WNBA logo outside The Shed during the 2026 WNBA Draft 

The Shed

Angela Dugalić of UCLA, Kiki Rice of UCLA, Gianna Kneepkens of UCLA, Lauren Betts of UCLA and Gabriela Jaquez of UCLA

Angela, Kiki, Gianna, Lauren, and Gabriela

Azzi Fudd of the Dallas Wings  and the UConn basketball team 

Azzi Fudd and UConn

Raven Johnson of the Indiana Fever, Makina Okot of the Atlanta Dream, and Ta'Niya Latson of the Los Angeles Sparks 

Raven, Madina and Ta'Niya

Awa Fam Thiam of the Seattle Storm and Nell Angloma of the Connecticut Sun

Awa and Nell

An overall view of the overall number one pick Azzi Fudd during the 2026 WNBA draft

Draft Floor Overview

Azzi Fudd

Azzi Fudd, the overall number one pick, goes to Dallas Wings 

Olivia Miles after being drafted second overall by the Minnesota Lynx

Olivia Miles

Awa Fam Thiam after being drafted third overall by the Seattle Storm

Awa Fam Thiam

Lauren Betts

Lauren Betts poses for a photo after being drafted fourth overall by the Washington Mystics

Gabriela Jaquez

Gabriela Jaquez pose for a photo after getting drafted by the Chicago Sky

Kiki Rice poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Toronto Tempo

Kiki Rice

Flau'jae Johnson poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Golden State Valkyries

Flau'jae Johnson

Angela Dugalić

Angela Dugalić poses for a photo after being drafted ninth overall by the Washington Mystics

Raven Johnson poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Indiana Fever

Raven Johnson

Cotie McMahon celebrates after getting drafted eleventh overall by the Washington Mystics

Cotie McMahon

Cotie McMahon poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Washington Mystics

Nell Angloma poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Connecticut Sun

Nell Angloma

Dawn Staley and Madina Okot  hug after getting drafted thirteenth overall by the Atlanta Dream

Dawn Staley and Madina Okot

Madina Okot poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Atlanta Dream 

Madina Okot

Gianna Kneepkens poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Connecticut Sun

Gianna Kneepkens

A full layout of all of the selections in the First Round of the 2026 WNBA Draft

First Round Draft Board

Marta Suarez pose for a photo after getting drafted by the Seattle Storm

Marta Suarez

Charlisse Leger-Walker poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Connecticut Sun

Charlisse Leger-Walker

Cassandre Prosper poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Washington Mystics

Cassandre Prosper

Ta'Niya Latson poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks

Ta'Niya Latson

Serah Williams poses for a photo after getting drafted by the Connecticut Sun

Serah Williams

Draft 2026

<div>
		<h2>Gallery Block</h2>
	</div>

WNBA_DRAFT_2026_logo_specialapplication_logowoman_white

Free Agency 2026

The following is a press release from the Minnesota Lynx:
The five-time All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist and Defensive Player of the Year returns to Minnesota<span class="EOP SCXW148057141 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:2,&quot;335551620&quot;:2,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}"> 
Minneapolis/St. Paul – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team has re-signed forward Napheesa Collier. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not released. 
“Phee has been such an integral part of the Lynx since she was drafted in 2019. Coming off a historic 50/40/90 season and guiding the Lynx to the mostwins in franchise history, Phee is hungry to position the Lynx for a championship run in 2026,” said Head Coach and President of Basketball Operations Cheryl Reeve.  
Collier, a five-time All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist and four-time All-WNBA and All-Defensive Team selection, enters her eighth season in Minnesota after being drafted sixth overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft. In 2025, Collier appeared in 33 games (all starts) for the Lynx, averaging a career-high 22.9 points per game while shooting 53.1% from the floor, 40.3% from three and 90.6% from the free-throw line, becoming the first player in WNBA history to post 50/40/90 shooting splits while averaging 20+ points per game. She also recorded 7.3 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, ranking second in scoring, fourth in steals and fifth in blocks per game in the WNBA. The three-time 2025 WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month (May, June, July) posted six 30+ point contests and 15 games scoring 25+ points throughout the season, helping the Lynx to a franchise-best 34–10 regular season record and the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 WNBA Playoffs. 
The Jefferson City, Mo. native became the fastest player in the WNBA to reach 100 points last season, accomplishing the feat in just four games, and posted five consecutive double-doubles from May 23–June 8, surpassing 50 career double-doubles. Collier also established a franchise record of 54 consecutive made free throws from June 8–July 10, the sixth-longest streak in league history. She was named a captain for the 2025 WNBA All-Star Game and earned MVP honors after scoring a record-setting 36 points on July 19 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, leading Team Collier to a 151–131 victory over Team Clark. 
In seven seasons with Minnesota, Collier has played in 193 games (all starts), amassing over 3,500 points, and holds career averages of 18.4 points on 49.2% shooting from the field and 33.6% from deep, 7.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. She ranks second in Lynx records for career steals (325) and scoring average (18.4), behind Maya Moore, along with ranking second in blocked shots (239) behind Sylvia Fowles. 
The forward has led Minnesota to six playoff appearances, a 2024 Commissioner’s Cup Championship and one WNBA Finals appearance (2024) while earning WNBA Defensive Player of the Year (2024) and Rookie of the Year (2019) awards. Collier graduated from the University of Connecticut in 2019 after becoming the fifth Husky all-time to reach 2,000+ points and 1,000+ rebounds, finishing her career with 2,401 points and 1,219 boards. She helped lead UConn to the Final Four in each of her four seasons with the team, coming away as national champions her freshman season (2015–16).

SSIMSPY_Open_Horizontal_White_Alt3

lynx-re-sign-napheesa-collier

Lynx Re-Sign Forward Napheesa Collier

Which collegiate program has produced the most players drafted into the WNBA over the league’s 30 years? What about first-round picks? What about No. 1 overall picks? What about players who went on to become league MVPs? How about Finals MVPs?
If you ever see any of those trivia questions, don’t worry. We have the answers to all of them and more!
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools that have produced the most overall WNBA Draft picks</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-183309 aligncenter" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1.png" alt="" width="960" height="688" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1-300x215.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1-768x550.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The two schools at the top of this list should come as no surprise as they have been the preeminent collegiate programs over the 30-year history of the WNBA – the University of Connecticut and the University of Tennessee each with over 45 players drafted into the WNBA.
Geno Auriemma has been at the helm at UConn for the entirety of the WNBA’s existence, beginning his tenure in 1985 and leading the Huskies to 12 NCAA championships. The Connecticut program has sent 52 players to the league and produced some of the best players in WNBA history, highlighted by No. 1 overall draft picks Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010), Maya Moore (2011), and Breanna Stewart (2016).
The late Pat Summitt led Tennessee until 2012, winning eight national championships and sending plenty of Lady Volunteers to the WNBA. Of the 46 WNBA players drafted out of Tennessee, 29 came during Summitt’s tenure, including a pair of No. 1 overall picks in Chamique Holdsclaw (1999) and Candace Parker (2008).
Below is the list of the top nine schools and one country that have sent the most players to the WNBA via the draft (excluding the 1997 WNBA Elite Draft.)
<ul>
<li>UConn: 52 players</li>
<li>Tennessee: 46 players</li>
<li>Stanford: 31 players</li>
<li>Duke: 28 players</li>
<li>Baylor: 26 players</li>
<li>Australia: 26 players</li>
<li>South Carolina: 25 players</li>
<li>LSU: 25 players</li>
<li>Notre Dame: 24 players</li>
<li>Georgia: 24 players</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools producing the most first-round draft picks</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258773" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
When looking at schools that have delivered the most first-round draft picks, there&#8217;s a change from the list of most overall draft picks.
UConn, Tennessee and Stanford remain in first, second and third place, respectively. South Carolina enters the conversation after touting two players in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, bringing their total to 15 to round out the top four. Duke and Baylor are tied for fifth place with 11 players.
<ul>
<li>Connecticut: 29 players (last in 2026 – Azzi Fudd, No. 1, DAL)</li>
<li>Tennessee: 21 players (last in 2024 – Rickea Jackson, No. 4, LAS)</li>
<li>Stanford: 15 players (last in 2024 – Cameron Brink, No. 2, LAS)</li>
<li>South Carolina: 15 players (last in 2026 – Madina Okot, No. 13, ATL)</li>
<li>Duke: 11 players (last in 2018 – Lexie Brown, No. 9, CON)</li>
<li>Baylor: 11 players (last in 2022 – Queen Egbo, No. 10, IND)</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools producing the most No. 1 overall picks</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183311 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1.png" alt="Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird pictured during a WNBA All-Star game" width="940" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1.png 940w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1-300x204.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1-768x523.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" />
UConn holds a commanding lead with seven first-overall picks. South Carolina joins Notre Dame, Stanford, and Tennessee, with two players going first overall and holding a four-way tie for second place.
<table style="height: 120px;width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px;text-align: center">SCHOOL</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px;text-align: center">NO.</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px;text-align: center">NAME</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px;text-align: center">YEAR</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px;text-align: center">TEAM</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">UConn</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">7</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Sue Bird 
Diana Taurasi 
Tina Charles 
Maya Moore 
Breanna Stewart 
Paige Bueckers 
Azzi Fudd</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">2002 
2004 
2010 
2011 
2016 
2025 
2026</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Seattle 
Phoenix 
Connecticut 
Minnesota 
Seattle 
Dallas 
Dallas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 19.9782%">South Carolina</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%">Aliyah Boston 
A&#8217;ja Wilson</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%">2023 
2018</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%">Indiana 
Las Vegas</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Notre Dame</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Jewell Loyd 
Jackie Young</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">2015 
2019</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Seattle 
Las Vegas</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Stanford</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Nneka Ogwumike 
Chiney Ogwumike</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">2012 
2014</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Los Angeles 
Connecticut</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Tennessee</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Chamique Holdsclaw 
Candace Parker</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">1999 
2008</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Washington 
Los Angeles</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools with multiple players selected in the first round</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258740" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="642" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-300x201.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-768x514.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-1536x1027.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-2048x1369.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Back to trivia time. What was the only occasion in which a school had three players taken with the first three overall picks (1-2-3) in the WNBA Draft?
The answer is the 2016 Draft when UConn teammates Breanna Stewart (No. 1, Seattle), Moriah Jefferson (No. 2, San Antonio), and Morgan Tuck (No. 3, Connecticut) were the first three names called to the stage that night.
There have been four occasions in which the first two players selected came from the same school:
<ul>
<li>USC (1997): Tina Thompson (1 / Houston), Pam McGee (2 / Sacramento)</li>
<li>UConn (2002): Sue Bird (1 / Seattle), Swin Cash (2 / Detroit)</li>
<li>UConn (2016): Breanna Stewart (1 / Seattle), Moriah Jefferson (2 / San Antonio)</li>
<li>Oregon (2020): Sabrina Ionescu (1 / New York), Satou Sabally (2 / Dallas)</li>
</ul>
Just a week after winning the program&#8217;s first National Championship, UCLA made history in the 2026 WNBA Draft as the first team to have five first-round selections, and the first with six players selected in one draft. Lauren Betts (No. 4), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5) and Kiki Rice (No. 6) were taken in a three-pick run, with Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15) closing out the First Round and Charlise Leger-Walker (No. 18) rounding out the Lady Bruins&#8217; six selections in the Second Round.
In 2002, UConn produced four first-round picks when Sue Bird led four Huskies selected with the first six picks in the draft – Bird (No. 1, Seattle), Swin Cash (No. 2, Detroit), Asjha Jones (No. 4, Washington) and Tamika Williams (No. 6, Minnesota).
Seven schools and one country have seen three players selected in the first round of a single WNBA Draft. UConn and South Carolina have seen three players drafted in the first round twice.
<ul>
<li>South Carolina
<ul>
<li> (2023) Aliyah Boston (No. 1, Indiana), Laeticia Amihere (No. 8, Atlanta), Zia Cooke (No. 11, Los Angeles)</li>
<li>(2017) Alaina Coates (No. 2, Chicago), Allisha Davis (No. 4, Dallas), Kaela Davis (No. 10, Dallas)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Oregon 
<ul>
<li>(2020): Sabrina Ionescu (No. 1, New York), Satou Sabally (No. 2, Dallas), Ruthy Hebard (No. 8, Chicago)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Notre Dame 
<ul>
<li>(2019): Jackie Young (No. 1, Las Vegas), Arike Ogunbowale (No. 5, Dallas), Brianna Turner (No. 11, Atlanta)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>UConn:
<ul>
<li>(2018): Gabby Williams (No. 4, Chicago), Azurá Stevens (No. 6, Dallas), Kia Nurse (No. 10, New York)</li>
<li> (2016): Breanna Stewart (No. 1, Seattle), Moriah Jefferson (No. 2, San Antonio), Morgan Tuck (No. 3, Connecticut)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Tennessee 
<ul>
<li>(2012): Shekinna Stricklen (No. 2, Seattle), Glory Johnson (No. 4, Tulsa), Kelly Cain (No. 7, New York)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Oklahoma 
<ul>
<li>(2002): Stacey Dales-Schuman (No. 3, Washington), LaNeishea Caufield (No. 14, Utah), Rosalind Ross (No. 16, Los Angeles)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Australia 
<ul>
<li>(2001): Lauren Jackson (No. 1, Seattle), Penny Taylor (No. 11, Cleveland), Kristen Veal (No. 13, Phoenix)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Georgia 
<ul>
<li>(2001): Kelly Miller (No. 2, Charlotte), Deanna Nolan (No. 6, Detroit), Coco Miller (No. 9, Washington)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">The NCAA Title / No. 1 WNBA Pick Double</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258772" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
With the WNBA Draft being held just days after the conclusion of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, prospects have a chance to pull off an incredible double – finish their collegiate career by winning the NCAA national championship, then begin their professional career as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.
That feat has been accomplished six times in WNBA history, most recently by Paige Bueckers, who won her collegiate championship at Connecticut on April 6, 2025, and was drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings just eight days later.
<ul>
<li>Sue Bird (UConn, 2002) – drafted first overall by Seattle</li>
<li>Diana Taurasi (UConn, 2004) – drafted first overall by Phoenix</li>
<li>Candace Parker (Tennessee, 2008) – drafted first overall by Los Angeles</li>
<li>Tina Charles (UConn, 2010) – drafted first overall by Connecticut</li>
<li>Breanna Stewart (UConn, 2016) – drafted first overall by Seattle</li>
<li>Paige Bueckers (UConn, 2025) – drafted first overall by Dallas</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools that have produced the most WNBA league MVPs</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183314 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa.png" alt="three-time WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie representing USC" width="940" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa.png 940w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa-300x204.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa-768x523.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" />
Three schools have produced multiple players to win the WNBA League Most Valuable Player honors. Connecticut leads the way with four players winning MVP, but UConn and USC are tied with 5 total MVP awards.
<ul>
<li>USC: 2 players, 5 MVPs – Cynthia Cooper (1997, 1998), Lisa Leslie (2001, 2004, 2006)</li>
<li>Connecticut: 4 players, 5 MVPs – Diana Taurasi (2009), Tina Charles (2012), Maya Moore (2014), Breanna Stewart (2018, 2023)</li>
<li>Tennessee: 2 players, 3 MVPs – Candace Parker (2008, 2013), Tamika Catchings (2011)</li>
<li>South Carolina: 1 player, 4 MVPs &#8211; A&#8217;ja Wilson (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025)</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools that have produced the most WNBA Finals MVPs</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183317 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP.png" alt="2x WNBA Finals MVP Lisa Leslie representing USC" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP-300x200.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP-768x512.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
USC, UConn, and Tennessee are all represented on this list of MVPs as well, but they get some company from LSU and Rutgers, who each produced a pair of Finals MVPs. USC holds the mark for the most Finals MVPs as Cynthia Cooper (1997-2000) and Lisa Leslie (2001-02) combined to win the first six in WNBA history.
<ul>
<li>USC: 2 players, 6 Finals MVPs – Cynthia Cooper (1997-2000), Lisa Leslie (2001-02)</li>
<li>Connecticut: 3 players, 5 Finals MVPs – Diana Taurasi (2009, 2014), Maya Moore (2013), Breanna Stewart (2018, 2020)</li>
<li>LSU: 2 players, 3 Finals MVPs – Seimone Augustus (2011), Sylvia Fowles (2015, 2017)</li>
<li>Tennessee: 2 players, 2 Finals MVPs – Tamika Catchings (2012), Candace Parker (2016)</li>
<li>Rutgers: 2 players, 2 Finals MVPs – Cappie Pondexter (2007), Kahleah Copper (2021)</li>
<li>South Carolina: 1 player, 2 Finals MVPs – A&#8217;ja Wilson (2023, 2025)</li>
</ul>

college-draft-pick-history-2026

From College to the W: Which Schools Make History in the League?

Press Release

– League Introduces WNBA ID Program, Expanded Viewing Options, and Exclusive Fan Access Ahead of the 2026 Season –
NEW YORK, April 17, 2026 – The WNBA today announced the launch of its enhanced WNBA App, delivering a next-generation fan platform powered by the debut of WNBA ID – a free global account system that unifies and personalizes the fan experience. The reimagined app serves as a centralized hub for WNBA fans, combining live streaming of WNBA League Pass games, real-time content, and exclusive access into one seamless destination. The next-generation app is designed to deepen engagement, elevate how fans experience the game, and bring them closer to the players and stories that define the league.
For the first time, WNBA ID creates a fully connected experience across WNBA.com and the WNBA App. The free program allows users to select their favorite team, follow an unlimited number of players, and receive tailored content and updates. During key moments throughout the season, such as the upcoming WNBA preseason and All-Star weekend in Chicago in July, WNBA ID members will also receive VIP access to special league experiences. By creating a more personalized and connected experience, WNBA ID enables fans to engage more deeply with the league year-round while amplifying the visibility of the league and the players.
“This is more than an app launch – it’s about meeting our fans where they are,” said WNBA Head of Digital Devin Ward. “With WNBA ID, we’re giving fans the power to personalize how they connect with the league, engage more deeply with the players and teams they love, and access the stories that define the WNBA. It’s a step toward building a more connected, immersive, and authentic ecosystem for every fan.”
As one of the first benefits, WNBA ID members will receive a complimentary preseason preview of WNBA League Pass from April 25 through May 3. During this period, fans can stream all preseason games directly within the app with no subscription or credit card required (subject to local blackouts). Following the preview, WNBA ID members can easily purchase a League Pass subscription for full-season access. WNBA ID members will also gain exclusive access to 25% off WNBAStore.com merchandise throughout the preseason (restrictions may apply).
The updated WNBA App and League Pass experience introduce new features designed to give fans greater control over how they watch and follow the game, including the ability to choose between available home and away broadcasts, expanded compatibility across more devices, a refreshed “Watch” experience, and an improved schedule layout for easier navigation. As the league’s digital homecourt, the app delivers comprehensive year-round coverage, including live scores, streams, highlights, breaking news, pregame stories, and exclusive content.
The WNBA App is available on iOS and Android mobile devices and tablets, as well as on Amazon Fire TV and Roku.
WNBA ID is completely free to join. Fans can sign up at <a href="http://www.wnba.com/id">www.wnba.com/id</a> using their email address or can activate their WNBA ID account using existing NBA or WNBA account credentials.
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WNBA Unveils Enhanced App Powered By WNBA ID

The following is a press release from the New York Liberty:
NEW YORK (April 16, 2026) – The New York Liberty signed three-time All-Star and 2023 All-WNBA First Team selection Satou Sabally to a multi-year deal in open free agency, the team announced today.
“Being in position to add a player and person of Satou Sabally’s caliber is a testament to what we are building here,” said Jonathan Kolb, General Manager, New York Liberty. “Her size, versatility, and basketball IQ give us incredible optionality and will unlock lineup combinations that will present significant problems for the opposition.”
Kolb continued: “Satou chose New York because she wants to be part of a winning franchise and recognized the championship culture that already exists here. That speaks to her selfless mindset and her belief in what we are building. We’re excited to see her thrive as a key part of a group that is committed to excellence and competing for championships year after year.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the New York Liberty and become part of an organization with such a strong championship DNA,” Satou Sabally said. “The winning culture here is unmatched and I am fully ready to contribute from day one. I can’t wait to get to work, connect with the fans and community, reunite with familiar faces, and do whatever it takes to help bring this city another WNBA title.”
Sabally, a 6-4 forward, was selected by Dallas with the second overall pick in the 2020 WNBA Draft and averaged 15.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game in 97 regular-season games (87 starts) with the Wings. The Oregon alum spent the 2025 WNBA season with Phoenix, where she recorded averages of 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 steals per game in a career-high 39 games (all starts). Sabally put up 19.0 points per game in 10 playoff contests with the Mercury, the sixth-highest scoring average in the 2025 postseason. She has appeared in 19 career playoff games (15 starts) with averages of 15.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Sabally was named the 2023 Most Improved Player after averaging a career-high 18.6 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game while dishing out 4.4 assists to join Candace Parker as the only players in league history to record such a stat line in a season. She shot 45.2 percent (38-for-84) from beyond the arc in 2024 to become the third player in WNBA history to shoot over 45 percent from 3-point range while averaging at least five attempts per game.
Sabally led Germany to the Quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics while ranking second among all players in scoring at 18.8 points per game, including a 33-point performance against Japan which was the highest individual scoring total since the 2016 Games and tied for the eighth-highest single-game scoring total in Olympic Games history. She won a EuroLeague Women’s Championship with Fenerbahçe in 2023 and is a three-time Turkish KBSL Champion.
The Liberty begin their historic 30th season at Barclays Center with a preseason contest against the Indiana Fever on Saturday, April 25, followed by the team’s home opener on Friday, May 8 vs. the Connecticut Sun. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. To learn more and explore additional ticketing options, including group tickets and partial season plans, visit liberty.wnba.com/tickets.

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New York Liberty Sign Three-Time All-Star Satou Sabally to Multi-Year Deal

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Photo Gallery: 2026 WNBA Draft Night Portraits

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.
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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" />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.

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

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Photo Gallery: WNBA Draft 2026

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Photo Gallery: WNBA Draft 2026

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