As the WNBA draft approaches on Monday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN, talent evaluators are buzzing about a shifting landscape among top prospects. In the latest mock draft from ESPN, TCU point guard Olivia Miles has surged to the projected No. 1 overall pick for the Dallas Wings, displacing UConn's Azzi Fudd from the top spot. This change comes on the heels of Miles' standout performance in the NCAA tournament, where she averaged 19 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 9.0 assists, helping the Horned Frogs reach the Elite Eight before a loss to South Carolina.
Miles, a 5-foot-10 senior, transferred from Notre Dame to TCU for her final college season, aiming to refine her skills for the professional level. She posted career-best averages of 19.6 points this year, leading TCU to a 32-6 record and the Big 12 regular-season title. Notably, Miles recorded six triple-doubles, including one in the first round of the NCAA tournament, and drained 73 three-pointers across her time at both schools. ESPN analysts suggest her excellent court vision and offensive versatility could pair well with Dallas' existing guards, like last season's WNBA Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers and potentially Arike Ogunbowale, if she remains with the Wings.
The draft's timing coincides with WNBA free agency, which is already underway and could reshape team needs before selections are made. According to ESPN, signings in the coming days might alter these projections, as franchises address gaps or reveal new priorities. For now, the mock draft highlights a deep pool of talent, including four players from UCLA's NCAA championship squad, underscoring the Bruins' dominant run to the national title.
At No. 2, the Minnesota Lynx are projected to select Awa Fam, a 19-year-old, 6-foot-4 center playing for Valencia in Spain. Fam is averaging 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds overseas, and her youth brings immense potential. ESPN notes that Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve will weigh how quickly Fam can adapt to the WNBA, especially in comparison to UCLA's Lauren Betts, who had a stellar senior season and could also be in contention for this post-player spot.
Fudd, the 5-foot-11 shooting guard from UConn, slips to No. 3 with the Seattle Storm. Previously slotted at the top in two earlier mocks, Fudd earned Most Outstanding Player honors at the 2025 Final Four but had a mixed NCAA tournament this year. After a high of 34 points and eight threes in the second round, she managed just 31 points on 12-of-39 shooting in her final three games, including a 3-of-15 outing for eight points in the semifinal loss to South Carolina. Analysts see Seattle, under new coach Sonia Raman, as a fitting destination for a retooling with younger talent.
The Washington Mystics hold the fourth pick and are expected to take Betts, the 6-foot-7 UCLA center who boosted her stock en route to the Bruins' championship. Betts shot at least 60% from the field in all six tournament games, averaging 68.8%, with 21 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.8 blocks per game. Named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, she represents one of six UCLA seniors projected for the first round. Despite the Mystics' existing size, ESPN reports it's unlikely they'd pass if she's available.
At No. 5, the Chicago Sky could land LSU's Flau'jae Johnson, a 5-foot-10 shooting guard with dynamic ability despite an uneven season. Johnson averaged 19.0 points and shot 52.4% in LSU's three NCAA tournament games. For the year, she hit a career-best 39.3% from three (48 of 122) and matched her high with 89 assists. Her energy and defensive prowess stand out, and following LSU's Sweet 16 win, Johnson shared a heartfelt reflection on her Baton Rouge journey, expressing gratitude "for those who shaped her journey," according to ESPN coverage.
The expansion Toronto Tempo, who won a coin toss to pick first in the draft while deferring to Portland in the expansion draft, are projected at No. 6 with Nell Angloma, a 5-foot-11 small forward from France. Not yet 20, Angloma averages 15.5 points and 5.6 rebounds for Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration in France's top league. She offers versatility at small forward or shooting guard positions in the WNBA.
Portland's Fire follows at No. 7, potentially selecting Iyana Martin, a 5-foot-8 point guard who turned 20 in January. Martin, averaging 14.8 points and 4.2 assists for Perfumerias Avenida in Spain's LF Endesa, brings pro experience from her role on Spain's EuroBasket runner-up team last summer. In 2023, she was MVP of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup, highlighting her precocious talent.
UCLA's influence continues at No. 8, where the Golden State Valkyries might draft Gianna Kneepkens, another 5-foot-11 shooting guard and the second Bruin off the board. Known for her long-range shooting, Kneepkens transferred from Utah to UCLA for her senior year after a redshirt due to injury. Though her scoring dipped amid stronger teammates, she shot 42.9% from three (87 of 203), finishing her college career at 43.1% (335 of 777). Her marksmanship could thrive in Golden State's system.
The Mystics pick again at No. 9, targeting Cotie McMahon, a 6-foot small forward from Ole Miss. After transferring from Ohio State, McMahon averaged a career-high 19.5 points and made 36 threes, though at 28.6% efficiency. Her physical style should translate, but she'll need to evolve into more of a perimeter threat in the pros, per ESPN analysis.
At No. 10, the Indiana Fever are linked to Raven Johnson, South Carolina's 5-foot-9 point guard and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Johnson's leadership shone in the Gamecocks' run to the national championship game, where she helped end UConn's unbeaten streak. Strong and versatile defensively, she poked away a steal for her 1,000th career point in a key layup, as captured in tournament highlights. Her maturity and resilience have elevated her draft stock significantly this season.
Washington's third selection at No. 11 could be UCLA's Gabriela Jaquez, a 6-foot shooting guard whose championship game stats—21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists—exemplified her consistent energy over four Bruin seasons. Her senior averages of 13.5 points, with 53.9% field goal, 39% from three, and 86% free-throw shooting, were all career highs. Post-title, Jaquez discussed her emotions, saying the win marked UCLA's first NCAA women's basketball national championship, according to ESPN.
The Connecticut Sun at No. 12 might choose Kiki Rice, the 5-foot-11 UCLA point guard who peaked in the tournament. Averaging 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, with career-high shooting splits of 49% from the field, 38.5% from three, and 90.2% from the line, Rice showed poise in clutch moments. Her four free throws in the final 13 seconds clinched a semifinal victory over Texas, sealing UCLA's path to the title.
Further down, the Atlanta Dream at No. 13 could take Ta'Niya Latson, a 5-foot-8 shooting guard who transferred from Florida State to South Carolina. Latson averaged 14.1 points and 3.6 assists, delivering 16 points and 11 rebounds in the semifinal against UConn. Her defensive fit in Atlanta's system makes her a potential riser, though she could go higher.
The Storm pick again at No. 14 with Marta Suarez, TCU's 6-foot-3 small forward from Spain. After stints at Tennessee and Cal, Suarez averaged 17.1 points and 7.4 rebounds at TCU, sinking a team-high 84 threes. Her 33-point, 10-rebound explosion in a Sweet 16 win over Virginia stands out as a draft highlight.
Closing the first round, the Sun at No. 15 project Madina Okot, South Carolina's 6-foot-6 center. Okot, who has played just two U.S. college seasons after Kenyan college ball, averaged 12.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.4 blocks for the runners-up. Her eligibility for an extra year remains pending with the NCAA; if denied, she'll enter the WNBA needing rapid adjustment, but her talent suggests she can handle it.
This mock draft reflects the blend of domestic college stars and international prospects ready to elevate the WNBA. With UCLA contributing multiple first-rounders and transfers like Miles and Latson proving their worth, the league's future looks bright. As free agency unfolds, teams like Dallas and Seattle may pivot, but the emphasis on postseason performances—strong for many like Betts and Miles—has solidified these rankings. The draft promises to inject fresh talent, potentially reshaping rosters and rivalries for years to come.