The Connecticut Sun might not be sitting at the very top of the 2026 WNBA Draft board, but the latest Sporting News mock still gives fans something pretty fun to think about: two first-round picks and two very different kinds of talent. In a draft class the mock describes as loaded with high-end names such as Awa Fam, Olivia Miles and Azzi Fudd, Connecticut is projected to come away with South Carolina guard Ta’Niya Latson at No. 12 and Ole Miss forward Cotie McMahon at No. 15.
For Sun fans, that should sound like the start of a pretty clear blueprint.
Latson feels like the kind of pick that could immediately juice up the backcourt. Sporting News describes her as a guard who “can light the basket up like few others in the nation,” pointing specifically to how dangerous she was in transition during her Florida State run prior to transferring to South Carolina. The idea here is obvious: Connecticut needs more burst, more pressure on defenses and more players who can turn open floor chaos into points. Latson checks that box in a big way.
She’s not presented as a perfect prospect, and that’s important too. The mock notes that Latson isn’t much of a shooter right now and can have trouble attacking defenders one-on-one. But this is also where the fit gets interesting for the Sun. Connecticut is still being framed as a team trying to find its footing after the departures of Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Brionna Jones, so betting on athleticism and upside makes a lot of sense. If you’re rebuilding or retooling, speed and playmaking are good places to start.
Then there’s McMahon at No. 15, and this is where the mock gets even more appealing.
McMahon gives Connecticut a different flavor of first-round talent. She’s listed as a 6-1 forward and was described as “an athletic marvel at her size,” even if her jumper still needs work. That sounds like a classic upside swing late in the first round: a player who may not be fully polished yet, but one who brings real tools, real energy and the kind of physical profile teams talk themselves into for good reason. According to the mock, that kind of athlete would be “a welcome addition” to Connecticut’s current roster.
And honestly, that’s the biggest takeaway here for Sun fans: this mock sees Connecticut getting younger, quicker and more dynamic in one night.
Latson would bring downhill speed and scoring pop. McMahon would bring size, athleticism and versatility on the wing. Neither player is framed as a finished product, but together they look like the kind of first-round haul that could help reshape the tone of the roster.
For a fan base wondering what the next version of the Sun could look like, this mock offers a pretty easy sell: more juice, more upside and two players worth getting excited about.