The 2026 WNBA Draft took place Monday, with the Seattle Storm selecting center Awa Fam Thiam with the No. 3 overall pick.
Fam Thiam, who was born in Spain to Senegalese parents, joins 2025 No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga to form what could become a dominant frontcourt in Seattle. Malonga impressed during her rookie campaign last season, and the addition of Fam Thiam strengthens the Storm’s long-term foundation.
At 6-foot-4, Fam Thiam was considered a contender for the No. 1 overall pick by Dallas due to her high ceiling, but the Wings ultimately opted to bolster their backcourt instead.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Awa to Seattle,” Storm general manager Talisa Rhea said in a press release. “We’ve been watching her develop into one of the most dynamic young talents in the world. She’s already gained valuable international professional experience and has tremendous upside. Awa will be an important part of our future.”
Fam Thiam brings versatility to the frontcourt, capable of playing both power forward and center. She averaged 7.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.2 steals across 39 games with Valencia during the 2025–26 EuroLeague and Liga Femenina Endesa seasons.
Seattle enters the 2026 season amid significant changes. Sonia Raman takes over as head coach, while All-Stars Nneka Ogwumike, Skylar Diggins, Gabby Williams, Erica Wheeler, and Brittney Sykes all departed in free agency. Ezi Magbegor remains and is expected to anchor the frontcourt alongside Malonga and rookie Fam Thiam.
Elsewhere in the draft, South Carolina center Madina Okot was selected by the Atlanta Dream with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round, becoming the second Gamecock taken in 2026.
“I’m so excited to be here,” Okot said. “Getting drafted is a dream come true. I’m looking forward to competing against the players I’ve admired growing up.”
The Kenya native spent one season at South Carolina after transferring for the 2025–26 campaign and delivered a breakout year. She earned All-SEC second-team honors and was a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Award. The 6-foot-6 center averaged a double-double with 12.8 points and an SEC-leading 10.6 rebounds per game.
Okot emphasized her mindset heading into the professional level.
“I’m going to bring the same energy—working hard and going after what I want,” she said. “I know it’ll be different from college, but I’ll keep playing physical.”
She shot 57.5% from the field and added a perimeter dimension, hitting 44.8% (13-of-29) from three-point range. Defensively, she averaged 1.4 blocks and 1.3 steals, along with a 6.5 defensive box plus/minus.
Reflecting on her journey, Okot added, “It means so much to me. Six years ago, I never saw myself being here. If I could go back, I’d tell my younger self how proud I am. She went through a lot and never gave up.”
Kentucky guard Jordan Obi also had a memorable night, selected by the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces with the 44th overall pick in the third round.
The 2026 WNBA season tips off May 8, with preseason action beginning April 25.
