WNBA Rookies Watch – Rookies stepping up during the early season

The WNBA’s early season continues as teams have now played more than 7 games and it is now time for a bi-weekly update on this year’s rookies. The first edition of this year’s 2026 WNBA Rookies Watch can be found here. It is now time to rank the top 5 rookies who have shined during the latest round of games.

*Please note, these are games played from May 19th, 2026 to June 1st, 2026*

WNBA Rookies Watch – Week 2 – Rookies Stepping up during Early Season

1. Olivia Miles – PG – Minnesota Lynx

The 2nd overall WNBA draft pick from this year’s class continues to perform well. She was the top ranked rookie in the first edition of the WNBA Rookies Watch and she continues to excel. She has scored in double-figures, shot the ball well in all but one game (at Chicago on May 23rd) and has multiple good to high assist games. She’s also an excellent free throw shooter as she shoots 90.2% from the line. However, in the latest round of games, she hasn’t made any three point shots and has struggled with turnovers. As the season goes along, that is something that she needs to work on.

2. Kiki Rice – PG – Toronto Tempo

The 6th overall WNBA draft pick moves up into second place in this second edition of WNBA Rookies Watch. Kiki Rice has played extremely well and has helped the Tempo remain steady in their first year as an expansion team. She has scored in double-figures in the latest round games, shot the ball well and has increased her rebounds. She’s also increased her steals. She’s also a good free throw shooter, as she she is currently shooting 83.3% from the free throw line.

3. Azzi Fudd – SG – Dallas Wings

The 1st overall pick in this year’s WNBA draft makes her first appearance in this year’s edition of WNBA Rookies Watch. Azzi Fudd rose to the ocassion during the latest round of games and scored in double-figures in all but one game. She scored a career high 24 points against New York on the road and followed it up with 22 points against Las Vegas. Both of those games were wins. She shot the ball well in all but one game as well as from three. She’s currently shooting 57% from the field and 46.4% from three. When Azzi Fudd plays well, she’s showing how dangerous the Dallas Wings can truly be.

4. Jovana Nogic – PG – Phoenix Mercury

This undrafted rookie from Serbia who also went to Providence College is making her first appearance in this year’s edition of WNBA Rookies Watch. She has been great during the early season and she deserves credit for not making it during the first edition of the WNBA Rookies Watch. She’s currently averaging 13.3 points per game and is shooting 51% from three and 90.6% from the free throw line. While the Phoenix Mercury are not off to a good start, Jovana Nogic is trying to help anyway she can.

5. Flau’jae Johnson – SG – Seattle Storm

Flau’jae Johnson falls to the 5th and final spot in the second edition of this year’s WNBA Rookies Watch because during the latest round of games, she struggled to shoot well. She had her first career double-double recently against Dallas in a loss. She’s still tries her best on the defensive end and is currently averaging 1.6 blocks per game and 1.0 steals per game.

Honourable mention: Frieda Buhner, Portland Fire, Monique Akoa Makani, Phoenix Mercury, Gabriela Jaquez, Chicago Sky