The WNBA’s historic 30th WNBA season kicked off more than a week ago and it is now time for the first edition of this year’s WNBA Rookies Watch. This year’s WNBA Draft class was very deep and it is now time to rank the top 5 rookies who shined the brightest during the early part of the WNBA season.
*Please note, these are from games played from May 8th to May 18th, 2026*
WNBA Rookies Watch – Week 1 – The Early Part of the WNBA Season
1. Olivia Miles – PG – Minnesota Lynx
As the 2nd overall draft pick from this year’s WNBA draft class, Olivia Miles has been very impressive and so far, easily the best WNBA rookie. She’s currently averaging 15.5 points per game, 5.8 assists per game and 4.3 rebounds per game. She’s scored in double-figures in every single game she’s played in and hasn’t looked like a rookie playing on the court. If that’s not impressive, she’s shooting 54.1% from the paint and 94.1% from the free throw line. She’s a terrific point guard who set the tone in the early part of the season.
2. Pauline Astier – SG – New York Liberty
In a team filled with so many veterans and stars, Pauline Astier is making a name for herself. She’s an undrafted rookie from France whose showing that she also can play among the very best in this league. She’s currently averaging 16.8 points per game, 4.0 assists per game and 3.8 rebounds per game. She’s currently shooting 62.5% from the paint and 45.5% from the three point line. She’s off to a great start in this early part of the WNBA season and showing the rest of the WNBA why she belongs in this league.
3. Gabriela Jaquez – SG – Chicago Sky
The 5th overall WNBA draft pick in this year’s WNBA draft class, Gabriela Jaquez has shown that in this early part of the WNBA season, she can deliver. She’s currently averaging 12.5 points per game, 5.8 rebounds per game. She’s shooting 53.3% from the paint and 50% from the three point line. There was so much offseason drama surrounding her team and as a rookie coming in, she’s showing that there is a new path forward in this early part of the WNBA season.
4. Flau’jae Johnson – SG – Seattle Storm
Coming into the league, Flau’jae Johnson was held to high expectations and so far she’s delivering on them. Despite a slow start from her team, the 8th overall WNBA draft pick is currently averaging 12.3 points per game, 5.0 rebounds per game and 1.5 blocks per game. She’s also shooting 88.5% from the free throw line. In the early part of the WNBA season, however she’s struggling shooting the ball. She’s currently shooting less than 30% from both the paint and the three point line.
5. Kiki Rice – PG – Toronto Tempo
As part of the expansion team, the Toronto Tempo got a very excellent rookie point guard. As the 6th overall WNBA draft pick, Kiki Rice has shown to an entire new fanbase as well as another country just how good she can be. She’s currently averaging 10.5 points per game, 2.5 rebounds per game after not scoring in her first WNBA regular season game. She’s currently shooting 51.9% from the paint, 41.7% from the three point line and 81.8% from the free throw line. In the early part of the WNBA season, she’s showing what a true asset she can be.
Honourable mention: Madina Okot, Atlanta Dream, Cotie McMahon, Washington Mystics, Emma Cechova, Minnesota Lynx*
*Emma Cechova was injured during the early part of the WNBA season and will remain out for the entire season due to an ACL injury*
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