In recent years, the number-one pick in the WNBA Draft was usually obvious even months before the draft. In 2025, Paige Bueckers was an easy choice at the top of the draft, even given Dominique Malonga’s age and talent. The year prior, the player every team wanted to draft was Caitlin Clark. In 2023, it was no surprise when the Fever selected Aliyah Boston with the first pick. The last time there was some debate about who should be the first pick was in 2022, when Rhyne Howard and NaLyssa Smith headlined the draft.
Before the start of the college season, the 2026 WNBA Draft is one of the most difficult ones to judge in recent years because of how many players could be the top pick.
The 2026 WNBA Draft is stacked
UCLA’s 6’7” Lauren Betts seems like one of the most obvious choices to be the number one pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She has the kind of size you simply can’t teach and promises to immediately provide an inside presence at the next level. The Wings, who currently have the best chance to win the number one pick, need a talented young big to pair with Paige Bueckers. However, Betts isn’t the only player who fits that description. Spanish teen Awa Fam is on track to upset a stacked class of college players and go first overall.
Besides the two centers, a couple of guards also have a chance to play their way to the number one pick. Olivia Miles was already projected to be drafted in the lottery in the 2025 WNBA Draft. She decided to forego the draft and transfer to TCU for another college season. Now that she will actually be available, she will undoubtedly be a top pick—maybe even the top pick depending on which team wins the lottery.
Azzi Fudd and Flau’Jae Johnson are widely expected to round out the lottery. Strong seasons from either could change the top of the draft completely.
While the top pick may not be obvious just yet, another important thing is: no matter who goes first overall, the WNBA will get an influx of promising young talent in the 2026 draft. That talent could not come at a better time, either. Recent years have proven that young star players drive the league’s popularity, and the 2026 draft class will undoubtedly continue that trend, giving players extra leverage during CBA negotiations.