WNBA draft best dressed: Flau’jae Johnson, Azzi Fudd stun on orange carpet

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The biggest stars in women's college basketball and international play are swapping out their school colors and basketball jerseys for something more stylish ahead of the 2026 WNBA Draft in New York.

UCLA center Lauren Betts, UConn guard Azzi Fudd, TCU guard Olivia Miles and one dozen potential draftees descended upon the WNBA's signature orange carpet on Monday in high-fashion ensembles that showcased their personal style under the bright lights of New York City.

"The fact that we can showcase our sense of style, our sense of self, on the orange carpet is super special," UCLA guard Gabriela Jaquez said ahead of the draft. "I'm really excited. I love dressing up. I love wearing dresses, getting my hair and makeup done. And so it'll be a lot of fun."

Here's the best looks from Monday's orange carpet:

Flau'jae Johnson, LSU 

Johnson said she gave her stylist a vision. She wanted to look like "the draft is at 6 and the Met Gala is at 6:30." Mission accomplished. Johnson looked flawless in a velvet cutout gown that she paired with a black fur.

"Ever since I did the cover of Teen Vogue, I was like, I'm really into fashion," Johnson explained. "I'm really into exploring and doing different (things) and becoming a different character... Tunnel fits are going to be a movie."

Azzi Fudd, UConn

The People’s Princess is shining in a sequin gown with black accents. However, Fudd’s matching nails stole the show, featuring black and silver designs with jewels and charms.

Raven Johnson, South Carolina 

The South Carolina guard lived up to her nickname "Hollywood Raven" on Monday. Johnson partnered with Coach to come up with an "elegant, rich, classy look." She opted for a blazer dress that featured numerous patterns and paired the look with silver jewelry and black platform heels. 

"I feel like I'm giving Kamala Harris, if you ask me," Johnson said. "If you need me in the White House, right here."

Ta'Niya Latson, South Carolina

Latson channeled Marilyn Monroe in a sequin Revolve gown paired with elbow-length gloves. She completed her look with a pair of Christian Louboutin heels. "I was trying to give an old Hollywood, 1960s look," Latson said.

Lauren Betts, UCLA

Sparkles and sequins appear to be the theme of the night. The UCLA center opted for a sparkly black dress paired with a black Coach purse.

Olivia Miles, TCU

The TCU guard is letting her accessories do the talking. She kept it simple with a zip-up jacket, white button down top and black tie, but she brought the pizzazz with a pair of Alexander McQueen glasses.

"This is a once in a lifetime event. I needed the details," Miles explained. "Real diamonds on the fingers. In the ears, obviously designer on the glasses."

Marta Suárez, TCU 

Suarez looked red-hot in a two-piece suit accessorized with a black belt, but the focal point of her outfit was a handprinted bag that she customized earlier Monday while getting her makeup done. "I actually sent my cousin to Times Square today to find me a purse. Shout-out H&M," Suárez revealed.

Awa Fam, Spain 

The Spaniard didn't stray too far from Spain's national colors and turned heads in a red dress with cutouts and tassels. "This is my dream since I was super little," Fam said on the ESPN broadcast.

Kiki Rice, UCLA

The UCLA guard wanted to wear something "true to my personality." She worked with Coach to come up with a black two-piece that "really fits me. I have to have the leg slit, a little stomach and then the jewelry," Rice added.

Cotie McMahon, Ole Miss

The Ole Miss forward dressed to impress in a burgundy, pinstriped blazer that's "street, but business style," McMahon explained on the orange carpet. She accessorized her look with a matching tie, gloves and white socks. "The legs are giving," McMahon playfully added.

Madina Okot, South Carolina

The forward stuck with South Carolina’s colors, wearing a deep red pinstriped suit. Okot said she was inspired by fellow Gamecock Kamilla Cardoso’s draft-day look in 2024 and sought out the same stylist to assemble her outfit.

Nell Angloma, France

The French forward looked angelic in a cream two-piece suit. 

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at [email protected] and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

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