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Eric Moody
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Building a great fantasy women’s basketball roster starts with the draft. To get it right, you need a clear idea of which players to target and which to fade.
Who will exceed their average draft position this season? Which players are ready to take a leap and who might regress?
This column highlights a group of sleepers, breakout candidates and potential busts to keep an eye on in the 2026 season.
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sleeper
Kahleh Copperyes, Phoenix is Mercury
Copper enters 2026 as a strong bounce-back candidate due to an injury that ended his 2025 season. He sat out the first month after knee surgery in the offseason and didn’t fully regain his workload until midseason, finishing with 15.6 PPG in 26.9 MPG in 28 games. Those numbers were short of Copper’s 2024 breakout (21.1 PPG in 32.1 MPG), but his role expanded during Mercury’s playoff run, where he averaged 34.2 MPG.
with Satou Sabali Exit and Alyssa Thomas Serving as an all-around presence, Copper is well-positioned to take on a primary scoring role for Phoenix. Copper’s 31.5 fantasy points per game in 2024 shows what his ceiling could be if fully healthy. If his minutes return to the low-30s, as projected, he’s a great target in Rounds 4 or 5.
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Brittany Sykesyes, Toronto weather
Sykes enters 2026 as a sleeper due to his projected role and proven versatility. He played 39 games in 2025, splitting the time Washington Mystics And Seattle Stormand showed clear production differences based on scope. As Washington’s primary ball handler, Sykes averaged 27.1 fantasy points, compared to 21.8 in a lesser role with Seattle.
Now with one of the league’s newest expansion teams, Sykes is projected as a top-two fantasy option. Marina MabreyThat would bring his usage rate closer to his Washington level (25.2%). Sykes earned his first All-Star nod before the trade, averaging 15.4 ppg, 4.4 apg and 3.4 rpg, showing his ability to produce when given the opportunity.
While efficiency (38.1% cumulative FG%) is a concern, Sykes contributes in multiple categories and has an impact on both ends of the court. With a steady role and increased usage, Sykes has a real shot to beat his current ADP and provide early to mid-field value if healthy.
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Bridget CarletonF/C, Portland Fire
Carleton is an interesting sleeper to make headlines this season due to his projected role and usage. He averaged 6.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg and 2.0 apg in 27.9 mpg last season in a limited offensive role with the Lynx. Carlton’s upside was limited in Minnesota, but that should change in Portland.
The No. 1 pick in the expansion draft, Carleton will have a much bigger role to play with the Fire. If his minutes hold steady and his shot volume increases, he has a realistic path to average 20-plus fantasy points per game. Carleton’s profile isn’t flashy, but the increased opportunity alone adds to its sleeper appeal in the later rounds. It has a clear chance of surpassing ADP due to its more prominent role.
chest
To Mrs. OgwumiF/C, Los Angeles Sparks
Ogwumi is one of the most consistent and reliable players in the league, but his situation with the Sparks presents some potential downside compared to his draft cost. He averaged 18.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg and 2.3 apg while playing 44 games with the Storm last season, maintaining a high fantasy floor even at this stage of his career. Ogwumike’s 24.5% usage rate led Seattle.
But going back to the Sparks puts Ogwumai in an even more crowded frontcourt Diarica Hamby And Cameron BrinkThose who should not be under the one minute limitation. Kelsey Plum There will also be significant usage orders. Unlike his role in Seattle, Ogwumike will likely share the touches more evenly, which could cap his fantasy ceiling. Low utilization is the main concern.
At 36, Ogwumike can still produce at a high level, but the combination of role uncertainty and a deep roster could make it difficult for him to return top-level fantasy value. He remains a safe option, but expectations may need to be tempered.
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Jewel Lloydyes, Las Vegas Aces
Lloyd carries name value from his time with the Storm, but his fantasy vision in Las Vegas is limited by the role. After years as the primary option, his usage dropped significantly in 2025, resulting in just 21.3 fantasy points per game on 28.3 MPG, down from 35.7 the previous year. While Lloyd adapted well as a complementary player and floor spacer, that shift limited his ceiling.
Aces’ offense runs through Aja Wilson, Jackie Young And Chelsea GrayLeaving Lloyd as a secondary option. Additional depth with its possible breakout Kennedy CarterFurther may limit its scope. Even if Lloyd’s skills improve, it’s difficult to project a meaningful increase in usage without injury before then.
Lloyd should still provide a solid floor, but the lack of upside makes him a risky pick at his current ADP. Managers may be better off targeting other high-ceiling options at the same level.
Breakout
Cameron BrinkF/C, Los Angeles Sparks
Brink is one of my favorite breakout candidates heading into 2026 as he is further removed from the torn ACL that limited his early career. He sat out the first 25 games last season and was held under 20 minutes per game after returning but still showed efficiency, averaging 0.90 fantasy points per minute. That production reflected flashes of his rookie year in 2024, when he posted 22.0 fantasy points in 22.0 minutes per game before the injury.
With a full offseason to recover, Brink is expected to take on a greater workload, though Sparks could still handle his minutes early. His elite defensive ability gives him a high fantasy ceiling, especially if his offensive game continues to develop. If Brink’s minutes climb into the mid-20s, there’s a clear path to significantly surpassing his current ADP, making him a high-end target in the later rounds.
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Dorcas JuhaszF/C, Minnesota Lynx
Juhasz is a name that may not be on the radar of many directors. He is positioned for a breakout in 2026 due to a combination of opportunity and recent overseas production. After sitting out the 2025 WNBA season, she returned to a Lynx team that was missing key frontcourt players, opening the door to a bigger role. Juhasz is coming off a dominant EuroLeague campaign in which he was named MVP, averaging 12.8 PPG and 8.0 RPG while showing skill and leadership.
If Juhas can bring that form back to the WNBA, she has a clear path to increased minutes and production. With expanded scope and proven development, Juhasz is well positioned to exceed expectations. He’s going undrafted in many leagues and is worth a late-round pick or a spot at the top of your watch list.
