2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Odds & Prediction: Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles Favored to Win

We are just nine days away from the 2026 WNBA season, and the betting lines are firmly set. As the 30th season approaches, who will win the Rookie of the Year Award? Let's take a look at the odds for the full field, along with my best predictions.

 (Photo by Angelina Katsanis/Getty Images)

The WNBA Draft came and went, and the Dallas Wings selected Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall from UConn. There wasn't much surprise as Olivia Miles went No. 2 overall to the Minnesota Lynx, and Awa Fam went No. 3 to the Seattle Storm. UCLA set a record, passing the 2022 UConn class with six players drafted overall, five of which were selected in the first round (Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalić, Gianna Kneepkens, Charlisse Leger-Walker).

Perhaps the most surprising highlights from the draft included Lauren Betts falling to the Washington Mystics at No. 4, and Flau'jae Johnson getting traded from the Golden State Valkyries to Seattle.

The 2026 WNBA Draft class was a loaded one, filled with deep talent. Heading into the season, both Fudd and Miles lead the Rookie of the Year race. But will someone else emerge?

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Azzi Fudd, Olivia Miles Headline 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Race

The past four No. 1 WNBA Draft picks have won the ROY race. That includes Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream) in 2022, Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever) in 2023, Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever) in 2024, and Paige Bueckers (Dallas Wings) in 2025. Clark claimed 66 out of 67 votes, and Bueckers received 70 of 72 media votes.

Since 1999, 16 No. 1 overall picks have won the Rookie of the Year award, including WNBA legends such as Diana Taurasi, Candace Parker, Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, and A'ja Wilson, just to name a few. Unlike the MVP, guards have dominated the ROY race. Four of the last six winners have been guards. Excluding Elena Delle Donne, 12 guards have been named the WNBA Rookie of the Year since 1998.

There was a period in the 2000s when bigs dominated as rookies, which included Parker, Moore, Nneka Ogwumike, Chiney Ogwumike, Elena Delle Donne, Tina Charles, and Angel McCoughtry.

Let's take a look at the WNBA Rookie of the Year odds for the 2026 season, long shots, and my top predictions. This year, the race is wide open, as Clark and Bueckers were heavy favorites over the past two seasons. My predictions are based on team impact, usage, and fit, among other facts. Unlike the MVP, team records and standings do not factor into ROY honors.

2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Betting Odds Full Field (FanDuel)

*Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook*

Past WNBA Rookie of the Year Award Winners

The Favorites

Azzi Fudd, Dallas Wings: +250

It's no surprise that Azzi Fudd, drafted No. 1 overall by the Dallas Wings, is the co-favorite to win Rookie of the Year. Former UConn and current teammate Paige Bueckers took home the award this last year—there's a strong case for Fudd.

The Wings had a turbulent season and tied the Chicago Sky for the worst win-loss record in the WNBA at 10-34. Rightfully so, they earned the No. 1 pick.

Bueckers was the lone bright spot last season, as Arike Ogunbowale and Maddy Siegrist battled injuries. Not to mention the roster was completely transformed by the end of the season: hardship contracts came and went, and DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith were traded.

GM Curt Miller expressed that the Wings are here to compete. The franchise poured financial resources, bolstering its frontcourt with the signings of Jessica Shepard and Alanna Smith in free agency. Not to mention, they re-signed longtime franchise cornerstone Arike Ogunbowale to a multi-year deal.

The Wings have a real chance to compete under new head coach Jose Fernandez, and Fudd will be inserted immediately into the starting lineup. While the preseason is still underway and rosters aren't finalized, Fudd should accumulate significant usage and playing time this season.

Fudd is a plug-and-play two-way guard who has one of the quickest releases in the game. The former UConn star should fit like a glove alongside Bueckers and Ogunbowale, two ball-dominant guards, and she brings exactly what Dallas needed—shooting.

Why Azzi Fudd is a Top WNBA Rookie of the Year Candidate

The Wings ranked No. 9 in offensive rating (101.6) in 2025, averaging just 81.7 points per game. Furthermore, they recorded the second-lowest 3-point percentage (30.4%) and shot just 42.3% from the field. Fudd is a spot-up shooter, and Fernandez made it clear that the team will focus on her shot creation off the dribble.

The Wings attempted just 21.6 3-pointers per game last season, the fourth-fewest in the WNBA. In her senior year at UConn, Fudd led the nation with 117 threes and averaged 17.3 points, shooting 44.7% from beyond the arc.

The former UConn star is an elite 3-point shooter and scorer who also makes timely cuts. She was a career 42.2% 3-point shooter at UConn and should make an immediate impact on both ends of the court for Dallas.

Sure, the Wings added pieces and have scoring options. Fudd is a clear favorite, but it will all depend on how Fernandez shakes up rotations. Ogunbowale was option 1A just a few years ago. Can she rebound from a down season with injuries? Fudd should hold a significant role with the Wings in her rookie year, and Fudd is a safe bet considering she's the No. 1 overall pick.

• There was no consensus No. 1 pick for a long time, meaning the race is wide open. At +250 odds, Fudd has a 28.6% implied chance of winning Rookie of the Year. Reunited with Bueckers, it all comes down to fit, coaching, utilization, and performance. The tangibles are there, and it all makes sense. A safe pick for some, I'm going to fade Fudd for Rookie of the Year. 

Olivia Miles, Minnesota Lynx: +250

Olivia Miles shocked the basketball world after returning to the NCAA for her fifth and final year of eligibility. Viewed as a top lottery pick in last year's draft, Miles not only returned to the college scene but also transferred from Notre Dame to TCU.

For some, Miles was viewed as the top prospect in the draft. Drafted No. 2 overall to the Minnesota Lynx, she has all the tangibles that the franchise needs. She's a true point guard with incredible passing skills, elite IQ, and court vision. Now that her 3-point shot has improved, Miles is a versatile do-it-all point guard. She's excellent at reading the defense, although she talked about how she can thrive defensively ever since she touched down in Minnesota.

Miles has often been compared to Las Vegas Aces point guard Chelsea Gray and will immediately get the start in head coach Cheryl Reeve's system. The Lynx re-signed Kayla McBride, Courtney Williams, and Napheesa Collier in free agency, but lost key players such as Bridget Carleton, Natisha Hiedeman, Jessica Shepard, Alanna Smith, and DiJonai Carrington.

Olivia Miles Will Have a Significant Impact on the Minnesota Lynx

The Lynx have been championship contenders over the last few years, but may regress slightly this season. Miles brings immediate point guard help, and Reeve mentioned moving Williams more off-ball.

Overall, Miles was drafted by one of the most elite franchises in WNBA history and will be surrounded by top coaches, including Reeve, Eric Thibault, Rebekkah Lamar Brunson, and Lindsay Whalen. Plus, Whalen is one of the most iconic point guards in WNBA history, having led the Lynx to four championships. This makes sense for Miles' development, and I'm sure Whalen will share a few clips of film from back in the day.

Miles should log plenty of minutes for Reeve, especially since Collier will be out until June-ish after undergoing ankle surgery. In 38 games at TCU, Miles averaged a career-best 19.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 1.8 steals, shooting 48.1% from the field, 35.1% from three, and 83.9% from the charity stripe.

It's hard to envision how this Lynx team will take shape, but I know one thing: Miles should have one of the highest usage rates among fellow rookies, and Minnesota will put Miles right in the mix. It's time Miles shows she's built for this moment and should have no trouble filling this unique position among a contending team.

Sleeper

Flau'jae Johnson, Seattle Storm: +900

Perhaps the most surprising move of draft night involved former LSU standout, Flau'jea Johnson. Selected No. 8 overall by the Golden State Valkyries, Johnson was traded to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Marta Suárez and a future second-round pick. It was quite the head-scratching move.

It all worked out, as Johnson is ecstatic to join the Storm in Elm City. That said, she joins a rebuild and a team that lost Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Brittney Sykes, and Gabby Williams in free agency. Set to join French sensation Dominique Malonga, Seattle now has two top draft picks: Awa Fam and Johnson.

Fam has yet to play in a preseason game and will take time to develop at just 19 years old. Also, her odds are too short to be considered a true sleeper. Seattle's frontcourt is stacked: Malonga and Fam will be a force to be reckoned with in the West. Plus, Seattle cored and re-signed Ezi Magbegor.

Why Flau'jae Johnson is a Rookie of the Year Sleeper Pick

We already know the Seattle bigs will hold it down. This year, Johnson leads a loaded backcourt that includes Natisha Hiedeman, Jade Melbourne, Taina Mair, Lexie Brown, and Zia Cooke.

Seattle is a great spot for Johnson—it's in the midst of a complete rebuild, and she has the opportunity to become the franchise face. The same went for Caitlin Clark in Indiana and Paige Bueckers in Dallas.

Johnson should enter the starting lineup as the primary guard for the Storm, and while it's unclear if she will emerge as the primary scorer, she's a versatile player. Quick in transition, Johnson has the athleticism and speed to score at a high rate. Her ability to drive downhill as a primary ball handler should at least put her at the top of conversations.

A national champion under Kim Mulkey at LSU, Johnson has proven she can thrive in any environment. In Saturday's 78-76 preseason loss to Golden State, she recorded 12 points, four rebounds, and one steal in 23 minutes of action. I'm expecting Johnson to be the focal point of the offense in the backcourt. To me, she has a clear path to win the award and has a 10% chance of doing so. If you bet $10, the payout would be $100. There's excellent value here.

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2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year Prediction

Olivia Miles

• I do believe it will be a close call between Fudd and Miles, but I am sprinkling a unit on Olivia Miles to win the 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She's in a unique spot, one that not many top prospects get to be in. The Lynx have been contenders over the last couple of years, and Miles joins veterans in Williams, McBride, and Collier. Miles fills the stat sheet in several ways and is more than capable of posting double-doubles or triple-doubles on any given night. The Lynx will plug her immediately into the starting lineup, and should have even more increased usage since Collier will remain sidelined until June. 

If you're looking to bet on the WNBA, the regular season kicks off on May 8.