WNBA Draft Mocks: Who is the top pick?

• WNBA

WNBA Draft Mocks: Who is the top pick?

Who does each mock draft have going No. 1 overall in the 2026 WNBA draft?

by Chelsea LeiteNov 28, 2025, 6:03 PM UTC

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Getty ImagesChelsea Leite has been writing about professional basketball since 2021, and covers both the Toronto Raptors and Toronto Tempo as a credentialed reporter for SB Nation.

There has been a little bit of a shift in the conversation surrounding the WNBA’s No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft in previous weeks. That goes to show it’s still fluid, and with months to go until the WNBA draft, there is still a ton of time for things to keep changing. Still, the time right after the draft lottery is a fun time to try and assess what teams may be looking for in these picks.

This year is unique, of course, given the fact that there is an ongoing Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiation happening. That has caused a huge influx of WNBA free agents, as many players decided to have their own contracts expire with the CBA. Due to that, there is no way to get a clear picture of what teams will look like come the draft. That means for now, so much of the draft and mocks are speculative.

Still, it’s an interesting time to look at mock drafts, so let’s do a round-up and see which player these mock drafts have going No. 1:

• ESPN: Azzi Fudd (UConn)
• Tankathon: Lauren Betts (UCLA)
• CBS Sports: Awa Fam (Valencia)
• Bleacher Report: Awa Fam (Valencia)
• USA Today: Azzi Fudd (UConn)

Azzi Fudd, Guard — UConn

UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - NOVEMBER 21: Azzi Fudd #35 of the Connecticut Huskies is defended by TeYala Delfosse #33 of the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of an Invesco QQQ Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase game at Mohegan Sun on November 21, 2025 in Uncasville, Connecticut. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images) Getty Images

When Azzi Fudd was deciding whether to declare for last year’s WNBA Draft or stay in college at UConn for one last season, her coach, Geno Auriemma, had some words of wisdom for her. According to Auriemma in an interview he did recently, Fudd had only had about five games — in the four years she had been at UConn — where she played to the best of her ability. Due to her several injuries and their recovery periods, Fudd had not yet had the time to show WNBA front offices what she was truly capable of, and Auriemma thought Fudd still had a lot to show. That was a big reason she went back to college this season.

It’s already paying off, as Azzi has averaged 21 points per game for UConn in the six games they’ve played so far this season. That’s six entire points higher than her previous highest average, when she was putting up 15.1 points per game in her sophomore season, only playing 15 games that year. She’s also shooting an impressive 54.8% from three-point distance, showing off the high-level shooting ability that made her the No. 1 recruit of her high school class. Fudd is also showing off her impressive skills as a two-way player, averaging 2.2 steals per game so far this year.

If Fudd had declared last season, she would have fallen late in the first round of the draft. Now, she’s in the running to be drafted No. 1 overall this season. The key to her continued dominance is staying healthy.

Awa Fam, Center — Valencia, Spain

VALENCIA, SPAIN - 2025/10/16: Awa Fam of Valencia basket seen in action during the EuroLeague Women J2 between Valencia Basket and Fenerbahce Opet at Roig Arena Stadium. 4th time: Valencia Basket 65 : 65 Fenerbahce OpetExtension time: Valencia Basket 72 : 75 Fenerbahce Opet. (Photo by German Vidal Ponce/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

For the second year in a row, an international prospect is in the running to be a top draft pick in the WNBA. Dominique Malonga impressed WNBA teams last year coming out of France, and ended up going No. 2 overall to Seattle. Now, Awa Fam out of Spain is likely to be a top-3 pick in this year’s draft.

At just 19 years old, Fam is able to declare for the WNBA draft as a younger player due to the league’s current rules around international draft prospects. Since she has been playing in Spain’s professional league for Valencia, she is able to declare to come play in the WNBA at 19 years old, and does not have to go through the NCAA. She plans to come play for whichever team drafts her for the 2026 WNBA season.

The biggest advantage Fam has is in her professional experience, as she is now in her fourth year playing for a great Valencia team and among fellow professional basketball players. She often plays with or against WNBA players in their offseason, and those reps are something her college peers just don’t have. She is moldable, athletic, and shows glimpses of becoming an elite, versatile post player.

Lauren Betts, Center — UCLA

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Lauren Betts was leading mocks around the league up until a few weeks ago. With scouts starting to truly break down Fam’s game, plus the terrific start Fudd has had to the season, Betts has slipped a little bit. Her UCLA team is ranked No. 3 for now, but a loss to No. 4 Texas on Wednesday will cause that ranking to drop come Monday. Betts only scored 8 points in that loss, but still scored 50% from the field. That does not seem to be much on her, and more so on her team not getting her enough touches. With Fam’s potential and Fudd’s finally playing her best basketball, Betts may not be the consensus No. 1 prospect.

Betts has some incredible pros to her overall draft profile, the first being her height. At 6-foot-7, Betts will automatically become one of the WNBA’s tallest centers, creating defensive matchup challenges for opponents. Her footwork and efficiency under the basket give her opponents a tough challenge when trying to stop her, and her rim protection is superb. Betts also has a unique eye for passing for her position, able to assist her teammates when she can’t get her own shot up.

She isn’t completely immune to defenses hitting her with intense double teams by quick defenders who can sneak up on Betts while she is trying to get into rhythm. She is also a more traditional big in a game that is evolving in a more non-traditional direction for its post-players. While whichever team that ends up getting Betts will love her skill and ability, this may end up meaning she drops out of the top-2 draft spots.

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