2026 AUSL Draft full results: Texas Tech star NiJaree Canady picked 2nd overall

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The top three picks in the college draft for the Athletes Unlimited Softball League were all pitchers on Monday night. Tennessee’s Karlyn Pickens was the No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Blaze , Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady was selected by the Texas Volts with the second pick, and Belmont’s Maya Johnson was drafted third overall by the Oklahoma City Spark.

The draft featured 17 selections by six teams from a pool of college players who were given “Golden Tickets” this year to make them eligible for the draft. Megan Grant of UCLA was the first non-pitcher selected, taken fourth overall by the Portland Cascade. She was one of three Bruins drafted, which led all college teams, as Jordan Woolery and Taylor Tinsley were also selected.

The AUSL will play its second full season this summer and is pivoting from being a touring sport to having teams based in six cities throughout the country. The season begins on June 9 and ESPN will carry 50 exclusive AUSL games annually, which includes the championship series. Here’s the full results of Monday’s draft: Round 1, Pick 1, Carolina Blaze: Karlyn Pickens | P, Tennessee Pickens has been named SEC Pitcher of the Year in each of the last two seasons and is in the midst of putting together another strong season for the Lady Vols.