The 2026 WNBA Draft delivered a defining night for not just the league, but an unforgettable night for DMV basketball fans.
From the Washington Mystics intensifying their rebuild with a new wave of key draft selections to hometown star Azzi Fudd rising to the No. 1 overall pick and former Sidwell Friends standout Kiki Rice set to begin her professional career with the WNBA’s expansion Toronto Tempo, the evening was packed with momentum, pride, and historic milestones.
Beyond the local storylines, the draft itself marked a turning point for the WNBA, which is entering its 30th season.
“[It’s a] big responsibility to be the only women’s professional sports league to get to year 30, but [we’re] so excited…[The 2026 WNBA Draft Class] is going to bring their confidence, there going to bring their brands already, and I mean personalities the size of the [WNBA orange draft carpet] so they’re really gonna bring it,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “I’m really excited, this is gonna be a great draft class.”
Not only did the draft usher in a new era of growth with inarguable classes for expansion franchises like the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, but the newly implemented 2026 WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement has dramatically reshaped player compensation.
The No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd is projected to earn around $500,000 in her rookie season, a staggering leap from previous years and a clear signal of the WNBA’s rising investment in its future talent.
These moments set the stage for not just a talented draft class, but one that is transformational.
“Obviously, the offseason was longer than usual as far as how everybody felt. But we felt it flew by and now just the fact that the [2026 WNBA Draft Class] will be in training camp on Sunday and then the first three season games on Saturday, [April 25], and then literally the season tipping off on May 8, so [we’re] feeling so great,” said Engelbert.
Mystics Bolster Rebuild With Six Draft Selections
The Washington Mystics took a transformative step in the 2025 WNBA Draft, headlined by four key selections, including rising stars Kiki Iriafen and Soni Citron, firmly signaling the beginning of a new era for the franchise. That momentum carried into this year, as the Mystics followed up with six impactful picks, further strengthening a foundation built on emerging talent.
Here are highlights from the Mystics’ 2026 draft selections.
- Round 1, Pick 4: Lauren Betts, UCLA
Fresh off a dominant collegiate run, Lauren Betts enters the WNBA as one of the most decorated players in the 2026 class. The 6-foot-7 center averaged 17.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting an efficient 58.2% from the field, leading the UCLA Bruins to a national championship.
She earned Most Outstanding Player honors and she made history during the NCAA tournament, becoming the first player ever to surpass 125 points, 50 rebounds, and 15 blocks while shooting at 65% from the field.
The two-time Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year and winner of the Lisa Leslie Award takes the next step in her career as the Mystics’ first draft selection in the first round, where she will reunite with a familiar face: Michaela Onyenwere, a former UCLA assistant coach who helped guide her during that championship season.
“I feel like I just play with joy,” said Betts. “This season has been so special. I’ve enjoyed every second, I’m playing with my best friends and my sister. I’ve had the most season and I feel like you can just see all the positivity that I play with… It’s been amazing. I’ve grown so much since in my confidence. I feel like I’ve just finally owned who I am as a person, as a player, and I’m just ready to see what the future holds. I’m really excited.”
- Round 1, Pick 9: Angela Dugalić, UCLA
Angela Dugalić brings versatility and experience after a strong 2025-26 season with the UCLA Bruins. The 6-foot-4 forward averaged nine points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while shooting over 50% from the field. As a key contributor off the bench, she earned Big 10 Sixth Player of the Year honors and played an important role in UCLA’s back-to-back Final Four runs and the 2026 National Championship.
Over her collegiate career, Dugalić appeared in 117 games at UCLA after being at Oregon, while also gaining valuable international experience representing Serbia in the Olympic and the FIBA Eurobasket. She now reunites with her UCLA Bruins teammate, Betts, in Washington and is set to bring tremendous skill to the young Mystics core.
“I’m super grateful for just the opportunity to play overseas with my national team,” said Dugalić. “I think it’s just been a blessing to prepare me for the league as well…it probably will be a smooth transition just playing with [Betts] and even getting some practice and reps from [former UCLA Assistant Coach Michaela Onyenwere] as well.”
- Round 1, Pick 11: Coti McMahon, Ole Miss
Coti McMahon arrives in Washington as one of the most proven scorers in the 2026 WNBA Draft class after a standout 2025-26 season with the Ole Miss Rebels, where she started in all 36 games, averaging 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, and three assists.
Her 703 total points ranked fourth in Ole Miss program history, earning her All-SEC First Team honors, SEC Newcomer of the Year, and a spot on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Tournament Team.
Prior to Ole Miss, McMahon was a rising star as an Ohio State Buckeye, starting 97 games and averaging 15.3 points and 5.5 rebounds. She was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2023, earned back-to-back All-Big Ten First Team honors, and honed AP All-American Honorable Mention Recognition while finishing as a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award. McMahon is set to be a true force within the continued growth of the Mystics’ young core.
“I think this is just great that we can all build this [Washington Mystics] franchise together, and honestly, it’s only up from here,” said McMahon. “We still have some great vets who have been there like Shakira and we still have people to learn from, so I think this will be good.”
- Round 2, Pick 19: Cassandre Prosper, Notre Dame
Cassandre Prosper delivered a breakout senior season with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, starting in all 36 games and averaging 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists. Her performance earned All-ACC Second Team honors and ACC Most Improved Player Recognition.
Over four seasons, Prosper appeared in 97 games, having 43 starts, averaging 8.7 points and 4.8 rebounds, while representing Canada on the international stage at the Paris Olympics and helping secure a bronze medal at the FIBA AmeriCup. Prosper is set to be a force to be reckoned with on the defensive end within the Mystics’ emerging core.
“[The confidence] has to come from parents, my family, having my older brother [at the draft] means everything to me,” said Prosper. “They’ve always instilled so much confidence in me. And to be here, have my coaches here, I’m just so proud of myself. I think [I’m most proud of] this run. I mean [Notre Dame Irish] had an amazing run in the NCAA tournament and for me I’m just proud of just how much I have persevered and how much I believe in myself, these past four years at Notre Dame and now I just get to move on to the next step.”
- Round 2, Pick 30: Darianna Littlepage-Buggs, Baylor
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs delivered a standout performance in the 2025-26 collegiate basketball season for the Baylor Bears.
She started in all 34 games, averaging 10.6 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting 51.9% from the field.
Throughout her four seasons, the Oklahoma City native appeared in 128 games (113 starts), recording career averages of 11.3 points and 9.1 rebounds. Her resume includes 2023 Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors, All-Big 12 First Team (2025), All-Big 12 Second Team (2026), and 2026 Big 12 All-Defensive Team Recognition. With Littlepage-Buggs’ addition, the Mystics have added another defensive force to their emerging young roster.
- Round 3, Pick 34: Rori Harmon, Texas
Rori Harmon delivered a strong 2025-26 season for the Texas Longhorns. She started in all 39 games while averaging 8.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 2.8 steals per game.
Across five seasons in Austin, the Houston native set program records for having 977 career assists, and 388 stealing, carving her name in the Texas Longhorns’ history books as one of the programs top two-way guards. Harmon’s career includes multiple honors, such as Big 12 Freshman of the Year (2022), Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year (2023), SEC All-Defensive Team (2025), and consecutive Nancy Lieberman Award finalist and Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist nods (2025–26).
“I’m always going to be honest and real… we’re not the [Las Vegas Aces] but we’ve got some good players, some good young players,” said Washington Mystics Head Coach Sydney Johnson. “We’re growing and we’re learning, so the strategy was to identify really good players who kind of fit that mold of good, young, hungry.”
DMV Azzi Fudd Secures No. 1 Overall Draft Pick Headed To Dallas Wings
While the Mystics’ draft pick selections are nothing short, but exciting for DMV sports fans, the WNBA Draft kicked off in thrilling fashion as DMV native Azzi Fudd was selected No. 1 by the Dallas Wings.
This marked a major milestone for the UConn and former St. John’s College High School star, as she is the first-ever native coming from the D.C. area to be the No. 1 overall pick in a draft for a professional sports league.
“I mean, it’s incredible. DMV is who I am, where I’m from, helped develop me, raise me, get me to where I am. Just the competitiveness of the DMV is, I feel, just what started things for me, and to be here with [Kiki Rice] –– another DMV native –– is incredible,” Fudd said. “We used to play each other in state championship games and now we’re in the same draft class. I got to cheer her on while she was getting drafted, so it’s just a full circle moment to be here, especially with her.”
Known for her elite shooting and playmaking ability, Fudd signed a four-year rookie contract worth up $500,000 in her first season. She is also said to reunite in Dallas with her former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers.
Fudd is set to be a force to be reckoned with as she enters the league with DMV pride.
“There’s no words to really describe that feeling. Surreal. I had goosebumps the whole time, but seriously, I’m so grateful,” she said. “It just was a super special moment and to share that with my family, with my friends, with my teammates. This really is a dream come true.”
Former Sidwell Friends Star Kiki Rice Heads to Toronto Tempo
UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice was selected sixth overall by the Toronto Tempo in the 2026 WNBA draft. The former Sidwell Friends star became the franchise’s first-ever draft pick.
After helping lead the Bruins to an NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball title, Rice is honing her elite skills, versatile play-making, and defensive momentum all in on the Tempo.
“[I’m] super excited to get to Toronto,” said Rice. “This was a really special moment for me… I can’t wait to meet the organization, meet my teammates, and I want to thank my family. Thank you to everyone else for getting me to this point and I can’t wait.”
