WNBA activity is on hold while the league and its players’ association work toward a new collective bargaining agreement, but it’s never too early to look to the future.
The Indiana Fever, who made the WNBA semifinals in 2025, are scheduled to pick 10th in the 2026 draft. With the addition of two teams in the coming season, each round is 15 picks.
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Here’s who the Fever may be looking at:
WNBA mock draft: Who will the Indiana Fever pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft?
Michael Voepel, ESPN: Madina Okot, South Carolina, center
“Okot, who is from Kenya, transferred to spend her final season with the Gamecocks, and has fit in well. She leads South Carolina in rebounding (10.6) and blocks (2.0) while averaging 13.2 points. She is a more traditional center, but there is still a place for those players in the WNBA, especially if they defend well.”
Dialogue remains open: WNBA, WNBPA agree to extension of CBA, temporarily avoid work stoppage
Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic: Gabriela Jaquez, UCLA, wing
“Jaquez can do a little bit of everything. She may not have star upside like some other players below her on the draft board. Still, Indiana already has two high-usage superstars under contract in (Aliyah) Boston and (Caitlin) Clark, and it hopes to bring back Kelsey Mitchell, making it a team that doesn’t need a ball-dominant player. The Fever need a role player with toughness who can defend, move off the ball and shoot from distance. Jaquez fits the bill. In 2024-25, Jaquez’s first season as a full-time starter, she had the highest on-off differential for the Bruins. She finished in the 98th percentile in points per possession and the 96th percentile in turnover rate, per Her Hoop Stats. Jaquez is versatile, can play positions one to four, even though she’s best on the wing. She ran some point guard for UCLA during the summer and preseason, with Kiki Rice and Charlisse Leger-Walker returning from injury, and is now starting at the four. A player who is always willing to sacrifice her body and crash the boards resembles fellow former Pac-12 alum Lexie Hull, especially if Jaquez’s 3-point shooting (47.4% this season) isn’t just a hot streak.”
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Jack Maloney, CBS Sports: Serah Williams, UConn, forward
“Williams’ numbers are way down after transferring from Wisconsin to UConn, but that’s no surprise. What she’ll learn from Geno Auriemma and company is far more valuable than any stats. The 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year is a long, versatile defender and can run the floor in transition. Both of those skills would make her a good fit for the Fever, who need to boost their frontcourt depth.”
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAY: Madina Okot, South Carolina, center
“At 6 foot 6, Okot is a smooth blend of size and speed. She utilizes it to score efficiently and quickly, while being sound in her footwork. The Gamecocks transfer grabs rebounds at an elite clip of nearly 11 boards per game and can also defend well, using her length to cause disruption. Okot stays patient on defense, even when out of position, allowing her to regularly unleash two blocks per game.”
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Lottery results, order: Where will the Indiana Fever pick in 2026 WNBA Draft?
Pro Football Network: Madina Okot, South Carolina, center
“Madina Okot is one of the more intriguing prospects to project in this class. … The Kenyan native is 6-6 and excelled in her first year of American basketball last year for Mississippi State. She can potentially be a key contributor to a loaded South Carolina squad this year.”
NBA Draft Room: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA
Erik Beatson, Bleacher Report: Madina Okot, South Carolina, center
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: WNBA draft projections, order, date, top prospects, who will Fever pick?
