Best WNBA players to ever be drafted at each lottery spot

Best WNBA players to ever be drafted at each lottery spot

With the WNBA Draft Lottery coming up tomorrow — Sunday, Nov. 23 — teams will be finding out where they will be drafting in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Dallas has the best odds to secure the No. 1 pick for the second year in a row, and if this happens, it would be a repeat of Indiana picking No. 1 back to back in the two years before 2025, when they drafted Aliyah Boston in 2023 and Caitlin Clark in 2024.

While everyone wants their team to get the No. 1 pick, there have been significant players drafted in the top five throughout WNBA history. So, for fans who want to know who the best possible players they might be able to get are — depending on where they land in the lottery — here are the best players ever chosen in the top five spots:

A’ja Wilson — No. 1 pick in 2018

Honorable mentions: Breanna Stewart, Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Lauren Jackson, Sue Bird

Obviously, there have been a ton of incredible players to be picked first overall in the draft. Bird has 4 WNBA championships, and Taurasi got 3 (to go with 6 Olympic Gold Medals). Candace Parker set basically every record in WNBA history, some of which are only being broken by the No. 1 of No. 1’s — A’ja Wilson.

When the Las Vegas Aces selected A’ja Wilson out of South Carolina in 2018, it was their first year in Vegas after moving the franchise from San Antonio. This pick not only signified the start of a new era, it was also the beginning of one of the best runs the WNBA will ever see.

Since being drafted, Wilson has won 3 WNBA championships, 4 WNBA MVP Awards, 2 WNBA Finals MVP Awards, 3 Defensive Player of the Year awards, and been to 7 All-Star games — all as a member of the Las Vegas Aces. She holds the record for most points scored in a season, reaching that in 2024 when she scored 1021 points. She also holds the record for the highest points per game average in a season, averaging 26.87 points per contest in 2024.

At just 29 years old, Wilson is still in the prime of her career and will continue to dominate the league for years to come. Even now, while still playing, she will go down in history as one of the most highly accomplished basketball players in the world and is a guaranteed future Hall of Famer.

Sylvia Fowles — No. 2 pick in 2008

Honorable mentions: Elena Delle Donne, Kelsey Mitchell

The No. 2 spot has produced some incredible players over the years — more recently with someone like Dominique Malonga, or historically like Elena Delle Donne. Sylvia Fowles was drafted No. 2 in 2008, going to the Chicago Sky. Why was she not drafted No. 1? Well, the LA Sparks drafted Candace Parker that year.

Fowles went on to win 2 WNBA Championships, 2 Finals MVP awards, 1 WNBA MVP award, make 8 All-Star Game appearances, and win 4 Defensive Player of the Year Awards before she retired after the 2022 season.

Fowles was one of the most dominant post players we’ve ever seen in the WNBA. At 6-feet 6-inches in height, few players could truly match up with her defensively. She was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2025.

Skylar Diggins — No. 3 pick in 2013

Honorable mention: Courtney Vandersloot

Skylar Diggins was chosen third overall by the Tulsa Shock (now Dallas Wings) in 2013, and continues to be an excellent player to this day. Her speed, strength, agility, efficiency and gorgeous rainbow-arching shot are all components of a game that is hard to replicate.

She is a 7x WNBA All-Star, Olympic Gold medalist, and has 4 All-WNBA First Team nods. She’s played for Tulsa, moved to Dallas with the franchise, Phoenix, and now Seattle. Still on the hunt for her first WNBA championship, the closest she got was in 2021 in Phoenix when she went to the Finals.

Allisha Gray — No. 4 pick in 2017

Honorable mention: Gabby Williams

Another player drafted to the Dallas Wings, Allisha Gray has grown a lot in her time in the WNBA. Now playing for the Atlanta Dream, her stats during the 2025 season were the best of her career. In a career-high 34.5 minutes per game, Gray scored a career-high 18.4 points on 45.1% shooting and 38.4% shooting from three-point range.

Gray is a 3x WNBA All-Star, made her first All-WNBA first team in 2025, and won both the Skills Challenge and the Three-Point contest at the 2024 WNBA All-Star Game.

Arike Ogunbowale — No. 5 pick in 2019

Honorable mentions: Natasha Howard, DeWanna Bonner

Another pick to the Dallas Wings, who chose Arike Ogunbowale No. 5 overall out of Notre Dame in 2019. Known for her ability to shoot in big moments, winning her a National Championship in college, Arike has translated that ability to the WNBA.

She has a career average of 19.9 points per game, shooting 34.6% from three-point range in seven WNBA seasons. Arike has spent her entire career with the Wings so far, making 4 WNBA All-Star appearances and getting an All-WNBA First Team nod.

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Deadspin | Report: Eagles sign first-round WR Makai Lemon  Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Makai Lemon is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number 20 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Wide receiver Makai Lemon reportedly became the initial first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie contract.  NFL Network reported on Thursday that Lemon signed his four-year rookie deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.  Lemon, the 20th overall pick of the draft out of Southern California, will receive just over .81 million in fully guaranteed money that includes an .5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option.  He received the Biletnikoff Award in 2025 as the nation’s top receiver, becoming just the second Trojan to win it after Marqise Lee in 2012.   Lemon finished with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season with Southern California.  Lemon, 21, will be looked upon to contribute right away with star wideout A.J. Brown’s departure seemingly an inevitability. DeVonta Smith likely will assume the top spot among wideouts for the Eagles, who signed both Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Report #Eagles #sign #firstround #Makai #LemonApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Makai Lemon is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number 20 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Wide receiver Makai Lemon reportedly became the initial first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie contract.

NFL Network reported on Thursday that Lemon signed his four-year rookie deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Lemon, the 20th overall pick of the draft out of Southern California, will receive just over $20.81 million in fully guaranteed money that includes an $11.5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option.


He received the Biletnikoff Award in 2025 as the nation’s top receiver, becoming just the second Trojan to win it after Marqise Lee in 2012.

Lemon finished with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season with Southern California.

Lemon, 21, will be looked upon to contribute right away with star wideout A.J. Brown’s departure seemingly an inevitability. DeVonta Smith likely will assume the top spot among wideouts for the Eagles, who signed both Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Eagles #sign #firstround #Makai #Lemon">Deadspin | Report: Eagles sign first-round WR Makai Lemon  Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Makai Lemon is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number 20 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Wide receiver Makai Lemon reportedly became the initial first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie contract.  NFL Network reported on Thursday that Lemon signed his four-year rookie deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.  Lemon, the 20th overall pick of the draft out of Southern California, will receive just over .81 million in fully guaranteed money that includes an .5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option.  He received the Biletnikoff Award in 2025 as the nation’s top receiver, becoming just the second Trojan to win it after Marqise Lee in 2012.   Lemon finished with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season with Southern California.  Lemon, 21, will be looked upon to contribute right away with star wideout A.J. Brown’s departure seemingly an inevitability. DeVonta Smith likely will assume the top spot among wideouts for the Eagles, who signed both Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Report #Eagles #sign #firstround #Makai #Lemon

Deadspin | Tigers rally for rare victory against Braves  Apr 30, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images   Gleyber Torres had three hits and capped a two-run rally with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to help the visiting Detroit Tigers score a 5-2 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.  The victory ended Detroit’s 10-game losing streak against the Braves.  The Tigers began their comeback against reliever Joel Payamps. Kerry Carpenter led off the eighth with a triple and scored on Matt Vierling’s double. After Hao-Yu Lee walked, Aaron Bummer entered from the bullpen with one out and walked Kevin McGonigle to load the bases. Torres followed with a fly to center field that easily scored Vierling.  The winning pitcher was Drew Anderson (1-0), who worked two scoreless innings. Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth to earn his first save, striking out Ronald Acuna Jr. to end the game.  Payamps (0-2) was the losing pitcher.  Detroit added two insurance runs in the ninth when Wenceel Perez walked and aggressively scored from first when left fielder Mike Yastrzemski misplayed Vierling’s single. Vierling, who had three hits, scored on Dillon Dingler’s double.   Detroit starter Framber Valdez worked six innings and allowed two runs on six hits with a season-high eight strikeouts. Valdez retired the final 10 batters he faced.  Atlanta starter Bryce Elder pitched six innings and allowed one run on six hits and three walks, striking out five.  McGonigle drew a walk in the third inning — his first of three — and extended his streak of reaching base to 26 straight starts, the Tigers’ first rookie to do so since Rick Peters in 1980. But McGonigle failed to get a hit, ending his 13-game streak.  The Braves got a run in the second inning on Eli White’s RBI single that scored Mauricio Dubon. Atlanta added another run in the third inning. Ozzie Albies doubled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Dubon’s RBI single to center field.  The Tigers cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the sixth. Riley Greene walked, advanced on Spencer Torkelson’s single and scored on Vierling’s RBI single.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Tigers #rally #rare #victory #BravesApr 30, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Gleyber Torres had three hits and capped a two-run rally with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to help the visiting Detroit Tigers score a 5-2 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.

The victory ended Detroit’s 10-game losing streak against the Braves.

The Tigers began their comeback against reliever Joel Payamps. Kerry Carpenter led off the eighth with a triple and scored on Matt Vierling’s double. After Hao-Yu Lee walked, Aaron Bummer entered from the bullpen with one out and walked Kevin McGonigle to load the bases. Torres followed with a fly to center field that easily scored Vierling.

The winning pitcher was Drew Anderson (1-0), who worked two scoreless innings. Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth to earn his first save, striking out Ronald Acuna Jr. to end the game.

Payamps (0-2) was the losing pitcher.


Detroit added two insurance runs in the ninth when Wenceel Perez walked and aggressively scored from first when left fielder Mike Yastrzemski misplayed Vierling’s single. Vierling, who had three hits, scored on Dillon Dingler’s double.

Detroit starter Framber Valdez worked six innings and allowed two runs on six hits with a season-high eight strikeouts. Valdez retired the final 10 batters he faced.

Atlanta starter Bryce Elder pitched six innings and allowed one run on six hits and three walks, striking out five.

McGonigle drew a walk in the third inning — his first of three — and extended his streak of reaching base to 26 straight starts, the Tigers’ first rookie to do so since Rick Peters in 1980. But McGonigle failed to get a hit, ending his 13-game streak.

The Braves got a run in the second inning on Eli White’s RBI single that scored Mauricio Dubon. Atlanta added another run in the third inning. Ozzie Albies doubled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Dubon’s RBI single to center field.

The Tigers cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the sixth. Riley Greene walked, advanced on Spencer Torkelson’s single and scored on Vierling’s RBI single.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Tigers #rally #rare #victory #Braves">Deadspin | Tigers rally for rare victory against Braves  Apr 30, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images   Gleyber Torres had three hits and capped a two-run rally with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to help the visiting Detroit Tigers score a 5-2 comeback win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday.  The victory ended Detroit’s 10-game losing streak against the Braves.  The Tigers began their comeback against reliever Joel Payamps. Kerry Carpenter led off the eighth with a triple and scored on Matt Vierling’s double. After Hao-Yu Lee walked, Aaron Bummer entered from the bullpen with one out and walked Kevin McGonigle to load the bases. Torres followed with a fly to center field that easily scored Vierling.  The winning pitcher was Drew Anderson (1-0), who worked two scoreless innings. Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth to earn his first save, striking out Ronald Acuna Jr. to end the game.  Payamps (0-2) was the losing pitcher.  Detroit added two insurance runs in the ninth when Wenceel Perez walked and aggressively scored from first when left fielder Mike Yastrzemski misplayed Vierling’s single. Vierling, who had three hits, scored on Dillon Dingler’s double.   Detroit starter Framber Valdez worked six innings and allowed two runs on six hits with a season-high eight strikeouts. Valdez retired the final 10 batters he faced.  Atlanta starter Bryce Elder pitched six innings and allowed one run on six hits and three walks, striking out five.  McGonigle drew a walk in the third inning — his first of three — and extended his streak of reaching base to 26 straight starts, the Tigers’ first rookie to do so since Rick Peters in 1980. But McGonigle failed to get a hit, ending his 13-game streak.  The Braves got a run in the second inning on Eli White’s RBI single that scored Mauricio Dubon. Atlanta added another run in the third inning. Ozzie Albies doubled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on Dubon’s RBI single to center field.  The Tigers cut the lead to 2-1 with a run in the sixth. Riley Greene walked, advanced on Spencer Torkelson’s single and scored on Vierling’s RBI single.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Tigers #rally #rare #victory #Braves

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