As the WNBA welcomed the 2024 Draft class, it touted them as the best one in recent history. After all, they were one of the first batches with multiple superstars who brought in a wave of new fans and media attention the league desperately needed. The 2026 class, however, was rather different.

They did have a comparable fanbase and social media following, but that superstar distinction was missing — that was, until they dressed up and stepped on the floor. You cannot deny that they were one of the most impressive batches that looked like they came prepared for this moment. They were physical, demanding, and loud. They didn’t care that they were just rookies in a league where experience takes you a long way. They were simply outstanding. So, as the regular season wrapped up, everyone’s attention, including Toronto Tempo head coach Sandy Brondello and Chicago Sky guard Skylar Diggins, turned to who would get the boasting rights that came with their performances. And we are not disappointed!

When the league announced its All-Rookie Team on Instagram, Brondello, who has been carving diamond out of rough for long, and Diggins, a legend in her own right, did not hide their reactions and liked the post. The list was worth noticing, too, considering they all turned out to be the difference makers for their teams, even forcing the WNBA to name six players instead of the usual five.

The six-player selection came down to a tie in media voting between Rice and Astier, who finished level for the final spot. It’s not the first time the WNBA has had to expand its All-Rookie Team following a tie. The same situation occurred in 2008, when Matee Ajavon and Amber Holt shared the final spot, and again in 2015, when Natalie Achonwa and Ana Dabović were both selected. But this year, the choice also came down to the fact that rookies don’t usually impact a team the way these did, with one being a complete wild card in my opinion.

The Rookie of the Year and the youngest pillar of the Lynx

Miles was the second overall pick behind Azzi Fudd, but she arguably had the most impressive rookie campaign of the group. The Minnesota Lynx guard averaged 19.8 points and 6.0 assists across 40 games, starting every one of them. But that’s not the reason why she got the two honors and almost became the league MVP.

When the Lynx were missing their two-way anchor in Napheesa Collier, Miles became their go-to option. No rookie this season impacted their team’s wins like Miles, helping them finish as the top seed with a 33-11 record. She went on to win Rookie of the Year unanimously, collecting all 74 first-place votes from the media panel. She also set a new rookie scoring record with 790 points, surpassing the previous mark held by Caitlin Clark.

The ‘People’s Princess’

Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall pick, also made her mark in Dallas. The Wings guard averaged 13.1 points per game while shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc. She reached a combined 50 steals and blocks in just 18 games, becoming the fastest guard to hit that mark, and knocked down six three-pointers in a single game to set a Wings rookie record.

She also won the All-Star Weekend 3-Point Contest, becoming the first rookie to claim the title in WNBA history. Her season was cut short after 30 games with a right knee injury that forced her to undergo arthroscopic surgery, but her early performances on both ends of the floor were enough to earn her a place among the league’s top newcomers. She led all rookies in 3-pointers made (2.1), steals (1.7, fourth in the WNBA), and blocks (0.8) per game.

Seattle’s rock

Flau’jae Johnson took a different route to her rookie season after being traded to Seattle by the Golden State Valkyries on draft night. The eighth overall pick averaged 14.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists across 42 games. She also rewrote several Seattle rookie records, finishing with 626 points, 58 steals, and 60 three-pointers. Johnson recorded eight 20-plus-point games as well.

She leads all rookies in steals, ranks second in points and rebounds, and ranks third in blocks per game, giving the Storm plenty to be excited about as she continues to develop.

The wild card (IMO*)

In my opinion, she stood out the most on a team that had more questions than answers because Taylor’s inclusion is another standout story.

The undrafted rookie earned a spot with Chicago after what began as a training camp opportunity. She made the most of it, averaging 13.6 points across 37 games. Her 71 three-pointers were the most by any rookie this season, while her 504 total points set a new record for an undrafted WNBA rookie. But the most noteworthy fact about her was her reliability.

Defense, offense, and especially the clutch moments — the Sky relied on her for much of their load, and she came out successful, making her a wild card for me.

The fifth-place tie

Astier and Rice complete the six-player lineup, each bringing a different story to the team. Astier entered the league undrafted and averaged 9.3 points, 3.3 assists, and 2.7 rebounds for New York. She was also highly efficient, recording a 63.5% true shooting percentage to set a WNBA rookie record among players with at least 200 shot attempts.

Rice, meanwhile, was selected sixth overall by the expansion Toronto Tempo. An ankle injury kept her out for roughly two months, but she returned to average 13.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. She scored in double figures in 21 of her 28 appearances and became the first Tempo player to earn All-Rookie Team honors.

These honors bring attention to the next generation of WNBA talent. This rookie class’s mix of record-breaking performances and success stories makes them a group worth watching as their careers unfold next season.