The WNBA’s general managers have overwhelmingly chosen Spanish rookie Awa Fam as the player most likely to become the league’s best within five years, though they do not expect her to win the 2026 Rookie of the Year award.
In the league’s annual preseason executive survey, one question asked which rookie debut this season would be the top player half a decade from now. The Alicante-born guard dominated the predictions with 67% of the votes, while Olivia Miles received 33%.
During the recent WNBA Draft, in which franchises selected players aged 23 and under, Azzi Fudd was picked first overall by the Dallas Wings, followed by Olivia Miles (Minnesota Lynx) at No. 2. Fam, born in 2006, was selected third by the Seattle Storm.
However, for the upcoming 2026 season, Miles—who is 23 years old compared to Fam’s 19—is the clear favorite to win Rookie of the Year, garnering 73% of the vote. Fudd earned 20%, while Flau’jae Johnson (also 23, drafted eighth by Golden State Valkyries and later traded to Seattle) received 7%. Fam did not receive any votes in that category.
The GMs were also asked about the biggest steal of the draft—the player selected later than they deserved. Nell Angloma (12th pick) and Ta’Niya Atkinson (20th pick, second round) tied for first with 21% of the votes each. Flau’jae Johnson followed, and it was noted that Fam also received some votes.
As for the best international player for the upcoming season, Fam picked up a few votes but trailed well behind the leading candidate, Bahamian star Jonquel Jones, who received 33%.
