According to the latest report by the sports news portal SportsPulse, the 2026 WNBA Draft will feature the attendance of 15 elite prospects who have been officially invited to participate in the selection event set to take place in New York City. Notably, this year’s cohort is highlighted by the inclusion of five champions from the NCAA powerhouse UCLA Bruins, underscoring the program’s continued dominance in collegiate women’s basketball.
Standout Prospects and Their Backgrounds
At the forefront of the invitees stands Lauren Betts, the UCLA center whose performance during the Bruins’ national championship run earned her the distinguished Most Outstanding Player accolade. Her presence at the draft is further complemented by her UCLA teammates: Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens, and Angela Dugalić, all of whom have secured their spots as representatives of one of the most successful programs in recent memory.
Complementing the UCLA contingent, several other premier college athletes have been invited to the draft, including Azzi Fudd, a guard from UConn, whose skills have made her a formidable presence on the court. Additionally, Olivia Miles of TCU and Flau’jae Johnson from LSU have rounded out the leading prospects, bringing a diverse range of talent and experience to the upcoming selection.
The international scene is represented by notable figures such as Awa Fam, a center from the Spain National Team, and Nell Angloma, a forward hailing from France. Their invitations reflect the growing globalization of the WNBA draft pool, with teams increasingly scouting talent beyond U.S. collegiate programs.