Where will Awa Fam, Azzi Fudd and Lauren Betts go?
The new year is upon us and that means we are getting closer to the WNBA Draft.
In 2026, however, we don’t know when or if prospects will hear their name called due to a potential looming lockout as the WNBA and players’ association remain distant over a new collective bargaining agreement.
In recent years, the WNBA Draft has been held in April, immediately following the conclusion of the NCAA Final Four. The rookies would later make the quick ride to WNBA training camp.
As of now, there is no draft date or location — and no real indicator that there will even be a WNBA in 2026.
This leaves top college and international prospects unclear about their immediate future in the WNBA.
The Daily News, however, looks at where prospects could land if a 2026 WNBA draft takes place.
1. Dallas Wings: Awa Fam – Spain/Central/6-4
The Dallas Wings struck gold in 2025 after selecting Rookie of the Year winner Paige Bueckers No. 1 overall. The basketball gods have once again blessed the Wings with good luck by allowing them to select another franchise cornerstone: Awa Fam.
Fam, a versatile 6-4 big, fits the mold of the WNBA’s changing landscape. Her positionless play makes her a scoring option around the rim, a threat in pick-and-rolls, and a viable passer to set up teammates. Pairing the bigs with Bueckers could form a 1-2 for the foreseeable future.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Azzi Fudd – UConn/Guard/5-11
Several injuries interrupted Azzi Fudd’s high school and college career: torn right ACL (twice), torn MCL, and less serious injuries to his right knee and foot. But the UConn star has seemingly kicked the injury bug and looks like one of the top projected draft picks expected her to be.
Fudd’s elite shooting leads the way for any WNBA franchise — even on a championship Minnesota roster where her minutes might not be maximized right away. Fudd shot 43.6 percent from deep during last season’s NCAA title-winning campaign and hit 50.6 percent in his final season at Storrs. Sniping is too good to pass up.
3. Seattle Storm: Olivia Miles – TCU/Guard/5-10
TCU’s Olivia Miles is under triple scrutiny every time she takes the floor for the Horned Frogs. Miles picked up where she left off when she was named to the AP All-American team last season: 18.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists.
She’s the best leader in the class. She probably would have been a top-three pick in last year’s WNBA draft if she had decided to declare and not leave Notre Dame. She’s a perfect fit for new head coach Sonia Raman, whether the franchise decides to rebuild or stay in contention.
4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts – UCLA/Center/6-7
Before the start of the 2025-2026 college season, draft experts touted Betts as the presumptive No. 1 pick. But the rise of family and elite guards raises the question of where Betts might land. The WNBA’s clear shift toward faster pace, positionless basketball and spread attacks doesn’t work in favor of Betts, who is a traditional center.
But his talent and defensive ability are too important to pass up. She has averaged at least two blocks per game since her sophomore season and almost scored three per game last season (2.9) with the Bruins. Through 12 games this season, she is averaging 15.4 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game.
5. Chicago Sky: Flau’jae Johnson – LSU/Guard/5-10
Much has been made of LSU’s weak non-conference schedule and its inability to provide a true showcase of the growth of Flau’jae Johnson and the Tigers – which is still proving true. But there is enough prior record on Johnson to validate her as a top WNBA draft pick.
Devotion to defense. Quick transition buckets. Dribble pull-up jumpers. That’s what you get with Johnson. And landing her 5th overall spot will tie her with Angel Reese – the LSU duo won a national championship together in 2023.
6. Toronto Tempo: Ta’Niya Latson – South Carolina/Guard/5-8
The WNBA’s new expansion teams — Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire — will flip a coin to decide which franchise gets the sixth and seventh overall picks in this draft. Of course, both teams don’t have a current roster.
In that case, why not go with the best player available in South Carolina, Ta’Niya Latson. His scoring ability is undeniable after averaging at least 21 points per game over his first three collegiate seasons at Florida State, including a Division I-leading 25.2 last season. Under head coach Dawn Staley, Latson is still doing damage: 16.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game in 14 games.
Latson, however, suffered a lower leg injury that could impact his senior season and draft.
7. Portland Fire: Gianna Kneepkens – UCLA/Guard/5-11
Again, we don’t currently know what the expansion team roster will look like. But there is always a need for shooters.
UCLA’s Gianna Kneepkens claims that – averaging no worse than 42.3% deep into the college season – she shot at least five treys per game. Through 13 games with the Bruins, Kneepkens is averaging 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists with splits of 50.7/44.2/91.7.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Cotie McMahon – Ole Miss/Forward/6-0
The former Buckeye’s dire need to improve her defense has been a topic discussed by recruiting experts. But where she lacks, she makes up for on the other side of the field.
Footwork and strength allow McMahon to average a career-high 18.6 points per game in 15 appearances. Golden State got a head start in its first-ever WNBA season – clinching a playoff spot after going 23-21 in the regular season. The addition of McMahon will contribute to the team’s promising progress.
9. Washington Mystics: Yarden Garzon — Maryland/Guard/6-3
The Washington Mystics shot the fourth-worst three-point percentage (32.9%) on the fewest attempts (17.1) in 2025. So why not try to solve that problem with an elite shooter like Yarden Garzon?
Before transferring to Maryland, Garzon left Indiana as the program’s top women’s shooter after recording 45.8%, 42.2% and 40.7%, respectively, from her freshman to junior seasons. Her senior season at Maryland saw her percentage drop below 40% – 39.0% in 14 games – but her track record shows that picking her is worth it.
10. Indiana Fever: Madina Okot — South Carolina/Central/6-6
Medina Okot – like Betts – is another traditional center with enough talent to land in a league moving away from his previous style of play.
And the Indiana Fever could benefit from some defensive players to complement their fast-paced offense. Okot helps provide this defense with his lane clearance length. She has 11.2 rebounds per game in 13 appearances. His 1.5 blocks per game lead the team and rank among the best in the conference.
11. Washington Mystics: Gabriela Jaquez – UCLA/Guard/6-0
The Mystics already have four guards under contract through the 2027 season — one through 2028 — and are expected to select Yarden Garzon in this mock draft. But after shooting so poorly last season and with the increasing emphasis on floor spacing, UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez could be a good choice.
His 6-0 frame allows him to stay on the floor while sharing playing time with ball-dominating guards. And his career-best 52.8 percent shooting from deep could help improve Washington’s shooting woes.
12. Connecticut Sun: Iyana Martín Carrión — Spain/Guard/5-9
Iyana Martín Carrión, 2024-25 Euroleague Young Player of the Year, stands out abroad. The potential to strike gold on an international prospect for the Connecticut Sun would be a major stepping stone for the rebuilding franchise.
Years ago, front offices should have paid attention to the Spanish guard, who averaged 16.1 points and 3.3 assists at the U-19 World Cup, going up against some of America’s brightest prospects.
13. Atlanta Dream: Raven Johnson — South Carolina/Guard/5-8
Most of the prospects selected there — by a playoff team like the Dream — might not get much playing time, assuming most of Atlanta’s players return in free agency. But why not adopt a bidirectional Dawn-Staley product?
Two-time NCAA champion and fifth-year Raven Johnson is a seasoned prospect. The Dream notched a franchise-best regular season record (30-14) after a big improvement in the team’s overall defense under first-year head coach Karl Smesko. Johnson’s goodwill on defense could find him some minutes in Smesko’s rotation.
14. Seattle Storm: Serah Williams – UConn/Forward/6-4
Williams put up big numbers during her junior season at Wisconsin (19.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game) before transferring to Fudd’s UConn team. Her senior season numbers dipped while playing alongside more talented teammates: 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
Still, Williams’ footwork and length cannot be ignored. Seattle’s future looks bright with the emergence of French phenom Dominique Malonga, but the addition of Williams is a plus for the Storm’s frontcourt depth.
15. Connecticut Sun: Janiah Barker – Tennessee/Forward/6-4
The talent is there.
The question was whether or not Janiah Baker could stay consistent as she entered her final collegiate season with the Lady Vols.
In 11 games, she averaged 14.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals. She might be worth a try as the Sun closes out the first round.
