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Transitioning to the WNBA as a point guard is arguably one of the toughest adjustments a college player can make. The pace is faster, the shot clock is shorter, and the defensive pressure is far more relentless. Traps and blitzes force decisions to be made in fractions of a second, and with passing lanes clogged by seven-foot wingspans, there’s almost no margin for error. Freedom of movement is limited, and rookie guards can expect to be hounded the full 94 feet by defenders eager to exploit any weakness. Despite these challenges, several prospects possess the basketball IQ, skill, and work ethic that could allow them to find success at the next level.
As one of last season’s Naismith Defensive Player of the Year semifinalists and a multi-year honoree for her conference’s All-Defensive teams, Harmon has more than established her defensive prowess. Unafraid of any matchup, the 5-foot-6 guard’s off-ball instincts are off the charts. And coupling that with her pesky on-ball intensity, she’s averaging 3.0 steals per game this season and has been a defensive menace for nearly every opponent. On the other end of the court, Harmon is a pure, pass-first point guard, whose high-IQ playmaking makes everyone around her better. Now just 14 assists shy of setting the Longhorns’ all-time program record (777), she excels in the pick-and-roll and has an impeccable feel for when to push pace in transition and when to slow it down.
With her smaller stature, Harmon’s draft stock hinges on her continued offensive development, especially from beyond the arc. Throughout her career, she’s been a reluctant and inconsistent 3-point shooter (career 26.5% on 1.5 3PA) and hasn’t shown significant growth so far this season. Harmon’s injury history may also cause some pause, but if she can continue to demonstrate she’s returned to her pre-injury form and show she can be a legitimate threat from deep, she could be selected earlier than many expect.
Johnson’s command of the Gamecocks’ offense is unmistakable as soon as she steps onto the floor. The 5-foot-9 guard is a vocal, emotionally invested leader, who carries herself with a steady presence that coaches trust. Her deep understanding of personnel allows her to elevate everyone around her. She quickly discerns which actions to run, how to set up her post players for clean looks, and where to hit her shooters so they can knock it down in rhythm. Her ability to decipher defensive schemes, manipulate timing, and exploit mismatches makes her a consummate floor general. Routinely assigned one of the opponent’s best perimeter players on the defensive end, her lengthy wingspan helps her contest shots and disrupt passing lanes more than her adversaries might expect.
To earn a spot at the next level, Johnson will need to continue to improve her offensive efficiency and strengthen her shot creation. Averaging 8.2 points through her first five games and shooting 46.2% from three on 2.6 attempts per game, she’s shown encouraging signs of growth. If her productivity continues trending upward, Johnson could easily entice teams looking for a defensive catalyst and a reliable playmaker who has the kind of energy and competitiveness that can immediately change the tone of a game.
After enduring a knee injury, transferring from Washington State, and sitting out a year to recover, the 5-foot-10 guard has finally been able to reemerge as the poised, battle-tested floor leader that many fans remember. Immediately adding value to the Bruins’ veteran starting lineup, Leger-Walker brings a seasoned understanding of tempo, time, and game flow. She leverages the clock with pace, assesses defenses with patience, sees actions as they develop, and manufactures offense when plays break down. Her grit and edge often set the tone for her teammates, but she also embodies a steady leadership that her coaches can count on in late-game moments.
Averaging 9.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists so far this season, Leger-Walker may not have the flashiest profile, but she’s the definition of a plug-and-play culture player who prides herself on efficiency, toughness, and solid decision-making. If she can increasingly show she can be a consistent perimeter threat while refraining from being a liability defensively, she could be an intriguing option for WNBA teams looking for a rotation-caliber guard.
The 19-year-old from Spain has generated buzz as a 2026 draft-eligible talent and is positioned to be an intriguing investment for a team willing to be patient with her development. While far from an overpowering athlete, the 5-foot-8 point guard compensates with artistry, poise, and a basketball mind that are well beyond her years. She plays with control and purpose, routinely showcasing her polished handle, elite court vision, and ability to score at all three levels. And her blend of creativity and efficiency has already translated against strong international competition.
While Martín’s averaging 11.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 steals for Perfumeries Avenida in EuroCup play, she’d still benefit from addressing several areas of growth before transitioning to the WNBA. The jump in physicality would be one of her biggest challenges, but if she can add strength and level up her defensive intensity, it would increase her chances considerably. More time playing overseas could help improve her consistency from beyond the arc (30.8% on 3.3 3PA per game) and get her closer to being able to carve out a meaningful role at the next level.
Leading the Blue Devils in assists for the past three years, the 5-foot-9 point guard has solidified herself as a reliable and experienced facilitator. Frequently creating for others, she makes reads on the fly that lead to easy buckets, finds open shooters off of dribble penetration, and delivers passes through tight windows. Rarely getting sped up by defensive pressure, her craftiness and determination help her consistently finish at the rim. Combining these traits with a reliable pull-up jumper and a trusty floater, she’s averaging 11.3 points and 4.7 assists per game.
While her natural instinct is often to score first, she possesses the tools and work ethic that could allow her to flourish at the professional level. If she continues to strengthen her body, develop a dependable perimeter shot (26.1% on 3.8 3PA per game), and hone her decision-making in high pressure moments, she has the potential to evolve into a steady rotation player capable of orchestrating an offense with composure. And if Duke can work its way back to the top of the standings and make a deep postseason run, it will provide her with even more opportunities to garner looks from those making the decisions on draft night.
As one of the most dynamic passers in the college game, Miles is widely believed to be a lottery pick in the 2026 WNBA draft. Although she had to miss the 2023-24 season while recovering from a torn ACL, she returned last year with the same feel and finesse for the game while also showing off a marked improvement in her 3-point shooting. Now running the show at TCU after graduating from Notre Dame, she has a prime opportunity to prove she can help elevate a team into national championship contention. The 5-foot-10 guard is elite at turning defensive rebounds into instant offense, often threading the needle for easy baskets before defenses can even react. In the half-court, she seems to have a sixth sense in anticipating where an opening for her teammates will be, manipulating defenders with her eyes, and delivering no-look precision passes. She’s also a smooth operator in the pick-and-roll and has a toolbox full of tricks for finishing around the rim.
Although Miles is already a gifted offensive talent, her next step is to become a more complete player defensively. She needs to fight through screens with greater physicality, maintain defensive discipline off the ball, and play with a more consistent level of intensity when she’s on the ball. But if she can continue to knock down open threes and show steady progress on the other end, Miles could cement herself as one of the first players whose name is called on draft night.
After playing the past three seasons for Georgia Tech, the 5-foot-9 floor general transferred to Kentucky with the goal of proving she can be a two-way guard who can lead an offense at the next level. And so far, she’s making a convincing case. Averaging 9.2 assists over the first six games, including an 11-point, 16-assist double-double against USC Upstate, her ability to read help defenders when attacking the paint and kick it out for clean looks for her teammates has shown notable improvement. Morgan has also demonstrated she can get a bucket when her team needs it, combining her shifty change of pace, great strength for her size, and a lethal first step. Defensively, she brings relentless energy and grit, using her strength to contain drives and her anticipation to jump passing lanes.
To make it to the next level, Morgan’s biggest developmental leaps will need to come from elevating her 3-point percentage (18.2% on 1.8 3PA per game) and continuing to hone her half-court decision-making. But a season of documented growth in these areas, combined with playing a pivotal role in helping Kentucky make a deep postseason run, could make her a compelling prospect for many WNBA teams.
Ranked the No. 2 recruit in the country by ESPN coming out of high school, Rice has been a key component to the Bruins’ increasing success since her arrival. Always playing at her own cadence, she never looks rushed, and her feel for the game is exceptional. She thrives as a connector but is able to balance scoring and facilitating without forcing either role. Rice is also an excellent slasher who’s consistently pressuring the rim, and her pro-ready 5-foot-11 frame allows her to absorb contact and finish through traffic. At the other end, her size and athleticism allow her to defend multiple positions, and she’s consistently been one of the best rebounding guards in the country (7.0 rebounds per game).
While Rice’s mid-range game is a signature strength, she’ll need to elevate her perimeter shooting consistency and assertiveness in order to maximize her pro potential (30.8% on 2.6 3PA per game). But if she can do that while maintaining her calm on-court demeanor, winning mentality, and valuable two-way play, she’ll remain one of the safest bets for WNBA GMs in this draft class.
Each of these premier playmakers already operates with a level of competitive maturity that sets them apart, and their blend of poise, talent, and situational awareness will be critical if they want to compete at the next level. It will be fun to watch how their development throughout the season not only affects their draft stock, but also positions them for additional success in the pros.
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