This year’s WNBA draft made history for representation, compensation, and expansion. Take a look at a few record-breakers and trailblazers from one of the biggest nights in women’s hoops.
Azzi Fudd
Dallas Wings
The People’s Princess made strides for the UConn Huskies, and now, she’s made history in the WNBA before she even sets foot on the court. As the first overall pick in this year’s WNBA draft, Fudd will be joining the Dallas Wings with the highest salary of any rookie in the league’s history, bringing home $500K in her first year of professional basketball, thanks to the new and improved CBA negotiated by the WNBPA.
Awa Fam Thiam
Seattle Storm
19-year-old Awa Fam Thiam was selected third overall by the Seattle Storm, becoming the highest-drafted Spanish player in WNBA draft history. Despite being one of the youngest players drafted, she has represented the strength of Spain’s women’s basketball early in her professional career. Fam Thiam will bring her grit and valuable pro experience from Valencia Basket Club and the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket to the Emerald City.
Charlisse Leger-Walker
Connecticut Sun
Charlisse Leger-Walker became the first player from New Zealand to be drafted in the WNBA. With the 18th overall pick, Leger-Walker will be joining the Connecticut Sun. She remains the youngest player to ever play for New Zealand’s women’s national basketball team, joining at just 16 years old. Leger-Walker will look to make an immediate impact for the Sun with her elite passing and basketball IQ.
Gabriela Jaquez
Chicago Sky
Gabriela Jaquez will be bringing her talents as a Bruins guard to the Chicago Sky, and she will be the first Mexican-American first-round pick to do so. Selected at No. 5, she joins the five other UCLA seniors to be drafted this year. Jaquez’s stellar performance in the final game of her collegiate career played a major role in leading the Bruins to this year’s NCAA Championship, recording 21 points and 10 rebounds.
Flau'jae Johnson
Seattle Storm
Some people are living proof that you can do it all, and Flau’jae Johnson is one of them. As the eighth overall draft pick, Johnson is now the first (and only) dual-career musician/basketball player to be drafted to the WNBA. Having signed a distribution deal with Roc Nation in January 2024, there’s no telling where the LSU star will go in music, basketball, and beyond.
Iyana Martín Carrión
Portland Fire
The Portland Fire is one of two expansion franchises added to the WNBA this upcoming season (though the team was previously active from 2000 to 2002 before the franchise folded). Iyana Martín Carrión is the first player to be drafted to the new iteration of the Portland Fire. As the seventh overall pick, Martín is yet another player representing Spain. Named EuroLeague Young Player of the Year (2025), she finished in the top three in scoring for Perfumerías Avenida and will look to bring her scoring prowess to the Fire.
Kiki Rice
Toronto Tempo
For the first time in history, the league has gone international. With the sixth overall pick, the Toronto Tempo selected Kiki Rice as the squad’s first draftee in franchise history. Rice’s game peaked during her senior year as she contributed to the Bruins’ NCAA Championship win. She will now bring her scoring efficiency to the league’s first Canadian team.
The Entire 2026 Draft Class
This year’s 2026 WNBA Draft Class will be the richest rookies in league history. Since 2022, women’s sports revenue has increased by more than 340%. As a result of the WNBA’s updated CBA deal, the league is now matching this peak in revenue to the players’ paychecks. Existing and incoming players are seeing higher numbers than ever, directly reflecting the work they have put in to take the league to new heights.
