Seventeen months of hard-fought negotiations brought the league to this moment. The uncertainty that once loomed over its future faded the instant the new CBA was agreed upon. Now, we’re seeing players become millionaires in free agency, with more expected to follow in the coming days. And just as that era begins, a new generation of superstars have taken their first step, ready to carve out legacies of their own.

Taking place at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City, this year’s class has been quite an exciting one. Because, unlike so many past drafts, there isn’t a clear-cut No. 1 pick this time. Yes, there is no single name that every team wants to get their hands on. And honestly, that’s what’s made this night so intriguing.

Because while draft nights are always chaotic, they also bring clarity. A glimpse into what the future of the league could look like. So, as the first wave of selections rolls in, here are the top picks who have been drafted in the first round.

Top Stories

Golf

Rory McIlroy’s All-Business Approach With Cameron Young During Masters Sums Up His True Character

1 day ago

Golf

Golf World Reacts Strongly as Rory McIlroy Is Spotted With Donald Trump Right After Masters Win

1 day ago

Golf

PGA Tour Golfer Loses $933,750 After Last Round Fumble at Masters

1 day ago

NBA

Viral Pacers Girlfriend Backtracks After Calling Shaquille O’Neal “Creepy” in Deleted Post

12 hrs ago

Golf

‘Idiotic’: Fans All Say the Same Thing As Masters Tournament Collectible Sells for $28,827

19 hrs ago

tennis

Daniil Medvedev Pays Heavy Price for His Shocking 40-Second Monte Carlo Outburst

14 hrs ago

No. 1 Pick: Dallas Wings reunite Azzi Fudd with Paige Bueckers in the WNBA Draft

With the power to pick first in the WNBA draft for the second straight year, the Dallas Wings didn’t overcomplicate things at the top.

They went with Azzi Fudd.

While many analysts predicted Fudd to be picked as the No.3 and No.4 by the respective teams holding those picks, the Wings have decided to reunite their franchise star, Paige Bueckers, with her girlfriend and college teammate. And why wouldn’t they? This addition will instantly give this team one of the most dangerous young duos in the league.

In the 2025-26 NCAA season, Fudd knocked down 117 threes while averaging 17.3 points per game, and while she couldn’t carry the UConn Huskies to the championship title, her efficiency and shot-making still left the scouts in awe.

And for Dallas, that’s the point. After having one of the worst seasons in the franchise’s history in 2025, they didn’t need a project, something they had to work on; they needed a weapon. So with Fudd and Bueckers back on the same side and the rest of the pieces already in place, all that’s left is to go and win a championship.

No. 2 Pick: Minnesota Lynx bets on Olivia Miles

This pick feels pretty straightforward.

The Lynx lost some of their key players in free agency. So they had to use the WNBA draft to find a young point guard who could grow in Minnesota and become the face of their franchise.

Olivia Miles gives them that.

The 5-foot-10 TCU star has been one of the most natural passers in college basketball and went on to average a career-best 19.6 points this season as a Horned Frog.

But what makes this pick exciting is the fact that last time the Lynx built around a true PG in Lindsay Whalen, they won four WNBA titles in seven seasons. So the idea of that thing happening again is definitely something the Lynx and their fans won’t mind dreaming about again.

No. 3 Pick: Seattle Storm goes with Awa Fam

There was a lot of buzz around Awa Fam Thiam coming into the WNBA draft, and Seattle ended up benefiting from it.

While she is not the most polished player in this class yet, her size, length, and mobility are hard to ignore. At just 19, this 6-foot-4 international player is averaging 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds for Valencia in Spain. So the potential of seeing her turning into something really valuable in the right system is exactly what makes this such an intriguing long-term play for Seattle.

As the seventh international player drafted in the top three, Fam is more of a long game for the Storm, and with Dominique Malonga and Ezi Magbegor already in the frontcourt, she could take all the time she needs to become the next big thing.

No. 4 Pick: Washington Mystics adds a big to their roster

If helping her team win the 2025-26 NCAA championship wasn’t enough, Lauren Betts improved her draft stock with her stats.

She shot at least 60% from the field in the NCAA tournament games, which helped her finish with a 68.8 field goal percentage. And being the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, Betts averaged 21 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.8 blocks per game.

So, as the Mystics continue to build their franchise around young players, Betts is a great piece to add to their roster.

No. 5 Pick: Chicago Sky goes with Gabriela Jaquez

To be honest with you, this pick was one of the most surprising decisions in this WNBA draft.

Throughout most of the mock drafts, Gabriela Jaquez was sitting around the No. 11/12 pick, but this is one of those picks that makes more sense the more you think about it.

In her final season with the UCLA Bruins, Jaquez played a huge role in helping her team win the national championship. She averaged 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. However, what made her an attractive player for the Sky would probably be her performance in the championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Against one of the strongest teams in college basketball, Jaquez went on to light up the scoreboard with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. So if she can bring that same energy to the WNBA, she might just be a steal for the Sky.

No. 6 Pick: Toronto Tempo made history with Kiki Rice

With all the buzz around the Toronto Tempo, they used their first-ever pick in a draft to get a missing piece.

This franchise needed a strong point guard, and Rice gives them exactly that.

Now, sure, this move also took three straight UCLA players off the board, so you could say Toronto just followed the trend for a second there. But this wasn’t just about that. Rice averaged 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 49% from the field, 38.5% from beyond the arc, and 90.2% at the foul line this season.

She’s steady and just about does everything well on the floor. So for an expansion team, that kind of performance and reliability definitely made her a go-to pick.

No. 7 pick: Portland Fire goes international to start their journey with Iyana Martín

As another expansion team in this WNBA season, this was also the Fire’s first WNBA draft pick, and they chose to cross the borders to find the one for them.

While Martín might not be the most familiar name to casual fans, the 20-year-old was a part of the Spanish team that advanced to the EuroBasket championship game last summer and brings a lot of playing experience at the professional level. As per ESPN, she is currently averaging 14.8 points and 4.2 assists for Perfumerias Avenida in Spain’s LF Endesa.

So while this might not be the flashiest pick on the board, it gives the Fire a solid foundation to build their future on.

No. 8 pick: Golden State Valkyries send Flau’jae Johnson to Seattle

Johnson brings a bit of everything, whether it’s defense, pace, or shot-making.

Even though she has had her fair share of ups and downs this season, she has a lot of potential that the Valkyries can work on to make her the face of their franchise. However, it seems like they chose a different path.

She was traded to the Seattle Storm shortly after being drafted in exchange for 16th overall pick Marta Suarez and a 2028 2nd rounder.

In her last season with the LSU Tigers, she averaged 14.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game and also shot a career-best 39.3% from behind the arc (48 of 122). So, for a team that is looking to build around Awa Fam, she will be the perfect fit for their next era.

No. 9 pick: Washington Mystics will build with Angela Dugalić

Dugalić is another UCLA player who caught everyone’s attention this season as she averaged 9.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.

With the Mystics drafting her, she will play for them with her college teammate, Lauren Betts. But the only reason to pick her isn’t about getting a duo, it is the size and defensive presence she will bring to their roster as they eye a championship in the 2026 WNBA season.

No. 10 pick: Indiana Fever goes with Raven Johnson

With Caitlin Clark, Aliyah Boston, and now even Kelsey Mitchell on their roster, the Fever doesn’t have any holes on their roster. So they chose value.

Raven Johnson is widely known for her defense-first approach, and that alone gives her an important role. But what made her an attractive pick was her offensive prowess in this season, where she hit career highs (9.9 points and 5.1 assists per game) and became a more complete guard.

With her on their roster, the Fever get another ball handler who can handle pressure, so it’s safe to say the Fever will be one of the most exciting teams to watch in the upcoming season.

As the WNBA draft moved past the top 10, teams shifted their focus a bit, where they went from immediate impact players to depth, development, and a few intriguing long-term pieces.

And just like that, the first chapter of the 2026 WNBA Draft is in the books.

From teams doubling down on young cores to expansion franchises laying their foundation, this class already feels like one that could shape the league for years to come.