Five WNBA rookies find success despite drafts and expectations

Sydney Taylor, Pauline Astier, Laura Juškaitė, María Conde, and Jovana Nogić are showing promising performances in the WNBA this season. None were first-round selections in the 2026 draft, with Taylor and Astier going undrafted. Taylor, playing for the Chicago Sky, averages 14.5 points; Astier, with the New York Liberty, has made an impact with a 55.2% field goal percentage. Juškaitė and Conde, both with the Toronto Tempo, have also found their footing in the league. Taylor's strong scoring ability has been highlighted during her transition to the WNBA after playing overseas. Conde's experience includes a EuroLeague championship and strong assists numbers.

• 6:00 PMYahoo Sports — Five WNBA rookie success stories you didn’t see coming