Get ready for a potential game-changer in the WNBA Draft world! UCLA is poised to shatter a decades-old record, and the excitement is palpable. With the Dallas Wings securing the draft lottery once again and the NCAA women’s basketball season in full swing, all eyes are on the 2026 WNBA Draft. Last year, Paige Bueckers was the undisputed top pick, but this time, the question of who Dallas will choose is far from settled. But here’s where it gets controversial: could UCLA’s Lauren Betts be the one to claim that coveted spot? At 6-foot-7, Betts is averaging an impressive 13.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, making her a top contender. Even if she’s not first, there’s no way she falls out of the top four. Yet, Betts isn’t the only Bruin turning heads—UCLA is on the brink of setting a new record for the most players selected in a single WNBA Draft.
And this is the part most people miss: UCLA’s talent pool runs deep. Alongside Betts, guards Kiki Rice and Gianna Kneepkens are making waves. Rice is having a breakout season, averaging 15.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game, including a standout performance of 20 points and 11 rebounds against ranked Tennessee. Kneepkens, a transfer from Utah, is a sharpshooter averaging 13.9 points, 3.7 assists, and a staggering 45.8% from three-point range. Both are projected as top-10 picks. But wait, there’s more—Charlisse Leger-Walker, Gabriela Jaquez, and Angela Dugalić are also expected to hear their names called on draft night.
Gabriela Jaquez, in particular, is one to watch. Her 29-point performance against Tennessee, shooting 71.4% from the field, has scouts taking notice. Could she be the sleeper pick of the draft? Meanwhile, Dugalić’s dominance in the paint (11.1 points, 6.6 rebounds per game) makes her a valuable asset for any team. If all six Bruins are drafted, UCLA will surpass the record set by Tennessee in 1999 and 2008, as well as Notre Dame in 2019, and South Carolina in 2023, all of which had five players selected.
Here’s the bold question: Is UCLA’s 2026 class the most talented in WNBA Draft history? Or is this just a fluke of exceptional depth? Let’s spark a debate—do you think UCLA will break the record, and if so, which Bruin will be the highest pick? Share your thoughts below and let’s dive into the discussion!
