March Madness begins this week, which means a lot of eyes will be on dozens of college basketball players across the country. While it's safe to assume that all of the players will be fighting their hardest to push their teams as far as possible in the tournament, a handful will also be playing with something else in mind: the 2026 WNBA Draft.
This year's draft class is a little different than the last two or three, mostly because there isn't a crystal clear frontrunner. As fans recall, last year had Paige Bueckers, and the year before had Caitlin Clark. There was never a question as to who would be the No. 1 overall pick — it was apparent from the beginning of both seasons.
This year severeal names have been offered up. The Final Four will be played in a handful of weeks, but many mock drafts project a different order for the top 3 overall spots.
But that doesn't mean that it's not clear who will be drafted in the first round (and perhaps even the second). Of that exclusive list, there are a few players who are expected to make an impact this March.
Olivia Miles: TCU Horned Frogs
Miles has been on everyone's to-watch list since the 2024-25 season, when she surprised most of us and decided to a) stay in college and play for a fifth year, and b) to transfer from Notre Dame to TCU. At this point it's beyond obvious that Miles made the right call for herself and for her new team.
At various points this season, Miles has been projected to be this year's top draft pick. No matter what team she ends up on, she will definitely be among the first few names called in April.
Lauren Betts: UCLA Bruins
Betts has been well-known by NCAAW fans for years, and WNBA fans are about to find out why. She gets a lot of attention for her height (6'7") and her presence on the court, and she's the key to the Bruins' success this season. Expect to hear her name a lot, especially if UCLA has the kind of tournament success that many believe the team will.
Raven Johnson, South Carolina Gamecocks
Johnson has been a leader for South Carolina throughout her entire collegiate career, and has displayed the skill and perserverence the WNBA demands. She's made it to the Final Four each season and has helped the team win two national titles.
Azzi Fudd, UConn Huskies
Fudd, who also stayed in school for her fifth year after suffering an injury, has also been touted as a projected No. 1 overall pick. She knows what it takes to win, and was part of the team that deftly defeated South Carolina last year in Tampa. Her defense is tough and she's averaing 17.7 points a game — and, in many ways, she's only just getting started.