP awards in 2015 and 2019, the second of which came when she led the Washington Mystics to their lone WNBA championship. Delle Donne became the first player in league history to shoot more than 50% from the field, 40% from behind the 3-point line and 90% from the free-throw line.
Holdsclaw won three straight titles at Tennessee from 1996-98, the first team to accomplish that. The 1998 championship was Tennessee’s first undefeated season at 39–0 and the Vols also set an NCAA record for the most wins in a season. Holdsclaw went on to have an 11-year WNBA career.
Stoudemire, who was the only NBA player in this year’s class, was the NBA Rookie of the Year in 2003 and six-time All-Star. He spent the first eight years of his career with the Phoenix Suns, where he teamed with D’Antoni.
Rivers has nearly 1,200 victories on his resume, which puts him eighth on the all-time wins list. He led the Boston Celtics to the NBA championship in 2008 and also was in charge of the Los Angeles Clippers during their Lob City era.
<div class="FreeStar Advertisement" data-module="">
<div id="gyklxujg6nk" class="fs-feed-ad" data-freestar-ad="__336x280 __336x280" data-google-query-id="CNncgMnS1JMDFe610QQdk5MCMw">
Few has won more than 770 games at Gonzaga in his career at the school. He set the NCAA Division I men’s coaching record by winning 81 games in his first three years at the school.
Crawford officiated 2,561 regular-season NBA games and 50 Finals games over his 39-year career. He retired in 2016.
The enshrinement ceremony will take place in August at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>

naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame-class-of-2026

Parker, Delle Donne and Holdsclaw Set for Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement

Editorial

The WNBA’s new expansion team, the Tempo, has made one thing clear: They aren’t just Toronto’s team, they’re Canada’s team. A new era of women’s basketball across the northern border is set to tip off its inaugural season on May 8 against the Washington Mystics. And with the Tempo ushering in fresh WNBA fans, it feels ideal to remind everyone of the long line of Canadians who have hooped in the league since its early years. 
We know hockey runs through the country’s veins, but women’s pro hoops have entered the chat. Players like Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton, Laeticia Amihere, and Aaliyah Edwards are actively repping their home turf in the WNBA. But get to know the Canucks who paved the way. 
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center">Kelly Boucher (Sudbury, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257970" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257970" class="wp-image-257970" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="755" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-scaled.jpg 1695w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-199x300.jpg 199w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-678x1024.jpg 678w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-768x1160.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-1017x1536.jpg 1017w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-1356x2048.jpg 1356w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Kelly Boucher #13 of Canada cheers on the sideline during the game against France at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics</div>
In the WNBA’s inaugural season, 15 international players dotted rosters around the league, but it wasn’t until the following season in 1998 that the first Canadian suited up. Boucher signed with the Charlotte Sting after a week-long open tryout. She bested over 350 WNBA hopefuls, through what she described as “the most intense, chaotic, grueling, difficult experience.” 
Her dream of playing pro hoops close to home became a reality. In a <a href="https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/05/14/meet-kelly-boucher-the-canadian-who-broke-the-wnba-barrier/">2021 interview</a>, Boucher recalls having visa issues because it was so unheard of for Canadians to go to the States to play hoops. “They didn’t even know what category of visa to give us,” she said then.
Boucher had competed in two Olympics for Canada and a World Championship, but in her lone WNBA season, she grew accustomed to playing in front of a roaring crowd of 25,000 at the Charlotte Coliseum. Playing in Madison Square Garden, though, was her “pinch-me” moment. “That was a highlight…you walk in there, and you can just smell the history,” she reminisced. “Patrick Ewing was there, chatting with him on the side, taking pictures with people. You’re supposed to be warming up, of course…but you just look around, and I think, ‘We’re playing in Madison Square Garden.’”
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center">Tammy Sutton-Brown (Markham, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257971" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257971" class="wp-image-257971" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="771" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-scaled.jpg 1661w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-195x300.jpg 195w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-664x1024.jpg 664w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-768x1184.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-997x1536.jpg 997w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-1329x2048.jpg 1329w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Tammy Sutton-Brown #55 of the Charlotte Sting looking to pass the ball against the New York Liberty</div>
Twelve years, two All-Star selections, a WNBA championship — Sutton-Brown’s 388 games played are the most by a Canadian to date. 
The Markham, Ontario native decided to come to the States first to play under iconic coach C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers in 1997. As a freshman, she led the Scarlet Knights in field goal percentage and blocks. As a junior, she led them to their first-ever Final Four appearance. It was clear that her efficiency at the rim was going to translate to the league. She was then drafted as the 18th pick to the Charlotte Sting in 2001.
The six-foot-four Sutton-Brown received her first All-Star nod after averaging 11.9 points and 6 rebounds in only her second season with the Sting. She was the first Canadian to be named to an All-Star team. Once the Sting folded in 2006, she was signed as a free agent by the Indiana Fever, earning her second All-Star spot that same year. She became a key member of the Fever alongside Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas, and was the starting center for the 2012 championship team. Sutton-Brown is fifth in franchise history in total rebounds, and her<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/teams/IND/players.html"> 267 franchise blocks</a> rank behind only Catchings.
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center">Stacey Dales (Collingwood, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257972" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257972" class="wp-image-257972" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="762" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-scaled.jpg 1680w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-197x300.jpg 197w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-672x1024.jpg 672w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-768x1170.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-1008x1536.jpg 1008w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-1344x2048.jpg 1344w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Stacey Dales-Schuman #21 of the Washington Mystics looks to pass during the game against the Indiana Fever</div>
The six-foot sharpshooter is the highest Canadian to be drafted to the WNBA at third overall in 2002—just behind Sue Bird and Swin Cash. Dales was coming off a stellar college career. She had two All-American seasons at Oklahoma and was a two-time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. In her senior season, her 17 points per-game led the Sooners to their one and only National Championship game. 
In Dales’ rookie season with the Washington Mystics, she made an immediate impact, starting 28 of 31 games. She was second on the team in scoring (9.8 ppg) and even earned an All-Star spot. She played five seasons in the league and officially retired in 2007 after two seasons with the Chicago Sky. 
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center">Natalie Achonwa (Guelph, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257973" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257973" class="wp-image-257973" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="750" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-scaled.jpg 1707w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Natalie Achonwa of Canada shoots during the 2022 FIBA Women&#8217;s Basketball World Cup Group B match between Australia and Canada</div>
Before dominating the paint in the WNBA, Achonwa made history in college and on the world stage. At 16, she became the youngest player ever to play for the Canadian national team in 2009. Then, she was the first international player to suit up for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish; in her tenure there from 2010 to 2014, she made four Final Fours and three title games. 
In 2014, Achonwa was drafted ninth overall by the Indiana Fever and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team. The six-foot-three power forward played 8 total seasons with both the Fever and Minnesota Lynx.
Achonwa appeared in her fourth Olympic Games for Team Canada in 2024, the most by a Canadian basketball player ever.  
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center">Kayla Alexander (Milton, ON) </h2>
<div id="attachment_257975" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257975" class="wp-image-257975" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="753" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-scaled.jpg 1700w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-199x300.jpg 199w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-680x1024.jpg 680w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-768x1156.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-1020x1536.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-1360x2048.jpg 1360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Kayla Alexander #40 of the San Antonio Stars attempts a free throw against the Phoenix Mercury</div>
When the San Antonio Silver Stars drafted Alexander with their 8th pick in 2013, they knew they were getting an athletic big who was a force at the rim on both ends of the court. Alexander hailed from Syracuse University and completed her collegiate career as one of the best ever to don the Orange. When she left, she was the all-time leader in points, blocks, field goals, free throws made, free throws attempted, and games played.
She played five of her eight seasons in San Antonio, with stops in Indiana, Chicago, and Minnesota.  Even after back-to-back knee surgeries in 2018 and 2019, she didn’t give up on her WNBA or Olympic dreams. “I feel like sports are a great setup for life,” she <a href="https://www.syracuse.com/orangewomen/2021/07/perseverance-pays-off-former-syracuse-player-kayla-alexander-to-represent-canada-in-olympics.html?outputType=amp">said</a>. “Life isn’t perfect. Things aren’t always going to go according to your plan, but you have to find the ways to persevere and push through and find the positive in everything, or try to.” She went on to compete for Team Canada at the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games. 
Jordan Robinson is a freelance journalist, author, host, analyst, and content creator based in Los Angeles, CA and writes columns on <a href="http://wnba.com/">WNBA.com</a> throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.

before-toronto-these-canadians-made-their-mark

Before Toronto, These Canadians Made Their Mark on the WNBA

WNBA_Draft_2024_SF_bw_onRedBkgd 2

Chicago Sky 2024

att2

CarMax+Logo-White

DEL_PRI_ALL_WHT

google-logo-transparent

Nike-Logo-PNG

Get a courtside seat. Every week. With WNBA League Pass, watch live games across the league.

2024 Draft Team Profile

Draft’24

Draft Picks

Team Record

Team Transactions

2024 Draft Picks

In the News