35 WNBA Draft prospects to watch in the 2026 NCAA Tournament
The 2026 WNBA Draft is set for April 13, and fans should get familiar with these names
www.cbssports.comHere’s the latest on the 2026 WNBA Draft.
- Draft concluded on April 13, 2026, with the Dallas Wings selecting Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall, followed by their top prospect Lauren Betts going No. 2 (to the Connecticut Sun? depending on the mock) and a surge of UCLA players among the early selections, including multiple first-round picks. This marks a historic draft for UCLA, which had several players chosen in the first round.[1][4]
- Recent mock drafts and post-draft analyses highlighted Awa Fam (Spain) and Azzi Fudd as pivotal top-two contenders, with Fudd’s fit alongside Paige Buekers and the Wings cited as a key storyline in shaping Dallas’ roster this season.[4][5][1]
- News outlets and analysts emphasized the impact of the expansion teams Tempo and Fire in their rookie classes, and noted UDFA signings as teams adjusted their rosters after the draft.[1]
Key takeaways
- No. 1 pick: Azzi Fudd (G, UConn) for Dallas Wings; widely discussed as a potential franchise-altering selection.[5][4]
- Top prospects: Lauren Betts (C, UCLA) and Awa Fam (F, Valencia/Spain) were among the most talked-about first-round targets in the run-up and immediately post-draft analyses.[4][1]
- UCLA presence: UCLA players had a historic draft night, with multiple Bruins selected in the first round, signaling a strong incoming impact from that program.[1]
If you’d like, I can pull a concise, up-to-date top-10 pick-by-pick table or provide team-by-team rosters and immediate UDFA signings from the draft week.