Draft 2026

<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
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<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" /><p id="caption-attachment-258679" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Azzi Fudd (R) of UConn after being drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings during the 2026 WNBA draft</em></p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span></p>
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<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" /><p id="caption-attachment-258680" class="wp-caption-text"><em>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</em></p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span></p>
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<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" /><p id="caption-attachment-258681" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Flau jae Johnson of LSU prior the 2026 WNBA Draft</em></p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span></p>
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<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" /><p id="caption-attachment-258694" class="wp-caption-text"><em>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</em></p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span></p>
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<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" /><p id="caption-attachment-258695" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Janiah Barker of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers</em></p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span></p>
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<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" /><p id="caption-attachment-258696" class="wp-caption-text"><em>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</em></p></div>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400"><br />
</span><span style="font-weight: 400">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. </span></p>


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

Power Rankings

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2026 WNBA Power Rankings: Offseason Moves

free

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Media Day: Azzi Fudd

Associated Press

<p>The 2026 <span class="LinkEnhancement">WNBA</span> Draft has concluded, and it was a record-breaking night for the UCLA Bruins. The reigning national champions had six players selected in the draft, including five first-round picks.</p>
<p>With the No. 1 pick for the second straight year, the Dallas Wings opened the night by selecting Azzi Fudd, reuniting the 5-foot-11 guard with former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers.</p>
<p>The Minnesota Lynx used the No. 2 pick on Olivia Miles, and the Seattle Storm welcomed Awa Fam Thiam with the No. 3 pick.</p>
<p><b>Here’s what to know:</b></p>
<ul id="rte-cb30aee0-3358-11f1-a14c-4312176f5ae1" class="rte2-style-ul">
<li><b>UCLA’s record night:</b> UCLA set a WNBA draft record with six players selected, the most by a single program in one draft.</li>
<li><b>How it worked:</b> Fifteen teams combined to make 45 picks across three rounds.</li>
<li><b>Draft order:</b> Dallas picked No. 1 for the second straight year, followed by Minnesota, and Seattle, Washington and Chicago rounded the top five. Expansion teams Toronto and Portland selected sixth and seventh.</li>
</ul>
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<div class="LiveBlogPost-body RichTextBody">
<p>Azzi Fudd of UConn joined her old Huskies’ teammate Paige Bueckers as the WNBA’s No. 1 draft selection overall and now are together again with the Dallas Wings.</p>
<p>The WNBA wrapped up its draft Monday night ahead of the league’s 30th season with a busy and record-setting night.</p>
<p>National champion <span class="LinkEnhancement"><a class="Link AnClick-LinkEnhancement" href="https://apnews.com/article/wnba-draft-ucla-betts-jaquez-rice-49db76880e010ef1cb15015da18fdeec" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-gtm-enhancement-style="LinkEnhancementA">UCLA set records</a></span> with five Bruins taken in the first round in Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic and Gianna Kneepkens. Then UCLA added another WNBA draft mark when Charlisse Leger-Walker became the sixth drafted. That topped the record of five held by Tennessee, Notre Dame and South Carolina.</p>
<p>Only one trade was made during the draft, and it was a big one.</p>
<p>Golden State took Flau’jae Johnson at No. 8 overall, then swapped her rights to Seattle in exchange for the rights to forward Marta Suarez of TCU along with a 2028 second-round selection. Suarez was the first pick of the second round at No. 16 overall.</p>
<p>A total of 10 international players also were drafted over three rounds and 45 selections. That included three in the first round, three more in the second and four in the third.</p>
</div>


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WNBA Draft 2026 Highlights: Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, Awa Fam Thiam Go 1-2-3

Free Agency 2026

<div><strong>The following is a press release from the Dallas Wings</strong>:</div>
<div></div>
<div class="x_elementToProof"><b data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody">Arlington, TX (April 11, 2026) –</b> The Dallas Wings have re-signed veteran guard and Dallas Wings franchise scoring leader Arike Ogunbowale, the team announced today.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">“We are so excited that Arike has chosen to return to Dallas and build upon her great legacy here,” said Wings Executive Vice President and General Manager Curt Miller. “We understand the unique opportunity we have in being able to welcome back our franchise’s all-time leading scorer, and we are so grateful for Arike’s loyalty to the Dallas Wings. Her commitment to the Wings and City of Dallas is undeniable and we are looking forward to building this team with her veteran leadership at the forefront.”</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">Originally selected fifth overall by the Wings in the 2019 WNBA Draft, Ogunbowale has spent her entire WNBA career in Dallas and has established herself as one of the most accomplished players in franchise and league history. She enters the 2026 season as the Wings’ all-time leader in points, field goals made, three-pointers made and free throws made, while sitting just 42 assists and 50 steals away from becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in those categories as well.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">During the 2025 season, Ogunbowale averaged 15.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.3 steals across 29 regular-season games. Despite missing 15 games due to injury, her season was highlighted by several historic performances. On July 28 against New York, Ogunbowale matched the franchise’s single-game assists record with 14, adding 15 points and tallying 10 dimes in the first half alone. The performance made her just the third player in WNBA history to record a points-assists double-double in a single half and the first in Wings history to achieve the feat.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">Additionally, Ogunbowale surpassed A’ja Wilson for the second-most points scored through 200 career games (4,083) on May 27 against Connecticut, trailing only New York’s Breanna Stewart. On May 21 against Minnesota, she tied Diana Taurasi as the fastest player in league history to reach 500 career three-pointers made, accomplishing the feat in 198 games and becoming the first player in Wings history to reach the milestone.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">Ogunbowale’s résumé is among the most decorated in the WNBA. She is a four-time WNBA All-Star (2021–2024) and a two-time All-Star Game MVP (2021, 2024). Her league honors also include All-WNBA First Team (2020), All-WNBA Second Team (2021, 2024), and WNBA All-Rookie Team (2019). Additionally, she led the league in scoring in 2020 (22.8 ppg) and steals in 2024 (2.1 spg). The 5-8 guard is just one of four active players with at least 4,400 points, 700 rebounds, 850 assists, 330 steals and 500 three-point field goals in her WNBA career and became the fastest player in league history to hit those marks on July 28, 2025 (219 games).</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">Outside of the WNBA, Ogunbowale has gained valuable experience playing overseas, competing in Turkey, Russia and China. Over the past two WNBA offseasons, she has also played in Unrivaled, including leading Mist BC to an Unrivaled championship title in 2026. Most recently in March, Ogunbowale joined Sichuan (China) for the WCBA playoffs, where she is currently averaging 16.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals per game.</div>
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<div class="x_elementToProof">Ogunbowale graduated from Notre Dame in 2019 after leading the program to its second NCAA Tournament title in 2018. She is the all-time leading scorer in Irish women’s basketball history. While at Notre Dame she scored 2,626 points, won 136 games over four years, three ACC titles, a national title and a national runner-up finish.</div>


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Arike Ogunbowale Re-Signs With The Dallas Wings

<p class="p1"><strong>The following is a press release from the Connecticut Sun:</strong></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400"><strong>Uncasville, CT (April 9, 2026)</strong> &#8211; Today, the Connecticut Sun announced that the team has acquired Diamond Miller as part of a trade with the Dallas Wings. As part of the deal, Dallas receives Rayah Marshall.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">&#8220;Rayah has been special to us from the moment we drafted her,&#8221; said Connecticut Sun General Manager, Morgan Tuck. &#8220;In just a short time, she brought such a positive energy and presence every single day. That&#8217;s what makes decisions like this so tough. We&#8217;re sad to see her go because she&#8217;s been such a joy to have on our team. At the same time, we&#8217;re really excited for her and this next opportunity. We&#8217;ll be rooting for her every step of the way.&#8221;</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Miller was selected No. 2 overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2023 WNBA Draft. During her rookie campaign, the 6-3 forward garnered WNBA All-Rookie Team honors after finishing second in scoring (12.1 ppg), fifth in rebounding (3.5 rpg) and second in assists (2.5 apg) among all rookies. In 2025, Miller averaged four points and one rebound, shooting 40% from the field, in 40 games played with both the Lynx and the Wings.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">Most recently, Miller has been playing for Athinaikos Qualco in the Greek Women&#8217;s Basketball League, where in six games played during the regular season, she averaged 7.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.5 steals in 17.7 minutes per game. She also helped Athinaikos to the Eurocup Finals, averaging five points, 1.3 rebounds, and one assist in 9.1 minutes.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400">A 2023 WBCA All-American while at the University of Maryland, Miller was a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten honoree while leading the Terrapins with 19.7 points and 6.4 rebounds per game during her senior season. The three-time All-Big Ten honoree scored in double figures in 33 of 34 games played in 2022-23.</p>


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Connecticut Sun Acquire Diamond Miller

Player News

<p class="cdk-visually-hidden ng-star-inserted"><span style="font-size: 16px">Breanna Stewart and Paige Bueckers embody two of the most statistically significant eras in UConn history, combining for five NCAA Championships and multiple National Player of the Year awards. </span><span class="citation-39 citation-end-39" style="font-size: 16px">While Stewart’s tenure is defined by an unprecedented four consecutive titles and four Final Four MOP honors, Bueckers’ career is marked by becoming the first freshman to win major national player of the year awards and later leading the Huskies to the 2025 national title.</span></p>
<p class="cdk-visually-hidden ng-star-inserted"><span style="font-size: 16px">Both players were selected No. 1 overall in their respective WNBA Drafts, further solidifying their impact on the program’s legacy. </span>Take a look back at Stewart and Bueckers&#8217; runs at UConn.</p>
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<h2>Breanna Stewart (2012–2016)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257651" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257651" class="wp-image-257651" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="593" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-300x185.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-1024x633.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-768x475.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-1536x949.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-1222487961-2048x1266.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><p id="caption-attachment-257651" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Breanna Stewart #30 of the Connecticut Huskies after winning the NCAA Women&#8217;s National Championship at Amalie Arena on April 7, 2015 in Tampa, Florida.</em></p></div>
<p data-path-to-node="0">Breanna Stewart’s career at UConn was marked by four consecutive national titles from 2013 to 2016, making her<span class="citation-24"> a </span><span class="citation-24">4x NCAA Champion</span><span class="citation-24"> and the only player in history to be named the </span><span class="citation-24">NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player</span><span class="citation-24 citation-end-24"> four times. </span>In addition to her postseason success, Stewart was a 3x AP Player of the Year and a 3x Naismith College Player of the Year (2014–2016).</p>
<p data-path-to-node="1">She was also a 4x AP All-American and a 3x American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, leading to her selection as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft.</p>
<p><strong>Collegiate performance spotlight</strong>:</p>
<p>2013 National Championship: 23 PTS, 9 REB, 3 BLK</p>
<p>2014 National Championship:  21 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST</p>
<p>2015 Sweet 16: 31 PTS, 12 REB, 7 AST</p>
<p>2015 Final Four: 25 PTS, 8 REB, 4 BLK</p>
<p>2016 National Championship: 24 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST</p>
<hr />
<h2>Paige Bueckers (2020–2025)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257652" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257652" class="wp-image-257652" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-2208890388-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><p id="caption-attachment-257652" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Paige Bueckers #5 of the UConn Huskies speaks to the media during a press conference after winning the National Championship of the NCAA Women&#8217;s Basketball Tournament at Amalie Arena on April 06, 2025 in Tampa, Florida.</em></p></div>
<p id="p-rc_832467c85710724d-32" data-path-to-node="0"><span class="citation-33">Paige Bueckers’ career at UConn was highlighted by being the first freshman in history to win a major </span><span class="citation-33">National Player of the Year</span><span class="citation-33 citation-end-33"> award.</span> <span class="citation-32">From 2021 to 2025, she was a </span><span class="citation-32">3x Unanimous First-team All-American</span><span class="citation-32">, a </span><span class="citation-32">3x Big East Player of the Year</span><span class="citation-32">, and a </span><span class="citation-32">3x Big East Tournament MOP</span><span class="citation-32 citation-end-32">.</span></p>
<p id="p-rc_832467c85710724d-33" data-path-to-node="1"><span class="citation-31 interactive-span-hovered">In 2025, Bueckers led the program to the </span><span class="citation-31 interactive-span-hovered">NCAA Championship</span><span class="citation-31 interactive-span-hovered"> and received the </span><span class="citation-31 interactive-span-hovered">Wade Trophy</span><span class="citation-31 interactive-span-hovered"> and the </span><span class="citation-31 interactive-span-hovered">Honda Sports Award</span><span class="citation-31 citation-end-31 interactive-span-hovered">.</span> <span class="citation-30">During her tenure, she was also a </span><span class="citation-30">2x Nancy Lieberman Award</span><span class="citation-30"> winner and a </span><span class="citation-30">4x NCAA All-Tournament</span><span class="citation-30"> selection before being drafted </span><span class="citation-30">No. 1 overall</span><span class="citation-30 citation-end-30"> in the 2025 WNBA Draft.</span></p>
<p><strong>Collegiate performance spotlight</strong>:</p>
<p>2023 Round of 32: 32 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST</p>
<p>2023 Elite Eight: 28 PTS, 10 REB, 6 AST</p>
<p>2025 Sweet 16: 40 PTS, 6 REB, 3 STL</p>
<p>2025 Elite Eight: 31 PTS, 6 AST, 4 STL</p>


collegiate-spotlight-uconn

Collegiate Spotlight: University of Connecticut

<p>Skylar Diggins, Arike Ogunbowale, and Jackie Young were foundational to Notre Dame&#8217;s sustained presence in the NCAA Women’s Final Four, with the trio combining for seven championship game appearances. Each player earned multiple All-American honors and were selected as top-five picks in their respective WNBA Drafts, with Diggins drafted No. 3 overall in 2013, and Young and Ogunbowale going No. 1 and No. 5 overall respectively in the 2019 WNBA Draft.</p>
<p>Their tenures were highlighted by Ogunbowale and Young leading the Irish to the 2018 NCAA Championship title. Take a look back at Diggins, Ogunbowale, and Young&#8217;s runs at Notre Dame.</p>
<hr />
<h2>Skylar Diggins (2009–2013)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257643" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257643" class="wp-image-257643" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-155941194-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-155941194-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-155941194-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-155941194-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-155941194-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-155941194-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-155941194-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><p id="caption-attachment-257643" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Skylar Diggins #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on against the Ohio State Buckeyes on November 9, 2012</em></p></div>
<p>Skylar Diggins’ tenure at Notre Dame was highlighted by her consistent statistical output and back-to-back conference honors. From 2010 to 2013, she was a 4x AP All-American and a 4x All-Big East selection, while also being named the Big East Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013.</p>
<p>During her postseason career, Diggins led the Fighting Irish to three consecutive Final Four appearances and two national championship games. For her performances in those rounds, she was twice named to the NCAA All-Tournament team.</p>
<p><strong>Collegiate performance spotlight</strong>:</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2010 Round of 32</span>: 31 PTS, 6 AST, 7 STL</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2011 Final Four</span>:  28 PTS, 4 REB, 6 AST</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2012 Elite Eight</span>: 22 PTS, 10 REB, 11 AST</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2013 Sweet 16</span>: 27 PTS, 3 REB, 9 AST</p>
<hr />
<h2>Arike Ogunbowale (2015–2019)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257644" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257644" class="wp-image-257644" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940812156-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="664" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940812156-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940812156-300x207.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940812156-1024x708.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940812156-768x531.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940812156-1536x1062.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940812156-2048x1416.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><p id="caption-attachment-257644" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Arike Ogunbowale #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish cuts down the net after scoring the game winning basket to defeat the Mississippi State Lady Bulldogs in the championship game of the 2018 NCAA Women&#8217;s National Championship</em></p></div>
<p>Arike Ogunbowale’s collegiate career at Notre Dame included being named a 2x AP All-American and a 2x All-ACC selection. During her tenure, she led the program to back-to-back national championship game appearances in 2018 and 2019. For her performances across multiple deep postseason runs, she was also recognized as a 2x NCAA All-Tournament team member.</p>
<p>In 2018, Ogunbowale led the Fighting Irish to the NCAA Championship highlighted by a game-winner to capture the title, and was named the NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player.</p>
<p><strong>Collegiate performance spotlight</strong>:</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2017 Sweet 16</span>: 32 PTS, 9 REB, 4 3PM</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2018 Round of 64</span>:  30 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2018 Sweet 16</span>: 27 PTS, 6 REB, 5 AST</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2019 Sweet 16</span>: 34 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST</p>
<hr />
<h2>Jackie Young (2016–2019)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257645" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257645" class="wp-image-257645" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940326782-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940326782-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940326782-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940326782-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940326782-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940326782-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/03/GettyImages-940326782-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" /><p id="caption-attachment-257645" class="wp-caption-text"><em>Jackie Young #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates her teams lead late in the game</em></p></div>
<p>Jackie Young’s run at Notre Dame was decorated by her versatile production across multiple categories. From 2017 to 2019, she was an AP All-American, a 2x All-ACC selection, and a member of the ACC All-Freshman Team.</p>
<p>In 2018, Young helped lead the program to the NCAA Championship, scoring 32 points in the Final Four matchup. During her final season in 2019, she was named the ACC Tournament MVP and became the first player in program history to record two triple-doubles in a single season before being selected No. 1 overall in the WNBA Draft.</p>
<p><strong>Collegiate performance spotlight</strong>:</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2018 Round of 32</span>: 24 PTS, 9 REB, 4 AST</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2018 Final Four</span>:  32 PTS, 11 REB, 2 3PM</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2019 Round of 32</span>: 21 PTS, 11 REB, 7 AST</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline">2019 Elite Eight</span>: 25 PTS, 10 REB, 3 AST</p>


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Collegiate Spotlight: University of Notre Dame

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Arike Ogunbowale Erupts for 37 Points

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Paige Bueckers Scores 44 Points

Paige Bueckers Makes History With 44-Point Performance

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Pick	Name	Position	College/Country
1	Paige Bueckers	Guard	UConn / United States
12	Aziaha James	Guard	NC State / United States
14	Madison Scott	Guard	Ole Miss / United States
26	JJ Quinerly	Guard	West Virginia / United States
30	Aaronette Vonleh	Center	Baylor / United States

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