The Seattle Storm made their move in the 2026 WNBA Draft, selecting Awa Fam, the 6-foot-4 center from Spain, with the third overall pick. This move positions Fam as a significant acquisition for the Storm, aiming to bolster their roster after a season that saw them eliminated in the first round.
The Dallas Wings held the top pick for the second consecutive year, ultimately selecting Azzi Fudd. The Minnesota Lynx followed, taking Olivia Miles with the second selection. Fam, however, was a consistent presence in mock drafts, often projected as a top contender for the initial selections.
Fam arrives with a notable international pedigree, having contributed to Spain's silver medal win at a recent competition, where she earned All-Second Team honors. Her game has been described as a blend of physicality and skill, with her defense noted as a primary strength. Reports indicate she can handle the physical demands of the WNBA and possesses solid one-on-one defensive capabilities. Furthermore, her decision-making in ball-screen actions has reportedly improved, becoming a strong suit.
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Her offensive output has also seen growth, with a career-high scoring average of 19.5 points per game at Ole Miss, where she also took on significant ball-handling responsibilities, honing her playmaking abilities. While her three-point shooting sits around 30.8%, her overall shooting efficiency from the field is reported to be around 52.9%. She also averages 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 1.2 steals per game, with a PER of 7.0 over 12 games.
Draft Landscape and Other Selections
The draft order itself presented some shifts from earlier projections. While Azzi Fudd was frequently discussed as the top pick, and indeed was selected first by Dallas, the Lynx's choice of Olivia Miles at No. 2 followed previous expectations. The addition of two expansion teams, the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, added to the draft's complexity, bringing the total number of teams with first-round picks to 15.
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Other notable selections and projections include:
Kiki Rice: Frequently projected as a top-10 pick, her skillset includes passing, shooting, and scoring, coupled with effective defense despite her size.
Lauren Betts: A dominant center known for her strength and size in the paint, with significant assist numbers, suggesting her offensive impact extends beyond scoring.
Ta'Niya Latson: Her transfer to South Carolina appeared to yield positive results, impacting her senior season performance.
Background
The 2026 WNBA Draft took place with considerable anticipation, following a regular season that saw varied team performances. The Dallas Wings, with the first pick for the second year running, finished with a 10-34 record in the previous season. The Minnesota Lynx, meanwhile, had a strong showing at 34-10, reaching the semifinals. The Seattle Storm, picking third, finished 23-21 and exited in the first round. The draft order was influenced by team standings and trades made prior to the event. The inclusion of expansion teams Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, who held their expansion drafts on April 3, 2026, marked a significant expansion of the league.
