Washington Mystics Earn ESPN's Highest 2026 WNBA Draft Grade
The Washington Mystics had a league-high six picks in the 2026 WNBA draft - and the consensus was they nailed a majority of them.
Washington had three first-round picks - UCLA center Lauren Betts (No. 4 overall), UCLA power forward Angela Dugalic (No. 9 overall), and Ole Miss small forward Cotie McMahon (No. 11 overall) - plus two second-round picks - Notre Dame shooting guard Cassandre Prosper (No. 19 overall) and Baylor power forward Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (No. 30 overall) - and a third-rounder - Texas point guard Rori Harmon (No. 34 overall).
The combination of talent, upside, and depth is likely why ESPN's Michael Voepel gave the Mystics' draft class the highest grade of any team in the league with an A+.
"Betts’ ability to hit face-up shots, along with her low-block offense and top-level defense, made her a strong choice even as so-called traditional centers are less popular picks in the WNBA now," Voepel wrote. "Dugalic is a type of player who seems to be coveted in the WNBA: a big shooter who can do everything well. Her stats don’t necessarily stand out, but you see her value when watching her play.
"McMahon is undersized as a forward, but she has been preparing for a pro role more on the perimeter. Plus, she’s extremely strong, and that will help her at the next level. Prosper is another big player who can shoot 3-pointers. Littlepage-Buggs is an exceptionally good rebounder, and Harmon was the heart of the Texas team that reached the Final Four the past two years."
Washington's 2026 draft class comes on the heels of a strong rookie performance from 2025 No. 3 overall pick Sonia Citron, who averaged 14.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, and No. 4 overall pick Kiki Iriafen, who averaged 13.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.
The Mystics also added three-time WNBA champion and former WNBA All-Defensive first-teamer Alysha Clark.
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This story was originally published April 16, 2026 at 10:42 PM.