CBA done or not, the WNBA is going full steam ahead with its WNBA Draft Lottery. Draft Lottery is basically a toss-up with the help of ping pong balls, on which team gets to pick the best talents of the next generation first. The draft lottery is extremely important and can alter franchise histories.

For example, if the Indiana Fever didn’t receive the back-to-back No. 1 picks in 2023 and 2024, they would still be in the trenches. For the Las Vegas Aces, their trophy collection is owed to the 2018 No.1 pick A’ja Wilson. However, it’s not always the non-playoff teams that get the top picks, as trades can send them practically anywhere. Let’s look at the details regarding the upcoming WNBA 2026 Draft Lottery. 

Where and When To Watch the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery?

Date: Sunday, November 23 

Time: 6:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN 

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Stream: ESPN App

Which Teams Are in the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery?

Five teams are in the mix for this year’s WNBA draft lottery: the Dallas Wings, Minnesota Lynx, Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, and Chicago Sky.

Lottery odds are based on a club’s combined record over the last two regular seasons, and only the teams that missed the playoffs are part of the pool. Because of trades, the group looks a little different this year. Minnesota enters with Chicago’s first-rounder thanks to a previous pick swap, and Seattle also landed its lottery spot through a deal.

The lottery itself uses 14 numbered balls. They’re tossed into the machine, mixed, and four are pulled to form a unique combination. Whichever team is linked to that combination walks away with the No. 1 pick. The process is then run again to determine who gets the second pick.

After that, the math is simple: the three remaining teams are slotted by record. The team with the worst two-year mark gets the third pick, the next-worst picks fourth, and the last team rounds out the order at No. 5.

Who Are the Top Prospects for the 2026 WNBA Draft?

The following are the current (November 9 GMT) projected top 5 2026 picks according to Tankathon:

1)Lauren Betts — C, UCLA

2024–25 stats: 20.2 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, 2.9 BLK, 64.9% FG 

Betts is a traditional center without a proper three-ball. However, her size (6’7) in the paint and post presence is expected to transfer to the big leagues. She is elite around the rim, thanks to her efficiency and decision-making. However, it will be interesting to see how she develops in her senior year before becoming a top pick in 2026. 

2) Azzi Fudd — SG, UConn

2024–25 stats: 13.6 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.8 APG, 47.4% FG

Azzi Fudd is probably the most talented pick in this list, but with little proven product. She has only had one fully fit season so far. Fudd came into her own during the Final Four and the title game last year, but WNBA teams will be monitoring her consistency this season. They will also look at whether she can handle the pressure of leading a team like UConn to a double. 

3)Olivia Miles — PG, TCU

2024–25 stats: 15.4 PPG, 5.8 APG, 5.6 RPG, 48.3% FG

Olivia Miles is ready to move up this list. She starts at number three but has the potential of becoming No.1. Miles was considered the best pick apart from Paige Bueckers last year. She took the call of staying back another year and let herself grow. Another year of experience only adds to her value, but now a transfer to TCU means that she is starting fresh. 

4) Awa Fam C | Valencia

2024–25 stats: 11.0 pts, 11.7 reb, 1.8 ast, 0.6 blk

Awa Fam, at 15, the youngest player ever, debuted for Valencia Basket in December 2021, in the center. She was on loan to Lointek Gernika for the 2024-25 season before coming back to Valencia to sign a new contract that lasts until 2029.

5) Flau’jae Johnson — SG/W, LSU

2024–25 stats: 18.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, 46.8% FG

Flau Jae Johnson’s mother stopped her from going pro last season because she believed her daughter needed to grow for another one. “I want you to get your weight up, I want you to get stronger,” Kia J Brooks said. Her athleticism and speed are already very valued, but if she acquires more strength, she can easily climb up this list. 

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