WNBA Rookie Rankings: Pauline Astier and Olivia Miles dazzle early, Azzi Fudd unranked amid slow start

The first two weeks of play have been full of surprises from the rookie class

Isabel Gonzalez

May 20, 2026

12:55 pm ET

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6 min read

CBS Sports design

The 2026 WNBA rookie class has been full of surprises during the first two weeks of play. While all eyes were on No. 1 overall pick Azzi Fudd heading into the season, Olivia Miles, who was picked No. 2 by the Minnesota Lynx, and Pauline Astier, an undrafted 24-year-old from France who plays for the New York Liberty, have made the best first impressions.

The expectations were high for Fudd as the last four No. 1 overall picks -- Rhyne Howard, Aliyah Boston, Caitlin Clark and Bueckers -- lived up to the hype and won Rookie of the Year. But Fudd became the first top pick to come off the bench in her WNBA debut since Kelsey Plum in 2017, and had only three points in the opener against the Indiana Fever on May 9, the fewest points by a No. 1 pick in their first game in the last 20 seasons. The Dallas Wings rookie missed the second game of the season with a knee injury, and is currently only averaging 7.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, one assist and one steal per game.

It is still early, and Fudd is surrounded by talented guards on the roster, including her former UConn teammate Paige Bueckers, so there is no reason to panic. But while she will likely crack the top five at some point, for now, Fudd sits outside the first CBS Sports WNBA rookie rankings of the 2026 season. Here are the players who are off to hot starts:

5. Gabriela Jaquez -- Chicago Sky

Fresh off a national championship, UCLA made history by becoming the first program to have six players selected in a single draft. One of them was the No. 5 overall pick Gabriela Jaquez, a versatile guard who can score efficiently, rebound and defend multiple positions. She is averaging 12.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and one steal in just under 30 minutes per game. Jaquez had a statement game on Sunday, lifting the Sky to an 86-79 victory over the Minnesota Lynx with 20 points and 8 rebounds.

She was a vocal leader for the Bruins during its championship run and has brought that same confidence to the WNBA, which has impressed veteran teammate Natasha Cloud.

"I told little [Jaquez] the last two games, 'You're not a rookie. Don't come over here talking to me about a rookie,'" Cloud said. "[Jacquez] was leading half of our huddles tonight, reminding us what we were in it defensively. It's a testament to who she is as a player.... Even when you don't see it on the stat sheet, she impacts the game more than you know."

> Gabriela Jaquez came up big on both ends of the floor in the @chicagosky's victory! 🔥

20 PTS (career-high) | 8 REB (career-high) #WNBASeason30 pic.twitter.com/KSlGzdIO2H

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 18, 2026

4. Madina Okot -- Atlanta Dream

Despite the Dream losing to the Aces last week, Okot put everyone on notice with her first WNBA double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in just 16 minutes. She is currently averaging 7.3 points and 6.7 rebounds while coming off the bench and playing under 12 minutes per contest.

The 6-foot-6 center is a threat in the interior as a scorer and defender due to her physical strength and how well she moves. She can read the glass and is a high-volume rebounder who can impact the game even when she is not scoring. Okot has a good mid-range, and during her senior year she started working on adding a 3-point shot, which will be scary if she develops it in the WNBA.

Okot has a lot of natural talent but has also worked hard to develop it in a very short amount of time. She started playing basketball in 2020 and made it to the Kenya National Team just two years later. She spent one season at Mississippi State and another with Dawn Staley at South Carolina before entering the WNBA draft.

"I really do think that she's gonna end up being one of the best players in this league," Dream coach Karl Smesko said last weekend. "She has that type of ability. She's still learning, but to see what she can do at this point is pretty impressive."

> Don't sleep on Madina Okot 😤

The rook has a double-double with 14 PTS & 10 REB

LVA-ATL | NBC + Peacock

Tap to watch: https://t.co/MuHqDMf2F4 pic.twitter.com/6xyr2lKf0n

— WNBA (@WNBA) May 17, 2026

3. Flau'jae Johnson -- Seattle Storm

Johnson is a true three-level scorer with speed and athleticism. She brings an eagerness to learn and a high level of energy that makes her fun to watch. The Storm are a young team, which means Johnson is getting playing time early and taking full advantage of it, averaging 12.3 points, five rebounds, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocks in 28 minutes per game.

The former LSU star doesn't need a lot of space and knows how to create her own shot. She also works hard to contribute in other areas when her shot is not falling, as shown by her four blocks against the Indiana Fever on May 17.

"It