2026 WNBA Draft Grades: A Closer Look at Three Rebuilding Teams

 

With a star-studded class entering the league, the 2026 WNBA Draft did not disappoint and three teams under rebuild did exceptionally well when on the clock making selections.

Washington Mystics: A

4th Overall Pick: Lauren Betts, UCLA

Coming into this draft with three First-Round picks (4th, 9th, and 11th), the Washington Mystics were looking to maximize the assets they had to build around their young core: Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Georgia Amoore. With players like Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles, and Awa Fam Thiam getting selected with the first three picks, the Mystics' first selection of the night was a no-brainer: Lauren Betts. The newly crowned National Champion out of UCLA was one of the top prospects entering the draft and was even in talks of being the First-Overall Pick at times. Standing at 6'7", Betts brings the height and size that the Mystics desperately need to play alongside Kiki Iriafen. In fact, Betts and Iriafen played together at Stanford in what would be Betts' freshman and Iriafen's sophomore season. Not only will the two make an elite front-court combo, but their past chemistry will inevitably continue in Washington. 

9th Overall Pick: Angela Dugalic, UCLA

Following the selection of Betts, the Mystics went on to draft her UCLA teammate, Angela Dugalic, with the 9th pick. Continuing with the theme of college teammates and the chemistry found there, Betts and Dugalic were two that played some of the most significant roles in UCLA's National Championship run. With Betts often leading the team in scoring, rebounding, and blocks, she drew a lot of attention to herself with opponents turning all their focus to her. This opened up numerous scoring opportunities for players like Dugalic to flourish as she developed into a consistent scorer, averaging 9.0 points accompanied by 5.6 rebounds per game in her senior season. As she anticipates making an impact on the Mystics this season, Dugalic will likely play a major role in leading the bench, perhaps becoming one of their go-to's to shake things up within the offense.

11th Overall Pick: Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss

One of the biggest sleepers in this draft that has potential to shock the world this season is Cotie McMahon, the 11th Overall Pick by the Mystics. Once again showing that they're not messing around, the Mystics continued to make perfect selections that actually make sense. Transferring to Ole Miss from Ohio State, McMahon was one of the most underrated players in her senior season. Averaging 19.5 points and 5.1 rebounds on 46.5% shooting, McMahon was a force for the Rebels all season long. Despite making an early exit in the Second Round of March Madness, McMahon gave Ole Miss her everything in her final season, dropping multiple 30-point games. Like Dugalic, McMahon is a perfect fit for the Mystics in that she will become a sparkplug off the bench and potentially able to fill spots in the starting lineup as necessary due to her great efforts and athleticism. Remember the name, Cotie McMahon, this season, don't sleep on her.

Notable Second and Third Round Picks

Taking the 2026 WNBA Draft by storm, the Washington Mystics didn't stop in the First Round, they kept up the momentum making smart picks in the Second and Third Round as well. Bringing in more former teammates, the Mystics also added Cassandre Prosper from Notre Dame with the 19th Overall Pick. Prosper had played along star guard, Sonia Citron and it will be interesting to see how the roster shakes out as Washington also added Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (Baylor) and Rori Harmon (Texas). Taking each pick into account, the Mystics did an exceptional job in this draft, easily receiving an A.

Dallas Wings: A-

1st Overall Pick: Azzi Fudd, UConn

Coming into the 2026 WNBA Draft with just two picks, the Dallas Wings had a lot of pressure riding on who they would bring to the team. Luckily, one of the two picks was the First Overall Pick, with which the Wings selected Azzi Fudd from UConn. Leading up to the draft the discussion surrounding the First Overall Pick was controversial as some believed that Olivia Miles deserved to go first as they thought Dallas only chose Fudd to reunite her with her former UConn teammate and Wings' star guard, Paige Bueckers. With all thoughts and opinions set aside, one thing stood true and that was Fudd's stats throughout her college career. No matter what fans or the media say, Fudd is coming off the best season of her career despite losing in the Final Four to South Carolina. In her senior season at UConn, Fudd averaged 17.3 points 2.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.5 steals per game on almost 50-40-90 shooting percentages. While the chemistry found in their years together at UConn is undeniable, the Wings have good reason to have drafted Fudd to play as a true point-guard around Bueckers and the other talent brought in during the offseason.

31st Overall Pick: Zee Spearman, Tennessee

With their second and final pick, the Dallas Wings selected Tennessee's Zee Spearman with the first pick in the Third Round. Averaging 8.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in her career played at both Miami and Tennessee, Spearman has the defensive mindset that the Dallas Wings need. Standing at 6'4", Spearman also provides more height for the Wings, a need that was put on full display in past seasons. That said, Dallas has just brought in the 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Alanna Smith and other developed forwards who have already made their mark in the WNBA. Will Spearman give the Dallas Wings everything she has and be able to earn a spot on the final roster? All things considered, the Wings earn an A- for this year's draft as they made the perfect pick in Azzi Fudd, while also taking a chance on Zee Spearman.

Chicago Sky: B

5th Overall Pick: Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA

Absolutely shocking the world of women's basketball, the Chicago Sky drafted UCLA's Gabriela Jaquez with the Fifth Overall Pick. Although she was coming off one of the best games of her college career as she helped lead UCLA to their first National Championship in program history, Jaquez's early selection came as a surprise to many. That said, those who know Jaquez and her game know that she was absolutely worthy of being selected so high. In her four years at UCLA, Jaquez improved to averaging 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in her senior season. With efficient shooting and a strong ability to take the ball to the basket, Jaquez will be the perfect two-way guard for the Sky. With the recent trade for Rickea Jackson and addition of Skylar Diggins, Jaquez will fit in perfectly with the Sky as they had needed a guard with not only high basketball IQ, but also an elite ability to rebound with the recent loss of Angel Reese.

Intriguing Second and Third Round Picks

In the Second and Third Round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Chicago Sky made some interesting selections that may or may not pay off. Having selected Latasha Lattimore with the sixth pick in the Second Round, there comes some uncertainty with this selection. Such uncertainty is solely from the fact that Lattimore played for a total of four different schools in her five years of college basketball (Texas, Miami, Virginia, and Ole Miss), perhaps displaying a lack of commitment. Only time will tell how this will work out for both Lattimore and the Chicago Sky. With the second pick in the Third Round, the Sky used their final pick to select Tonie Morgan (Kentucky). After previously selecting guard Gabriela Jaquez to play alongside veteran guards Skylar Diggins, DiJonai Carrington, and Rachel Banham, it will be interesting to see if the Sky have any major plans for Morgan. The 5'9" guard had a respectable senior season with the Kentucky Wildcats 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game. Will Morgan's offensive strength carry through to the pros, and could Lattimore find her home in Chicago? Despite the uncertainty with Lattimore's and Morgan's professional careers, the Sky's early selection of Gabriela Jaquez is enough to earn them a B.