The supposed date for the 2026 WNBA Draft is coming dangerously close, but there is still no CBA. That doesn’t stop fans, analysts, and teams from wondering which prospect would be the best pick for which team. The Tempo get extremely lucky in Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft.
Unlike most mock drafts this one projects the Chicago Sky to choose Kiki Rice over Flau’jae Johnson with the fifth pick, meaning that the LSU star would be available for the Tempo.
Making Flau’jae Johnson the team’s first-ever draft pick would be a huge win for three reasons: Johnson is a fan-magnet, she is a great two-way talent, and drafting her would be a solid starting spot to build a young core around.
Johnson is in the middle of a solid senior season
Her final season at LSU hasn’t been Johnson’s most productive one so far. She is averaging 14.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.3 steals. That is quite a step down from the 18.6 points she put up per game last season, but she is also averaging significantly fewer minutes—a career low, actually. Between Johnson, Mikaylah Williams, Jada Richard, and MiLaysia Fulwiley, LSU has a very strong guard rotation and Johnson doesn’t have to play or produce as much.
At the same time, Johnson’s 3-point percentage is up. She’s shooting a career-high 44.3% on 3.3 attempts per game. Her 2.7 assists per game are also a career high.
While Johnson has struggled to deliver against top opponents at times this season, her potential as a two-way athlete remains great—especially if she is surrounded by a great coaching and development staff. Sandy Brondello may be new to coaching an expansion team, but she knows what it takes to be a star and a winner in the WNBA. Brondello was an All-Star when she played in the league and led two teams to titles as a head coach.
Landing a popular college star would be an immediate win for the Tempo
One of the Tempo’s goals in the franchise’s first season should be to build up and intrigue a fanbase in Toronto and beyond. Drafting one of the most popular players in college basketball will certainly help with that.
Johnson has two million followers on Instagram—way more than any of the other top prospects in this draft class. Drafting her would come with the benefit of bringing in an already dedicated fanbase that would then also learn to love the other players on the roster and the interest of several brands.
There aren’t many better young stars to start a franchise with.