We’re virtually a month into the WNBA season, and it’s time to try how the 2026 draft class has fared up to now.
Full disclaimer: it’s early days, and a number of this may change. Nonetheless, right here’s a way-too-early look on the Rookie fo the 12 months race.
1. Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx
Draft Quantity: No. 2
Stats: 15.8 factors (on 49.5% capturing), 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals
Minutes per sport: 30.6
Olivia Miles has been unbelievable within the early days of the WNBA season. She leads all rookies in minutes, factors, made subject objectives (5.4), and made free throws per sport (4.7). The Lynx have outscored opponents by 12.1 factors per sport together with her on the ground, and in flip, they’ve the league’s finest file at 7-2. Miles has seemed far more like a 10-year veteran than a rookie to this point.
2. Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings
Draft Quantity: No. 1
Stats: 12.1 factors (on 57.1% capturing and 43.8% from three), 1.1 assists, 1.1 steals, 1 block
Minutes per sport: 25.5
Azzi Fudd got here off the bench to start the season, however she’s been on an upward trajectory. The Dallas Wings, in the meantime, preserve profitable video games. Fudd has scored at the very least 22 factors in two of the final three video games, and in double figures in 4 of the final six.
3. Kiki Rice, Toronto Tempo
Draft Quantity: No. 6
Stats: 13.1 factors (on 55.2% capturing and 40.9% from three), 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists
Minutes per sport: 27
The previous UCLA standout has been superior for the Tempo in her rookie marketing campaign. She’s the second-leading scorer amongst rookies, the Fifth-leading rebounder, and he or she’s been a crucial a part of the Tempo’s 5-4 begin to the 12 months. Rice has been capturing lights out from three, whereas exhibiting versatility on each ends of the ground.
4. Pauline Astier, New York Liberty
Draft Quantity: Undrafted
Stats: 12 factors (on 61.2% capturing and 47.1% from three), 3.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Minutes per sport: 26.2
Pauline Astier, the 24-year-old undrafted rookie out of France, has been large for the Liberty, notably within the wake of so many early-season accidents. She’s the fifth-leading scorer amongst rookies and has been capturing lights out. Astier has began 8 of 9 video games this season for the Liberty, and stuffed in effectively with Sabirna Ionescu sidelined.
5. Gabriella Jaquez, Chicago Sky
Draft Quantity: No. 5
Stats: 11.5 factors (on 42.9% capturing and 33.3% from three), 5.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals
Minutes per sport: 28.3
Numerous folks questioned if Gabriella Jaquez was drafted too excessive at No. 5, calling into query whether or not UCLA’s current title run had swayed WNBA entrance workplaces an excessive amount of. However Jaquez has been each bit the participant Jeff Pagliocca and the Sky entrance workplace envisioned after they chosen her fifth general. She’s scored within the double-figures in 4 of her final six video games, and has been one of many high rebounders within the class. The one concern is that she’s been sidelined since Might twenty third with a knee damage.
6. Jovana Nogic, Phoenix Mercury
Draft Quantity: Undrafted
Stats: 12.8 factors (on 42.9% capturing and 50.9% from three), 1.5 assists, 1 rebound
Minutes per sport: 21.9
It’s been an fascinating season for Nogic, the 28-year-old rookie out of Serbia. On one hand, she’s been an offensive powerhouse — the third-leading scorer on the Mercury and third-leading scorer amongst rookies. However, she’s seen restricted minutes on a Mercury squad that has been among the many league’s worst (they’re at present considered one of two groups with a 2-8 file). Nogic will most likely should be higher on the defensive finish of the ground, however she’s already proven she will rating with the most effective of them.
7. Flau’jae Johnson, Seattle Storm
Draft Quantity: No. 8
Stats: 11.9 factors (on 31.2% capturing and 25% from three), 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists
Minutes per sport: 26.2
Flau’jae Johnson was drafted eighth general by the Golden State Valkyries and subsequently traded to the Seattle Storm on draft night time in trade for Marta Suarez, who was later waived. Johnson will most likely profit from that commerce; she’s already taking part in the fourth-most amongst rookies, and is averaging the Sixth-most factors per sport. However, Johnson hasn’t been very environment friendly — common for a rookie WNBA guard. The Storm is an effective touchdown spot for her to determine all of it out.
8. Sydney Taylor, Chicago Sky
Draft Quantity: Undrafted
Stats: 9.2 factors (on 32.7% capturing and 21.2% from three), 1.5 assists, 1.2 rebounds
Minutes per sport: 13.9
Sydney Taylor has been one of many greatest surprises within the rookie class. The previous Louisville standout went undrafted, signed with the Sky, and has since grow to be a rotation participant. Final Wednesday, she poured in a career-high 27 factors in a loss to the Toronto Tempo. Like Johnson, Taylor hasn’t been notably environment friendly, however she’s managed to seek out minutes on the roster and confirmed flashes of the scoring prowess that might preserve her on the court docket.
