Everything you need to know about 2026 WNBA Draft

The 2026 WNBA Draft takes place at 7:30 p.m. ET Monday in New York City. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the marquee event.

How to watch 📺

Draft order (Round 1) 🔢

Click here for draft order in Rounds 2 and 3.

Tempo's plans at No. 6 🤔

After winning a coin toss, the Toronto Tempo prioritized picking sixth rather than seventh in the rookie draft and gave the Portland Fire first dibs on the expansion pool instead. That allowed the Fire to nab Minnesota Lynx forward Bridget Carleton, a Canada Basketball mainstay who would've seemingly been a great fit for a Toronto team flush with other international talent aiming to compete in Year 1.

However, Tempo assistant general manager Eli Horowitz admitted interest in "a group of names that we know ... will be available with that No. 6 pick," according to The Canadian Press, suggesting the spot was too valuable to pass up. With so much experience on their inaugural roster, Toronto's first rookie will likely need to be someone who can acclimate quickly to the pro game.

Why wait for the season to start? Click here and tap the ⭐ to subscribe to Toronto Tempo alerts, and click here for Portland Fire alerts.

Expansion draft analysis 🔍

Toronto and Portland were each limited to one unrestricted free agent among their selections, making the timing of their picks notable. Portland chose immediately with Carleton, but as Tempo GM Monica Wright Rogers explained to ESPN's Malika Andrews, that allowed Toronto to delay its UFA target. Instead, the Tempo managed to secure Julie Allemand and reunite Nyara Sabally with her former New York Liberty head coach, Sandy Brondello, before locking in veteran guard Marina Mabrey's free-agent rights.

Click here to view our expansion draft analysis, and here to recap all of the picks made by the Tempo and Fire.

Mock draft 🔮

Who will be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft: Awa Fam, Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, or Lauren Betts? A year after Paige Bueckers was the no-brainer first pick, there's some mystery surrounding who could earn top billing in 2026.

Click here to view the first-round projections in our 2026 WNBA mock draft.

Players to watch ✍️

Awa Fam, F/C (Valencia)

Despite a star-studded crop of seniors coming out of the NCAA, the most exciting prospect may be Spanish post-player Fam. The 19-year-old's 6-foot-4 frame makes her difficult to handle, but she's also a confident passer who rewards teammates on backdoor cuts. Though not a volume shooter, Fam has shown that she can extend her range to the 3-point line. Her comprehensive talent could set her up for a long, decorated WNBA career.

Azzi Fudd, G (UConn)

Fudd was the de facto captain of Geno Auriemma's UConn squad that reached the Final Four earlier in April. She's a dangerous knockdown shooter who needs little room to operate, with the redshirt senior leading the Big East last season with a 44.7% clip from downtown on nearly seven attempts per contest. Fudd was also an incredibly active defender in her final year, posting 2.5 steals per game, nearly double the 1.4 she averaged during UConn's championship-winning 2024-25 season.

Olivia Miles, G (TCU)

Miles is arguably the best pure point guard up for selection. Prior to arriving at TCU for 2025-26, she topped the ACC in assists per game for three straight seasons at Notre Dame, with the third instance coming after a one-year layoff due to a torn ACL. The 23-year-old continued to thrive after joining the Horned Frogs, not just as their main playmaker but as one of their better rebounders, too. The Big 12 Player of the Year became just the third person to ever register a triple-double at more than one women's NCAA Tournament.