September 27, 2026

WNBA Rookie Report: Year-End Review of the 2026 Class

The 2026 WNBA season is in the books, providing a complete 44-game sample size to evaluate this year’s rookie class. From record-setting point guards to physically imposing frontcourt presences, these first-year players immediately shaped the playoff race and shook up depth charts.

While some draft picks assumed heavy minutes from opening night, others maximized limited off-the-bench roles or utilized new CBA mechanisms to secure standard contracts. We break down the on-court production, statistical milestones, and overall impact for every team’s draft class.

Atlanta Dream

🔗 Read the Atlanta Dream Draft Tracker here

Isobel Borlase and Madina Okot established themselves as reliable second-unit contributors. Okot showcased remarkable efficiency around the basket, shooting 58% from the floor while pulling down 3.4 rebounds in roughly 9 minutes of action per night. In the backcourt, Borlase finally made her WNBA debut two years after being drafted in 2024. She took excellent care of the ball and provided steady production, shooting 43% from the field.

Chicago Sky

🔗 Read the Chicago Sky Draft Tracker here

For the second consecutive season, 2025 first-round pick Ajša Sivka deferred her rookie debut; after staying overseas last year, she has now committed to play at Kentucky while Chicago retains her rights.

Sydney Taylor authored one of the most compelling rookie arcs of the year. After being the final player to secure an active roster spot out of training camp, Taylor shot her way into the starting lineup by mid-season. She delivered perimeter scoring and fearless shotmaking, punctuated by a clutch game-winner against the Las Vegas Aces to solidify her rotation role.

Gabriela Jaquez opened her debut campaign strong, providing wing depth and a relentless motor on both ends. An early injury halted that initial momentum, and she struggled to find consistent minutes once back at full strength. She rebounded with a strong late-season surge, scoring in double figures in three of her final four contests.

Aicha Coulibaly completed a long road to her WNBA debut after missing 2025 with a torn ACL. Signed to a developmental contract under the league’s new CBA rules, the athletic wing provided energetic defense and transition scoring in spot duty. Her impact earned her a rest-of-season standard contract before the turn of July.

Connecticut Sun

🔗 Read the Connecticut Sun Draft Tracker here

Charlisse Leger-Walker proved to be a second-round steal. She provided immediate backcourt stability, eventually playing her way into the starting lineup for 32 of her 44 appearances and finishing second among all rookies with 160 assists. Conversely, Gianna Kneepkens faced a steep transition to the professional level, struggling to create separation for her shot and finding difficulty staying in front of assignments on the defensive end.

In the frontcourt, Raegan Beers served as a rookie revelation. She maximized her limited rotation minutes, capitalizing on her touches to shoot 49.2% from the floor. Ashlon Jackson also made an impact after signing a developmental contract, coming on strong down the stretch by knocking down multiple three-pointers in three of her final four games. Rounding out the class, Nell Angloma remains a raw developmental project but possesses a ton of long-term upside as a highly athletic wing.

Dallas Wings

🔗 Read the Dallas Wings Draft Tracker here

It took a few games for Azzi Fudd to crack the starting lineup, but once she did, Dallas’ offense hit its stride. The No. 1 overall pick lived up to her billing as an elite scoring threat, shooting an efficient 45.6% from the floor and 39.7% from three-point range. Fudd also showcased her ability to heat up offensively, highlighted by a career-high 26-point performance in an overtime win against Seattle and a scorching stretch where she buried 4-of-5 threes in just 24 minutes against Connecticut. Unfortunately, her promising rookie campaign was cut short in mid-August when she was shut down for the remainder of the season and the playoffs to undergo an arthroscopic procedure on her right knee.

Golden State Valkyries

🔗 Read the Golden State Valkyries Draft Tracker here

After deferring her 2025 season, Justė Jocytė finally arrived in the Bay Area and made her highly anticipated debut. While the 20-year-old Lithuanian wing played sparingly on a deep, contending roster, she flashed her immense potential in her limited minutes. Jocytė showcased a smooth, poised offensive game and connected on 42.3% of her three-point attempts. Though her playing time was limited to 16 appearances, her smooth jumper and high basketball IQ suggest she could be a key piece in Golden State’s future.

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Indiana Fever
🔗 Read the Indiana Fever Draft Tracker here

Raven Johnson and Grace VanSlooten were the notable rookies for Indiana, though both barely played behind an established rotation. When she did see the floor, Johnson showed flashes of her signature two-way game, bringing stellar perimeter defense and sharp playmaking. She notably dished out a career-high seven assists during a tight two-point loss to the Phoenix Mercury. VanSlooten, who was scooped up by the Fever in late May to a standard contract after being waived by Seattle, provided frontcourt depth but similarly saw very limited action over the course of the season.

Las Vegas Aces
🔗 Read the Las Vegas Aces Draft Tracker here

While Mai Yamamoto was the only rookie to see consistent rotation minutes, she maximized her opportunity. She quickly became a fan favorite, providing a reliable spark off the bench and shooting 38% from three-point range.

The Aces also bolstered their depth by grabbing Justine Pissott and Ta’Niya Latson from other organizations. After being converted to a standard contract, Pissott made an immediate splash in her Las Vegas debut, erupting for 17 points. Latson rounded out the rookie group, spending the remainder of the season as a developmental player.

Los Angeles Sparks
🔗 Read the Los Angeles Sparks Draft Tracker here

While the Sparks initially drafted Ta’Niya Latson, she struggled to find consistent footing and was ultimately waived mid-season. Chance Gray served as the team’s most consistent rookie presence. She flashed promise in her limited minutes by providing pesky defense and reliable deep shooting.

Los Angeles also bolstered its depth by picking up Tonie Morgan and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda on developmental contracts. Mwenentanda was a late-August addition who barely saw the floor, but Morgan’s downhill speed and athleticism earned her a full standard contract by mid-August. She capitalized on her opportunities, dropping a career-high 14 points against the Aces in the final week of the season.

Minnesota Lynx
🔗 Read the Minnesota Lynx Draft Tracker here

For the number one overall seed Lynx, Olivia Miles is undeniably the story of the year. The runaway Rookie of the Year led Minnesota’s offensive charge with a staggering 19.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. Putting up historic rookie numbers, Miles showcased elite efficiency across the board, shooting 49.2% from the floor, 38.8% from three, and 87.0% from the free-throw line. She immediately translated her college dominance into professional superstardom.

Rounding out Minnesota’s rookie class, Emma Čechová was enjoying a highly promising debut season before suffering a season-ending ACL tear. Additionally, Antonia Delaere made the most of her limited opportunities; the Belgian wing provided excellent efficiency in just under 12 minutes per game, shooting 45.7% from the field and 41.9% from deep.

New York Liberty
🔗 Read the New York Liberty Draft Tracker here

Pauline Astier proved to be a revelation in the backcourt. After stepping into the starting lineup due to early-season injuries to New York’s guards, the French rookie never relinquished her spot. She ended up starting 39 of her 44 appearances, delivering both timely shooting and steady playmaking.

The Liberty also brought over fellow French guard Marine Fauthoux. She initially began the year as a developmental player, acclimating to the WNBA pace in limited action off the bench. Her progress eventually paid off, as New York signed her to a multi-year standard contract by August.

Phoenix Mercury

🔗 Read the Phoenix Mercury Draft Tracker here

Jovana Nogic opened the year playing quite well in the backcourt before she asked to be released mid-season to play overseas. Noémie Brochant was the team’s most notable rookie, starting 33 of her 43 appearances and providing steady floor spacing while shooting 37% from deep.

Phoenix also found value in the developmental player pool. Marta Suárez, who was initially drafted by the Valkyries, eventually found a home as a developmental player for the Mercury. The team also brought in Shay Ciezki as another developmental player, with the undrafted guard making the most of her late-season opportunities to secure a rest-of-season contract.

Portland Fire
🔗 Read the Portland Fire Draft Tracker here

Nyadiew Puoch provided essential frontcourt minutes for the new franchise. Originally selected in the 2024 WNBA Draft, she was acquired by Portland in the expansion draft and stepped into the rotation to start 28 of her 42 appearances. While she averaged just 4.3 points per game, she brought length and defensive versatility to the starting unit.

The Fire also found considerable value in their developmental players. Frieda Bühner was initially signed to a developmental contract, but her natural scoring and shooting instincts quickly earned her a conversion to a standard deal early in the season. Jordan Harrison followed a similar path; the undrafted guard provided tenacious point-of-attack defense and earned a standard WNBA contract of her own by early August. Former college star Serah Williams also carved out minutes off the bench to provide essential depth for the expansion team. Finally, rounding out the rookie group, Charisma Osborne was picked up late in the season on a developmental contract and quickly made the most of her opportunities, averaging 9.7 points and shooting 50% from three across her three appearances.

Seattle Storm
🔗 Read the Seattle Storm Draft Tracker here

Awa Fam showed impressive flashes of her versatile game throughout her rookie campaign. The 20-year-old Spanish center averaged 10 points and nearly two assists per game, while also proving capable of stretching the floor by shooting 35% from three-point range.

Despite the Storm finishing in last place, Flau’jae Johnson was a consistent bright spot, slicing and dicing her way through opposing defenses to average nearly 15 points per contest. Taina Mair is also a promising prospect; she was initially Seattle’s first-round pick before being waived and later picked back up on a developmental contract. With second-year center Dominique Malonga already earning an All-Star nod at just 20 years old, she anchors a young, long, and athletic core that should have Seattle perfectly positioned for the future.

Toronto Tempo
🔗 Read the Toronto Tempo Draft Tracker here

Kiki Rice proved to be the expansion franchise’s most notable rookie, establishing herself as arguably the second-best rookie in the entire class behind Olivia Miles. Despite missing 19 games in the middle of the season, she returned seamlessly and picked up exactly where she left off. The first-round pick put together an impressive debut campaign by consistently slicing her way into the paint and showcasing a highly reliable jumper, averaging 13.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.5 assists to highlight a well-rounded game.

The Tempo also received strong contributions from their international additions. Laura Juškaitė stepped into the rotation to start 36 of her 44 appearances, providing steady floor spacing and outside shooting as a 6-foot-4 stretch forward. María Conde also made a clear impact with her versatile game, doing a little bit of everything on the floor before being shut down at the end of the year. Rounding out the rookie group, Teonni Key saw limited action off the bench but remains a promising prospect with tangible defensive upside.

Washington Mystics
🔗 Read the Washington Mystics Draft Tracker here

The Mystics fielded the youngest team in the league, carrying a whopping eight rookies on the roster. Georgia Amoore, originally drafted in 2025, made her official debut this season after missing last year with a torn ACL. She started all 44 games, though her rookie campaign was a bit up and down. Her shooting was streaky, and she struggled at times to stay in front of players defensively, but she still helped lead Washington to a franchise-record win total.

Cotie McMahon had a solid rookie season, operating as a freight train in transition to provide impactful minutes off the bench. Lauren Betts was also an impactful reserve, leading all rookies in blocks to anchor the interior for the playoff-bound Mystics. Further down the rotation, Angela Dugalić and Alicia Flórez saw limited minutes but provided steady depth. Cassandre Prosper showed flashes as a raw but long and athletic forward with 3-and-D potential, while Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Rori Harmon rounded out the massive rookie class as developmental players with promise.

Securing the fifth seed, this young Mystics core is playing its best basketball at exactly the right time. With so much rookie talent already contributing to a playoff run, the foundation is set, and the best is clearly yet to come in Washington.

Final Thoughts

With the regular season officially in the books, this draft class has firmly established itself as a transformative group.

At the top of the class, Minnesota’s Olivia Miles emerged as the clear Rookie of the Year favorite, while top picks like Toronto’s Kiki Rice and Dallas’s Azzi Fudd proved their collegiate scoring and playmaking translated directly to the professional level.

Beyond the expected stars, the depth of the class was defined by its under-the-radar success stories. Chicago’s Sydney Taylor fought her way from a training camp invite to become a bright spot in the Sky’s season, while lesser-known players like Portland’s Frieda Bühner and New York’s Pauline Astier already look to be long-term pieces for their respective franchises. From Connecticut’s Charlisse Leger-Walker stepping up to start 32 games to the young upstart Washington Mystics securing the fifth seed by getting high-impact minutes from their rookies, the 2026 WNBA rookies made an undeniable impact across the entire league.

📲 Want the full breakdown for each team? Check out the individual team pages!

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June 22, 2026

WNBA Rookies - Tracking the Class of 2026

A month into the season, early sample sizes are beginning to crystallize, offering a clearer picture of how the WNBA rookies are adjusting to the professional pace. While some first-year players have instantly cemented themselves as foundational pieces, others are navigating shifting roles, fluctuating minutes, and early injuries. We break down the developments, trends, and roster moves shaping their impacts across the league.

Atlanta Dream

Isobel Borlase and Madina Okot are both making the most of their time on the floor, providing solid production in about 9 minutes per game off the bench. Okot is shooting an efficient 54% from the field with 3.3 rebounds, while Borlase is converting at a steady 53% clip while taking care of the ball, averaging just 0.3 turnovers. Meanwhile, Indya Nivar is seeing limited minutes early on as she adjusts to the pro pace.

Chicago Sky

Gabriela Jaquez started the season as one of the most reliable rookies, averaging 11.5 points per game on stellar shooting splits. However, after she missed four games with a minor knee injury, a clearly less than 100% Jaquez is now averaging 9.6 points and seeing her turnovers rise to 2.0 per contest.

The silver lining during this recent stretch has been the explosive play of Sydney Taylor, who has established herself as a microwave scorer off the bench. Taylor is averaging 11.2 points in just 15.6 minutes, highlighted by massive scoring outbursts of 27 and 30 points. On the wing, Aicha Coulibaly is using her long, active frame to provide energy and tough defense. Saylor Poffenbarger, signed as a hardship exception to help cushion the roster’s injury hits, has seen limited court action so far.

Connecticut Sun

Charlisse Leger-Walker has been a solid presence in the backcourt, even stepping into the starting lineup for a stretch to lead the last-place Sun to a victory while Leila Lacan was away with overseas commitments. On the wing, Nell Angloma has made an impact by playing active defense and finding opportunistic scoring with her slashing game.

Meanwhile, Raegan Beers and Ashlon Jackson (signed to a developmental contract) have seen sparse, limited floor time. Most notably, first-round draft selection Gianna Kneepkens has seen very minimal action. While her defensive consistency and slower shot release are concerns, the more troubling trend is her uneven minutes; she has bounced between drawing occasional starts to playing five minutes or less, and even played 0 minutes during one game before being inserted solely for the final 10 seconds.

Dallas Wings

No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd played her first six games as a reserve before being inserted into the starting lineup on May 28. As a starter, she is averaging 13.9 points on 46.8% FG and 35.6% 3PT as Dallas is playing some of its best basketball of the season. She is impacting the game with more than just elite shooting, displaying excellent defense while averaging 1.5 steals and 1.2 block per game.

Costanza Verona, signed to a developmental contract, is little used. When on the floor, the 5’6″ guard utilizes elite speed to push the pace in transition.

Golden State Valkyries

Drafted last year as the franchise’s first-ever draft pick, Juste Jocyte made her debut for the Valkyries on May 25 after arriving late due to overseas commitments. Golden State is bringing the rookie along slowly, but she has already displayed her shooting prowess by knocking down 38.5% of her three-pointers across seven games. Whether operating as a scorer or a facilitator, she plays with a deliberate pace, and while her defense could improve, that is to be expected of a first-year player.

On the fringes of the roster, Miela Sowah continues to see very limited action in her role as a developmental player. Major roster movements have also reshaped the team; Marta Suarez—who the Valkyries initially acquired in the draft after trading away the rights to Flau’jae Johnson—was waived. Later, Ashten Prechtel was signed to a developmental contract after being picked up from the Mercury, while Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, who had been signed to a hardship contract, has since been waived.

Indiana Fever

Raven Johnson put together a strong string of performances during the preseason, but she has seen far less action since the regular season officially tipped off. Despite the drop in minutes, she continues to showcase a solid all-around game when given the opportunity, making her presence felt primarily with her pesky, disruptive perimeter defense.

Frontcourt depth looks slightly different following recent roster shuffling; the Fever signed Grace VanSlooten to a rest-of-season contract after she was waived by the Storm. She has seen sparse floor time early on, while Justine Pissott continues to occupy the team’s developmental slot. Meanwhile, third-round draft pick Jessica Timmons was waived ahead of the regular-season opener.

Las Vegas Aces

The star-studded roster has made minutes hard to come by for the defending champs’ No. 29 overall selection Janiah Barker, whose transition to the pros had an early setback. The 6’4″ forward missed the start of the regular season after landing in concussion protocol following a blow to the head in a preseason exhibition against the Japan National Team. While she has since been cleared to suit up, she has yet to see game action as she waits for an opportunity behind a dominant, veteran-heavy post rotation. Meanwhile, the team’s other draft choice, Jordan Obi, was waived during training camp.

Los Angeles Sparks

On a veteran-heavy roster, the Sparks’ rookies are not getting much run early on. Chance Gray has seen the most floor time of the group, averaging 11.0 minutes across 14 games. Ta’Niya Latson, who led the nation in scoring during the 2024-25 college season with 25.2 points per game, has only appeared in 8 games, averaging 5.1 minutes per contest, while international rookie Jihyun Park is logging 6.6 minutes. The remainder of the Sparks’ rookie class, third-round forward Amelia Hassett, was waived toward the end of April.

Minnesota Lynx

The Lynx are off to a surprising 13-4 start, a mark few expected with Napheesa Collier sidelined by offseason injuries and most of last year’s starters departing in free agency. A big reason for that success is Olivia Miles, who has emerged as the heavy favorite for Rookie of the Year by averaging 18.5 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.6 assists while shooting 53.8% and 35.2% from deep. Minnesota’s other rookie standout, Emma Cechova, was also playing well to start the season—averaging 8.3 points and 3.7 rebounds—before her year was cut short by a torn ACL.

New York Liberty

Pauline Astier has stepped up as a major contributor for New York, starting 13 of 17 games as the Liberty were hit with a wave of injuries. She is averaging 10.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting a whopping 57% from the field and 44.0% from three-point range. The rest of the team’s rookies are finding it much tougher to crack the rotation on a deep roster. Both Alex Fowler and Marine Fauthoux have been rarely used early on, seeing sparse action at the bottom of the depth chart.

Phoenix Mercury

The Mercury are leaning heavily on international newcomers to fill out their rotation. Jovana Nogic has been a major floor-spacing threat, averaging 10.4 points over 16 games while knocking down a sharp 42.1% of her three-pointers in 20.2 minutes per contest. Noemie Brochant has also carved out a steady role, logging 21.7 minutes across 16 appearances while averaging 6.1 points and 2.4 rebounds.

Meanwhile, Marta Suarez found a landing spot in Phoenix after being waived by Golden State, appearing in 3 games and averaging 2.0 points in 10.0 minutes of action. To further round out their depth, the front office signed undrafted rookie guard Shay Ciezki to a player development contract following training camp cuts.

Portland Fire

Nyadiew Puoch leads the rookie contingent in floor time, logging 17.8 minutes over 16 games while averaging 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds. Teja Oblak has given the backcourt highly efficient production in 14.4 minutes per game, averaging 6.5 points and a team-high 3.7 assists while shooting a blistering 56.3% from three. At 35 years old, Oblak also holds the distinction of being the league’s oldest rookie.

In the frontcourt, Frieda Buhner has provided 4.9 points and 1.4 rebounds in 13.2 minutes over 14 contests. Originally signed to a developmental spot ahead of opening night, Buhner was converted to a standard active roster spot in late May. Meanwhile, Serah Williams has carved out a regular depth role, averaging 2.8 points and 2.5 rebounds in 10.9 minutes.

Seattle Storm

The youth movement is underway, starting 20-year-old Awa Fam alongside fellow 20-year-old Dominique Malonga in the frontcourt for the last 6 games. Fam’s minutes have steadily increased to 28.1 per game, and she is averaging 10.3 points and 5.4 rebounds since her late arrival. On the perimeter, Flau’jae Johnson has been a fixture in the starting lineup, averaging 11.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 26.8 minutes. She is every bit as electric as expected, though she has struggled with efficiency. Meanwhile, guard Taina Mair remains a developmental player, appearing in just 2 games after being selected as the 14th overall pick.

Toronto Tempo

Kiki Rice was playing exceptionally well for the expansion franchise, averaging 12.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 26.7 minutes over 10 games before being sidelined for several weeks with an ankle injury. She was highly efficient before the setback, shooting 53.3% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range while taking care of the ball with just 1.3 turnovers per game. Laura Juskaite has also been effective, logging 22.5 minutes and averaging 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds. On the wing, Maria Conde provides steady shooting and playmaking, averaging 8.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and shooting 40% from three as a floor spacer. In the frontcourt, Teonni Key is contributing despite limited minutes but is making her defense felt, averaging almost a block a game across 15 appearances.

Washington Mystics

The Mystics are fielding the youngest team in the league, navigating their rebuild with a roster that at one point featured eight rookies. Among them is Georgia Amoore, who was selected in last year’s draft but had her debut delayed to this season following an ACL injury. Currently logging 23.9 minutes over 15 games, Amoore appears to still be adjusting to the blistering pace of the WNBA, occasionally struggling to find clean looks and orchestrate playmaking for others. Alicia Florez has stepped up to provide solid contributions in moments as the backup point guard, averaging 4.7 points and 3.4 assists in 19.0 minutes. Conversely, fellow guard Rori Harmon saw regular rotation minutes early in the season but has since fallen out of favor, playing very little lately.

In the frontcourt, the young trio of Cotie McMahon, Angela Dugalic, and Lauren Betts are maximizing their opportunities and giving the Mystics decent production despite limited floor time. Dugalic offers steady all-around play, averaging 5.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per contest. McMahon has adjusted well to a reserve role, providing an energetic spark off the bench with disruptive defense and timely shooting. Meanwhile, Betts anchors the interior with her size and highly efficient scoring, averaging 6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds while knocking down 54.8% of her looks from the field. Even though she was the 4th pick in the draft and delivers solid production, Betts ranks just 18th in minutes among rookies with a seemingly short leash in the rotation.

For Cassandre Prosper, playing time has steadily declined over the course of the season. Her diminishing role raises the question of whether Washington would be better off moving her to a developmental spot, which would free up a standard roster slot to sign a much-needed veteran point guard. As for the rest of the rookie class, Darianna Little-Page Buggs continues to fill a developmental role for the franchise, while guard Alex Wilson has since been waived after appearing in just four games.

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Delayed, Not Denied: The WNBA's Other Rookies

Part III: The Comeback Kids

Editor’s Note

This is the third and final installment in our annual three-part series about WNBA rookies who have taken unconventional paths to the league. These players did not follow the traditional route of being drafted and immediately starting their WNBA careers. Instead, their debuts were delayed by overseas commitments, injuries, or other circumstances. This series profiles their journeys.

Part III: The WNBA’s Comeback Kids

For prospects entering the league, a draft-night phone call is supposed to signal the immediate start of a professional career. Instead, an unexpected physical setback can alter that entire timeline, transforming a highly anticipated rookie season into a year or more of rehab. The final chapter of our series looks at two players who had to wait to finally step onto a WNBA floor.

Georgia Amoore (Washington Mystics)

The Journey: The Australian point guard built a decorated collegiate resume across the ACC and SEC. She became Virginia Tech’s all-time assists leader (656) and anchored their historic 2023 Final Four run before transferring to Kentucky for a graduate season, where she averaged a career-high 19.6 points and 6.9 assists per game to earn First-Team All-SEC honors. Selected 6th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Amoore’s highly anticipated rookie campaign was halted when she suffered a right ACL injury during training camp. After undergoing surgery and a year of rehabilitation, she returned to the court with the Mystics this season.

The Game: A dynamic, 5-foot-6 guard who plays with exceptional pace. Amoore is a high-volume playmaker who uses a quick handle to collapse defenses, while remaining a dangerous perimeter threat off the bounce or pulling up from deep.

Early 2026 Status: A starter for the league’s youngest team, Amoore is averaging 5.9 points and 3.5 assists per game, highlighted by a season-high 13-point, 6-assist performance against Seattle on May 24.

Aicha Coulibaly (Chicago Sky)

The Journey: An All-SEC selection out of Auburn and Texas A&M, the Mali native averaged 12.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks during her final collegiate season. Selected 31st overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky, Coulibaly suffered a severe knee injury in January 2025, prior to the draft. She entered training camp this May fully recovered. She was waived in training camp but was subsequently picked back up by the Sky and signed to a developmental roster spot just three days later.

The Game: A physically imposing athlete with lateral quickness who projects as a 3-and-D wing.

Early 2026 Status: Providing the Sky with consistent bench energy and tenacious defense on the wing. She has carved out a steady role off the bench, contributing a season-high 9 points and 2 steals rebounds in 18 minutes against Toronto on May 27.

From players dominating international leagues to resilient competitors overcoming severe injury, the paths of this season’s unconventional rookies are as diverse as they are inspiring. Their journeys prove that the road to the WNBA is rarely linear, and that timing and persistence can matter just as much as talent when it comes to breaking through onto the world’s biggest basketball stage.

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Delayed, Not Denied: The WNBA's Other Rookies

Part II: The Global Grinders

Editor’s Note: This is the second installment in our annual three-part series about WNBA rookies who have taken unconventional paths to the league. These players did not follow the traditional route of being drafted and immediately starting their WNBA careers. Instead, their debuts were delayed by overseas commitments, injuries, or other circumstances. This series profiles their journeys.

Part II: The Global Grinders

Draft night isn’t the only entry point into the WNBA. For players who go undrafted, the path to a roster spot requires packing bags and heading overseas. They must prove their value across international leagues before earning a training camp invite with the WNBA. Part II of our series tracks five rookies who took the long route before getting their opportunity on a WNBA court this season.

Jovana Nogić (Phoenix Mercury)

The Journey: Undrafted in 2019, the Serbian national team guard had a standout collegiate career at Providence, finishing as the program’s all-time leader in three-pointers (323) before honing her game across Europe and South America. Her professional resume includes back-to-back Serbian Player of the Year honors (2024, 2025) and a Russian Super Cup MVP title in 2025 before her breakthrough with the Mercury this season.

The Game: A 6-1 shooter with excellent perimeter range. Nogić stretches defenses as a constant threat off the catch and also utilizes a quick pull-up jumper.

Early 2026 Status: Nogić logged a strong opening week in Phoenix, scoring 19 first-half points in her official debut and later putting up a 27-point performance in a win against Chicago. She has established herself as a major contributor early this season, averaging 13.3 points and 1.7 assists while shooting a blistering 51.0% from three-point range and 90.6% from the free-throw line.

Pauline Astier (New York Liberty)

The Journey: Undrafted in 2024, Astier built her resume in France and the EuroLeague. Her decorated international run includes winning the 2023 EuroLeague Young Player of the Year award and claiming MVP honors at the 2025 FIBA Europe SuperCup before signing with the New York Liberty.

The Game: An electric, 5-foot-11 guard who does not play like a typical rookie. Astier attacks the defense with a fearless driving game, while hunting her own outside shot with confidence.

Early 2026 Status: Thrust into the starting lineup due to early injuries to the Liberty, Astier has capitalized on the opportunity. She is averaging 12.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, highlighted by back-to-back 20-point games against Portland.

Laura Juškaitė (Toronto Tempo)

The Journey: Undrafted in 2019, Juškaitė navigated a multi-country path through Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Italy, and Turkey. Her resume includes a domestic LMKL MVP award (2018) and two EuroCup championships—most recently capturing the 2026 title with ÇBK Mersin before signing with Toronto this spring.

The Game: A 6-4 stretch forward. Juškaitė impacts the floor by spacing out to the perimeter for catch-and-shoot looks while using her length to defend multiple positions.

Early 2026 Status: Juškaitė has already earned a spot in the starting lineup. She is averaging 7.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game, highlighted by a 16-point, 4-assist, 4-steal performance against Los Angeles on May 15.

Teja Oblak (Portland Fire)

The Journey: The veteran guard spent over a decade playing in the EuroLeague, capped off by winning the EuroLeague championship in 2025 with ZVVZ USK Praha. Signed by the expansion Portland Fire, her arrival this spring makes her officially the oldest rookie taking the floor in the WNBA this season at 35 years old.

The Game: A reliable, experienced playmaker with an exceptionally high basketball IQ. Oblak manages the floor with a steady, controlled pace, focusing on settling the offense and finding open teammates in the half-court.

Early 2026 Status: After missing the opening games due to injury, Oblak was activated on May 21 and made an instant splash off the bench. She is averaging 5.3 points and 3.8 assists per game, highlighted by a spectacular 9-assist performance in just 17 minutes in her official WNBA debut on May 23.

Sydney Taylor (Chicago Sky)

The Journey: Undrafted in 2024 after finishing her collegiate career at Louisville, Taylor spent a season tearing through Poland and Lithuania—averaging 22.8 points per game for Polish club MB Zagłębie Sosnowiec—before returning stateside with Chicago this spring.

The Game: An athletic, 5-9 guard who plays with a high motor. Taylor can create her own shot off the bounce and displays confident, deep range out to the three-point line.

Early 2026 Status: Playing increased minutes due to early injuries to the Sky, Taylor has made the most of her opportunity, highlighted by a historic May 27 performance against Toronto, where she exploded for 27 points to become the fastest rookie in Chicago franchise history to cross the 25-point mark.

COMING SOON IN “DELAYED, NOT DENIED”: Part III, the “Comeback Kids,” are the rookies who overcame significant injuries or other major setbacks to finally make their WNBA debuts.

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