The final test: WNBA prospects to watch this March

In the world of women’s basketball, March Madness means the WNBA draft is looming. Currently scheduled for April 13, the WNBA Draft occurs immediately after the biggest tournament of college basketball. 

That timing raises the stakes. March Madness isn’t just about a title run. It’s a final evaluation window. A strong tournament can boost a player’s draft stock, while struggles — whether it’s cracking under pressure or making poor defensive reads — can do the opposite.

For some players, though, this March Madness is about solidifying their college basketball legacy. These players have been at the top of the game since their first year, are consistently in all the WNBA mock drafts and are some of the best players in the game. 

Here are the four game-changing WNBA prospects to watch out for this March.

 Azzi Fudd: Guard, UConn

At the moment, Fudd is the consensus No. 1 pick in nearly every mock draft — and for very good reason. Azzi Fudd is just that good at every aspect of basketball. Coming off winning the Final Four Most Outstanding Player and a national championship in the 2025 season, she has helped UConn on a 34-0 run and is currently one of the NCAA’s top scorers, averaging 17.7 points per game. 

She’s an elite playmaker and high-IQ defender, and her ability to consistently shoot from all three levels puts her at the top of her class. She is also one of the best shooters in Division I women’s basketball. Currently shooting 45% from three-point range and 95% on free throws, Fudd is no doubt the best player in college basketball right now and is definitely someone to watch out for this March.

Lauren Betts: Center, UCLA

Standing at 6-foot-7, Lauren Betts is an absolute force in the paint. Just her presence alone changes how teams play — she’s averaging 8.6 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per contest, making her a serious threat on defense and one of the most sought-after players in the draft. She was named the 2026 Big Ten Player of the Year and has also previously won Defensive Player of the Year.

On offense, she’s just as good. She averaged 16.4 points per game and can run the offense from the block, drawing in defenders and kicking the ball out to her teammates. That ability has been a huge part of UCLA’s dominant 31-1 season. If you want to watch someone run the floor defensively, she is definitely the one to keep an eye on. 

Kiki Rice: Point Guard, UCLA

The ultimate playmaker — that’s the simplest way to describe Kiki Rice. Her ability to create space against taller defenders and take control of the pace makes her one of the most polished guards in this draft class. She’s as reliable as anyone in college basketball, scoring in double figures in all but two games this season and consistently setting the tone for her team.

A Big Ten All-Defensive Team selection and unanimous First Team All-Big Ten pick, Rice has taken a clear step forward since her freshman year at UCLA. She’s improved across nearly every statistical category, now shooting 50.4% from the field and over 33% from three. With that kind of efficiency and control, she fits exactly what WNBA teams are looking for in a modern perimeter player.

Rice is a player who UCLA coaches have said is the “heart and soul” of the UCLA Bruins team, and you can see it on the court when she plays. 

Olivia Miles: Guard, TCU

Miles’s time at Notre Dame women’s basketball was already impressive, but since transferring to TCU, she has taken her game to another level. She’s shown she can do a little bit of everything, averaging 20 points per game while also pulling down over six rebounds — well above the norm for guards in the NCAA.

What separates Miles is how she turns nearly every possession into something productive, whether she’s scoring herself or setting up a teammate. That kind of playmaking gives her an edge over most players in this draft class. She has also been efficient, shooting over 36% from three-point range and nearly 90% from the free throw line, adding consistency to her all-around impact.

Miles was draft-eligible in 2025 but chose to return for another season, and it’s a decision that’s clearly paid off.

The 2026 Women’s March Madness Tournament begins March 18, with the National Championship set for April 5.