2026-27 Women's College Basketball Preseason Top 10 Rankings
The Best NCAA Teams and Top WNBA Prospects to Watch
The wait is officially over. The 2026-27 women’s college basketball season is less than two weeks away.
Before the opening tip, it is time to map out the national landscape. And for those keeping an eye on the next level, consider this your essential watchlist for the prospects who will soon take over the WNBA.
Here’s our 2026-27 women’s college basketball rankings.
The Top 10 Teams in Women’s College Basketball
1. UConn
The Big Picture: The Huskies enter the season with a retooled roster built for another championship run.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd have moved on, but junior forward Sarah Strong—last year’s National Player of the Year—returns looking better than ever. In the backcourt, Allie Ziebell is poised for a major breakout season. UConn has also reloaded with international freshmen Jovana Popovic and Marine Dursus. Both guards bring significant high-level overseas experience, and Popovic has already emerged as one of the team’s best players in early exhibition games. If the success of fellow international standout Blanca Quiñonez last season is any indication, this new duo will adapt seamlessly. Rounding out the core is freshman forward Olivia Vukosa, who projects as an instant-impact player for the Huskies.
Top WNBA Prospects: ’27 Sarah Strong (F), ’27 KK Arnold (G), ’28 Allie Ziebell (G), ’29 Blanca Quiñonez (F)
2. South Carolina
The Big Picture: The Gamecocks boast a stacked roster with a terrifyingly long and athletic frontcourt.
Why They’re Ranked Here: South Carolina’s frontcourt looks scary good, anchored by the return of veteran forwards Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins. The perimeter is just as dangerous, featuring senior sharpshooter Tessa Johnson and senior transfer guard Brooke Quarles-Daniels, who brings crucial veteran leadership to the backcourt. Texas transfer Jordan Lee should slot straight in as a starter, while returners Agot Makeer and Alicia Tournebize look to take a leap. Add in highly touted freshmen Jerzy Robinson and Oliviyah Edwards, and Dawn Staley has assembled a rotation with virtually no weaknesses.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 Tessa Johnson (G), ’27 Chloe Kitts (F), ’27 Ashlyn Watkins (F), ’28 Jordan Lee (G), ’29 Alicia Tournebize (F), ’29 Agot Makeer (G), ’30 Oliviyah Edwards (F)
3. USC
The Big Picture: JuJu Watkins returns to lead a young but exceptionally talented roster with maybe the highest ceiling in the country.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Watkins is back from injury, and she is surrounded by a formidable group of talented players this year. Jazzy Davidson returns following a Freshman of the Year campaign, while Kennedy Smith is one of the best two-way players in the country. The Trojans also bring in a highly touted freshman class highlighted by Saniyah Hall, a versatile wing who can do a little bit of everything, and Sara Okeke, an athletic forward who should start from day one. The only question mark is experience. Outside of Watkins, this team is undeniably young, but if they can mesh together, USC has the talent to beat anyone in the country.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 JuJu Watkins (G), ’28 Kennedy Smith (G), ’29 Jazzy Davidson (G), ’30 Saniyah Hall (G), ’30 Sara Okeke (F)
4. Michigan
The Big Picture: After advancing to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight last season, Michigan has the returning firepower and high-impact additions to take the next leap.
Why They’re Ranked Here: The Wolverines finished 28–7 with a 15–3 record in Big Ten play (finishing second in the conference) before advancing to the Elite Eight last season. They return their top five scorers, highlighted by the terrific trio of Syla Swords, Olivia Olson, and Mila Holloway, who are now juniors. Could this be the season where they turn the corner and become true contenders? Returners Kendall Dudley and Te’Yala Delfosse are athletic, bouncy forwards who are expected to play heavy minutes, while Stanford transfer Courtney Ogden should be a difference maker right away with her two-way play.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’28 Syla Swords (G), ’28 Olivia Olson (G), ’27 Courtney Ogden (F)
5. Duke
The Big Picture: Duke brings a suffocating defensive identity paired with an exceptionally long roster.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Duke’s defense is consistently elite, but this season they benefit from being a year older after fielding a relatively young rotation last year. Junior forward Toby Fournier returns to anchor the offense after establishing herself as the team’s top scorer. Texas transfer Aaliyah Crump brings immediate perimeter production and should slot right in as a starter. Returners Riley Nelson and Delaney Thomas made huge strides last season and are poised to be major impact players, while Emilee Skinner—a top recruit who redshirted last year—is ready to officially launch her college career. Down low, the presence of Arianna Roberson and Jordan Wood gives the Blue Devils a long, versatile frontcourt; both are formidable rim protectors, and can still step out to shoot from deep.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 Delaney Thomas, ’28 Toby Fournier (F), ’29 Aaliyah Crump (G)
6. Louisville
The Big Picture: Armed with a returning core and an influx of elite talent, Jeff Walz has assembled one of the deepest teams the Cardinals have fielded in recent years.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Louisville returns four of their five leading scorers, highlighted by the trio of Tajianna Roberts, Elif Istanbulluoglu, and Imari Berry. They pair that continuity with a wave of high-impact transfers. Carys Baker arrives after establishing herself as Virginia Tech’s top scorer last season, providing instant offensive firepower. Zamareya Jones brings dynamic shot creation in the mold of Berry, while Deniya Prawl adds athleticism out on the wing. Throw in Amiya Joyner, who averaged nearly 10 points per game at LSU last year, and the roster features an abundance of shot-making, versatility, and three-point shooting. If Walz can put it all together, this team will make some serious noise.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 Carys Baker (F), ’28 Imari Berry (G), ’29 Deniya Prawl (F)
7. LSU
The Big Picture: LSU brings serious offensive firepower to the backcourt, leaning heavily on elite guard play to offset a lack of size.
Why They’re Ranked Here: LSU’s top returning players, Mikaylah Williams and MiLaysia Fulwiley, are now seniors and give the Tigers a lethal 1-2 scoring punch. They are joined by a pair of immediate-impact transfers expected to start right away. Jada Williams arrives from Iowa State after a breakout season as a true playmaker with much-improved three-point shooting, while Laila Reynolds brings a physical, versatile presence who can do a little bit of everything. Add in top freshman Lola Lampley, who should see heavy minutes from day one, and the rotation is loaded. The only question mark is size; this LSU team is notably small. The season hinges on whether their offensive firepower can more than make up for it against bigger frontcourts.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 Mikaylah Williams (G), ’27 MiLaysia Fulwiley (G), ’27 Jada Williams (G), ’27 Laila Reynolds (G)
8. Washington
The Big Picture: The Huskies have retooled with a mix of returning production and high-impact transfers to stay near the top of the standings.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Washington lost stalwart Elle Ladine, but they bring back plenty of proven talent. Sayvia Sellers returns to lead the offense as the team’s top scorer, flanked by sharpshooter Avery Howell and versatile post player Brynn McGaughy. The Huskies also capitalized on the portal, bringing in Oklahoma State transfer Macey Huard to bolster the backcourt rotation. Up front, former NC State center Tilda Trygger arrives as their biggest portal addition. The 6-foot-6 transfer averaged an impressive 10.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game last season. She should step in immediately to provide rim protection and interior scoring.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 Sayvia Sellers (G), ’28 Avery Howell (G), ’28 Tilda Trygger (C), ’29 Brynn McGaughy (F)
9. Kentucky
The Big Picture: Despite major roster turnover, the Wildcats boast one of the nation’s premier bigs and a massive influx of versatile, high-ceiling newcomers.
Why They’re Ranked Here: Kentucky lost four of their top six scorers, but they return their top player in Clara Strack. The two-way center led the team in points, rebounds, and blocks last season and projects as a top-10 pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft. She is flanked by returning guard Asia Boone, the SEC’s second-best three-point shooter last year. However, it is the newcomers that make this team so intriguing. Ajša Sivka, a 6-foot-4 stretch forward drafted by the Chicago Sky, arrives with elite international experience. Florida transfer Me’Arah O’Neal brings size, experience, and the ability to knock down the three. If McDonald’s All-American freshmen Maddyn Greenway, Saavy Swords, and Emily McDonald can make an immediate impact, they will raise the ceiling for this team.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 Clara Strack (C), ’28 Me’Arah O’Neal (F)
(Note: Ajša Sivka was selected 10th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2025 draft and her WNBA rights are already held).
10. UNC
The Big Picture: Anchored by returning interior size and a game-changing freshman point guard taking the reins, the Tar Heels have the pieces to quickly offset their heavy offseason departures.
Why They’re Ranked Here: UNC lost six players to graduation and the transfer portal, but they retain a solid foundation with returning senior forward Ciera Toomey and junior center Blanca Thomas. Joining them in the frontcourt is Oklahoma State transfer Achol Akot, who should slot in as the starting four after averaging 12.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game last season, while 6-foot-4 freshman Noelle Bofia provides interior depth. In the backcourt, Nyla Brooks returns as one of the team’s top shooters. Stanford transfer Chloe Clardy brings experience and physicality, ready to log heavy minutes. However, the offense will be driven by top recruit Kate Harpring. She should step in as the starting point guard from day one and prove to be an immediate difference maker.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 Ciera Toomey (F), ’27 Achol Akot (F), ’27 Chloe Clardy (G), ’30 Kate Harpring (G)
Honorable Mentions
UCLA: The defending national champions have a drastically different look after losing their top six scorers to the WNBA. The Bruins will lean heavily on senior sniper Timea Gardiner—a career 40-percent three-point shooter returning from a redshirt year—and Sienna Betts, who averaged 6.0 points and 4.0 rebounds last season and is primed for a sophomore leap. To offset their massive offseason departures, UCLA hit the portal hard over the summer. Point forward Addy Brown arrives as a three-year starter from Iowa, joining Donovyn Hunter and Elina Aarnisalo to form an entirely new starting backcourt. K.K. Bransford and Bonnie Deas provide crucial perimeter depth, while top freshman Somto Okafor has already turned heads in early exhibition play. However, the retooled rotation did just take a hit, as Lena Bilic was recently ruled out for the season due to injury.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’27 Timea Gardiner (F), ’27 Addy Brown (F), ’27 Donovyn Hunter (G), ’29 Sienna Betts (F)
Illinois: Shauna Green continues to elevate the program in Champaign, returning the top nine players from last season, headlined by forward Berry Wallace, fresh off a First Team All-Big Ten campaign, and standout forward Cearah Parchment, who earned Big Ten All-Freshman honors. The Illini also expect a major leap from guard Aaliyah Guyton. With one season at Illinois now under her belt, the highly touted prospect is primed for a breakout year. On the perimeter, the offense is spaced by their best shooter, Maddie Webber, who averaged 10.8 points per game and shot a blistering 39.7 percent from three-point range last season. This blend of established production and elite emerging talent makes the Illini a dangerous out in a crowded Big Ten.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): Berry Wallace (F), Cearah Parchment (F)
Vanderbilt: Head coach Shea Ralph has steadily built a formidable program in Nashville, and they were the darlings of the conference last season. However, the Commodores lost three top seniors in Justine Pissott, Sacha Washington, and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda (two of whom are now in the WNBA). They still return one of the most exciting backcourts in the country in Mikayla Blakes—who led the nation in scoring last year—and reigning SEC Freshman of the Year Aubrey Galvan. They also hit the portal to land transfer Mia Woolfolk, who should provide immediate interior scoring. The question is whether they will have enough frontcourt help to remain competitive in a loaded SEC.
Top WNBA Prospect(s): ’28 Mikayla Blakes (G), ’29 Aubrey Galvan (G)
Who is ranked too high, too low, or was left out entirely?
