Top Prospects Headline 2026 WNBA Draft

Flau'jae Johnson, Lauren Betts, and other stars set to attend the event in New York City

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:49pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a WNBA basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes and vibrant team colors.The 2026 WNBA Draft promises to showcase the league's next generation of stars, with a talented class of prospects set to take center stage.Chicago Today

The 2026 WNBA Draft is set for April 13 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City, with ESPN providing exclusive coverage. The draft will feature three rounds of 15 picks each, with some of the most talked-about names in women's college basketball set to attend the event in person, including LSU guard Flau'jae Johnson, UCLA center Lauren Betts, Connecticut guard Azzi Fudd, and TCU guard Olivia Miles.

Why it matters

The 2026 WNBA Draft is generating significant buzz, with two new expansion franchises, the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo, making their first moves at the Expansion Draft on April 3. The draft is seen as a key moment for the league to showcase its next wave of talent and continue building momentum.

The details

The draft order at the top will see the Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 overall pick after winning the November lottery, followed by the Minnesota Lynx at No. 2 and the Seattle Storm at No. 3. The Washington Mystics are fourth and the Chicago Sky round out the top five, with the new expansion teams, Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, following at sixth and seventh respectively.

  • The 2026 WNBA Draft is set for April 13, 2026.
  • The Expansion Draft for the new Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo franchises took place on April 3, 2026.

The players

Flau'jae Johnson

An LSU guard who has been one of the most electric players in the college game and is a marquee name for draft night.

Lauren Betts

A UCLA center who is one of the confirmed attendees for the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Azzi Fudd

A Connecticut guard who is also set to attend the 2026 WNBA Draft in person.

Olivia Miles

A TCU guard who is one of the confirmed attendees for the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Dallas Wings

The team that holds the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft after winning the November lottery.

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What they’re saying

“The 2026 WNBA Draft is almost here and the league is heading into it with more momentum than usual.”

— Yagya Bhargava, Author

What’s next

The Empire State Building will be lit up in WNBA colors earlier on the day of the draft, setting the tone for what should be a strong night for the league.

The takeaway

The 2026 WNBA Draft is poised to be a significant event for the league, with the arrival of two new expansion franchises and a talented pool of prospects, including Flau'jae Johnson, Lauren Betts, Azzi Fudd, and Olivia Miles, set to attend the event in person. The draft represents an opportunity for the WNBA to showcase its next generation of stars and continue building momentum for the league.