By William Armstead and Paul Vangos
With the 2026 WNBA Draft quickly approaching, teams must make decisions and choose between elite guard playmakers or a dominant interior presence in one of the most balanced classes in recent years. The NCAA Tournament performances from the prospects have reshaped how they are being evaluated.
That depth has made this year’s draft after the number one pick less predictable. Top picks are no longer about identifying the best player available, but determining which skill set translates most effectively to the next level…
Azzi Fudd (G), UConn – Fudd is projected to be the number one overall pick in this year’s draft. She is one of the best shooters in the nation, shooting 45 percent from three-point range this season. She can be a top-scoring option on the team as soon as she is drafted, which will most likely be the Dallas Wings. She is averaging just over 17 points per game, and her ability to create her own shots and ability to space the floor pretty much solidifies her as the number one pick.
Olivia Miles (PG), TCU – Miles is the best playmaker in the class, averaging over six assists on the year. She has amazing court vision and sets her teammates up for high-quality shots. She does need to work on her outside shooting, but her ability to make the entire offense better is what drives her as a top pick. Even with her struggles from three-point range, Miles is still averaging 19.5 points per game this season.
Lauren Betts (C), UCLA – Betts is an efficient two-way big. Standing at 6’7, she has averaged just about a double-double for the season, recording 17 points and nine rebounds a game. She makes an impact on the defensive side, averaging two blocks or more since her 2022 season. The combination of her size and balanced skillset makes her the top center prospect in this year’s class.
Awa Fam (C), Spain – Fam is a 6’6 interior player with very high upside, having played against other professional ballplayers and being the top international prospect in the draft. She is known for being a rim protector, averaging over a block a game, and can handle the ball well in transition opportunities. She has work to do on her offensive skillset, however teams are still interested to see how she can develop for the future.
Ta’Niya Latson (G), South Carolina – Latson is known for her explosiveness, averaging about 15 points this season at South Carolina, but averaging over 21 the three seasons before this one at Florida State. Her speed in transition is what makes her dangerous, but her jumpshot could use some refining. With more development, Latson can be a top guard scorer in the league.
Kiki Rice (PG), UCLA – Don’t let her small 5’11” frame deceive you: Kiki Rice is a danger on offense, blazing by defenders with her speed and innate ability to read defenses. A very underrated part of her game is also her skills in garnering rebounds: despite being less than six feet tall, she pulls down about six boards each night. Averaging 15 points with 4.4 assists and less than two turnovers, Rice—along with Lauren Betts—has been the conductor for a Bruins squad taking aim at undefeated UConn for a national championship. Rice is projected to be a Top 5 or Top 10 pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
Iyana Martín (G), Spain – Another Spanish entry into the draft, Iyana Martín has put together a stellar résumé in her time overseas in the Spanish League. At 5’’9,” she averages 14.5 points, three rebounds, and four assists a game in Liga Feminina, and although she’s still a very raw talent at only 20 years old, she has a lot of upside. Her shooting from range and speed have put her on a lot of teams’ radars, and she could potentially be a late first round selection in this year’s draft.
Gianna Kneepkens (G), UCLA – One of five potential top-10 picks hailing from UCLA, Gianna Kneepkens is an experienced, gritty, and efficient player. After spending four seasons with the Utes of Utah, Kneepkens transferred to the Bruins for her final season of eligibility. While she took a bit of a smaller role than she had in Utah, Kneepkens is still averaging over 50 percent from the field with 12 points and three a-piece of rebounds and assists. Scouts have also looked to her previous seasons in Utah, where she averaged the same shooting efficiency with 19 points, five boards, and three assists as a key aspect to her upside as a professional.
Raven Johnson (G), South Carolina – A true representation of Dawn Staley’s dominant program, Raven Johnson is an all-around team player. Despite only 10 points a game, she shoots 50 percent from the floor, averages 1.5 steals a night, and can dish out assists like it’s nobody’s business. While it seems she may have untapped offensive ability, Johnson is extremely experienced and knows her role, having started nearly every game for the Gamecocks in three straight seasons. Traits like this could make her a high value pick despite going in the later rounds of the WNBA draft.
Gabriela Jaquez (G), UCLA – We PROMISE this is it for UCLA players going top 10! Six feet tall, averaging 13 buckets a night, extremely efficient shooting the ball, and sometimes best without it in her hands, Gabriela Jacquez can be anywhere and everywhere on the court. A stellar rebounder and daunting defensive presence with her skills in reading a play and nabbing a steal, she could be a solid two-way player at the next level despite not being a star in college. With a high floor and loads of potential, Jaquez may just be an immediate core contributor to her destination in the draft.