Michael Voepel — Apr 14, 2026
UCLA made history with six players taken in the WNBA draft, and two of them — Lauren Betts (No. 4) and Angela Dugalic (No. 9) — join a Washington Mystics rebuild that earned our top grade. The Mystics also added Cotie McMahon (No. 11) and have recent rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen plus Georgia Amoore, giving them an intriguing young core. Below are grades and short takes on each team’s draft.
Washington Mystics: A+
Picks — No. 4 Lauren Betts (UCLA, C, 6-7); No. 9 Angela Dugalic (UCLA, PF, 6-4); No. 11 Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss, SF, 6-0); No. 19 Cassandre Prosper (Notre Dame, SG, 6-3); No. 30 Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Baylor, PF, 6-1); No. 34 Rori Harmon (Texas, PG, 5-6)
Comment: Despite front-office upheaval, Washington drafted the most players and landed three prospects who should contribute soon. Betts adds face-up scoring and defense at center, Dugalic is a versatile big shooter, and McMahon brings perimeter strength despite being undersized. Lots of options for the new staff to develop.
Seattle Storm: A
Picks — No. 3 Awa Fam Thiam (Spain, C, 6-4); No. 8 Flau’jae Johnson (LSU, SG, 5-10); No. 14 Taina Mair (Duke, PG, 5-9); No. 39 Grace VanSlooten (Michigan State, PF, 6-3)
Comment: Fam Thiam is a high-upside young forward/center the Storm couldn’t pass on. Mair provides defense and playmaking at point, and Flau’jae brings perimeter scoring and defense after a trade. VanSlooten is a reliable late pick in the post.
Minnesota Lynx: A
Picks — No. 2 Olivia Miles (TCU, PG, 5-10); No. 45 Lani White (Utah, SG, 5-11)
Comment: Miles is the draft’s top point guard with pro-level vision, scoring and rebounding; defense is her main area for improvement. White is a specialist 3-point shooter who may face roster pressure but can stretch the floor.
Dallas Wings: A
Picks — No. 1 Azzi Fudd (UConn, SG, 5-11); No. 31 Zee Spearman (Tennessee, PF, 6-4)
Comment: Fudd pairs with Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers to form a dynamic backcourt that should boost 3-point shooting and playoff chances. Spearman adds size and shot-blocking upside.
Indiana Fever: B+
Picks — No. 10 Raven Johnson (South Carolina, PG, 5-9); No. 25 Justine Pissott (Vanderbilt, SG, 6-4); No. 40 Jessica Timmons (Alabama, SG, 5-8)
Comment: Johnson is a defensively strong guard with energy and improved offense; Pissott and Timmons offer long-range shooting at size for the backcourt rotation.
Connecticut Sun: B
Picks — No. 12 Nell Angloma (France, SF, 5-11); No. 15 Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA, SG, 5-11); No. 18 Charlisse Leger-Walker (UCLA, PG, 5-10); No. 37 Taylor Bigby (TCU, SG, 6-1)
Comment: Angloma is a promising European wing. Kneepkens and Leger-Walker bring championship experience and shooting/playmaking from UCLA. Bigby came via trade and strengthens depth as a 3-point threat.
Atlanta Dream: B
Picks — No. 13 Madina Okot (South Carolina, C, 6-6); No. 28 Indya Nivar (North Carolina, SG, 5-10); No. 43 Kejia Ran (China, SG, 5-8)
Comment: Okot projects as a double-double, frontcourt piece with upside despite limited college years in the U.S. Nivar and Ran provide defense and energy; Nivar’s shooting is a concern but her intensity fits Atlanta.
Los Angeles Sparks: B-
Picks — No. 20 Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina, SG, 5-8); No. 24 Chance Gray (Ohio State, SG, 5-9); No. 35 Amelia Hassett (Kentucky, PF, 6-4)
Comment: Without a first-rounder, the Sparks added scoring guards and a stretch forward. Latson is now a more complete player after transferring; Gray and Hassett provide 3-point shooting depth.
Chicago Sky: B-
Picks — No. 5 Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA, SG, 6-0); No. 21 Latasha Lattimore (Ole Miss, PF, 6-4); No. 32 Tonie Morgan (Kentucky, PG, 5-9)
Comment: Jaquez brings energy and fan appeal at No. 5; Lattimore has shown flashes across multiple stops and offers frontcourt versatility. Morgan excelled as a playmaker at Kentucky and could add assists off the bench.
Toronto Tempo: B-
Picks — No. 6 Kiki Rice (UCLA, PG, 5-11); No. 22 Teonni Key (Kentucky, PF, 6-5); No. 26 Saffron Shiels (Australia, SG, 6-2); No. 36 Charlise Dunn (Davidson, SG, 6-1)
Comment: Rice rose with an all-around senior season, offering scoring, rebounding and playmaking with elite free-throw shooting. Key has size and upside; Shiels and Dunn are familiar to coach Sandy Brondello as Australian guards with shooting potential.
Las Vegas Aces: C
Picks — No. 29 Janiah Barker (Tennessee, PF, 6-4); No. 44 Jordan Obi (Kentucky, SG, 6-1)
Comment: With late picks, the Aces selected college veterans with scoring and frontcourt size. Limited draft capital meant modest returns.
Portland Fire: C
Picks — No. 7 Iyana Martin (Spain, PG, 5-9); No. 17 Frieda Buhner (Germany, PF, 6-1); No. 33 Serah Williams (UConn, C, 6-4)
Comment: The expansion franchise pursued a mix of promising Europeans and a UConn center with big-team experience. Martin won’t debut until 2027; Buhner and Williams add international experience and depth.
Golden State Valkyries: C-
Picks — No. 16 Marta Suarez (TCU, SF, 6-3); No. 23 Ashlon Jackson (Duke, SG, 6-0); No. 38 Kokoro Tanaka (Japan, SG, 5-8)
Comment: Suarez is a big wing who can shoot and rebound; Jackson is a disruptive defender and timely scorer; Tanaka has national-team experience. The team’s draft-night trade activity (notably around Flau’jae Johnson) created some uncertainty about direction.
Phoenix Mercury: D
Picks — No. 27 Ines Pitarch-Granel (France, SF, 6-0); No. 42 Eszter Ratkai (Hungary, SG, 5-9)
Comment: With little draft capital, Phoenix went for potential with two young Europeans whose pro upside is unclear based on modest club stats.
New York Liberty: No grade
Picks — No. 41 Manuela Puoch (Australia, SF, 6-1)
Comment: The Liberty made just a late third-round pick and look set with the roster they brought into 2026. Puoch is a developmental sibling of a previous draftee and represents a low-impact selection.
Overall: The draft rewarded teams rebuilding with multiple picks and college champions UCLA supplied a historic six draftees. Washington, Seattle, Minnesota and Dallas earned the top grades for landing immediate-impact prospects or high-upside talent to accelerate their plans.
