2026 WNBA Draft Poised to Shape the League’s Future

Expansion teams make their debut

The upcoming draft will be the first for the league’s newest franchises, the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. Both clubs are eager to build competitive rosters as they prepare for their inaugural season.

Lottery results and the top five picks

The WNBA held its draft lottery on Nov. 23, 2025, determining the order of the first five selections. The Dallas Wings secured the No. 1 slot, followed by the Minnesota Lynx (2), Seattle Storm (3), Washington Mystics (4) and Chicago Sky (5).

Prospects generating buzz

Mock drafts place UCLA center Lauren Betts, Connecticut guard Azzi Fudd, TCU guard Olivia Miles and Spain’s Awa Fam Thiam among the elite. Awa Fam is the consensus favorite to go first overall to the Wings, while Betts and Fudd are projected as high‑round selections.

When and where to watch

The draft is slated for early April 2026 at 4:30 p.m. PT and will be televised nationally on ESPN, offering fans a front‑row seat to the league’s next generation of talent.