WNBA Draft Tracker: Storm Select Awa Fam 3rd Overall
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WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (left) poses for photos with Awa Fam Thiam who was selected third overall by the Seattle Storm during the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images [/caption]
Following a transformative free agency period that has the Seattle Storm trending towards a rebuild, the 2026 WNBA Draft is exceptionally important to the future of the franchise.
The Storm have four picks in the draft: Picks No. 3, 14, 16 (second round) and 39 (third round). All eyes are on the top selection, as Seattle could be acquiring the player who will team up with 2025 No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga for the long haul. With Malonga and Ezi Magbegor making up the starting frontcourt, look for the Storm to try to acquire a star member of the backcourt.
As is the case every year, the later picks will be a wild card as teams try to rapidly fill needs. This year has the twist of one of the weirdest free agency periods in league history, however, which adds more intrigue. Many WNBA teams haven’t even finished signing all their desired free agents yet, and they already have to make decisions on rookies.
The draft began at 4 p.m. PST at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. Each of the Storm’s picks, along with instant analysis, will be updated below.
Round 1, Pick 3: Awa Fam Thiam, Spain
Valencia (Spain) 2025 stats: 9.2 pts, 4.8 reb, 1.4 ast, 0.9 stl, 0.4 blk
Once Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles came off the board with the first two picks, Fam was the best available player on the board. Even though the Storm needed backcourt talent more, they opted to go with talent over need for the second straight season. It just so happens that Fam also happens to be a second consecutive international player, like Malonga from 2025.
Fam’s ceiling is exceptionally high at just 19 years old and 6-foot-4, mirroring the exact kind of prospect Malonga (19 years old, 6-foot-6) was when the Storm selected her a year ago. Her skill set can grow in every area, but the potential was enough to warrant the selection. Fam can be an instant contributor for the Storm, but may have a similar evolution to Malonga last season.
The Storm reaped the rewards of bringing in a young player who already had extensive professional experience last season, and that appears to be a formula they are following once again. They don’t need to win now, so it’s a selection that proves they are building for the future.
