2026 WNBA Mock Draft: Top Picks, Draft Order & Projections

With the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship tipping off today — April 5 — between UCLA and South Carolina, the conversation around the 2026 WNBA Draft has never been more electric. Just eight days away from the April 13 draft, fans, analysts, and front offices are watching every minute of this championship game with a dual purpose: celebrating college basketball excellence and projecting which stars will land where in one of the most anticipated drafts in recent WNBA history.

The timing couldn't be more perfect for mock draft season. The full draft order is now set, the Final Four has delivered its stars, and CBS Sports just dropped its Mock Draft 3.0 on April 5, projecting a stunning eight players from South Carolina and UCLA alone in the first round. Here's everything you need to know about the 2026 WNBA Mock Draft right now.

The 2026 WNBA Draft Order: How It Was Finalized

One of the more unique storylines heading into this draft was the coin flip that settled the pick order between the league's two newest expansion franchises. The Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo — both new to the WNBA landscape — faced off in a coin flip to determine their placement in the middle of the first round. The result: Toronto picks No. 6 overall and Portland picks No. 7 overall.

Beyond those two slots, expansion draft trades have also shaped the later portions of the first round. Portland holds the No. 17 pick, the Chicago Sky have No. 21, and Toronto has No. 26 — all positions connected to trade activity surrounding the expansion process. These picks add intrigue to a draft class that could see talent spread deep into the first and second rounds.

The Dallas Wings hold the coveted No. 1 overall pick, a position that has triggered enormous debate about what the franchise will do with it heading into a pivotal offseason.

No. 1 Pick Debate: Sonia Fam vs. The Paige Bueckers Factor

The biggest storyline in this year's mock draft is what Dallas does at the top. Most projections — including CBS Sports' latest — have the Wings selecting Sonia Fam with the No. 1 overall pick. Fam's stock surged after an impressive showing at the FIBA Women's World Cup Qualifying Tournament in Puerto Rico last month, where she played well against Team USA and demonstrated the elite-level skill set that translates immediately to the professional game.

What makes Fam particularly compelling for Dallas? Analysts have pointed to her potential as a pick-and-roll partner for Paige Bueckers, the Wings' franchise cornerstone. Fam's versatility, size, and ability to operate in two-man game actions could make her the ideal complementary piece to Bueckers' playmaking. That narrative — two elite talents building a dynasty together in Dallas — has captured the imagination of WNBA fans nationwide.

Still, the debate is real. The No. 1 pick in any draft carries enormous weight, and with South Carolina and UCLA players flooding the top ten, the Wings' front office has options. Every mock draft analyst is watching to see if Dallas stays put or surprises the league.

Olivia Miles and Lauren Betts: The Headliners of the Draft Class

If Fam goes No. 1, the next two picks figure to be a showcase of two completely different but equally dominant skill sets.

Olivia Miles (TCU) is widely projected at No. 2 overall to the Minnesota Lynx. According to USA TODAY's mock draft projection for Miles, she averages 19.6 points and 6.4 assists per game and is described as having arguably the best court vision in the country. Miles is the type of point guard who makes everyone around her better — she reads defenses in real time, finds the open player before the defense even realizes the breakdown, and can score in bunches when needed. For a Lynx team looking to build around dynamic guard play, Miles could be a franchise-altering selection.

Lauren Betts (UCLA) rounds out the top tier and is projected No. 4 overall to the Washington Mystics. As USA TODAY detailed in their Lauren Betts draft profile, the UCLA star averaged 16.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in her senior season — numbers that reflect a dominant two-way presence in the post who can also stretch the floor. Betts helped UCLA reach the championship game, defeating Texas in the Final Four, which only enhanced her draft stock on the national stage.

Eight First-Round Picks From Two Teams: The South Carolina and UCLA Effect

Perhaps the most striking headline from CBS Sports' Mock Draft 3.0 is the sheer dominance of the two teams playing for the national championship today. Eight players from South Carolina and UCLA combined are projected to hear their names called in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft.

That kind of pipeline from two programs is extraordinarily rare and speaks to the depth of talent developed by these programs. South Carolina — who stunned UConn to end the Huskies' perfect season in the Final Four — sends multiple prospects with professional-ready skill sets. UCLA, meanwhile, rode Lauren Betts and a supporting cast of first-round caliber talent all the way to the championship game.

For WNBA teams, this championship game is essentially a live audition. Every screen set, every defensive rotation, every late-game decision made by these players is being evaluated by front offices tuning in from across the league. The stakes couldn't be higher — not just for a national title, but for individual draft positioning just eight days out.

Full First-Round Mock Draft Snapshot

• No. 1 — Dallas Wings: Sonia Fam — A pick-and-roll weapon and immediate contributor alongside Paige Bueckers.
• No. 2 — Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles (TCU) — Elite court vision, 19.6 ppg, 6.4 apg, arguably the best playmaker in the class.
• No. 4 — Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts (UCLA) — Dominant senior season, 16.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg, proven at the highest level of college basketball.
• No. 6 — Toronto Tempo: Expansion franchise building its roster following the coin flip result; multiple South Carolina and UCLA players in play.
• No. 7 — Portland Fire: Same situation — building from the ground up with first-round options shaped by expansion draft trades.

With eight players from just two programs expected in round one, the remaining first-round slots are filled out by a deep class that has scouts talking about this as one of the stronger drafts in years.

What to Watch On and After Championship Sunday

Today's UCLA vs. South Carolina title game does more than crown a national champion — it sets the final narrative going into draft week. Here's what to track:

• Lauren Betts' performance: A big game on the championship stage against South Carolina could push her from No. 4 into the top-3 conversation.
• South Carolina's collective showcase: With multiple Gamecocks projected in round one, every player's individual performance will be analyzed for draft implications.
• Dallas Wings' radio silence or signals: Front offices rarely tip their hand, but watch for any insider reporting in the coming days about Dallas' true intentions at No. 1.
• Toronto and Portland selections: As expansion franchises, their picks at No. 6 and No. 7 represent foundational roster decisions — expect significant attention on who they select.

Mock drafts will continue to evolve through April 12, the night before the draft. Expect at least one or two more major publications to drop updated projections following tonight's championship game.

Frequently Asked Questions: 2026 WNBA Mock Draft

When is the 2026 WNBA Draft?

The 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 13, 2026 — just eight days after the NCAA Women's Basketball Championship game on April 5.

Who has the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft?

The Dallas Wings hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Most current mock drafts project them to select Sonia Fam, though debate continues given the depth of talent at the top of the class.

How did the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo get their picks?

As expansion franchises, both the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo received picks through a combination of the expansion draft process and a coin flip that determined their respective slots. Toronto ended up with the No. 6 pick and Portland with No. 7. Additional picks at Nos. 17, 21, and 26 were distributed via trade activity connected to the expansion draft.

How many players from South Carolina and UCLA are projected in the first round?

According to CBS Sports' Mock Draft 3.0 released on April 5, eight players combined from South Carolina and UCLA are projected to be selected in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Where is Olivia Miles projected to be drafted?

Olivia Miles of TCU is projected No. 2 overall to the Minnesota Lynx. She averaged 19.6 points and 6.4 assists per game and is widely regarded as the best pure playmaker in the 2026 draft class.

Conclusion: A Draft Week Unlike Any Other

The convergence of Championship Sunday and WNBA Draft week has created a perfect storm of women's basketball excitement. With UCLA and South Carolina battling for the national title today, and the April 13 draft just around the corner, this is one of the most compelling stretches on the women's basketball calendar in recent memory.

Sonia Fam's rise to the No. 1 slot, Olivia Miles' playmaking brilliance, Lauren Betts' dominant senior campaign, and the staggering depth of first-round talent from the two championship programs make the 2026 WNBA Draft a must-watch event. Whether you're a fan of the Dallas Wings agonizing over that top pick, a Minnesota supporter excited about Miles, or simply a follower of women's basketball, April 13 can't come soon enough.

Bookmark the CBS Sports Mock Draft hub for the latest updates as we get through championship weekend and into draft week. The board is set — now it's time to see who goes where.