Draft

– Minnesota Lynx Receive Second Pick, Seattle Storm to Select Third, 
Washington Mystics will Choose Fourth, and Chicago Sky Rounds out Top Five Picks –
NEW YORK, Nov. 23, 2025 – The Dallas Wings today won the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery and will have the first overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft to be held on Monday, April 13, 2026.
The results of the 25th annual Lottery were revealed by WNBA Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin during the 30-minute, WNBA Draft Lottery Special on ESPN. following its presentation of the TCU vs. North Carolina State women’s basketball game. This marks the 14th consecutive year that ESPN networks has presented the WNBA Draft Lottery.
Dallas, which entered the Lottery with the most chances to win the top pick (420 out of 1,000), won the WNBA Draft Lottery for the second consecutive year. In November 2024, the Wings won the top pick for the first time in team history after participating in the Lottery 11 previous times. The franchise used that No. 1 overall pick to select Paige Bueckers, who went on to be voted as a starter in the AT&amp;T WNBA All-Star Game and as the Kia WNBA Rookie of the Year.
This also marks the fifth time in the history of the WNBA Draft Lottery that the results matched the order of chances held by the Lottery teams. The prior instances were ahead of the 2009, 2015, 2016, and 2018 WNBA drafts.
The Minnesota Lynx, which had the second-most chances to win the top pick (261), will have the second selection. The Seattle Storm will select third after having the third-most chances to land the top pick (167).
The fourth selection belongs to the Washington Mystics, which had 97 chances to receive the first pick. The Chicago Sky, which had the fifth-most chances to garner the top pick (55), rounds out the top five.
Lottery odds were based on the two-year (2024 and 2025) cumulative records of the five teams that did not make the playoffs in the most recent season. With a cumulative record of 19-65, the Wings had the most assigned combinations (420 out of 1,000) and were guaranteed at least the third pick.
The order of selection for the remainder of the first round as well as the second and third rounds will be announced at a later date.
A representative from the accounting firm of Ernst &amp; Young was in attendance to oversee the Lottery process.
The following are results of the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery.
<table style="width: 85.6147%" width="633">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 14.0355%" width="56">Pick</td>
<td style="width: 36.4392%" width="272">Team</td>
<td style="width: 25.7911%" width="165">Combined 2024-2025 Record</td>
<td style="width: 39.268%" width="140">Chances (out of 1,000)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 14.0355%" width="56">1</td>
<td style="width: 36.4392%" width="272">Dallas Wings</td>
<td style="width: 25.7911%" width="165">19-65</td>
<td style="width: 39.268%" width="140">420</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 14.0355%" width="56">2</td>
<td style="width: 36.4392%" width="272">Minnesota Lynx from Chicago Sky</td>
<td style="width: 25.7911%" width="165">23-61*</td>
<td style="width: 39.268%" width="140">261</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 14.0355%" width="56">3</td>
<td style="width: 36.4392%" width="272">Seattle Storm from Los Angeles Sparks</td>
<td style="width: 25.7911%" width="165">29-55^</td>
<td style="width: 39.268%" width="140">167</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 14.0355%" width="56">4</td>
<td style="width: 36.4392%" width="272">Washington Mystics</td>
<td style="width: 25.7911%" width="165">30-54</td>
<td style="width: 39.268%" width="140">97</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 14.0355%" width="56">5</td>
<td style="width: 36.4392%" width="272">Chicago Sky from Connecticut Sun</td>
<td style="width: 25.7911%" width="165">39-45+</td>
<td style="width: 39.268%" width="140">55</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
* Chicago and Minnesota extinguished Minnesota’s right to swap its own first round pick for Chicago’s own first round pick and Chicago has traded its own first round pick to Minnesota (Sika Koné, Nikolina Milić, 4/14/24), (Draft picks, 4/13/25)
^ Los Angeles had traded its own first round pick to Seattle (Kia Nurse, 1/31/24)
+ Phoenix had traded its own first round pick to Chicago (Kahleah Copper, Morgan Bertsch, Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, 2/6/24) and Chicago had swapped Phoenix’s first round pick for Connecticut’s own first round pick (Marina Mabrey, Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, 7/17/24)
# # #

wnba-draft-lottery-2026-results

Dallas Wings Win Top Pick in 2026 WNBA Draft

Below are answers to some of the main questions regarding the WNBA Draft Lottery 2026.
<hr />
When is the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery, and where can I watch? 
The 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery will be broadcast on Sunday, Nov. 23, at 6:30 pm ET on ESPN. 
<hr />
 What teams are participating in the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery? 
The Dallas Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky will take part in the 25th annual WNBA Draft Lottery. 
<hr />
How does the Draft Lottery work? 
14 lottery balls numbered 1 through 14 are mixed into a lottery machine. Four lottery balls are drawn to create a four-number combination. One qualifying team holds that four-number combination and will receive the No. 1 pick. This process repeats to determine the No. 2 pick.   
The No. 3 pick will be awarded to the remaining draft lottery team with the worst cumulative record over the last two WNBA seasons. The No. 4 pick will be awarded to the remaining draft lottery team with the next-worst cumulative record over the last two WNBA seasons.   
The final remaining draft lottery team will receive the #5 pick. 
<hr />
How are the chances of winning the Draft Lottery determined? 
Lottery chances are based on the two-year (2024 and 2025) cumulative records of the five teams that did not make the playoffs in the most recent season.  
<hr />
Which team has the best chance at winning the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft? 
With a cumulative record of 19-65, the Wings will have the most assigned combinations (420 out of 1,000) and are guaranteed at least the third pick. 
As the result of a prior trade between Minnesota and Chicago (23-61), the Lynx possess the Sky’s first round pick and will have 261 chances out of 1,000 to win the top pick.  
Seattle, which owns the Los Angeles Sparks’ (29-55) first round pick by virtue of a January 2024 trade, has the third-most chances (167). 
Washington, 30-54 over the past two seasons, has 97 chances out of 1,000 to win the top pick, and Chicago, which owns the Connecticut Sun’s (39-45) first round selection, has the fifth most chances (55).  
<table data-tablestyle="MsoNormalTable" data-tablelook="1696">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td data-celllook="69905">Team </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">Combined 2024-2025 Record </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">Chances (out of 1,000) </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-celllook="69905">Dallas Wings </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">19-65 </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">420 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-celllook="69905">Minnesota Lynx from Chicago Sky </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">23-61* </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">261 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-celllook="69905">Seattle Storm from Los Angeles Sparks </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">29-55^ </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">167 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-celllook="69905">Washington Mystics </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">30-54 </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">97 </td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td data-celllook="69905">Chicago Sky from Connecticut Sun </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">39-45+ </td>
<td data-celllook="69905">55   </td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
* Chicago and Minnesota have extinguished Minnesota’s right to swap its own first round pick for Chicago’s own first round pick and Chicago has traded its own first round pick to Minnesota (Sika Koné, Nikolina Milić, 4/14/24), (Draft picks, 4/13/25) 
^ Los Angeles has traded its own first round pick to Seattle (Kia Nurse, 1/31/24) 
+ Phoenix has traded its own first round pick to Chicago (Kahleah Copper, Morgan Bertsch, Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, 2/6/24) and Chicago has swapped Phoenix’s first round pick for Connecticut’s own first round pick (Marina Mabrey, Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, 7/17/24)

draft-lottery-2026-faq

WNBA Draft Lottery 2026: FAQ and Things to Know

It&#8217;s 2025 WNBA Assists Week! Who had the best dime-dropping action from the 2025 season?
<hr />
<h2>Best Team: Minnesota Lynx</h2>
The Minnesota Lynx have established themselves as one of the most efficient passing teams in WNBA history. In the 2025 season, the Lynx averaged 23.3 assists per game, ranking third all-time in single-season assist averages. This follows their 2024 season where they averaged 23.0 assists per game.
With these back-to-back seasons, the Lynx now account for two of the four instances in league history where a team averaged 23+ assists per game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/minnesotalynx?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@minnesotalynx</a> led the league with 746 assisted catch and shoots this szn, a masterclass in timing and touch.
See how these dimes turned into pure rhythm! 👇<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBAAssistsWeek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBAAssistsWeek</a> | Powered by GeniusIQ <a href="https://t.co/hlGHRaQeAC">pic.twitter.com/hlGHRaQeAC</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1986841337396662422?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<hr />
<h2>Best Player: Alyssa Thomas</h2>
With a 2025 campaign highlighted by a record-breaking eight triple-double performances, Alyssa Thomas set the record for most total assists in a regular season (357) over 39 games. Her 9.15 APG led the league and marked the second-highest regular season APG average in WNBA history.
Thomas made history by becoming the first player to record three seasons with 300+ assists.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Of course we&#39;re leading the week with the season assists leader 👏
Alyssa Thomas delivered elite pace and vision all year, averaging 9.2 APG and recording her third 300+ assist season.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBAAssistsWeek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBAAssistsWeek</a> <a href="https://t.co/VPEE5jhc7K">pic.twitter.com/VPEE5jhc7K</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1985380989950889997?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<hr />
<h3>Best Performance: Alyssa Thomas (August 22, 2025)</h3>
On August 22, 2025, Thomas delivered one of the most memorable performances of the season, dishing out 16 assists in a single game.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
The top single-game assist performances of the szn ✔️
Alyssa Thomas recorded a <a href="https://twitter.com/PhoenixMercury?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@phoenixmercury</a> franchise record against the Valkyries with 16 AST to go along with 13 PTS and 12 REB.
Thomas finished the szn as the league leader in AST!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WNBAAssistsWeek?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WNBAAssistsWeek</a> <a href="https://t.co/jhvEemSOC5">pic.twitter.com/jhvEemSOC5</a>
&mdash; WNBA (@WNBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WNBA/status/1986177476674916722?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 5, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<hr />
<h3>Top 10 Assists of the Year</h3>
Check out the best dimes from the 2025 season!
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Top 10 Assists of the 2025 Season" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/440-EA_0kR4?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>

2025-wnba-assists-week

2025 WNBA Assists Week: Best in Ball Movement

– Dallas Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky 
to Take Part in WNBA Draft Lottery 2026 –
NEW YORK, Nov. 7, 2025 – The WNBA Draft Lottery 2026 will be broadcast on Sunday, Nov. 23, on ESPN, the WNBA announced today.
ESPN will air the 30-minute, WNBA Draft Lottery Special at 6:30 p.m. ET with WNBA Head of League Operations Bethany Donaphin revealing the results of the Lottery during ESPN’s coverage.  This marks the 14th consecutive year that ESPN networks will present the WNBA Draft Lottery.
The Dallas Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky will take part in the 25th annual WNBA Draft Lottery. The 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled to take place on Monday, April 13, 2026.
Lottery odds are based on the two-year (2024 and 2025) cumulative records of the five teams that did not make the playoffs in the most recent season. With a cumulative record of 19-65, the Wings will have the most assigned combinations (420 out of 1,000) and are guaranteed at least the third pick.
As the result of a prior trade between Minnesota and Chicago (23-61), the Lynx possess the Sky’s first round pick and will have 261 chances out of 1,000 to win the top pick. Seattle, which owns the Los Angeles Sparks’ (29-55) first round pick by virtue of a January 2024 trade, has the third-most chances (167).
Washington, 30-54 over the past two seasons, has 97 chances out of 1,000 to win the top pick, and Chicago, which owns the Connecticut Sun’s (39-45) first round selection, has the fifth most chances (55).
In the drawing, 14 balls numbered 1-14 will be placed in a lottery machine and mixed.  Four balls will be drawn to determine a four-digit combination.  The team assigned that four-ball combination will receive the No. 1 pick. The four balls will then be placed back into the machine and the process will be repeated to determine the second pick.  Of the three teams not selected in the drawings, the team with the worst cumulative two-year record shall select third; the team with the next worst record will select fourth; and the remaining team shall select fifth.
A representative from the league’s independent accounting firm Ernst &amp; Young will be in attendance to oversee the Draft Lottery process.
Below are the number of chances for teams to land the top pick in WNBA Draft Lottery 2026.
<table style="width: 94.5191%" width="705">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 46.077%" width="333">Team</td>
<td style="width: 29.8146%" width="212">Combined 2024-2025 Record</td>
<td style="width: 39.4339%" width="160">Chances (out of 1,000)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 46.077%" width="333">Dallas Wings</td>
<td style="width: 29.8146%" width="212">19-65</td>
<td style="width: 39.4339%" width="160">420</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 46.077%" width="333">Minnesota Lynx from Chicago Sky</td>
<td style="width: 29.8146%" width="212">23-61*</td>
<td style="width: 39.4339%" width="160">261</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 46.077%" width="333">Seattle Storm from Los Angeles Sparks</td>
<td style="width: 29.8146%" width="212">29-55^</td>
<td style="width: 39.4339%" width="160">167</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 46.077%" width="333">Washington Mystics</td>
<td style="width: 29.8146%" width="212">30-54</td>
<td style="width: 39.4339%" width="160">97</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 46.077%" width="333">Chicago Sky from Connecticut Sun</td>
<td style="width: 29.8146%" width="212">39-45+</td>
<td style="width: 39.4339%" width="160">55</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
&nbsp;
* Chicago and Minnesota have extinguished Minnesota’s right to swap its own first round pick for Chicago’s own first round pick and Chicago has traded its own first round pick to Minnesota (Sika Koné, Nikolina Milić, 4/14/24), (Draft picks, 4/13/25)
^ Los Angeles has traded its own first round pick to Seattle (Kia Nurse, 1/31/24)
+ Phoenix has traded its own first round pick to Chicago (Kahleah Copper, Morgan Bertsch, Michaela Onyenwere, Brianna Turner, 2/6/24) and Chicago has swapped Phoenix’s first round pick for Connecticut’s own first round pick (Marina Mabrey, Rachel Banham, Moriah Jefferson, 7/17/24)
# # #

wnba-draft-lottery-2026-announcement

WNBA Draft Lottery 2026 To Take Place Sunday, Nov. 23 on ESPN

Press Release

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-205477" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2025/10/HOF-1.png" alt="" width="2032" height="240" />
The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (WBHOF), the sole institution dedicated to women’s basketball, has officially announced its Class of 2026. This organization honors both national and international contributors to the women’s game.
“We are honored to pay tribute to eight distinguished legends of this exceptional sport,” said WBHOF President Dana Hart. “They exemplify the highest standards in women’s basketball and have made substantial contributions to the sport, along with shaping the game’s historical trajectory.”
The class includes four players: Delaware and Chicago Sky legend, Elena Delle Donne; University of Tennessee and WNBA great, Candace Parker; international players, Isabelle Fijalkowski and Amaya Valdemoro. 
Longtime WNBA and Team USA coach, Cheryl Reeve; 36-year Kirkwood Community College head coach and NJCAA Hall of Famer, Kim Muhl.
The class is completed with Doris Burke, a contributor for her work at ESPN as an analyst for women’s basketball and a multi-year First-team All-ACC recipient, and Barbara Kennedy-Dixon, a posthumous Veteran honoree. 
The Tennessee Theatre will host the induction ceremony on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Each Inductee is awarded the Berenson Trophy, sponsored by Smith College, and named in honor of notable Smith College coach Senda Berenson, who is recognized as the “Mother of Women’s Basketball.”  Each Inductee will also be presented with a WBHOF Ring, presented by Baron Championship Rings.
The Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame’s mission is to honor the sport’s history, celebrate current achievements, and promote future advancements in the game of women’s basketball.

womens-basketball-hall-of-fame-2026-class

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Announces the 2026 Inductees

Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets (25.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG and 4.0 APG)

1997

Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets (26.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 2.7 APG)

1998

Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets (21.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 4.3 APG)

1999

Cynthia Cooper, Houston Comets (22.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 3.5 APG)

2000

Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks (22.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 3.5 APG)

2001

Lisa Leslie, Los Angeles Sparks (16.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 2.0 APG)

2002

Ruth Riley, Detroit Shock (14.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG and 3.3 BPG)

2003

Betty Lennox, Seattle Storm (22.3 PPG, 4.3 RPG and 2.0 APG)

2004

Yolanda Griffith, Sacramento Monarchs (18.5 PPG, 9.8 RPG and 1.3 APG)

2005

Deanna Nolan, Detroit Shock (17.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 2.8 APG)

2006

Cappie Pondexter, Phoenix Mercury (22.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG and 5.6 APG)

2007

Katie Smith, Detroit Shock (21.7 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 3.3 APG)

2008

Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury (20.4 PPG, 6.8 RPG and 2.8 APG)

2009

Lauren Jackson, Seattle Storm (22.3 PPG, 8.0 RPG and 2.0 SPG)

2010

Seimone Augustus, Minnesota Lynx (24.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 4.7 APG)

2011

Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever (22.3 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 3.5 APG)

2012

Maya Moore, Minnesota Lynx (20.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 2.3 APG)

2013

Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury (20.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG and 6.3 APG)

2014

Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx (15.6 PPG, 9.4 RPG and 1.2 APG)

2015

Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparks (17.2 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 2.2 APG)

2016

Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx (17.8 PPG, 15.0 RPG and 2.4 BPG)

2017

Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm (25.7 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 3.7 APG)

2018

Emma Meesseman, Washington Mystics (17.8 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 1.8 APG)

2019

Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm (28.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG and 2.3 APG)

2020

Kahleah Copper, Chicago Sky (17.0 PPG, 5.5 RPG and 1.3 APG)

2021

Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces (18.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG and 6.0 APG)

2022

A'ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces (21.3 PPG, 12.5 RPG and 1.5 APG)

2023

Jonquel Jones, New York Liberty (17.8 PPG, 7.6 RPG and 2.2 APG)

2024

2025 Playoffs

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

LatestSky

Dallas Wings Win Top Pick in 2026 WNBA Draft

WNBA Draft Lottery 2026: FAQ and Things to Know

2025 WNBA Assists Week: Best in Ball Movement

WNBA Draft Lottery 2026 To Take Place Sunday, Nov. 23 on ESPN

Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Announces the 2026 Inductees

Photo Gallery: WNBA Finals MVPs Through the Years

Top Plays of the Day, 9/11/25

Top Plays of the Day, 09/11/2025

Game Recap: Liberty vs. Sky (9/11/2025)

Kamilla Cardoso with 21 Points vs. New York Liberty