For the past two seasons, there has been no drama surrounding the WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
The last two No. 1 picks have led wire-to-wire as big favorites. Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers claimed the trophy in 2025, receiving 70 of 72 first-place votes from a media panel. She opened as a -275 favorite before trading at -375 by the end of the preseason.
Bueckers followed the game plan of Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark, who started with -750 odds and led wire-to-wire in the 2024 Rookie of the Year race. Clark claimed 66 of the 67 votes after being the top pick in her draft.
However, things might not be as straightforward in 2026.
WNBA Rookie of the Year Odds 2026
As of this writing, WNBA odds for the 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year race aren’t available at BetMGM. However, I’ve highlighted some of the top contenders following the WNBA Draft:
| Player | Team |
|---|---|
| Azzi Fudd | Wings |
| Olivia Miles | Lynx |
| Awa Fam | Storm |
| Lauren Betts | Mystics |
| Kiki Rice | Tempo |
| Flau'jae Johnson | Storm |
| Gabriela Jaquez | Sky |
| Raven Johnson | Fever |
Who Will Win WNBA Rookie of the Year in 2026?
The 2026 WNBA Rookie of the Year race is shaping up to be far more competitive than in recent seasons, with no clear-cut favorite entering the year.
Historically, the safest bet has been the No. 1 overall pick. Since 2008, 13 of the last 18 Rookie of the Year winners were top selections, including each of the past four: Paige Bueckers (2025), Caitlin Clark (2024), Aliyah Boston (2023), and Rhyne Howard (2022).
That trend points to Azzi Fudd as the early frontrunner after the Dallas Wings selected her No. 1 overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft. She reunites with Bueckers to form a dynamic backcourt duo that previously won a national championship together in 2024.
Still, Fudd wasn’t universally viewed as the top prospect in this class, which leaves room for debate in the ROY race.
Awa Fam, taken third by the Seattle Storm, may have the highest long-term upside as a 6-foot-4 forward with elite tools at just 19 years old. However, her immediate impact could be limited while playing behind established frontcourt options.
Meanwhile, Olivia Miles — selected No. 2 out of TCU — lands in an ideal situation with the Minnesota Lynx. If she earns the trust of head coach Cheryl Reeve, she could thrive as the lead guard on a team with championship aspirations.
Lauren Betts, fresh off leading UCLA to a national title, joins the Washington Mystics as the No. 4 pick and has a chance to contribute right away. Her former UCLA teammate, Kiki Rice, will look to make a similar impact with the Toronto Tempo in their inaugural season.
While the market could shift throughout the season, Fudd remains the most appealing option. Beyond the historical edge of being the No. 1 pick, she steps into a near-perfect situation alongside an elite playmaker in Bueckers.
Once the top recruit in the 2021 class, Fudd combines a high floor with an underrated ceiling. Her shooting ability, in particular, could make an immediate impact. Don’t be surprised if she challenges Clark’s rookie record of 122 made three-pointers in her debut season.
Prediction: Azzi Fudd
Past WNBA Rookie of the Year Winners
| Year | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Paige Bueckers | Dallas Wings |
| 2024 | Caitlin Clark | Indiana Fever |
| 2023 | Aliyah Boston | Indiana Fever |
| 2022 | Rhyne Howard | Atlanta Dream |
| 2021 | Michaela Onyenwere | New York Liberty |
| 2020 | Crystal Dangerfield | Minnesota Lynx |
| 2019 | Napheesa Collier | Minnesota Lynx |
| 2018 | A’ja Wilson | Las Vegas Aces |
| 2017 | Allisha Gray | Dallas Wings |
| 2016 | Breanna Stewart | Seattle Storm |
| 2015 | Jewell Loyd | Seattle Storm |
| 2014 | Chiney Ogwumike | Connecticut Sun |
| 2013 | Elena Delle Donne | Chicago Sky |
| 2012 | Nneka Ogwumike | Los Angeles Sparks |
| 2011 | Maya Moore | Minnesota Lynx |
| 2010 | Tina Charles | Connecticut Sun |
| 2009 | Angel McCoughtry | Atlanta Dream |
| 2008 | Candace Parker | Los Angeles Sparks |
| 2007 | Armintie Price | Chicago Sky |
| 2006 | Seimone Augustus | Minnesota Lynx |
| 2005 | Temeka Johnson | Washington Mystics |
| 2004 | Diana Taurasi | Phoenix Mercury |
| 2003 | Cheryl Ford | Detroit Shock |
| 2002 | Tamika Catchings | Indiana Fever |
| 2001 | Jackie Stiles | Portland Fire |
| 2000 | Betty Lennox | Minnesota Lynx |
| 1999 | Chamique Holdsclaw | Washington Mystics |
| 1998 | Tracy Reid | Charlotte Sting |
Visit the online sportsbook for updated WNBA odds throughout the year. From futures like championship odds, MVP odds, or Rookie of the Year odds, to in-season betting with spreads, parlays, and prop bets, there’s something for everyone.
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