The WNBA landscape is about to experience a seismic shift with the 2026 WNBA Draft already generating unprecedented buzz.
As two new expansion teams – the Toronto Tempo and Portland’s franchise prepare to enter the league, the competition for top prospects will intensify like never before, creating more opportunities for emerging talents to shine on basketball’s biggest stage.
Top Future Stars for 2026 WNBA Draft
College basketball’s brightest stars are positioning themselves for professional greatness, with UCLA’s Lauren Betts and international sensation Awa Fam leading early conversations.
The 2026 WNBA Draft class features elite playmakers, dominant post players, and sharpshooters who could transform franchises overnight, making this potentially one of the most anticipated drafts in recent memory.
Lauren Betts
Standing at an imposing 6’7″, UCLA’s Lauren Betts has established herself as the consensus projected number one pick for 2026. Her dominant presence in the paint, combined with elite rim protection skills, makes her the rare traditional center who remains highly coveted despite the modern game’s emphasis on spacing and versatility.
Betts’ contributions were instrumental in leading UCLA to the program’s first-ever NCAA Final Four appearance. Her exceptional post-scoring efficiency and remarkable field goal percentage demonstrate why she’s considered a potential franchise cornerstone.
WNBA teams desperately seeking a dominant interior presence will likely make her their top target.
Olivia Miles
Miles made the strategic decision to return to college basketball and transfer to TCU despite being projected as a high draft pick the previous year. Her elite playmaking abilities are expected to flourish in TCU’s spread pick-and-roll system, which could potentially solidify her status as one of the premier guard prospects.
While some evaluators question whether she’ll ultimately go as high as the second pick, her continued development as a scorer alongside her already established playmaking skills could make her an irresistible option for teams needing a lead guard. Miles’ final collegiate season will be crucial in determining her draft position.
Ta’Niya Latson
After leading women’s college basketball in scoring, Ta’Niya Latson transferred to South Carolina to play under legendary coach Dawn Staley. Despite concerns about her size, Latson’s exceptional ability to create her own shot and finish around the basket makes her an interesting prospect.
Latson’s scoring prowess will be tested against elite competition at South Carolina, potentially preparing her perfectly for the professional level. Her development under Staley’s guidance could push her even higher in draft projections, with some analysts already placing her in the top three of this talented class.
Flau’jae Johnson
LSU’s Flau’jae Johnson contemplated an early leap to the professional ranks but opted to return for her senior season with championship aspirations. The big guard’s consistent improvement throughout her collegiate career in Baton Rouge suggests her best basketball may still be ahead.
Johnson’s overall game continues to expand, making her a versatile threat who could immediately impact multiple facets of the game at the professional level. Her combination of size, playmaking ability, and still-developing skill set has scouts projecting her as a potential top-five selection.
Azzi Fudd
UConn’s Azzi Fudd has never had her talent questioned. After returning from a torn ACL to help lead UConn to a national championship and earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors, Fudd enters her fifth season in Storrs with renewed promise.
Fudd’s elite shooting remains her calling card, but her fifth year presents an opportunity to showcase a more complete game beyond perimeter scoring. If she can remain healthy throughout her final collegiate season, her stock could rise significantly, reminding everyone why she was once considered a generational talent.
Also Read: 5 Underrated Players in the 2025 WNBA Draft Class You Need To Know
Awa Fam
18-year-old Spanish center Awa Fam earned MVP honors at the U20 Women’s EuroBasket 2024 after leading Spain to a silver medal. She’ll be eligible for the 2026 draft, with some experts believing she could ultimately emerge as the best prospect in the entire class.
Fam’s well-rounded game on both ends of the floor has caught scouts’ attention, though her lack of experience against top-tier competition remains a concern. The possibility of Fam going first overall would be historic, as the WNBA hasn’t had an international number one pick since 2001.
Gianna Kneepkens
Known as one of college basketball’s premier shooters, Gianna Kneepkens entered the transfer portal after four impressive years at Utah. Her career three-point shooting percentage of 43.2% makes her an extremely valuable prospect in a league that increasingly values floor spacing.
Kneepkens’ final collegiate season at her new program presents an opportunity to develop additional facets of her game while competing for a national title. Her shooting prowess alone guarantees interest from WNBA teams but demonstrating improved defense and playmaking could elevate her into lottery pick territory.
Kiki Rice
UCLA’s Kiki Rice has been the consistent, productive point guard who helped propel the Bruins to their Final Four appearance. Her strengths lie in her ability to drive to the basket and create scoring opportunities for teammates with her high basketball IQ.
Rice’s three-point shooting remains an area for potential improvement that could significantly raise her draft stock. As she’s already projected as a potential top-10 pick, developing a reliable outside shot would make her the complete package at the point guard position, something every WNBA team covets.
Chloe Kitts
South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts has shown steady improvement throughout her collegiate career, culminating in earning MVP honors at the 2025 SEC Tournament. The athletic forward has the physical tools that translate well to the professional level.
Consistency remains the key to Kitts’ draft stock as she’s shown flashes of being able to dominate games but hasn’t yet sustained that level of play. Her senior season under Dawn Staley’s tutelage could see her take on a larger offensive role while continuing to develop her already impressive defensive capabilities.
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Iyana Martin
Spanish guard Iyana Martin brings an impressive resume to the 2026 draft conversation. She earned MVP honors at the FIBA U19 World Cup in 2023 and was named EuroLeague Women Young Player of the Year in 2025. Her productivity at such a young age in competitive European leagues is exceptionally rare.
Martin’s professional experience against high-level competition gives her a distinct advantage over many collegiate prospects. While international players face unique challenges transitioning to the WNBA, Martin’s accomplished resume suggests she possesses the maturity and skill set to make an immediate impact.
The 2026 WNBA draft class contains an incredible amount of talent outside of just the top ten. Raegan Beers, Serah Williams, Charlisse Leger Walker, Janiah Barker, Cotie McMahon, and Saffron Shiels all could be selected in the first round.
With strategic moves already being made by teams like the Minnesota Lynx and Connecticut Sun to acquire additional 2026 first-round picks.
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