The 2025 WNBA regular season has barely wrapped, but attention is already turning toward the 2026 WNBA draft class, which could reshape the league before its two-team expansion next season.

With Toronto and Portland set to join, and several lottery-bound franchises already stockpiling talent, the next wave of stars is coming into focus.

Here's a look at the top five prospects projected to lead the way next spring.

1. Lauren Betts (UCLA, centre)

Lauren Betts enters the 2026 draft as the clear frontcourt prize. The 6'7, UCLA centre swept the national defensive awards in 2025, broke school records with 100 blocks in one season, and still averaged 20 points and nearly 10 rebounds.

She anchored the nation's best defence and showed playmaking touch on the offensive end, delivering multiple 30–10 performances on the NCAA tournament stage. With her mix of size, rim protection, and offensive polish, Betts looks every bit the franchise centrepiece teams covet.

2. Olivia Miles (TCU, point guard)

Three-time All-American and perennial finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award, Olivia Miles, is the active Division I leader in assists and triple-doubles, with over 1,400 points, 600 rebounds, and 600 assists to her name. After four standout years at Notre Dame, Miles transferred to TCU for her graduate season, and she'll enter the draft as one of the most polished playmakers available.

Known for her vision and ability to control the pace, Miles added a reliable outside shot in her senior year, becoming one of the rare players to average at least 15 points, five assists, and five rebounds while shooting 40 per cent from three.

Internationally, she's already excelled with USA Basketball, winning gold at the 2025 AmeriCup while setting a tournament record for assists. For WNBA teams looking for a guard who blends creativity with production, Miles is as close to a sure thing as this class offers.

3. Azzi Fudd (UConn, guard)

After battling injuries early in her career, Azzi Fudd delivered a breakout redshirt junior season, averaging 13.6 points on 43.6 per cent from three and earning Final Four Most Outstanding Player while leading UConn to the 2025 national championship. Her 24-point title game performance against South Carolina capped a tournament where she averaged 17.5 points per contest and surpassed 1,000 career points.

Fudd's ability to stretch defences with deep shooting range, combined with her proven track record on the bigger stages, makes her a high-floor prospect whose offensive impact should translate immediately to the WNBA.

4. Flau'jae Johnson (LSU, guard)

Flau'jae Johnson has been a fixture at LSU since her freshman year, and by 2025, she had firmly established herself as one of the SEC's top guards. A former Freshman of the Year and now a First Team All-SEC and Third Team All-American, Johnson combined scoring punch with defensive versatility.

She averaged 18.6 points and 5.6 rebounds as a junior, crossing 1,000 career points and delivering a career-high 28 in the Elite Eight against UCLA. Known for her ability to score in transition and create offence off the dribble, she has also grown as a playmaker and defender, regularly stuffing box scores with assists, steals, and even blocks. Johnson's upward trajectory and ability to perform in pressure moments make her one of the most dynamic backcourt prospects in the 2026 class.

5. Ta'Niya Latson (South Carolina, guard)

Few guards in college basketball have scored with the consistency and volume of Ta'Niya Latson. From the moment she arrived at Florida State, she rewrote freshman record books, leading the ACC in scoring and piling up 30-point nights with ease. By the end of her junior year, she had already topped 2,000 career points, tied the program record with a 40-point outburst at Virginia Tech, and notched the rare feat of a triple-double.

She owns a career free-throw percentage in the mid-80s and improved her three-point shooting as her role expanded. Beyond the numbers, Latson has shown the ability to take over games in March, stringing together high-scoring performances in back-to-back NCAA tournaments.

Now at South Carolina to close out her college career, she brings instant offence, the ability to create her own shot from anywhere on the floor, and the track record of a guard who has answered every challenge at the highest level.

The bigger picture

The 2026 draft isn't just about the top five. Expansion and roster turnover will create opportunities for names like Spain's Awa Fam, a raw but versatile forward, and sharpshooters like Gianna Kneepkens and Yarden Garzon.

With more teams in the league and a strong mix of post players and guards, this deep class is set to arrive at a perfect time.

What separates this group from recent years is positional balance. After consecutive drafts headlined by guards like Clark and Bueckers, the 2026 pool brings dominant centres, floor generals, and perimeter scorers alike.

For rebuilding teams and brand-new franchises, it could be the foundation of the league's next era.