As the 2026 WNBA Draft tips off tonight in New York, several standouts from Kentucky and Louisville women’s basketball programs will be watching anxiously to see if their names are called. The event gives a handful of familiar faces from the Battle of the Bluegrass a chance to take the next step in their careers after memorable NCAA Tournament runs.
Tonie Morgan leads Kentucky’s draft hopes
Guard Tonie Morgan maximized her final college season in Lexington, stepping into the starting point guard role after transferring from Georgia Tech and replacing Georgia Amoore. She averaged 13.8 points and 7.9 assists while guiding Kentucky to a Sweet 16 appearance, showcasing her ability to both score and orchestrate the offense at a high level. National mock drafts have Morgan projected in the middle of the draft, with one outlet slotting her at No. 20 to the Los Angeles Sparks and another seeing her go at No. 16 to the Seattle Storm, underlining her reputation as one of the top playmaking guards available.
Morgan isn’t the only Wildcat drawing pro attention. Center Teonni Key, Kentucky’s second-leading rebounder at 7.5 boards per game to go with 11.4 points and 1.3 blocks, is also expected to be in the mix. Her size, defensive presence, and productive rebounding have her projected in a similar late‑second‑round range, with at least one projection pairing her with the Sparks.
Louisville’s Laura Ziegler steps onto the big stage
On the Louisville side, forward Laura Ziegler has turned an impressive single season in a power conference into a real shot at the WNBA. After a strong career at Saint Joseph’s, the Denmark native made an immediate impact for the Cardinals, averaging 11 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists while helping fuel a record-setting season and a Sweet 16 run. Her versatility—scoring, rebounding, and playmaking from the forward spot—has made her an intriguing option for teams looking for a skilled, multi-tool frontcourt player.
Ziegler has been projected as a late pick, with at least one mock draft sending her to the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the second round. For Louisville, her selection would continue the program’s strong tradition of moving impact players on to the professional level.
Other Kentucky names to know
Beyond Morgan and Key, several other Kentucky players are on the radar as possible late selections or training-camp invites:
-
Jordan Obi, guard – A backcourt option who adds depth and scoring.
-
Amelia Hassett, forward – A frontcourt piece with size and room to grow at the pro level.
Whether all of them are drafted or not, their college performances have positioned them to compete for opportunities in WNBA camps and overseas.
How to watch the 2026 WNBA Draft
The 2026 WNBA Draft takes place tonight at 7 p.m. at The Shed in Manhattan, New York. The entire event will be broadcast on ESPN, with live streaming available through ESPN.com and the ESPN app for cable subscribers. Viewers without cable can watch via ESPN+, where the draft is available to subscribers.
If you’d like, I can now help you craft a shorter betting- or promo-focused version of this (for example, to pair with a FanDuel “Bet $5, Get $250 if your bet wins” mention) that fits social or blog format.
More to follow: Tennessee sports betting
