Countdown to Tip-Off: The Official 2025-26 Preseason Rankings
The Best NCAA Teams and Top WNBA Prospects to Watch
The day is finally here. After a long offseason of analysis, speculation, and anticipation, the 2025-26 women’s college basketball season is upon us.
As we get ready for the first games of the year, it’s time to set the stage. This list isn’t just a prediction of who will cut down the nets in April; it’s a ranking of the 10 best, deepest, and most talented teams to watch right now. For WNBA draft fans, this is your guide to the programs that will be shaping the future of the league.
Here’s our official Power Rankings for the 2025-26 season.
The Top 10 Teams in Women’s College Basketball
10. TCU
The Big Picture: The Olivia Miles era begins, and it could be special.
Why They’re Ranked Here: A healthy Olivia Miles is a First Team All-American and one of the most transcendent playmakers in the country. Her ability to control the pace and deliver on-target passes makes everyone around her better and instantly elevates TCU into the national conversation.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Olivia Miles (G), ’26 Taylor Bigby (G)
9. NC State
The Big Picture: The Wolfpack boast one of the best backcourts in the ACC.
Why They’re Ranked Here: This team is built on a core of dynamic guards. Junior Zoe Brooks is a proven scorer, sophomore Zamareya Jones is poised for a breakout, and the addition of transfer junior wing Khamil Pierre adds another layer of scoring and versatility. This is a tough, well-coached team that will be a problem all year.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 Zoe Brooks (G), ’27 Khamil Pierre (F)
8. Tennessee
The Big Picture: Year 2 under Kim Caldwell, and the Lady Vols look ready to fully unleash their high-octane offense.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Tennessee is poised for a significant leap now that Caldwell’s fast-paced system is established, though they will have to adjust to the recent dismissal of key guard Ruby Whitehorn. The core returns guard Talaysia Cooper along with forward Zee Spearman. Adding elite UCLA transfer Janiah Barker and a five-player freshman class led by guard Mia Pauldo brings significant versatility and scoring punch to a roster built to push the pace and overwhelm opponents. This team is long, skilled and has the depth and firepower to contend in the SEC and nationally.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Talaysia Cooper (G), ’26 Janiah Barker (F), ’26 Zee Spearman (F)
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7. LSU
The Big Picture: The star power in Baton Rouge is still as bright as ever.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Any team with an All-American Flau’jae Johnson is a threat. She’s joined by returning junior star Mikaylah Williams, forming one of the most dynamic wing duos in the country. LSU also made significant additions, bringing in transfer post Kate Koval (from Notre Dame), MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina), and the nation’s #1 recruiting class. This roster blends proven elite talent with high-impact newcomers, giving them the firepower and depth to beat anyone.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Flau’jae Johnson (G), ’27 Mikaylah Williams (G), ’27 MiLaysia Fulwiley (G)
6. Duke
The Big Picture: The Blue Devils have a potent mix of veteran leadership and high-upside young talent.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Duke’s strength comes from its pro-level talent on the wing. Senior guard Ashlon Jackson is a proven scorer, junior Jadyn Donovan is a versatile defender, and sophomore Toby Fournier looks ready to become the team’s star after leading them in scoring off the bench last season. They have the talent and athleticism to compete with anyone.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Ashlon Jackson (G), ’28 Toby Fournier (F)
5. Maryland
The Big Picture: The Terps reloaded in the portal and have their sights set on a Big Ten title.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Maryland quietly assembled a roster full of WNBA-level talent. They are led by Indiana transfer Yarden Garzon, a 6’3″ guard with a deadly shot alongside established scorers Kaylene Smikle and Saylor Poffenbarger. Adding Duke transfer Oluchi Okananwa provides even more depth and firepower on the perimeter. This team has the offensive versatility to be a legitimate dark horse.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Yarden Garzon (G), ’26 Kaylene Smikle (G), ’26 Saylor
Poffenbarger (G)
4. Texas
The Big Picture: The Longhorns are experienced, tough, and led by one of the most versatile players in the nation.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Texas boasts a potent blend of established stars and rising talent. All-American Madison Booker is the unique engine at point-forward, complemented by the defensive tenacity and leadership of point guard Rori Harmon. They possess a deep and physical frontcourt with returners Kyla Oldacre & Ashton Judd joined by impact transfer Breya Cunningham. Add in explosive sophomores Justice Carlton and Jordan Lee, who are poised for a breakout season, and you have a dangerous, multi-faceted team built for a deep March run.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Rori Harmon (G), ’27 Madison Booker (G)
3. South Carolina
The Big Picture: Dawn Staley has reloaded with arguably the most talented transfer class in history.
Why They’re Ranked Here: The Gamecocks are a juggernaut. They landed All-American guard Ta’Niya Latson (from Florida State) and dominant center Madina Okot (from Mississippi State) to lead a roster that is, as always, stacked with 5-star talent. They didn’t rebuild; they simply reloaded.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Ta’Niya Latson (G), ’26 Raven Johnson (G), ’26 Madina Okot (C), ’27 Tessa Johnson, ’29 Alicia Tournebize (F)
2. UCLA
The Big Picture: This is the deepest, most veteran-laden team in the country.
Why They’re Ranked Here: The Bruins are defined by their senior class, which features seven legitimate WNBA prospects. They are anchored by First Team All-American and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Lauren Betts, and surrounded by elite guards in Kiki Rice and sharpshooters Gianna Kneepkens. Their blend of talent, experience, and depth is staggering.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Lauren Betts (C), ’26 Kiki Rice (G), ’26 Gianna Kneepkens (G), ’26 Charlisse Leger-Walker (G), ’26 Angela Dugalic (F), ’26 Timea Gardiner (F), ’26 Gabriela Jaquez (G)
1. UConn
The Big Picture: It’s the superteam. On paper, this is the most talented roster in the nation.
Why They’re Ranked Here: No other team can match this concentration of offensive firepower. They have a graduate star (Azzi Fudd), a sophomore phenom (Sarah Strong), and added impact transfer Serah Williams. This gives them three legitimate 20-point scoring threats on the floor at all times. If this roster stays healthy, stopping them from repeating as national champions will be a monumental task.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’26 Azzi Fudd (G), ’26 Serah Williams (F), ’27 Ashlynn Shade (G), ’27 KK Arnold (G), ’28 Sarah Strong (F)
Honorable Mentions
Washington: The Huskies return one of the nation’s most potent and proven scoring trios in Elle Ladine, Sayvia Sellers, and Hannah Stines. With a top-15 recruiting class coming in and transfer guard Avery Howell, Washington has the offensive firepower to disrupt the top of the Big Ten.
Ole Miss: Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has completely reloaded her roster through the transfer portal. The addition of Cotie McMahon, an All-Big Ten power forward from Ohio State, and Latasha
Lattimore from Virginia, gives the Rebels a new frontcourt that makes them an immediate threat in the SEC.
Michigan: Our “surprise” team pick is Michigan. They have a dynamic sophomore core in Syla Swords, Olivia Olson, and Mila Holloway, who are now joined by impact transfers Kendall Dudley and Ashley Sofilkanich. This blend of returning talent and new firepower makes them a team to watch.
(Conclusion)
Who is ranked too high, too low, or was left out entirely?
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