The subsequent class of WNBA stars have arrived.
The 2026 WNBA Draft was Monday, and it featured somewhat little bit of the whole lot. From an historic exhibiting by the reigning NCAA champion UCLA Bruins to a shocking commerce, listed here are our winners and losers.
Winner: Azzi Fudd
Fudd grew to become 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 ready to earn $500,000 within the first 12 months of her deal. Final 12 months’s No. 1 decide, teammate Paige Bueckers, made $78,831 on the primary 12 months of her contract, which runs by means of 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 recreation, was chosen an AP first-team All-American for the second consecutive season and led the Bruins to their first ladies’s basketball nationwide championship. Largely coming off the bench, Dugalic averaged 9 factors and 5.6 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per recreation.
The duo be 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 not too long ago 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 quick second in time, the Valkyries had been one of many night time’s greatest winners after deciding on 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 enlargement membership “its franchise face” as one in every of 2026’s extra recognizable incoming rookies.
