From March Madness buzzer-beaters to WNBA highlight reels, some college programs have built legacies that can’t be ignored. Whether it’s UConn’s dynasty-level dominance or Tennessee’s unmistakable orange tradition, certain schools have made their mark. These teams aren’t just known for wins — they’ve become launching pads for professional greatness.
As another exciting WNBA Draft approaches, let’s take a look at the powerhouse programs that have produced the most WNBA selections in history.
WNBA Draft Royalty: Top Producing Colleges
1. UConn, 47 Draft Picks
Let’s be real — no program owns the WNBA Draft quite like the University of Connecticut. With 45 total picks and 26 first-rounders, Geno Auriemma’s Huskies have set the gold standard. From Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird to Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, UConn alums have left their mark at every level.
Their most recent top-tier pick: Aaliyah Edwards, selected No. 6 overall by the Washington Mystics in 2024.
“Every day at UConn was about getting better,” Breanna Stewart once said. “And Geno made sure we were prepared for the pros — maybe even more than we realized at the time.”
2. Tennessee, 44
Pat Summitt built more than a program — she built an empire. With 43 total picks and 20 first-rounders, the Lady Vols trail just behind UConn in this legacy race.
Their latest addition is Rickea Jackson, selected No. 4 overall by the Los Angeles Spark in 2024. Candace Parker, Tamika Catchings, and Chamique Holdsclaw headline the long list of Tennessee alums with Hall of Fame-worthy careers.
3. Stanford, 31
Academic prestige meets hardwood excellence at Stanford. Under longtime coach Tara VanDerveer, the Cardinal have produced 31 WNBA Draft picks, 15 of them in the first round.
Sisters Nneka and Chiney Ogwumike and recent draftee Cameron Brink exemplify the Stanford-to-WNBA pipeline, bringing leadership and skill to the league.
4. Duke, 26
Duke hasn’t had a first-round pick since Lexie Brown in 2018, but the Blue Devils have still tallied 26 total selections and 11 first-rounders. Known for producing fundamentally sound players with high basketball IQs, Duke alums like Alana Beard and Chelsea Gray have made lasting impacts in the league.
T-5. Baylor and Georgia, 24
Though Baylor doesn’t have the same decades-long tradition as UConn or Tennessee, it has rapidly earned elite status. With 24 draft picks and 11 first-rounders — most recently Queen Egbo in 2022 — the Bears are building a legacy of their own.
Brittney Griner, Odyssey Sims, and Nina Davis have all helped elevate Baylor’s national profile.
Georgia has consistently produced tough, defensive-minded players like Tasha Humphrey and Teresa Edwards.
7. LSU, 23
The purple and gold are shining brighter than ever. With 23 total WNBA Draft picks, LSU is climbing fast — and Kim Mulkey’s recent run has only added fuel to the fire.
From Seimone Augustus to Sylvia Fowles, LSU legends have set the tone for what it means to dominate at the next level. And now, the next wave is here. Angel Reese, fresh off a national title run and an NIL empire, went No. 7 overall to the Chicago Sky in 2024, marking a new era of Tiger talent entering the league.
T-8. Maryland, North Carolina, and Rutgers, 21
These three programs have steadily supplied WNBA talent.
KEEP READING: Women’s Basketball Programs With the Most First-Round WNBA Draft Picks
Maryland coach Brenda Frese has built a recruiting powerhouse, while UNC continues to produce pros like LaToya Pringle and Ivory Latta. Rutgers, once a defensive juggernaut under legendary coach C. Vivian Stringer, developed standout players such as Cappie Pondexter and Epiphanny Prince.
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