The Seattle Storm made a major international splash in the 2026 WNBA Draft, selecting Spanish center Awa Fam with the No. 3 overall pick. The 19-year-old standout from Valencia Basket becomes the second consecutive international prospect taken by Seattle in the first round, following French forward Dominique Malonga last season, signaling a clear global strategy for the franchise.

Fam brings a promising blend of youth and experience to the Pacific Northwest. Playing professionally in Spain, she averaged 7.1 points and 4.8 rebounds per game on an efficient 52% shooting from the field. Her game has also been tested on the international stage, representing the Spanish national team in senior competitions like the FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifiers and EuroBasket, where she consistently contributed scoring and rebounding.

Her potential was even more evident in youth tournaments. Dominating at the U18 and U20 European levels, Fam posted impressive double-double averages, showcasing the rebounding tenacity and scoring touch that made her a top-three prospect. For a Storm team looking to build a new core, adding a young, skilled center with proven international pedigree is a significant move.

This year's draft carried a unique sense of unpredictability compared to recent years, without a consensus top pick like Caitlin Clark or Paige Bueckers. Following a thrilling March Madness, prospects like Fam saw their stocks evaluated in a wide-open field. The selection underscores the growing global talent pipeline feeding into the WNBA, as teams increasingly look overseas for foundational players. Storm fans have a new, exciting young talent to watch as the team prepares for the future.