4 Women's Final Four Stars Who Could Shape the WNBA's Future
For the first time since 2008, all four No. 1 seeds have reached the NCAA women's basketball Final Four (Texas, South Carolina, UConn & UCLA). It's also the second consecutive season that all four of these teams have reached the semifinal round. This historic lineup will feature a deep pool of talent.
Each of these teams dominated their way to the semifinal round and one matchup even features a rematch of last year's national championship game between UConn and South Carolina. As national championship hopefuls, they lived up to the expectations after being deemed the four best teams at the start of the season. What they all have in common is a deep level of experience combined with WNBA-ready players.
What should have fans most excited is that this year's Final Four slate presents a clash of the titans moment for the sport. When analyzing each roster, these are certainly top dog, high-profile talents, which is the best thing that could have happened to women's basketball this season. Here are players from each Final Four team whose elite talents can help the WNBA continue to prosper.
Lauren Betts, UCLA
Lauren Betts' numbers were down a bit this year from last, but that doesn't really matter. She played a strong role in helping UCLA achieve their second consecutive Big Ten title. Her impressive 6-foot-7 frame makes her an intriguing player. Despite the scoring stats taking a dip, she's still easily one of the most dominating centers in college basketball. She is a complete package which showed up in the rebounding department, where she averaged 8.6 a game this season for the Bruins.
Betts' control of the middle of the floor also shows in her blocking game where she averaged 1.8 a contest in creating a matchup nightmare for opposing teams. Her large stature allows her the ability to control the paint making her a good fit for almost any WNBA team heading into the 2026 draft.
Azzi Fudd, UConn
UConn's standout guard Azzi Fudd is anticipated to be the No. 1 overall pick taken in this year's WNBA Draft. She's best known for being a premier shooter, which any WNBA squad would benefit from. This season she boasts high percentage shooting from beyond the arc (45.5%). Fudd also possesses high basketball IQ, often displayed in her rapid releases and quick decision making, which is crucial for the professional level.
She doesn't struggle on the defensive end either. She's known to be a tenacious defender that results in forcing turnovers. As a product of UConn's championship pedigree, it's expected that Fudd will adapt quickly to the WNBA.
Sarah Strong, UConn
UConn standout Sarah Strong will make an immediate impact in the WNBA when she becomes eligible in 2028. Her 6-foot-2 frame and all-around skillset make her as dominant as anyone in college basketball. She is a force around the rim, averaging 11.7 rebounds a game throughout the tournament.
Strong is also an elite shooter from any range on the court and has amazing court vision. What makes her a lock for being a future pillar of the WNBA is her unique combination of top-tier traits. Strong is just a sophomore and already competes like a generational talent.
Madison Booker, Texas
Texas Longhorns star Madison Booker has made herself an even bigger name during the team's deep post-season run. Not only has she helped her team win, but she's improving her future WNBA draft stock in the process. She's a highly skilled forward and has a lethal mid-range game, making her a potent scorer.
Booker brings every trait a WNBA franchise would want. Expect her to be near the top of 2027 mock drafts if she keeps up this production for Texas.
Lindsay Burke covers women’s basketball for Indiana Fever On SI and Women’s Fastbreak On SI. She graduated from Purdue University Fort Wayne with a Bachelor's Degree in journalism and a minor in media production. Early in her career she covered ECHL hockey, the NFL and college football and has since expanded her expertise to the WNBA and the Fever franchise.
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