Let’s look at how top draft prospects did like Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd and Te-Hina Paopao.
The University of Connecticut Huskies secured their 12th NCAA Division I women’s basketball national championship by defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks 82-59 on April 6, 2025. This victory marked UConn’s first title since 2016, which was New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart’s senior season at Storrs.
Key Players from UConn:
- Paige Bueckers (Guard): Contributed 17 points, six rebounds, and three assists in the championship game. Bueckers is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming 2025 WNBA Draft and go to the Dallas Wings, despite chatter and I’ll leave it at that.
- Azzi Fudd (Guard): Recorded 24 points, five rebounds, and three steals in the final. Fudd was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four and is expected to be a top prospect for the 2026 WNBA Draft. Since she is from the Washington area, it wouldn’t be out of the question to see her in a Washington Mystics uniform because the Mystics aren’t projected to be a top team this season.
- Sarah Strong (Forward): Scored 24 points and averaged 16.2 points per game in the 2024-25 college season. She is just a freshman and it’s unlikely that the 2026 WNBA Draft will allow two-and-throughs when Strong finishes her second college season.
Key Players from South Carolina
- Te-Hina Paopao (Guard): Paopao is recognized for her exceptional ball-handling skills and three-point shooting accuracy. In the 2025 WNBA Mock Draft, she would likely be picked in the second half of the first round, after the Mystics pick No. 6 however. She only scored 3 points yesterday.
- Chloe Kitts (Forward): Kitts has demonstrated versatility and athleticism on the court. She has been a significant contributor to the Gamecocks’ success and is anticipated to be a strong candidate in the 2026 WNBA Draft. Kitts only scored 9 points yesterday on 3-of-11 shooting however.
- Sania Feagin (Forward): Feagin’s defensive prowess and rebounding capabilities have made her a standout player. She is projected as a notable prospect in the 2025 WNBA Draft, but in a game where the Gamecocks were soundly beaten, she too just had 8 points. In fact, no starter for South Carolina scored in double figures.
Do you have any thoughts on where the NON seniors (or non 2025 WNBA Draft eligible players) could be in 2026? Players like Kitts and Fudd? Let us know in the comments below.