Awa Fam Makes History as Seattle Storm Select Spanish Center No. 3 Overall in 2026 WNBA Draft

The Seattle Storm have doubled down on their international recruitment strategy, selecting 19-year-old Spanish center Awa Fam with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The selection, made Monday, April 13, in New York, marks a significant milestone for Spanish basketball and continues a trend of the Storm looking toward Europe to bolster their frontcourt.

Fam’s arrival in Seattle follows the team’s selection of French forward Dominique Malonga No. 2 overall last season. By adding Fam, the Storm are building a roster characterized by length, versatility, and a global perspective, signaling a clear vision from the front office to integrate elite international talent early in their professional careers.

A Prodigy from Alicante

A native of Alicante, Spain, Fam has spent her teenage years operating on a professional level that few players her age ever experience. She signed with Spain’s Valencia Basket in December 2021 at just 15 years old, becoming the youngest athlete in the club’s history. That early exposure to professional rigor has prepared the 6-foot-4 center for the physical demands of the WNBA.

Storm General Manager Talisa Rhea praised Fam’s trajectory, noting that the organization has closely monitored her development. “We’ve been watching Awa emerge as one of the most dynamic young talents in the world,” Rhea said. “She’s already gained valuable experience competing professionally internationally and has tremendous upside. Awa will be an important part of our future and what we’re building in Seattle.”

For global readers, this transition represents more than just a roster move; it is a bridge between the established European professional leagues and the growing visibility of the WNBA. Fam’s journey from a 15-year-old rookie in Spain to a top-three pick in the United States underscores the accelerating globalization of women’s basketball.

By the Numbers: The Statistical Profile

Fam enters the league with a proven track record of efficiency, and rebounding. During the 2025-26 EuroLeague and Liga Femenina Endesa tournaments, she appeared in 39 games. According to official Seattle Storm records, she averaged 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks per game. Other reports, including those from USA Today, place her scoring average slightly lower at 7.1 points per game with a 52% field goal percentage for Valencia Basket, where she remains signed through 2029.

Her ceiling was perhaps best displayed on October 16, 2025, in a matchup against Fenerbahçe Opet. In that contest, Fam recorded 17 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, shooting an impressive 63.6% from the field.

Beyond her club play, Fam has been a staple of the Spanish national team system. Her international resume is extensive:

• Senior National Team: Averaged 8.7 points and 5.1 rebounds across three tournaments, including the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket, where she averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds over six games.
• FIBA World Cup Qualifying: Averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds over five games in Puerto Rico earlier this year.
• U20 Level: Averaged 11.3 points and 7.6 rebounds in the 2024 FIBA U20 Women’s EuroBasket.
• U18 Level: Averaged 15.9 points and 10.7 rebounds in the 2024 FIBA U18 Women’s EuroBasket.
• U16 Level: A standout 2022 FIBA U16 Women’s European Championship performance where she averaged 13.1 points and 10.1 rebounds.

The “Project B” Commitment

Whereas her immediate focus shifts to Seattle, Fam has already secured her basketball schedule for the 2026-27 off-season. She recently joined Project B, an international basketball league slated to operate across South America, Europe, and Asia. The league is scheduled to begin in November, following the conclusion of the WNBA season, and will run through April 2027.

Fam expressed that the vision of the new league was a primary draw for her. “Project B feels like a place where the game is continuing to grow, and I’m grateful to be part of that from the beginning,” Fam said. “What stood out to me was the vision. It’s about high-level basketball, but also about investing in players and pushing the women’s game forward.”

Tactical Impact for the Storm

From a tactical standpoint, Fam provides the Seattle Storm with a traditional interior presence that can anchor a defense and provide efficient scoring in the paint. Her ability to rebound at a high rate—evidenced by her double-double averages in youth championships—complements the existing skill sets in Seattle’s rotation.

The decision to draft Fam third overall suggests the Storm are prioritizing a “long-game” approach. By pairing Fam with other international prospects, Seattle is creating a frontcourt with immense length and a diverse set of fundamental skills learned in the EuroLeague, which often emphasizes tactical discipline and spacing over raw athleticism.

As the WNBA enters its 29th season, the arrival of players like Awa Fam signals a shift in how teams value international experience. No longer viewed as “projects” who need time to adjust to the American game, players with Fam’s professional pedigree are being viewed as immediate assets capable of impacting the league from day one.

The next confirmed checkpoint for Fam will be her integration into the Seattle Storm’s training camp as the team prepares for the upcoming season. Fans can follow official updates and ticket information via storm.wnba.com.

Do you think Seattle’s strategy of drafting consecutive international stars will pay off in the playoffs? Let us recognize in the comments.