UCLA made history with six players selected in this WNBA draft, and several teams used that crop to accelerate rebuilds. Washington earned the highest grade after grabbing two Bruins in the lottery, joining a group of young pieces that project to contribute quickly. Below are grades, selections and short evaluations of each team’s haul.
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)
Take: Despite front-office turnover, Washington drafted the most players and landed three who should contribute soon. Betts brings face-up scoring and rim protection at center, Dugalic adds a versatile shooting big, and McMahon offers perimeter toughness and scoring from the wing. The collection gives the new staff multiple paths to develop an intriguing young core.
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)
Take: Fam Thiam is a high-upside frontcourt prospect the Storm were right to target. Mair brings defensive instincts and playmaking at point guard, Flau’jae supplies perimeter scoring and toughness after a trade, and VanSlooten is a dependable late pick to add size and polish in the post.
Minnesota Lynx: A
Picks — No. 2 Olivia Miles (TCU, PG, 5-10); No. 45 Lani White (Utah, SG, 5-11)
Take: Miles is the top point guard in this class — advanced vision, scoring and rebounding translate immediately, though defense is the area for growth. White is a 3-point specialist who can stretch defenses; she may face a roster squeeze but fills a clear role.
Dallas Wings: A
Picks — No. 1 Azzi Fudd (UConn, SG, 5-11); No. 31 Zee Spearman (Tennessee, PF, 6-4)
Take: Fudd slides into a dynamic backcourt with Arike Ogunbowale and Paige Bueckers, boosting perimeter shooting and spacing. Spearman provides frontcourt length, defensive upside and shot-blocking potential.
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)
Take: Johnson projects as an energetic, defensively-driven lead guard with improving offense. Pissott and Timmons add size and shooting to the wing rotation, giving Indiana options for depth and matchup versatility.
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)
Take: Angloma is a promising European wing with length. Kneepkens and Leger-Walker bring championship experience and complementary shooting/playmaking from UCLA, while Bigby bolsters depth as a 3-point threat acquired via trade.
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)
Take: Okot projects as a frontcourt piece capable of double-doubles and rim presence despite limited U.S. college seasoning. Nivar and Ran supply defensive energy and athleticism; Nivar’s shooting is a question but her competitiveness fits Atlanta’s identity.
Los Angeles Sparks: B-
Picks — No. 20 Ta’Niya Latson (South Florida/South Carolina, SG, 5-8); No. 24 Chance Gray (Ohio State, SG, 5-9); No. 35 Amelia Hassett (Kentucky, PF, 6-4)
Take: Without a first-round pick, the Sparks added scoring guards and a stretch forward. Latson has become more complete after transferring, Gray brings perimeter scoring, and Hassett gives size and floor spacing.
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)
Take: Jaquez delivers energy and fan appeal at pick five. Lattimore offers frontcourt versatility after multiple stops, and Morgan is a proven playmaker who could provide bench assists and tempo control.
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)
Take: Rice rose with a complete senior year — scoring, rebounding and playmaking with elite free-throw touch. Key brings size and upside in the paint; Shiels and Dunn are familiar to coach Sandy Brondello and offer international wing scoring and shooting.
Las Vegas Aces: C
Picks — No. 29 Janiah Barker (Tennessee, PF, 6-4); No. 44 Jordan Obi (Kentucky, SG, 6-1)
Take: Late picks yielded college veterans with frontcourt size and scoring. With limited draft capital, Las Vegas added depth pieces but not immediate game-changers.
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)
Take: The expansion club blended European upside with a UConn center. Martin is not expected to arrive until 2027, while Buhner and Williams supply international experience, size and developmental upside.
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)
Take: Suarez is a big wing who can rebound and stretch the floor; Jackson is a disruptive defender and timely scorer; Tanaka brings national-team experience. Draft-night trades created some uncertainty about roster direction.
Phoenix Mercury: D
Picks — No. 27 Ines Pitarch-Granel (France, SF, 6-0); No. 42 Eszter Ratkai (Hungary, SG, 5-9)
Take: With minimal draft capital, Phoenix selected two young Europeans whose pro upside is still unclear given modest club production. Both are long-term projects rather than immediate contributors.
New York Liberty: No grade
Picks — No. 41 Manuela Puoch (Australia, SF, 6-1)
Take: The Liberty made only a late third-round selection and otherwise appear satisfied with their current roster. Puoch is a developmental pick with low near-term impact.
Overview: The draft favored teams in rebuild mode that accumulated multiple picks. UCLA’s unprecedented six draftees had a major impact on several teams’ boards. Washington’s multi-player haul, plus Seattle, Minnesota and Dallas landing top-tier or high-upside talent, earned the highest marks for immediate fit and long-term upside.
