The 2026 WNBA Draft is almost here and the league is heading into it with more momentum than usual.
Two expansion franchises, the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo, just made their first moves at the Expansion Draft on April 3. Now the focus shifts to Monday night, when the next wave of talent gets its moment.
The draft is set for April 13 at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. ESPN has exclusive coverage from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET with pre-show coverage kicking off earlier on ESPN2 with the WNBA Orange Carpet special at 5:30 p.m. and WNBA Countdown Presented by Google at 6:30 p.m.
Three rounds, 15 picks each. That is the format. And the prospect list attending in person is headlined by some of the most talked-about names in women's college basketball.
Flau'jae Johnson leads that group. The LSU guard has been one of the most electric players in the college game and arrives as one of the marquee names of draft night. She's joined by UCLA center Lauren Betts, Connecticut guard Azzi Fudd and TCU guard Olivia Miles among the confirmed attendees, per Beat reporter Scott Agness.
Full list of invited prospects:
- Flau'jae Johnson (LSU / USA) — Guard
- Nell Angloma (France) — Forward
- Lauren Betts (UCLA / USA) — Center
- Angela Dugalić (UCLA / USA) — Forward
- Awa Fam Thiam (Valencia Basket / Spain) — Center
- Azzi Fudd (Connecticut / USA) — Guard
- Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA / USA) — Guard
- Raven Johnson (South Carolina / USA) — Guard
- Gianna Kneepkens (UCLA / USA) — Guard
- Ta'Niya Latson (South Carolina / USA) — Guard
- Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss / USA) — Forward
- Olivia Miles (TCU / USA) — Guard
- Madina Okot (South Carolina / Kenya) — Center
- Kiki Rice (UCLA / USA) — Guard
- Marta Suárez (TCU / Spain) — Forward
Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
As for the draft order at the top the Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 overall pick after winning the November lottery. The Minnesota Lynx pick second and the Seattle Storm third. The Washington Mystics are fourth and the Chicago Sky round out the top five. Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire follow at sixth and seventh respectively.
Before the picks are made the Empire State Building will be lit up in WNBA colors earlier in the day. It sets the tone for what should be a strong night for the league.
