Spanish Stars Awa Fam and Marta Suárez Invited to 2026 WNBA Draft Ceremony

The WNBA has officially invited Spanish center Awa Fam Thiam and forward Marta Suárez to attend the 2026 WNBA Draft ceremony in New York City. The two players join an exclusive group of 15 prospects selected to be present for the event, a signal of the high value American franchises place on their talent.

For international players, an invitation to the ceremony—often associated with the “Green Room”—is a significant indicator of their projected draft position. Fam and Suárez will represent Spain on a night that could observe the nation’s top talent land in the league’s most prominent markets.

A High Ceiling for Awa Fam Thiam

Awa Fam Thiam, the 6-foot-4 center from Alicante, enters the draft as one of the most highly regarded international prospects in recent years. Currently playing for Valencia Basket, Fam has received official permission from her club to travel to New York for the festivities.

Industry projections suggest Fam is a lock for the top of the draft. Whereas some specialized media outlets have previously positioned her as the number one overall pick, a recent update from ESPN places her as the second-choice prospect, trailing only American guard Olivia Miles. Regardless of the exact slot, Fam is widely expected to be among the first three players selected.

While not among the 15 official invitees to the ceremony, another Spanish international, Iyana Martín of Perfumerías Avenida Salamanca, is also heavily featured in draft projections, with ESPN predicting she will be taken in the seventh position.

Marta Suárez and the NCAA Path

Joining Fam in New York is Marta Suárez, a 6-foot-3 interior player from Asturias. Unlike Fam, who has been developing in the professional European circuit, Suárez took the collegiate route, honing her skills with the TCU Horned Froggs in the NCAA.

Though Suárez was not initially viewed as a primary first-round lock in early projections, her performance during the final rounds of this season’s NCAA tournament significantly bolstered her stock. Her inclusion as one of the 15 invited prospects suggests that WNBA scouts have taken notice of her recent trajectory.

UCLA’s Championship Surge

While the Spanish contingent captures international attention, the dominant narrative of the 2026 draft revolves around the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The Bruins are arriving in New York in a state of grace after securing their first NCAA tournament championship this past Sunday, defeating South Carolina with a commanding 79-51 victory.

The championship run has translated into a massive presence at the draft. Five UCLA players are among the 15 invited prospects:

• Lauren Betts (Center)
• Angela Dugalić (Forward)
• Kiki Rice (Guard)
• Gabriela Jaquez (Guard)
• Gianna Kneepkens (Guard)

Draft Order and Logistics

The 2026 WNBA Draft will take place on Monday, April 13, at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. As determined by the lottery held on Nov. 23, the Dallas Wings hold the first overall pick. They are followed by the Minnesota Lynx (No. 2), the Seattle Storm (No. 3), the Washington Mystics (No. 4) and the Chicago Sky (No. 5).

The draft also marks a milestone for the league’s growth, with expansion teams Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire holding the sixth and seventh selections in the first round, respectively.

How to Watch the Draft

The event will be broadcast live on ESPN, with coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET (UTC-4). For fans wanting the full experience, the WNBA Orange Carpet Special will air on ESPN2 at 5:30 p.m. ET, followed by the WNBA Countdown presented by Google on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. ET. All events will be available via the ESPN App.

The draft represents a pivotal moment for the WNBA as it integrates a wave of elite international talent and expansion franchises. For Awa Fam and Marta Suárez, the journey from Spain to the New York spotlight is nearly complete.

The next confirmed checkpoint is the live draft ceremony on Monday, April 13. Stay tuned to Archysport for real-time updates on where these top prospects land.

Who do you think should be the #1 pick? Let us know in the comments or share this story on social media.