Dallas Wings Make History with Back-to-Back Draft Lottery Wins
In a remarkable turn of events, the Dallas Wings have secured the first overall pick in the WNBA Draft Lottery 2026, marking their second consecutive year claiming the top spot. The lottery ceremony, held on November 23, 2025, saw the Wings emerge victorious despite having just completed one of their most challenging seasons with a disappointing 10-34 record.
The timing couldn't be more perfect for Dallas, who now have the opportunity to pair fresh talent with their reigning Rookie of the Year Paige Bueckers. This combination could potentially transform the franchise's fortunes and elevate them to new competitive heights in the coming seasons.
Draft Lottery Results and Team Prospects
The complete draft order revealed some interesting developments beyond Dallas's victory. Following the Wings, the Minnesota Lynx secured the second pick with 26.1% chances, while the Seattle Storm landed at third with 16.7% probability. Rounding out the top five were the Washington Mystics and Chicago Sky, setting the stage for an intriguing draft selection process.
What makes Dallas's back-to-back lottery wins particularly noteworthy is their 42% probability for securing the No.1 pick, demonstrating that the odds were truly in their favor. This rare achievement places significant pressure on the franchise management to make the right selection that could change their team's trajectory.
Top Prospects Ready to Make Their Mark
While experts note this year's prospect pool isn't as star-studded as previous years, several promising athletes could dramatically impact whichever teams select them. Leading the pack is Lauren Betts from UCLA, who stands at an impressive 6-foot-7 and has demonstrated exceptional skills throughout her college career.
Betts brings remarkable statistics to the table, having averaged 20.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. Her unique footwork and dunking ability have made her one of the most talked-about prospects entering the draft.
Another standout is UConn's Azzi Fudd, the 5-foot-11 shooting specialist known for her clean shooting technique. Fudd faced challenges with consistency due to health issues earlier in her career but made the strategic decision to spend an additional year at UConn to refine her professional game. Many analysts believe she's now ready to make an immediate impact in the WNBA.
The prospect list also features notable talents like Olivia Miles, a TCU transfer from Notre Dame who has significantly improved her perimeter shooting, and Awa Fam from Spain, who brings international experience having played professionally since age 15. Fam averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds during Spain's impressive run at the Eurobasket Finals.
What This Means for the WNBA Landscape
The Dallas Wings now face a franchise-defining decision. With Paige Bueckers already establishing herself as a rising star after winning Rookie of the Year, the addition of another top-tier talent could create a dynamic duo that might dominate the league for years to come. The pressure is on for the Wings' management to select the right complementary player who can maximize Bueckers' talents while addressing the team's weaknesses.
For the other teams in the lottery—Minnesota, Seattle, Washington, and Chicago—the draft represents an opportunity to rebuild or reinforce their rosters with young, promising talent. While they missed out on the top pick, history has shown that franchise-changing players can be found throughout the first round.
As the basketball world turns its attention to the upcoming draft, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these young prospects develop and which teams make the selections that could alter their fortunes for the better.
