{"id":545111,"date":"2026-03-25T21:49:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T21:49:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/545111\/"},"modified":"2026-03-25T21:49:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T21:49:22","slug":"2026-wnba-draft-big-board-the-best-prospects-to-watch-during-march-madness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/545111\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 WNBA Draft Big Board: The best prospects to watch during March Madness"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s been an eventful couple weeks in the world of women\u2019s basketball. On March 18, the WNBA and its players union reached a verbal agreement on a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that has been <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/wnba\/news\/what-the-wnba-and-wnbpas-new-cba-means-for-the-future-of-the-sport\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">lauded as transformational.<\/a> Days later, the women\u2019s March Madness tournament began.<\/p>\n<p>With the WNBA draft set for Monday April 13, less than three weeks away, I have compiled the top ten college prospects to watch as the tournament continues with the Sweet 16 on Friday, March 27.<\/p>\n<p>With the CBA unresolved for so long, it\u2019s been difficult to build a standard mock draft. Without a two team expansion draft expansion for the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire and a free agency period, determining team needs remained unclear.<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Inside the WNBA\u2019s 8-day, 100-hour CBA marathon negotiations that forged a transformational deal\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/wnba\/news\/inside-the-wnbas-8-day-100-hour-cba-marathon-negotiations-that-forged-a-transformational-deal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"WNBA\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475350_250_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The intense, all-night negotiations over the WNBA\u2019s collective bargaining agreement were new to many on both sides.<\/p>\n<p>Many WNBA executives told NBC Sports that one benefit to so much uncertainty was the fact that they could all be laser focused on the prospects in college and across the globe in preparation for the draft.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think that some would say that they are more prepared than they\u2019ve ever been for a WNBA draft,\u201d one WNBA executive told NBC Sports.<\/p>\n<p>The 2026 draft class doesn\u2019t feature franchise-altering talents like Caitlin Clark or Paige Bueckers but instead, includes potential starters and All-Stars, similar to the 2019 class. That group highlighted many players that are still active in the league today, including five players from Notre Dame across the three rounds.<\/p>\n<p>UCLA is projected to match that this year. One executive predicted that UCLA could have four picks drafted in the first round alone.<\/p>\n<p>Below is a big board rather than a mock draft that ranks the top ten prospects that are playing in the Sweet 16 in order of pro-readiness rather than draft order.<\/p>\n<p>This list won\u2019t include international prospects although a bunch including Spanish center Awa Fam, French wing Nell Angloma and Spanish guard Iyana Mart\u00edn are all expected to be drafted.<\/p>\n<p>1. Azzi Fudd | UConn, Guard, Graduate Student <\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-960000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Syracuse at UConn\"  width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475351_262_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mar 23, 2026; Storrs, CT, USA; UConn Huskies guard Azzi Fudd (35) dribbles the ball up the court during the first half of the second round game of the women\u2019s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Gregory Fisher\/Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Pro-ready skills:<br \/>After years of her college career defined by injury, Fudd is finally healthy and has played the best basketball in her career. This season she\u2019s averaging <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/herhoopstats.com\/stats\/ncaa\/player\/azzi-fudd-stats-11ec4119-2190-22de-8f25-12df17ae4e1e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">career bests<\/a> in points (17.8), three point shooting (45.4%) and overall field goal percentage (49.5%). While multiple talent evaluators praise her as a generational shooter, she\u2019s not viewed as one dimensional. She\u2019s an excellent off-ball cutter who has high level basketball instincts and improved defensive abilities. She\u2019s much more physical defending and has become a player who can comfortably get through screens. \u201cShe\u2019s strong, she\u2019s in shape, doesn\u2019t look like she gets tired a lot, and to play defense like that, you have to,\u201d one WNBA talent evaluator said.<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>The questions about Fudd are mostly about what her ceiling can be rather than about if she can play a meaningful role in the WNBA right now. After missing so many games in her first three college seasons due to injury, there is still some concern around the WNBA about her health moving forward. Also, Fudd struggles to create offense on her own. She doesn\u2019t draw many fouls, which is an area of growth she can focus on during her WNBA offseasons. Another concern one GM had with Fudd is more mental. \u201cThe only downside for her at times is maybe her confidence level waivers a little bit where it\u2019s like, you would think, \u2018all right, if you could shoot that good, shoot it every time,\u2019\u201d one GM told NBC Sports.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: Could be picked No. 1 through No. 3 overall<\/p>\n<p>2. Olivia Miles | TCU, Guard, Graduate Student<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-8a0000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"NCAA Womens Basketball: Big 12 Conference Tournament Semifinal-Kansas State vs TCU\"  width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475352_576_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mar 7, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; TCU Horned Frogs guard Olivia Miles (5) attempts to drive the ball past Kansas State Wildcats forward Nastja Claessens (4) during the second half at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Nick Tre. Smith\/Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Pro-ready skills:<br \/>Miles is a generational passer. One WNBA talent evaluator called her a \u201ctrue point guard that we haven\u2019t seen for a while,\u201d blending the flair of Ticha Penicheiro with the vision of Sue Bird. Other evaluators have compared Miles to Chelsea Gray for her ability to both score and run an offense, though Miles is smaller and less physical. Her confidence also stands out to evaluators. \u201cSome of the shots that she\u2019ll take, you have to be confident to take those,\u201d the evaluator said. \u201cAnd they\u2019ve kind of become part of her game.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Miles is believed to have an immediate impact depending on where she lands. Her versatility was on display in the first two rounds of the tournament. She recorded her 12th career triple-double in TCU\u2019s win over UC San Diego, then followed it with an 18-point, 10-rebound, eight-assist performance in an overtime comeback win against Washington.<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>The largest question that Miles poses is her defensive abilities and her willingness to buy into playing defense consistently. \u201cI think for most of us, a conclusion would be that there needs to be a greater focus, a greater interest on that end of the floor for some franchises,\u201d one WNBA talent evaluator told NBC Sports. \u201cAnd so if that\u2019s something that you value, then you can weigh that out whether that will be worthy of your pick.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>Another concern about Miles is something that most talented rookie guards coming into the WNBA often deal with. One executive remembered when Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Kelsey Plum first came into the league. Those guards had to adjust to how pro-style defenses guarded their games. WNBA defenses will know Miles\u2019 tendencies, so it\u2019s a question as to how effective she will be initially finding her spots.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: No. 2 or No. 3 overall pick<\/p>\n<p>3. Lauren Betts | UCLA, Center, Senior<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-1e0000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Oklahoma State at UCLA\"  width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475354_464_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mar 23, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) waits at center court for the opening tip off at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Jayne Kamin-Oncea\/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Pro-ready skills:<br \/>When the college season began, Betts was a shoe-in for National Player of the Year and was expected to increase her draft stock. That changed when UConn\u2019s Sarah Strong took a massive jump and opponents focused on slowing Betts, the hub of UCLA\u2019s offense. Instead, her stock stayed the same. WNBA evaluators value not just Betts\u2019 size, but her skill and athleticism at that size. While the WNBA has shifted away from traditional centers, players like Brittney Griner and Kamilla Cardoso will continue to demand size. \u201cWe have bigs in the league that teams are going to want to be able to throw somebody at,\u201d one general manager said. <\/p>\n<p>What separates Betts is her mobility and playmaking. She runs the floor faster than most bigs her size and facilitates offense effectively. In a WNBA that prioritizes pace and efficiency, her combination of size, speed and skill remains highly appealing to evaluators.<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>According to women\u2019s basketball writer Lucas Kaplan, Betts exhibits <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/lucaskaplan.substack.com\/p\/its-quite-easy-to-believe-in-lauren#footnote-2-190542553\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">many qualities <\/a>that make her an imperfect prospect. She\u2019s not a great screener in UCLA head coach Cori Close\u2019s offense. She also rebounds defensively below what might be expected out of a 6\u20197\u201d center. During her college career, she\u2019s never averaged over six defensive rebounds. That\u2019s something to keep an eye on. But these observations weren\u2019t the first area of growth that came to mind from multiple WNBA talent evaluators. \u201cI think the main area of growth is going to be the physicality,\u201d one evaluator said. \u201cPeople are going to be super, super physical with her, and I think that\u2019ll take her some time to get used to.\u201d Other areas of growth for Betts include continuing to work on her mid-range jumper and then expanding her shot out to the three-point line.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: Draft lottery to middle of the first round<\/p>\n<p>4. KiKi Rice | UCLA, Guard, Senior<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-5e0000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Oklahoma State at UCLA\"  width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475355_485_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mar 23, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) drives to the basket in the first half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Jayne Kamin-Oncea\/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Pro-ready skills:<br \/>Out of all the college prospects on this board, Rice might have taken the most meaningful jump in stock. \u201cI think she\u2019s having a hell of a senior year,\u201d one WNBA talent evaluator said, noting she\u2019s built on expectations and improved as a shooter. <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/herhoopstats.com\/stats\/ncaa\/player\/kiki-rice-stats-11ed5ef5-ed0f-cefa-965a-12df17ae4e1e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Season over season<\/a>, Rice has increased her scoring, overall field goal percentage, three-point percentage and rebounding in addition to cutting turnovers. People around the league view those jumps as a result of her work ethic, something that will serve her well at the pro level. Multiple talent evaluators are impressed by her high basketball instincts which include how she facilitates and then how she defends on the ball. Rice is an excellent driver and has exceptional quickness when defending the point of attack.<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>There isn\u2019t much consensus across the WNBA on whether or not Rice is a point guard or a combo guard. And this lack of agreement doesn\u2019t necessarily come from her skill set, but rather is more a result of how subjective WNBA talent evaluation can be. One reason one talent evaluator doesn\u2019t see her as a point guard is because of some evolving leadership skills. \u201c I think she\u2019s got to grow into a natural making everybody better facilitating role,\u201d the evaluator said. \u201cAnd she\u2019s got to get more vocal. She\u2019s very quiet on the floor.\u201d WNBA Draft expert Emily Adler <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theixsports.com\/the-ix-basketball-newsroom\/2026-wnba-draft-lottery-prospects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">noted<\/a> that while Rice has shown massive improvement throughout her college career, her offensive potential is a bit limited by the fact that her first step and handle don\u2019t yield to improved creation in the midrange or on pull-up threes.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: Draft lottery to middle of the first round<\/p>\n<p>5. Flau\u2019jae Johnson | LSU, Wing, Senior <\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-350000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Syndication: The Daily Advertiser\"  width=\"900\" height=\"643\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475356_174_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Flau\u2019Jae Johnson 4, LSU Tigers Women\u2019s Basketball take on Texas Tech in the 2026 NCAA Div I Women\u2019s Basketball Championship at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Sunday, March 22, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>SCOTT CLAUSE \/ USATODAY Network\/SCOTT CLAUSE \/ USATODAY Network \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Pro-ready skills:<br \/>The consensus on Johnson is that she combines WNBA-level athleticism and physicality alongside some flare. She thrives putting pressure on the rim, and creating her own shot while getting more comfortable shooting from three \u2014 <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/herhoopstats.com\/stats\/ncaa\/player\/flaujae-johnson-stats-11ed5ef4-aa5f-8042-965a-12df17ae4e1e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">jumping<\/a> from 33% as a freshman to 40% as a senior. One WNBA talent evaluator wondered if Johnson could become a \u201cbaby Kahleah Copper,\u201d given her slashing ability, slightly smaller frame and two-way potential. Multiple WNBA talent evaluators believe that right now Johnson can defend most wings in the league and play multiple positions at the pro level. One talent evaluator acknowledged Johnson has been managing two separate career paths while in college, referring to her music career in addition to basketball. \u201cWith everything that she\u2019s got going on, the thing that you would never question is her work ethic and her desire to continue to grow and improve,\u201d one evaluator said.<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>After <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/herhoopstats.com\/stats\/ncaa\/player\/flaujae-johnson-stats-11ed5ef4-aa5f-8042-965a-12df17ae4e1e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">averaging <\/a>18.6 points per game during her junior year, Johnson was expected to make a giant jump, propelling her to be a lottery pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Johnson herself <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/womens-college-basketball\/story\/_\/id\/47181658\/flaujae-johnson-lsu-women-college-basketball\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">even had<\/a> her sights set on going No. 1, but her play this season hasn\u2019t equated to a major jump. \u201cHow confident can you be that Johnson is going to show up as her best self every night?,\u201d WNBA Draft analyst Emily Adler <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theixsports.com\/the-ix-basketball-newsroom\/2026-wnba-draft-lottery-prospects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">wrote on March 15<\/a> for The IX Sports. A WNBA talent evaluator agreed that there was an expectation that Johnson would be \u201cmore dynamic\u201d and be a player to take over games. \u201cWhen you look at some of her games, where you just feel like she should just be like overpowering opponents and players, she doesn\u2019t do that,\u201d the evaluator said.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: Draft lottery to middle of the first round<\/p>\n<p>6. Raven Johnson | South Carolina, Guard, Redshirt Senior<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-fc0000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"NCAA Womens Basketball: South Carolina at Kentucky\"  width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475358_16_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mar 1, 2026; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) moves down the court during the first quarter at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Arden Barnes-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Arden Barnes\/Arden Barnes-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Pro-ready skills:<br \/>WNBA talent evaluators are often impressed by college players that show progression, and Johnson fits that mold. She has <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/herhoopstats.com\/stats\/ncaa\/player\/raven-johnson-stats-11ec4118-dd45-7c46-8f25-12df17ae4e1e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">improved<\/a> her field goal and three-point percentages by around 10 percentage points season over season. Like Miles, Johnson is considered a true point guard capable of running a team as natural point guards are at a premium in the WNBA. One executive noticed how Johnson thrives in transition, important in today\u2019s faster-paced WNBA. \u201cHer ability to pass ahead in transition and willingness to do that,\u201d the evaluator said. \u201cA lot of point guards like to pound the ball, and she does a really good job of pushing ahead.\u201d Johnson\u2019s defensive tools have always stood out. She uses her long, strong muscular arms to be able guard taller players and pester lead guards, initiating offense at the point of attack.<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>While some of Johnson\u2019s offensive metrics have improved \u2014 including becoming a more willing shooter after Clark famously waived her off during <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/8VhQNvCHXj8?si=0mpegVLXJ9Sak_Ze\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">the 2023 Final Four <\/a>\u2014 WNBA talent evaluators would now like to see her become a more confident shooter. Although Johnson\u2019s scoring averages are above double-digits for the first time in her collegiate career, scouts still notice that she does defer quite a bit. \u201cEveryone wants to see her develop her offense more,\u201d one talent evaluator said. And another believes that with her superior strength, she could develop a post-up game so that she can pose a matchup problem for whoever is guarding her. Gray and Betnijah Laney-Hamilton both often use their strength to their advantage to post up smaller guards, which creates either a scoring opportunity or leads opposing defenses to overhelp.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: Middle to late first round<\/p>\n<p>7. Gabriela Jaquez | UCLA, Wing, Senior<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-e00000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Oklahoma State at UCLA\"  width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475359_235_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mar 23, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) looks to pass the ball in the first half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Jayne Kamin-Oncea\/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Pro-ready skills:<br \/>Jaquez\u2019s appeal lies in the intangibles she possesses. There is consensus amongst WNBA talent evaluators that her motor will serve her well at the pro level. She\u2019s a do-it-all wing. She\u2019s a player who can drive, shoot, pass, defend, rebound and move well off the ball. Teams are often looking for a glue player like Jaquez who prides herself on diving on the floor for loose balls and boxing out. One WNBA talent evaluator made a direct comparison to the Indiana Fever\u2019s Lexie Hull, another hard-nosed wing that can plug a lot of holes. Like Hull, Jaquez is a player who models positive team culture and does what her coaches ask of her. One WNBA talent evaluator praised her cutting ability. \u201cHer off-ball cutting is elite for a college player,\u201d that person said. \u201cThere\u2019s not a lot of college players who naturally cut off the ball.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>It\u2019s clear that Jaquez worked on her three-point shooting consistency in between her junior and senior seasons. Her three-point shooting average <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/herhoopstats.com\/stats\/ncaa\/player\/gabriela-jaquez-stats-11ed5ef5-eca8-0f36-965a-12df17ae4e1e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">increased<\/a> from 34.8% last season to over 40% this season. While that\u2019s impressive, it\u2019s worth taking a look at the competition she shot better and then significantly worse against. Jaquez <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/25408696-2026-wnba-mock-draft-sees-top-5-shakeup-march-madness-begins\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">hit<\/a> 54% of her three-point shots against UCLA\u2019s less challenging non-conference schedule. But once better Big Ten defenses adjusted during conference play, her three-point shooting <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/25408696-2026-wnba-mock-draft-sees-top-5-shakeup-march-madness-begins\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">splits dipped<\/a> to right around 30%. While the jury is still out on exactly how proficient Jaquez\u2019s shooting is, what is certain is that she\u2019s not a great shot creator like Ta\u2019Niya Latson or Flau\u2019jae Johnson. While Jaquez is known to be a solid defender, she\u2019s better off-ball rather than on. She excels more as a help-side defender while using her knowledge of angles and positioning to her advantage.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: Middle to late first round<\/p>\n<p>8. Ta\u2019Niya Latson | South Carolina, Guard, Senior<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-550000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Syndication: The Daily Advertiser\"  width=\"900\" height=\"643\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475360_758_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Ta\u2019Niya Latson 00, George Mason takes on Florida State in the NCAA Womens Basketball Tournament in Baton Rouge, LA. Feb 25, 2025<\/p>\n<p>Scott Clause-USATODAY Network\/Scott Clause-USATODAY Network \/ USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Pro-ready skills:<br \/>Latson might be the most dynamic scorer out of anyone on this list. She can score and create a shot at almost anywhere on the floor. She has pro-level athleticism and like Flau\u2019je Johnson and Rice, is excellent at putting pressure on the rim. Her ability to slash and draw a ton of contact is tailor-made for pro-level spacing. While I will address the flaws in her game that her transfer to South Carolina exposed below, what one WNBA talent evaluator noted about playing for the Gamecocks is that her role there has prepared her for how she might be deployed at the WNBA level. Most likely an entire offense won\u2019t be built around her, which was the case during her first three seasons at Florida State.<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>Some of Latson\u2019s growth points include getting used to size and length that are commonplace amongst WNBA defenses and her own defensive skills. Most WNBA offenses will attack Latson\u2019s inexperience and smaller frame defensively. This is par for the course with most rookies. \u201cI think defensively, she\u2019ll have to have a little bit of grip,\u201d one WNBA talent evaluator told NBC Sports. \u201cI think she can be a very good defender, and she does at times, but I think that\u2019s going to be another area of growth of hers.\u201d But besides her defense, there have been some concerns for Latson on offense. According to WNBA Draft analyst Hunter Cruse, having a reduced role at South Carolina <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/25257478-2026-wnba-mock-draft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">has exposed<\/a> some of her decision-making in the half-court. What has also caused concern has been <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theixsports.com\/the-ix-basketball-newsroom\/2026-wnba-draft-lottery-prospects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">her drop in efficiency scoring <\/a>the basketball especially against some of the better teams in the country.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: Middle to late first round<\/p>\n<p>9. Gianna Kneepkens | UCLA, Guard, Graduate Student<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-f20000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"NCAA Womens Basketball: Oregon at UCLA\"  width=\"900\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475361_55_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dec 7, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Gianna Kneepkens (8) drives past Oregon Ducks guard Ari Long (14) during the first half at Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom Financial. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Jayne Kamin-Oncea\/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Pro-ready skills:<br \/>While versatility is often a key indicator of pro-readiness, WNBA prospects are also valued for having a clear specialty. Kneepkens falls more into this category. She\u2019s a clear shooting specialist who has <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/herhoopstats.com\/stats\/ncaa\/player\/gianna-kneepkens-stats-11ec4119-3e12-a454-8f25-12df17ae4e1e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">averaged<\/a> shooting over 40% from three in four of her five seasons playing college ball. \u201cThere\u2019s always a need for someone who can put the ball in the hole, who can shoot it, and stretch the floor,\u201d one WNBA talent evaluator said. Like her UCLA teammate Jaquez, Kneepkens too moves well off the ball and has an excellent awareness of when to space and cut off the ball.<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>The main concerns about Kneepkens are about her athleticism and defense, and the two are connected. There is consensus amongst WNBA talent evaluators that she struggles with her lateral movement, something that is integral when it comes to being able to stay in front of opponents when defending. Kneepkens will most likely struggle defending the wings (shooting guards and small forwards) in the WNBA simply because those are typically the most athletic positions in the league. These limitations have prevented her from being able to get any separation on her own shot. While there\u2019s no doubt that Kneepkens can shoot the basketball, there isn\u2019t much variety when it comes to how she can shoot. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cRight now she\u2019s mostly catch and shoot in my mind,\u201d one WNBA talent evaluator said.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: Late first round<\/p>\n<p>10. Madina Okot | South Carolina, Center, Senior<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"image-720000\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"NCAA Womens Basketball: NCAA Tournament Second Round-Southern California at South Carolina\"  width=\"900\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774475362_190_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Mar 23, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks center Madina Okot (11) grabs a rebound against the USC Trojans in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Jeff Blake\/Jeff Blake-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<p>Okot has a high upside. She\u2019s a 6\u20196\u201d center who\u2019s athletic, long, strong, has great hands, can put the ball on the floor, protects the rim and has been <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/herhoopstats.com\/stats\/ncaa\/player\/madina-okot-stats-11ef9e2d-c8cf-93e4-9a55-12df17ae4e1e\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">averaging<\/a> a 13.5 point and 10.9 rebound double-double in her second NCAA season. So how is she only in her second NCAA season if she\u2019s a senior? Okot played two seasons at Zetech University in Ruiru, Kenya. She also has been flexing a mid-range jumper in addition to the three-point shot that she\u2019s made at a 46.2% clip, albeit on limited attempts. But, pro talent evaluators are drawn to someone with that size who can stretch the floor. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s not many 6\u20196\u201d post players that are doing what she\u2019s doing at the level that she is,\u201d one WNBA talent evaluator said about Okot.<\/p>\n<p>Questions the prospect raises: <br \/>Okot didn\u2019t start playing basketball until she was <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/ncaaw\/2026\/01\/16\/south-carolina-womens-basketballs-madina-okot-texas-dawn-staley\/88209254007\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">around 15 or 16 years old,<\/a> and there are moments when that inexperience shows. <\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe struggles reading the floor on both ends and rarely uses her left hand around the rim,\u201d Draft analyst Hunter Cruse <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/bleacherreport.com\/articles\/25257478-2026-wnba-mock-draft\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">wrote <\/a>for Bleacher Report. While Dawn Staley <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thestate.com\/sports\/college\/university-of-south-carolina\/usc-womens-basketball\/article312988389.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">was very clear<\/a> about trying to make sure that Okot had the option to return to South Carolina for another year of eligibility if she wanted it, the 21-year-old could decide to opt into the WNBA draft, especially following the new 2026 CBA. Okot could find more value in the WNBA now that rostered player salaries will begin at six figures and rosters will now include two developmental players in addition to the 12 on roster. Okot might be raw, but she\u2019s got WNBA-level tools.<\/p>\n<p>Projected draft position: Late first round to early second round<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It\u2019s been an eventful couple weeks in the world of women\u2019s basketball. On March 18, the WNBA and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":545112,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[99,434],"class_list":["post-545111","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wnba","tag-sports","tag-wnba"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/545111","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=545111"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/545111\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/545112"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=545111"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=545111"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=545111"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}