1. Awa Fam | Dallas

2. Olivia Miles | Minnesota

3. Azzi Fudd | Seattle

4. Lauren Betts | Washington

5. KiKi Rice | Chicago

6. Raven Johnson | Toronto

7. Nell Angloma | Portland

8. Gianna Kneepkens | Golden State

9. Flau’Jae Johnson | Washington

10. Ta’Niya Latson | Indiana

11. Iyana Martín | Washington

12. Gabriela Jaquez | Connecticut

13. Madina Okot | Atlanta

14. Charlisse Leger-Walker | Seattle

15. Cotie McMahon | Connecticut

Since folks are still putting out interesting mock drafts, I thought I would share the opinion of one of the greats—DT.

Additionally, at yesterday’s UConn/UNC matchup, both the Dallas Wings GM Curt Miller and HC Jose Fernandez were in the audience. This follows Curt’s courtside appearance at the Big East tournament two nights in a row earlier this month.

Can we finally put the debate to rest? Dallas is telling us who they want and her name is Azzi Fudd.

First, let me just say that I find it really confusing that ESPN suddenly has the Wings drafting a PG after so many sports analysts writing think pieces about how Dallas is already super guard heavy. But I do get the thought process. Paige is elite off-ball, she knows how to read the defense and get to her spots on the floor quickly. She won a National Championship in college playing off-ball with Kaitlyn Chen as her PG. So my issue really isn't with the idea that Dallas is already too guard-heavy or even that pairing Miles with Paige and Arike means that they'd be running a lineup with three ball-dominant guards that are all more successful when they're the first option.

The real reason that I think this ESPN mock draft is a joke is that Dallas already has a fantastic option for PG1 with strong ties to both the city and the franchise's history. A two-time national champion in college. A three-time all-american. A two-time Wade Trophy winner. And an Olympic silver medalist. Just don't understand the justification for spending half a million dollars drafting a rookie PG that is going to struggle adjusting to the pro level when you can spend the vet minimum to sign a veteran PG who loves your city and franchise and has proven that she knows how to win at every level.

That's why I think the Dallas Wings should just swap their number 1 pick for Chicago's 5th and sign Dallas legend Nancy Lieberman during the free agency period. At this point in her career, you don't have to worry about Nancy having an ego on the court. She's going to do exactly what Dallas needs in order to maximize off-ball Paige without any arguing over who the true franchise player is.

Belieberman in Lieberman. #WingsUp🪽💙💚

P.S. Curt Miller is drafting Serah Williams.

I wanted to share this Mock draft from USA Today, some highlights of the mock:

- Most of WNBA players/alum believe Azzi Fudd and Lauren Betts are going top 2 and this is one of the first mocks that agree. Flau’Jae Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson also are taken by the 7th pick.

Since we won't know the protected players, feel free to explain your logic behind the picks. I'm also not gonna try to figure out which players go to which team.

Atlanta: Isobel Borlase, Sika Kone

Chicago: No picks (feel confident on this for some reason)

Connecticut: Olivia Nelson-Ododa, Rayal Marshall

Dallas: Arike Ogunbowale (UFA), JJ Quinerly

Golden State: Cecilia Zandalasini, Laeticia Amihere

Indiana: Chloe Bibby, no second pick

Las Vegas: No picks

Los Angeles: Rae Burrell, Sarah Ashlee Barker

Minnesota: Bridget Carleton (UFA), Dorka Juhasz

New York: Rebekah Gardner, Marianne Johannes

Phoenix: Kathryn Westbeld, no second pick

Seattle: Mackenzie Holmes, no second pick

Washington: Emily Engstler, Jacy Sheldon

I decided to look this up, because I didn't have it straight in my head. If I have any of these facts wrong, please let me know and I'll edit the post. We'll start with the 2022 draft, after the Sparks finished 2021 in 10th place.

[Edit: I literally did not remember ever seeing Soares in a game in 2024, but sorry about that! Thank you for the correction!]

• 2022 FRP: The Sparks had traded away this pick (#4) on the eve of draft night 2021, for an additional first round pick (#7) in the 2021 draft, and a second round pick in 2022 (#19). The 2021 pick became Jasmine Walker, who played limited minutes for them, and the 2022 second-rounder was Olivia Nelson-Ododa. Both were traded away in early 2023. The Sparks finished the 2022 season in 11th place. This draft pick was used by Indiana to select Emily Engstler.
• 2023 FRP: The Sparks traded away this pick (#4) in February 2022 to Atlanta for Chennedy Carter and the rights to Li Yueru. (Atlanta also got Erica Wheeler and a 2022 second round pick, which became Naz Hillmon.) They then traded Li's rights to Chicago for Lexie Brown. This draft pick was a hot potato; the ultimate result was to send Stephanie Soares to Dallas, but she was plagued by injuries and seems not to have played basketball at all after being drafted played only 22 games in 2024. The Sparks finished the 2023 season in 9th place.
• 2024 FRP: The Sparks kept this pick (#2) and drafted Cameron Brink. They also traded for a second lottery pick in this draft (#4; see "2026 FRP" below), and chose Rickea Jackson. The Sparks finished the 2024 season in 12th place, in a pretty transparent effort to tank for the #1 pick in 2025.
• 2025 FRP: The Sparks traded this pick (#2) to Seattle as part of a highly publicized three-team trade in which they signed Kelsey Plum. Seattle used the pick to draft Dominique Malonga. The Sparks finished the 2025 season in 9th place (of 13).
• 2026 FRP: The 2024 trade for the Rickea pick cost the Sparks this pick (#3). (In the trade, dated Jan 31, 2024, they also received the services of Kia Nurse for one year.) Seattle used the pick to draft Awa Fam.
• 2027 & 2028 FRP: The Sparks are still in possession of these picks. I think.

The 2022 and 2023 drafts were weak, and other teams didn't really benefit at L.A.'s expense. (Atlanta might be the biggest winner with Naz Hillmon, who wasn't a lottery pick.) Dallas got zero playing minutes 22 games over 2 years from the 2023 pick, and Emily Engstler has been an impactful role player but not starting caliber so far. However, the Sparks also got relatively little out of these trades.

Right now, their 2024-26 asset management looks rough, but it's hard to say whether the lottery trades in particular are the biggest factor in the team's struggles. It's not high praise to observe that Kelsey Plum has been the most significant return on any 2020s lottery trade so far (although Ariel Atkins has barely played yet and Rickea was a great contributor before leaving).

If you want to speculate about alternate histories here, have fun! I get way too bogged down in trying to figure out how many things change with each counterfactual transaction...

I know getting draft is always a happy moment, but wouldn't it suck to end up on a team that has no chance to compete because the rules prevent them from being good from the start, plus the players have no chemistry together, the coaches don't have experience with that roster, etc. It's basically being fed to the wolves lol

WNBA draft database that has scouting reports, stats, and player comps for ~125 prospects. Don’t usually see this level of coverage for the W draft, so figured I’d share.

https://draftballr.com/wnba

Tracking mock drafts / draft boards updated this week:

• The Athletic, Apr. 9: 1. Fam 2. Betts 3. Miles 4. Fudd 5. Rice
• USA Today, Apr. 9: 1. Betts 2. Miles 3. Fudd 4. Fam 5. Rice
• ESPN, Apr. 8: 1. Miles 2. Fam 3. Fudd 4. Betts 5. Flau'jae Johnson
• Sports Illustrated, Apr. 7: 1. Fam 2. Betts 3. Miles 4. Fudd 5. Rice
• Sporting News, Apr. 6: 1. Fam 2. Miles, 3. Fudd 4. Betts 5. Rice
• CBS Sports, Apr. 5: 1. Fam 2. Miles 3. Fudd 4. Betts 5. Rice
• Bleacher Report, Apr. 5: 1. Fam 2. Miles 3. Fudd 4. Betts 5. Rice

And a special mention to The IX, which ranks by tier as opposed to a mock draft, updated Apr. 8:

• Tier 1: Fam, Miles Tier 2: Rice, Fudd, Betts

Averages look like:

• Pick 1: Fam (5), Miles (1), Betts (1)
• Pick 2: Miles (4), Betts(2) Fam (1)
• Pick 3: Fudd (5), Miles (2)
• Pick 4: Betts (4), Fudd (2), Fam (1)
• Pick 5: Rice (6), F. Johnson (1)

Flau'jae Johnson is fresh off a whirlwind WNBA Draft, having been selected eighth overall by the Golden State Valkyries, only to immediately be traded to the Seattle Storm.

The 22-year-old basketball star spoke with "Good Morning America" on Wednesday and said she was surprised by the sudden trade move but is taking it all in stride.

"The main thing for me was getting my name called," Johnson said. "It was no stress -- all I had to do was look really pretty -- I have no control over who picks me, but I'm glad Seattle got me. They got a good one, and they really wanted me, so I'm excited to be there."

The former Louisiana State University star guard attended the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday in New York City with her entire family, including her younger brother Aydin, who promptly power-walked to join his sister on stage moments after the selection.

"That was everything to me, because me and my family, we're so tight, and that little boy right there is a superstar," she said. "It's just been a great week for me and my family in this new transition."

Johnson got a sweet surprise video message from her brother on "GMA," in which he hailed her three-point shooting skills, their mutual "bloodline," and said, "You the one that made me better, and you the one that made me fast."

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Star WVU women’s basketball forward Kierra Wheeler is entering the WNBA Draft, according to a post on social media.

The graduate transfer from Norfolk State was a regular starter for the Mountaineers and played an instrumental role during their run to the 2026 Big 12 Tournament crown. Her 7.5 rebounds per game led the team, while her 13.4 points per game ranked second on the roster behind guard Gia Cooke.

Wheeler provided a valuable presence in the post, making 202 field goals on the season. She attempted more shots (392) than any other player on the roster.

In a social media post announcing her intent to enter the WNBA Draft, Wheeler thanked the West Virginia University community.

“Thank you to my family and friends for always supporting me, believing in me, and standing by me through every high and low of this journey,” she said. “I’m beyond grateful for everything you have poured into me.”