UCLA Players Selected in Top Six Picks of 2026 WNBA Draft

The 2026 WNBA Draft took place Monday night in New York, where multiple players from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) were selected in the first round. The event highlighted the program's recent success, including a national championship run. Sources reported a celebration among the UCLA group following the selections.

The first UCLA player was chosen with the No. 4 overall pick by the Washington Mystics. This selection was followed immediately by two more UCLA players taken at No. 5 by the Chicago Sky and No. 6 by the expansion Toronto Tempo.

After a brief pause, another UCLA player was selected at No. 9 by the Washington Mystics, joining the earlier pick on the same team.

Draft Selections and Player Stats UCLA's selections underscored the program's depth.

The player picked No. 2% from the field during the senior season. That player was recognized as the Final Four Most Outstanding Player, an AP All-American First Team member, and earned Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The No. 9% from the field, and 39% from three-point range. This player was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team and All-Big Ten second team. The selection contributed to UCLA's national title win and was described as one of the most improved players in the nation.

The No. 3 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field in the last season. This player earned AP third-team All-American status, NCAA All-Tournament team recognition, Big Ten First Team, and all-Defensive team honors.

The player emphasized the importance of teamwork in post-draft comments. The No. 9 pick joined the Washington Mystics roster. Details on this player's specific stats were not detailed in available reports, but the selection completed UCLA's strong draft showing.

Historical Context This draft marked only the second instance of a college program having four players selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft.

The previous occurrence was in 2002, when the University of Connecticut achieved the feat. The 2026 selections reflect UCLA's dominant performance in the prior season, culminating in a national championship. Earlier picks in the draft included the No.

1 overall selection of a UConn guard by the Dallas Wings. The No. 2 pick went to a Notre Dame guard by the Minnesota Lynx, and the No. 3 pick was an international player from Spain selected by the Seattle Storm.

Player Reactions Players expressed excitement about their selections and the shared achievement.

One player highlighted the joy of the season and playing with positivity.

“I play with joy," the No. 4 pick said on ESPN after being drafted. "This season has been so joyful. ... You can see all the positivity that I play with." — Los Angeles Times, April 14, 2026 Another player noted the significance of achieving dreams alongside teammates. > "I'm so excited to be here, I think having these dreams of going to UCLA and going to the WNBA and to achieve them not only by myself, but with my teammates means everything," the No. 5 pick told ESPN. — Los Angeles Times, April 14, 2026 The group celebrated the opportunity, with one player stating the moment was special and deserved.”