Drafted, Dashed, or Undiscovered: The Apex of Opportunity (WPBL Draft & 2026 WNBA Lottery)
Drafted. Dashed. Undiscovered.
The WPBL just held its first-ever draft. The 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery is setting the top of a loaded class. And somewhere in between, real athletes and families are trying to figure out what happens after the cameras turn off.
In Episode 13 of the Triple A Ball ‘N Play™ Podcast, sports attorney/agent Lee Walpole Lassiter and former strength coach/agent Michael Agwara break down the truth behind drafts, lotteries, and “being seen” in women’s sports.
In this episode we cover:
*WPBL Reality Check – Why “drafted” doesn’t equal “signed,” how WPBL contracts and salaries really work, and what happens when half the class gets cut before opening day.
*The Apex of Opportunity: WNBA Draft Lottery 2026 – How the ping-pong balls actually work, who owns which picks, the odds profiles for Dallas, Minnesota, Seattle, Washington, and Chicago, and why Lauren Betts, Olivia Miles, Awa Fam, Azzi Fudd, and Flau’Jae Johnson are reshaping the board.
*Drafted, Dashed, or Undiscovered – A straight-talk blueprint for three groups of athletes:
drafted but insecure
passed over and hurting
not on anyone’s board… yet
Language for kitchen-table conversations between parents and athletes when draft night didn’t go how you dreamed.
OUTLINE:
Intro: Drafted, Dashed, or Undiscovered
WPBL Reality Check: Draft Night Is Not Contract Night
The Apex of Opportunity: Inside the 2026 WNBA Draft Lottery
Drafted, Dashed, or Undiscovered: What You Do Next
Mike’s Money Line + Outro
🎧For athletes, parents, coaches, and agents:
You’ll leave this episode with frameworks, not fairy tales — how to think about contracts, odds, roster math, NIL, branding, and building a career that outlives one night.
📲 Next steps
Share this with an athlete who just went through a draft or is chasing one.
Comment below: are you feeling drafted, dashed, or undiscovered right now?
Go watch our post-lottery Fast Break Series where Michael reacts to the actual WNBA 2026 lottery order.
🔗More from Ball ’N Play™ Sports Agency Athlete representation • NIL strategy • Contracts • Tax & legacy planning IP Creation & Protection • Tax Defense •Athletes, Creators, & Entrepreneurs Links to our site, socials, and services are in the show notes.
