The 2026 WNBA Draft officially ushered in a transformative era for the league. On April 13 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York, the momentous occasion served as a historic cornerstone for the league’s milestone 30th season celebration. The event underscored the WNBA’s explosive growth, featuring one of the deepest talent pools in the history of the league and the presence of new expansion franchises, the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, alongside the sophomore Golden State Valkyries.
With a new, hard-fought Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on the books, the 2026 class of rookies will make roughly six times more than rookies earned in 2025. Undoubtedly, this is the greatest time in the storied history of the “W.”
Along with the players’ bespoke outfits, draft night also represents one of the most heralded rookie classes in recent years.
There are too many talented athletes to name, but here is EBONY’s starting five, and our sixth player of the draft.
Azzi Fudd, No. 1 Pick, Dallas Wings, (G, UConn)
Reunited and it feels so good! As the number one pick of the 2026 WNBA Draft, Fudd will join her former teammate Paige Buechers for the Dallas Wings. Despite early seasons hampered by injuries, she led the UConn Huskies to their 12th National Championship in 2025, where she was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player after an incredible 24-point performance in the title game. Last season, Fudd earned First Team All-American honors while leading the nation in three-pointers made (117). As one of the most efficient scorers in history, she will have an immediate impact on the Wings in the 2026 season.
Olivia Miles, No. 2, Pick, Minnesota Lynx, (G, TCU)
Olivia Miles comes to the Minnesota Lynx after one of the most distinguished college careers of all-time. She finished as a 2,000-point scorer and one of only four players in NCAA history to record at least 2,000 points, 800 rebounds, and 800 assists. If that’s not enough, she racked up 12 career triple-doubles — the third-most in NCAA history.
She earned 2026 Big 12 Player of the Year honors after averaging a career-high 19.6 points per game and leading the Horned Frogs to a Big 12 title and an elite NCAA Tournament run. A generational playmaker, Miles and WNBA star Naphessa Collier will be a dynamic duo for years to come.
Kiki Rice, No. 6 Pick, Toronto Tempo, (G, UCLA)
The wins keep coming for Kiki Rice. She was a major contributor to the UCLA Bruins 2026 NCAA National Championship team victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks. Also, she was named third-team All-American (AP/USBWA) and the 2026 Big Ten Tournament MVP. Known for her high basketball IQ,
Rice became one of only five players to record 100+ assists in four consecutive seasons. Rice culminated an epic year by being selected by the expansion Toronto Tempo with the sixth pick.
Awa Fam Thiam, No. 3 Pick, Seattle Storm, (Center/Forward, Valencia Basketball Club)
Awa Fam Thiam comes to the Seattle Storm as one of the most intriguing young players in this draft class. At just 19-years-old, the Spanish center already brings pro experience, international success, and the kind of size and versatility that fits today’s game.
Thiam has starred for Valencia Basket and Spain’s national teams, building a reputation as a skilled, mobile front court talent with a high ceiling. At 6-foot-4, she offers length, touch and defensive upside — the makings of a player Seattle can help develop for years to come.
Flau’jae Johnson, No. 8 Pick, Golden State Valkyries – traded to Seattle Storm, (G, LSU)
Flau’jae Johnson proved she can do it all after her stellar four-year tenure at LSU. A part of the 2023 NCAA National Championship as a freshman, Johnson earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors in the process. Johnson was also named to two AP Third-Team All-American selections (2025, 2026) and three All-SEC nods.
In total, she helped LSU to reach four Sweet 16 appearances and two Elite Eight appearances. But off the court, she’s just as talented. Signing with JAY-Z’s Roc Nation at just 18 years old, she had released three studio albums, including Flau & B (2025) and Best of Both Worlds (2024), featuring “Came Out A Beast” with Lil Wayne.
She was selected with the eighth pick by the Golden State Valkyries, but in the first plot twist of the evening, the Seattle Storm acquired the draft rights for Johnson in exchange for the draft rights to Marta Suarez (TCU) and a 2028 second-round pick.
Raven Johnson, No.10, Pick, Indiana Fever, (G, South Carolina)
As our sixth player of the draft, Raven Johnson is a defensive powerhouse and an elite two-way player. Johnson, from the South Carolina Gamecocks, embodies the spirit of a winner. As a two-time NCAA National Champion (2022, 2024) — under Coach Dawn Staley — Johnson amassed over 600 career assists, ranking her third-most all-time for the Gamecocks.
Last season, she crossed the 1,000-point threshold, earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and was named to the AP All-American Third Team. Picked with the 10th selection by the Indiana Fever, Johnson will make a formidable tandem with Catiln Clark.
These rookies and many others make their highly anticipated debut as the 2026 WNBA season kicks off on May 8th.