With WNBA operations currently on hold as the league and players union negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement, it’s already time to consider future prospects. The Indiana Fever, who made it to the WNBA semifinals in 2025, are set to pick 10th in the 2026 draft. Next season will feature two new teams, expanding each draft round to 15 selections.
Here are potential draft choices for the Fever:
Michael Vopel from ESPN projects Madina Okot from South Carolina as a top candidate. Okot, originally from Kenya, joined South Carolina for her final season and has adapted impressively. She leads her team in rebounds (10.6) and blocks (2.0), with a scoring average of 13.2 points per game. Okot plays as a traditional center, a role still valuable in the WNBA, particularly for players excelling defensively.
Sabrina Merchant of The Athletic suggests UCLA’s Gabriela Jaquez as a fit. Jaquez is versatile but not necessarily a star, which suits the Fever’s existing superstars Aliyah Boston and Caitlin Clark. The team aims to keep role players who bring toughness, can defend well, and shoot from distance. In her first full starting season, Jaquez showed strong on-off court impact and can play multiple positions, even point guard. Her aggressive physical play and excellent 3-point shooting (47.4% this season) make her comparable to former Pac-12 standout Lexi Hull.
CBS Sports’ Jack Maloney recommends Sera Williams from UW as a forward option. Williams’ stats dipped after transferring from Wisconsin, but her learning experience with coach Geno Auriemma is seen as invaluable. Known as the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Williams is a versatile defender who excels in transition play — attributes needed by the Fever to strengthen their frontcourt.
USA TODAY’s Megan L. Hall highlights Okot’s unique blend of height (6-foot-6), speed, and skill. Okot’s rebounding is elite, pulling down around 11 boards per game, and her defense disrupts opponents using her length, averaging two blocks each game.
Additional perspectives include Pro Football Network’s emphasis on Okot’s intriguing potential after excelling in USA Basketball, NBA Draft Room’s pick of UCLA guard Gianna Niepkens, and Bleacher Report’s Eric B. Beatson naming Okot Medina and others as key prospects.
For Fever fans wanting updates, subscribing to IndyStar’s Caitlin Clark Fever Newsletter or following Fever Insider Live on YouTube provides the latest insights.
—
Fan Take: The 2026 WNBA draft could be pivotal for the Indiana Fever as they look to build around their current stars by adding role players who bring defense, versatility, and physicality. Fans should watch closely because these picks will not only shape the Fever’s future but also signal how the league’s fresh talent pipeline could evolve the game’s competitive landscape.
