2026 WNBA mock draft: Players to watch during Women's March Madness
2026 WNBA mock draft: Players to watch during Women's March Madness
Meghan L. Hall, USA TODAYTue, March 17, 2026 at 10:03 AM UTC
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The 2026 WNBA Draft is still on track to happen next month, barring the lack of a new CBA as negotiation continue.
The negotiations, which have been ongoing for more than 15 months, have impacted dates for WNBA free agency and expansion drafts for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo. With no new CBA in place yet, many variables are at play in trying to predict what teams will do when the draft arrives on April 13.
There's also another question brewing with all the pending news: Which WNBA draft prospects should people keep an eye on during March Madness?
From UCLA's Kiki Rice, who is rising up the draft board, to South Carolina's Raven Johnson, whose play has turned heads all season, let's review where prospects could land.
Here's USA TODAY's latest 2026 WNBA mock draft*:
*The order in which the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire will pick has yet to be determined due to ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations. It is expected to be decided by a coin flip at a later date.
1. Dallas Wings: Awa Fam, C, Spain
Last season, the Dallas Wings ranked fourth in points in the paint per game with 37.8 points per matchup. Still, they gave up the seventh most points in the paint at 35.8 per game. With this in mind, it could be hard to pass up drafting Spain's Awa Fam to help build the team's interior presence. Fam can hit from multiple locations in the painted area, including under the basket and from midrange, providing a spark that Dallas can build upon. If Dallas can pair Fam's length and size (6-foot-4 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan) with consistent energy from the center on the defensive end, her disruption could pay dividends.
2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles, G, TCU
Minnesota currently operates with guard Courtney Williams as its floor general, and Williams has done more than a formidable job in the role, leading the Lynx during its last two postseason runs. But, she's more of a combo guard who excels when she can hone in on scoring. Should the Lynx choose to move on from Williams, Miles could easily slide into the point guard role. Miles is seventh in the country in assists per game (6.4) and 20th in scoring (19.6 points per game). She can score in a variety of ways, which Minnesota could use as it makes another title run. Most importantly, her court vision is arguably the best in the country, which should be on full display in the NCAA Tournament.
3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd, G, UConn
After being traded to Seattle midseason, it's unclear if veteran Brittany Sykes would return. If she doesn't, the Storm would be wise to give Fudd a look. She's a shooting guard who can quietly command the floor by knocking down shots at will, but also understands what her team needs when asked to lock in on defense. Over the last month, Fudd's had four games where she shot 50% or higher from the field and four with three steals or more. Not to mention, she's still averaging close to 50-40-90, as the NCAA Tournament approaches.
4. Washington Mystics: Lauren Betts, C, UCLA
This may depend on Washington's plans for center Stefanie Dolson, who is 34. Still, even if the team keeps the veteran, having Betts would be helpful. Washington would get essential depth and a plug-and-play starter when needed. In her senior season, Betts averages nearly a double-double (16.4 ppg, 8.6 rebounds per game) and is also averaging a career high 1.1 steals. If Washington can get similar production from Betts, it would be in great shape for the future. If the UCLA center ever develops a 3-point shot, look out.
5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice, G, UCLA
Perhaps no UCLA player has elevated their stock more this season than Rice, who's averaging career highs in points (15.3 pgg), rebounds (6.0 per game), field goal percentage (50.4%) and 3-point percentage (38.1%). With March Madness in sight, Rice could continue building her case to be drafted higher, as the competition is the hardest of the season. It wouldn't be surprising if she catches the eye of the Chicago Sky with a statement push in the NCAA Tournament. Chicago needs guard depth and a potential starter as its starting point guard, Courtney Vandersloot, recovers from a torn ACL in her right knee.
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6. Toronto Tempo/Portland Fire: Ta'Niya Latson, G, South Carolina
Since transferring from Florida State, Latson hasn't needed to be as much of a scoring threat with South Carolina. However, she's just as critical to her new team's success. Latson often provides timely scoring for the Gamecocks when they need them most, especially in SEC play. Since mid-February, she's had four matches against ranked opponents where she scored 10 points or more while shooting at least 40%. Her efficiency is noteworthy and has led to a career high 49.3% shooting percentage from the field.
7. Portland Fire/Toronto Tempo: Flau'jae Johnson, G, LSU
Johnson is a huge part of LSU's success as the Tigers often go as she goes. If Johnson is aggressive and hunting for her shot, it often dictates how LSU responds in wall-to-wall matchups. Something that she could lean into more at the next level is her 3-point shooting. In her senior season, she's making a career-high 40.2% of her shots from deep. Portland or Toronto would do well to have a heavy 3-point presence in a league where multiple teams thrive on it.
8. Golden State Valkyries: Gabriela Jaquez, G, UCLA
In 32 starts this season, Jaquez has six where she scored under double digits. She's the ultimate glue player, who does a little bit of everything is quietly a critical piece to UCLA's success. Look no further than her Big Ten championship game performance against Iowa, where she finished with 12 points on 83.3% shooting, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Golden State, which also asks its players to be proficient on both sides of the ball, would benefit from having Jaquez on the roster. Her energy is palpable and she's constantly moving, always looking for the next play.
9. Washington Mystics: Gianna Kneepkens, G, UCLA
Much is made about Kneepkens' 3-point shooting skills, but as the season has unfolded, the UCLA guard has shown even more. She can put the ball on the floor, drive and hit pull-up jumpers with no problem. Kneepkens also works well under the basket, leaning on her basketball IQ, footwork and patience to score. The UCLA guard has been quietly averaging 50-40-90. Kneepkens reuniting with Betts in Washington would be a nice addition to the Mytics' core and help her assimilate into the WNBA.
10. Indiana Fever: Raven Johnson, G, South Carolina
For months, USA TODAY has had center Madinda Okot mocked to the Fever. However, with Okot seemingly seeking another year of eligibility, what if the Fever took another South Carolina player? Johnson has been having the best year of her career. The South Carolina senior has greatly improved her overall scoring, efficiency and shooting from 3-point range. Her lockdown defense has also been on full display as she earned SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Last season, the Fever played musical guards, because of injuries, but that could stop with Johnson, who can do fill any Indiana needs.
11. Washington Mystics: Nell Angloma, F, France
At 19 years old, Angloma already has some nice traits that might entice Washington. The French forward does very well in catch-and-shoot situations around the perimeter, but can also knock down a shot in the paint when called upon and get north and south for a score and foul draw, absorbing contact along the way. On the defensive side, she does a great job of anticipating sequences, jumping lanes and causing disruption. Angloma is a type of two-way talent teams might covet. If she can speed up her shot release to match the speed of the WNBA, she has a chance to thrive.
12. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon, F, Ole Miss
McMahon does so much for Ole Miss, and it will be nice to see what she looks like at the WNBA level without having to heavily lean into being a point-forward. The Sun could use her driving ability to attack the paint and her punishing midrange game. McMahon also crashes the glass, which is an underrated trait at the next level. Not having so much on her plate should allow McMahon to thrive early on with the Sun and adjust to the physicality of the WNBA.
13. Atlanta Dream: Ashlon Jackson, G, Duke
The Dream sorely need additional depth behind stars Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard. Atlanta could benefit from a player who could slide behind both when needed. Jackson's a solid option and a 3-point specialist, something Atlanta would covet in its system. She's also an underrated passer. Her vision on the court is seemingly slept on, but could be amplified in the right environment. If Duke makes a deep NCAA Tournament run, Jackson could have another breakout performance as she did in 2025 against Oregon. The Duke guard finished with 20 points (including five triples), four rebounds and a block against the Ducks.
14. Seattle Storm: Marta Suarez, F, TCU
If TCU wants to make another deep NCAA Tournament run, as it did last year, it needs a second star to step up alongside Olivia Miles. Enter Suarez. She's been the Horned Frogs' glue all season long, and a shining moment during March Madness could be just what she needs to get drafted in the first round. The TCU forward, who's having the best year of her career, is an all-around player who thrives on delivering when needed most. Whether it's a timely triple or momentum-shifting steal, Suarez isn't afraid of the moment. What's more, potentially plugging in Suarez behind the likes of Nneka Ogwumike would dramatically help her development.
15. Connecticut Sun: Tonie Morgan, G, Kentucky
At 8.2 assists per game, Morgan's an assist machine. However, the 5-foot-9 guard is more than her passing and facilitation skills. She plays bigger, often initiating contact with defenders with ease. After taking on physicality, she can also knock it down from all over the floor. The Wildcats need an aggressive mindset from Morgan in the NCAA Tournament to make a deep run, and if she can turn it on at the right time, the Kentucky guard could find herself drafted in the first round.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WNBA mock draft 2026: Players fans watch during Women's March Madness
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