The 2025-26 college basketball season is over, which means it’s time to shift focus to the upcoming 2026 WNBA Draft, which is scheduled on April 13. The Dallas Wings, who won the lottery pick last November, hold the first overall pick. Many assume it could be a toss-up between UConn’s Azzi Fudd and UCLA’s Lauren Betts.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the top ten college basketball players to watch out for in the draft.
Top WNBA Draft prospects of 2026
10. Maggie Doogan (Richmond)
The senior forward from Richmond completed her four seasons with the Spiders. She has consistently improved across these four years.
As a senior, she averaged 21.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. She shot 50.6% from the field, including 40.4% from three and 89.0% free throws. Overall in four seasons, she averaged 16.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
She is the Back-to-Back Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, earned a Preseason A-10 First Team selection and was ranked in ESPN’s preseason Top 25 players.
Doogan stretches the floor with efficient shooting from the wing and even from mid-range. The only question about her upside is that she played in a less competitive conference and it’s uncertain how she will turn out when thrown against elite defenders.
9. Gabriela Jaquez (UCLA)
Jaquez is expected to be picked in the first round, probably top 15. She is a 6-foot versatile wing who can defend multiple positions, rebound, and playmake. She’s highly efficient from mid-range, shooting around 60% and over 40% from the three-point line.
In the championship game, she had 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, showing what she can do in clutch games. While she might not be Lauren Betts or Kiki Rice in this draft, but she is arguably one of the most plug-and-play prospects in the class.
8. Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss / Ohio State transfer path)
After spending the first three years at Ohio State, she transferred to Ole Miss for her final season. Most mock draft boards suggest she could be picked from anywhere between No. 10 and 20, meaning she’s right on the first-round bubble.
McMahon is arguably one of the strongest wings in her class. Her production was solid last season, averaging 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.1 steals. She shot 45.1% from the field, including 28.6% from beyond the arc. McMahon hasn’t done well from the 3-point range and that will be a cause of concern for whoever is thinking of picking her.
7. Ta’Niya Latson (South Carolina)
The South Carolina Gamecocks once again went the distance this year, only to lose in the title game. Latson proved to be once again a solid player on both ends of the floor. She averaged 14.1 points and 1.7 steals per game. Therefore, she is expected to be picked inside top 10 selections. When she was at Florida State, her offense was even higher.
Latson is one of the better self-creators in the class and can also function as a primary guard in stretches. She has the ability to finish strong in the paint and her free-throw shooting is also excellent.
6. Flau’jae Johnson (LSU)
It was an emotional moment for Flau’jae Johnson to leave the LSU Tigers after the Sweet 16 heartbreak. A versatile personality on and off the field, Johnson makes a strong case to be picked early, not only because of her skills but also the popularity she brings to the table.
She is athletic and has the ability to defend multiple positions. Her midrange game, transition scoring, and slashing are all excellent. She was a key piece when LSU won the title a few years ago, with Angel Reese part of the roster as well. Reese turned out well in the WNBA, so scouts will have similar confidence in another one of Kim Mulkey’s prized players.
The only player who could hold Johnson back is that she’s more of a secondary scorer and at times her 3-point shooting could really fall off the cliff.
5. Kiki Rice (UCLA)
The UCLA won the championship, so it’s no surprise that they could experience multiple first-round selections in the draft. Kiki Rice is another fine WNBA prospect coming from the championship team.
The point guard averaged 14.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game. She shoots well from the field and even the 3-point range is close to 40%. Her basketball IQ is great and is considered to be a strong pick-and-roll operator. Her 5-foot-11 size gives her an edge against most point guards.
We believe she has the tools and the profile to be a top-five selection.
4. Awa Fam (Valencia)
Fam is a 6-foot-4 center from Spain, who is the most volatile, but arguably highest-upside, prospect in the entire 2026 class. Most draft boards are picking her inside top three selections. Many believe she is the best international prospect to enter the WNBA draft in years. Moreover, she’s only 19 years old and could be a long-term asset for a franchise.
Her 6-foot-8 wingspan, combined with efficient shooting from inside the paint (over 60%) and also the ever-improving 3-point shot, could attract franchises to take a long shot with her. She played for Valencia Basket in the EuroLeague, so she is already a professional and has experience.
3. Azzi Fudd (UConn)
Azzi Fudd had the opportunity to declare for the draft last year but stayed back, hoping to land another title with UConn. However, her attempt failed with the Final Four loss against South Carolina, where she shot terribly. That’s the reason her first overall projection has fallen off in many draft boards.
Despite her season ending with a heartbreak, it was enough to show the WNBA scouts what she can do on the floor as the primary scorer. For the Huskies in her senior year, she averaged 17.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.5 steals per game.
Fudd doesn’t necessarily need the ball to dominate. Like Steph Curry, her agility, movement, gravity and spacing impact make her one of the most elite shooters in the entire draft class.
2. Lauren Betts (UCLA)
Lauren Betts was the Most Outstanding Player for the 2026 NCAA DI Women’s Basketball Championship after leading UCLA to its first-ever NCAA title. She really came through for the Bruins in the title game by using her 6-foot-7 frame to dominate the paint and protect the rim.
Centers with prolific shooting skills have always enjoyed a lot of success in the WNBA. It’s not about where she could be picked; it’s more about which team needs an elite center inside the top three pick holders.
Early trends show she can go second overall in the WNBA draft.
1. Olivia Miles (TCU)
While Olivia Miles couldn’t take TCU deep into March Madness, her profile stands out among WNBA draft prospects. The 23-year-old holds an edge on most draft boards to go first overall over the likes of Fudd, Betts and Fam.
She is a complete package as this past season, she averaged 19.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.8 steals per game. The 5-foot-10 is not only massive for a point guard player, but her ability to shoot a high clip even from the 3-point line range isolates her from most.
It would be a surprise if the Wings go with another option over her.
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