The subsequent class of WNBA stars have arrived.
The 2026 WNBA Draft was Monday, and it featured somewhat little bit of every part. From an historic displaying by the reigning NCAA champion UCLA Bruins to a surprising commerce, listed below are our winners and losers.
Winner: Azzi Fudd
Fudd turned the primary participant to reap the rewards of the WNBA’s transformative collective bargaining settlement after being chosen No. 1 total by the Dallas Wings. Per Spotrac, the 2025-26 Related Press first-team All-American is about to earn $500,000 within the first yr of her deal. Final yr’s No. 1 choose, teammate Paige Bueckers, made $78,831 on the primary yr of her contract, which runs via 2028 and is price $348,198 in whole.
Loser: Going towards the Washington Mystics within the entrance court docket
The Mystics have overwhelming measurement within the entrance court docket after nabbing heart Lauren Betts (6-foot-7) at No. 4 total and her Bruins teammate Angela Dugalic (6-foot-4) 5 picks later at No. 9. In 2025-26, Betts averaged 17.1 factors, 8.8 rebounds and a pair of.1 blocks per sport, was chosen an AP first-team All-American for the second consecutive season and led the Bruins to their first girls’s basketball nationwide championship. Largely coming off the bench, Dugalic averaged 9 factors and 5.6 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per sport.
The duo be a part of a entrance court docket that already has spectacular measurement even after shedding 12-year veteran heart Stefanie Dolson to the Seattle Storm in free company. Washington lately matched 6-foot-5 ahead Shakira Austin’s supply sheet with the Toronto Tempo, retaining her within the nation’s capital. The Mystics even have second-year ahead Kiki Iriafen (6-foot-3).
According to Her Hoop Stats data, opponents shot a league-high 67.3 % from the restricted space towards Washington final season. By emphasizing including measurement and depth to the inside, the Mystics could possibly be tougher to assault within the center in 2026.
For a short second in time, the Valkyries have been one of many night time’s greatest winners after choosing former LSU Tigers star guard Flau’jae Johnson at No. 8 total. As ESPN WNBA reporter Alexa Philippou famous on-line, she gave the 2025 growth membership “its franchise face” as considered one of 2026’s extra recognizable incoming rookies.
