WNBA 2026 Draft Class Lights Up Empire State Building Amid 30th Anniversary Celebration
The WNBA is the longest-standing female sports league in U.S. history, and home to the world’s best talent in women’s basketball. And the league and one of the most iconic buildings in the nation’s history, joins together annually to uplift the newest draft class. Before the first pick is read before millions, the WNBA 2026 draft class lit up the Empire State Building amid the 30th anniversary celebration.
Yes, the draftees were all smiles as they got their photo taken in the Empire State Building. Each year’s draftees now visit the Empire State Building on draft day to participate in a ceremonial lighting, turning the tower lights orange to celebrate the incoming class and the league. This tradition serves as a premier marketing event, highlighting the top prospects and celebrating the new season’s start in New York City.
Two players usually get the honor of working the mechanism that flips the Empire State Building to a vibrant orange. This year LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson and UCLA champion Laura Betts got to enjoy the honor. But this was not the only stop or event on the list for the 2026 class.
They also got to enjoy spending time with Tina Thompson. Thompson is the WNBA’s first ever collegiate draft pick. A fitting meetup as the league celebrates its 30th season.
It looks like this draft class is having the time of their lives. And as they should, because their lives are about to be forever changed. They will soon be members of the WNBA and helping to transform one of the W’s franchises and keep pushing the growth of the league.
WNBA 2026 Draft Class Lights Up Empire State Building Amid 30th Anniversary Celebration
The Dallas Wings are set to become just the 5th team in WNBA history to pick No. 1 overall in back-to-back drafts. The first since the Indiana Fever in 2023–24. History says that’s a great sign.
Both the Las Vegas Aces and Seattle Storm turned that into championships soon after. Can the Wings follow in the footsteps and path of the Storm and Aces? We’ll see, but first the draft! We will have full coverage recaps of the top ten and every pick of the draft in a few hours.
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