2026 WNBA All-Star Draft: Predictions, Sleeper Picks, and Potential Duos

 

With the WNBA releasing that the 2026 WNBA All-Star Draft will take place at 3:30 pm EST tomorrow (July 15) on ESPN, it's time to make some final last minute predictions.

Setting the Stage

Taking place in Chicago, Illinois, the final pieces of the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend are falling into place. Kicking off the weekend on July 24, 2026, the State Farm 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Shooting Stars events will take place in Wintrust Area on Friday night. The participants in both of these events are not announced but are expected to be in the near future. Following the skills-based events on Friday night, the 2026 WNBA All-Star Game will take place on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at 8:30 pm EST in United Center. Although the league has announced the head coaches of the teams to be the Minnesota Lynx's Cheryl Reeve and the Las Vegas Aces' Becky Hammon, one thing is missing and that's the rosters. As previously stated, the 2026 WNBA All-Star Draft will take place tomorrow at 3:30 pm EST. That said, it will not be televised this year as the WNBA honors 30 years of the league's existence in its new format with Teresa Weatherspoon and Cynthia Cooper as the draft general managers for the teams.

Predicating the 2026 WNBA All-Star Draft

First-Overall Pick

With the 2026 WNBA All-Star Starters pool, you truly can't go wrong when making the First-Overall Pick. However, this first pick may be obvious to many WNBA fans as I believe A'ja Wilson will be selected with the first pick. Having yet another MVP-caliber season, the momentum in A'ja Wilson's career seems to be unstoppable. Averaging 25.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, Wilson is yet to have a bad game this season as she has scored in double-figures in each contest she has participated in. Not only does Wilson excel in scoring and attacking the basket, but also in her defense as she is basically able to control the game to her liking. Although defense does not really exist in the All-Star Game as it is all about fun, to not pick A'ja Wilson with one of the first two picks is crazy work.

The only other player I see taking the First-Overall Pick from A'ja Wilson is none other than Paige Bueckers. On one of the hottest runs in the league, Paige Bueckers has been everything the Dallas Wings have needed during their 5-game win streak. A versatile player, Bueckers averages 20.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game for the Wings. However, if you take a deeper look at Bueckers' stats, you will notice that in the past 8 games, Bueckers is averaging 24.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game. Not only is Bueckers increasing her odds and becoming league MVP and finding herself second in the current predictions to A'ja Wilson, but she could very well be on track to being the first pick in the 2026 WNBA All-Star Draft for not just how she plays, but the bubbly person she is.

Potential Biggest Sleepers

There's one player in the W that already doesn't get enough credit and could certainly become and underdog pick in this year's All-Star Draft and that player is Sonia Citron. Putting up multiple 30-point games this season, Citron has gotten comfortable which is a nightmare for opponents. In just her second season in the W, Citron averages 18.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Although her stats may not stand out as much as players like A'ja Wilson or Paige Bueckers, when Sonia Citron gets hot from three or confident in her drives to the rim, it's game over. In a game where defense is almost nonexistent, Citron could truly thrive off of her knockdown perimeter shots and sneaky takes to the hoop. As a 2026 All-Star Reserve, many may overlook Citron's name as just another player on the list though she could be a huge difference maker as one of the league's silent assassins.

One other player that could leave her mark as a 2026 WNBA All-Star Draft sleeper is Courtney Williams. In a slightly different role for the Minnesota Lynx this season as they took Olivia Miles with the second pick the 2026 WNBA Draft, Courtney Williams has been a huge scoring factor coming off of Miles' passes. Also a player that can score on all levels whether it's raining down threes or eating opposing defenses alive with her ability to attack the basket, Courtney Williams' experience in the WNBA has been on full display this season. Having arguably the best season of her career despite the slight playstyle change, Williams' averages 15.5 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds. Although this is a very commendable stat line, there's something else that Williams has that other players don't, the vibes. As we saw in the 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend, both Courtney Williams and her fellow member of the StudBudz, Natisha Hiedeman, had everyone's attention on their stream. From the laughs to the parties to the late-night talks, both Williams and Hiedeman brought All-Star Weekend to a whole new level. As the StudBudz plan to stream again for the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, it will be so fun to see how Williams' Hiedeman's stream unfolds and the behind-the-scenes footage we get. All things considered, you can't go wrong with Courtney Williams for her insane skills, but also charisma.

Dream Duos for the All-Star Game

Keeping in mind that the 2026 WNBA All-Star player pool is full of not just talented players, but hilarious, genuine human beings is something to be excited for. You really can't go wrong with any duos/teams drafted together, but there are a few duos that I would love to see paired together. First and foremost, you can't go wrong with being a teammate of Paige Bueckers and there are a couple players that I would love to see with Bueckers. In terms of basketball and the actual All-Star Game, Paige Bueckers and Dominique Malonga would do wonders. Although we have seen them paired together in Unrivaled this past offseason, a lob pass from Bueckers for a Malonga dunk would be one of the greatest WNBA All-Star moments in history. Another player I would love to see with Bueckers with is A'ja Wilson. Although they could potentially be on different teams as they both may be the first and second picks, a Bueckers x Wilson duo is perfect for a couple reasons. From a basketball standpoint, the dynamic between the shifty outside and midrange shooting of Bueckers paired with the dominant post work of Wilson is picture-perfect. Now, while Bueckers and Wilson would make a great duo on the court, their chemistry and jokes off the court would also be a dream. One can only imagine the things said between Bueckers and Wilson if they were paired together (and I hope it comes true). One final duo that I would love to potentially see in the All-Star Game is Angel Reese and Olivia Miles. Similar to the dynamic Bueckers and Malonga, combo of Reese's dominant post play and Miles' elite passes would be otherworldly. If there is any world that Angel Reese and Olivia Miles team up, we are in for a show as we could not only see their playstyles combine for a pure takeover, but also their competitive fire join forces as they are both menaces on defense.