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Michael Voepel
Multiple Authors
In a typical year, many major WNBA free agency moves would likely be resolved by now, with clearer team needs. but, this offseason has been anything but ordinary as negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the WNBA and the players’ union continue.
As a result, most players not bound by rookie contracts are entering free agency, and there are also two expansion teams with no current players. so, similar to our previous mock draft from November, we’re forecasting draft picks without vital context regarding the teams players will join.
What we have now, which was absent before, is substantial season data to assess current college seniors eligible for the draft. (Draft-eligible juniors are excluded from this mock draft).
ESPN’s WNBA mock draft retains the No. 1 pick: UConn guard Azzi Fudd, who appears poised to reunite with former Huskies teammate Paige Bueckers, the 2025 Rookie of the Year, with the Dallas Wings.
Championship Week and the NCAA tournament can influence draft rankings, as seen with players boosting their stock through March Madness success. This is something to monitor leading up to our next mock draft.
UConn | shooting guard | 5-foot-11 | senior
UConn aims for the seventh perfect season in program history, largely thanks to Fudd, who has helped the 26-0 Huskies remain undefeated. She averages 17.5 PPG and has a shooting accuracy of 45.5% (76-of-167) from beyond the arc. Fudd’s capacity to stretch defenses is invaluable in the WNBA, and she is also a solid defender. and, her UConn legacy carries significant weight in a league that features many exceptional former Huskies.
Spain | center | 6-foot-4
Fam, currently averaging 9.5 points and 4.7 rebounds for Valencia in Spain, is only 19 but possesses immense potential. There’s no better coach for her than the most seasoned in the WNBA: Cheryl Reeve. even if Fam has professional experience overseas, transitioning to the WNBA will present challenges. It’s unclear when Lynx star forward Napheesa Collier, who underwent ankle surgery in January, will return to form, potentially giving Fam more playing time initially for Minnesota.
TCU | point guard | 5-foot-10 | senior
Miles, the former Notre Dame star now at TCU for her senior campaign, leads the Horned Frogs with 20.5 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals while also grabbing 6.8 rebounds per game. One of her standout performances came Thursday, where she scored a career-high 40 points and made 10 three-pointers in a victory against Baylor. even if she could have entered the WNBA in the 2025 draft, she opted for another year to enhance her skills and confidence.
UCLA | center | 6-foot-7 | senior
Betts has experienced ups and downs early in the season but has since shown consistency. She averages 16.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks for a Bruins team that stands at 24-1 and leads the Big Ten at 14-0. Discussions on the role of traditional centers in the WNBA are ongoing, yet Betts possesses enough positive attributes to likely secure a place among the lottery picks.
LSU | shooting guard | 5-foot-10 | senior
even if Johnson’s scoring average has dipped from last season (13.8 PPG to 18.6), this drop can be attributed to LSU’s strong guard play and more balanced offense. especially, Johnson’s three-point shooting is at a career-high 43.9%, and her energy and defensive effectiveness are major advantages.
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Flau’jae Johnson discusses leadership style ahead of crunch matchup vs. South Carolina
Flau’jae Johnson discusses her leadership and playing alongside MiLaysia Fulwiley before LSU’s showdown vs. South Carolina.
Ole Miss | small forward | 6-foot | senior
McMahon recognizes the need to adapt to a perimeter-oriented role in the WNBA due to her size, as well as improve her three-point shooting. This awareness is part of why she chose Ole Miss to complete her college career after three seasons at Ohio State. In January, McMahon spoke to Andscape’s Ari Chambers about her understanding of polycystic ovary syndrome and its impact on her. She attributes her enhanced performance this season to that understanding, currently averaging a career-high 19.9 PPG.
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Cotie McMahon drops in the smooth basket
Cotie McMahon drops in the smooth basket
France | small forward | 5-foot-11
Angloma, currently playing for Basket Lattes Montpellier Agglomeration (BMLA) in France, is enjoying a fantastic season, averaging 16.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. She won’t turn 20 until June and likely possesses the versatility to play either the small forward or shooting guard positions in the WNBA.
Spain | point guard | 5-foot-8
Martin, who recently celebrated her 20th birthday, was part of the Spanish squad that reached the EuroBasket championship last summer. Presently, she averages 14.8 PPG and 4.6 APG for Perfumerias Avenida in Spain, and she was named MVP of the FIBA Under-19 World Cup in 2023.
UCLA | shooting guard | 5-foot-11 | senior
Kneepkens is an integral part of the UCLA guard unit that has kept the Bruins undefeated in the Big Ten. Known for her long-range shooting, she transferred to UCLA this season from Utah and for her career, she has a three-point shooting percentage of 43.7%. Currently, she is shooting at an impressive 45.9%. Her scoring average of 13.1 PPG has seen a decline from her career-best 19.3 last season, largely due to a significant increase in talent surrounding her with the leading Bruins.
South Carolina | center | 6-foot-6 | senior
Okot began her basketball journey in her mid-teens but has quickly become adept. After competing collegiately in her home country of Kenya, she played with Mississippi State last season before transferring to South Carolina. There is potential for the Gamecocks to request an additional year of eligibility for her. If she enters this year’s draft, she holds considerable promise, averaging 13.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.5 BPG.
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Madina Okot goes coast to coast with a steal and layup
Madina Okot gets in the passing lane and scores a fast-break basket for the Gamecocks.
Duke | shooting guard | 6-foot | senior
Jackson has been a cornerstone of Duke’s robust defense throughout her career. plus, she excels at three-point shooting; having made 212 treys for the Blue Devils, including 50 this season. She also averages a career-best of 4.6 assists as a senior.
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Ashlon Jackson sinks clutch triple for Duke
Ashlon Jackson is left wide open and drains a 3-pointer, extending Duke’s late lead over Louisville.
UCLA | point guard | 5-foot-11 | senior
Rice is enjoying a stellar final season with the Bruins, averaging 15.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, while boasting shooting rates of 50.8% from the field and 42.1% from three-point range. All these statistics represent career highs. Her ability to execute in critical moments has proven invaluable.
South Carolina | shooting guard | 5-foot-8 | senior
After leading Division I with an impressive 25.2 PPG last season, Latson opted to join a more prominent program, transferring from Florida State. even if her numbers have dipped slightly, and an ongoing leg injury has affected her performance, she still averages 15.5 PPG. There’s potential for her draft stock to rise again during the postseason.
TCU | small forward | 6-foot-3 | senior
A native of Oviedo, Spain, Suarez finds herself at her third collegiate institution, having played two seasons at Tennessee and another two at Cal. but, her transition to TCU for her final year may significantly boost her draft stock, as she has improved her three-point shooting (52-of-144, 36.1%) and developed into a more versatile scorer at her height. Approaching her 24th birthday in May, she is older than most draft hopefuls, but her extensive college background appears to be an asset.
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Marta Suarez sinks a 3 for TCU
Olivia Miles finds Marta Suarez, who sinks a 3-pointer for TCU.
UCLA | shooting guard | 6-foot-0 | senior
Jaquez joins the ranks of Bruins projected for the first round. Alongside guard Charlisse Leger-Walker and forward Angela Dugali, she is a strong contender for the draft. Currently, she averages 14.3 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 2.0 APG. Similar to her teammates Kneepkens and Rice, Jaquez shoots better than 40% from beyond the arc (43.4%).
