Sneaker Rivals: 2026 Women's Final Four

For only the second time in the history of the women’s NCAA Tournament, the Final Four will be composed of the same four teams that competed in the year prior. It’s a testament to the strength of the #1 seeds UConn, Texas, UCLA, and South Carolina that they were able to maintain continuity over consecutive years, not to mention it made filling out this year’s bracket easier than it’s ever been. When all the experts predict chalk or all of the favorites to go the distance, you take it with a grain of salt because upsets are inevitable in college basketball. Except when it comes to these four teams apparently as they established their dominance from the start of the season.

Unlike the men’s side of the bracket, which is an all Nike and Jordan Brand shutout, Under Armour and South Carolina are crashing the party for the sixth straight season. Although the curiously named Lady Gamecocks will be switching to Nike along with the rest of the school next season, their run with Under Armour that includes three National Championships is undeniable. Probably makes it easier for legendary coach Dawn Staley to coordinate fits at the very least.

Before the games tipoff at the equally curiously named Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix this weekend, let’s take a look at the sneaker lineups for each of the four teams. UConn and South Carolina is a matchup of two powerhouses that traded National Championships over the past decade while UCLA and Texas will both be looking to prove they belong in the same conversation. The sneaker side might seem lopsided to the Nike and Jordan camp, but let’s not underestimate what UA and South Carolina can bring to the table.

Texas (Nike)

Top 3: Madison Booker’s Nike KD 19 PE, Bryanna Preston’s Nike Giannis Freak 7 PE, Jordan Lee’s Nike KD 16 PE

When Madison Booker became the first athlete signed to Team KD, an NIL initiative for University of Texas student-athletes in partnership with Kevin Durant and Nike, the sneaker world had to know what was coming next. Sure enough, Booker became the first college athlete to wear the Nike KD 19 in an Orange Crush PE colorway.

But the KDs have been in steady supply in Texas through the years, with players like Jordan Lee wearing a Nike KD 16 PE, although Bryanna Preston has occasionally tried on fellow Nike signature athlete PEs like the Nike Giannis Freak 7. While Booker has gone back to the KD 18 Texas and the Easy Money colorway in recent outings, it won’t be shocking to see the KD 19 once more at the Final Four or maybe even something a little bolder. Yes, I am wishcasting a metallic gold PE should Texas make it to the National Championship Game, let me live.

UCLA (Jordan Brand)

Top 3: Kiki Rice’s Air Jordan 4028 PE, Lauren Betts’ Jordan Tatum 4 PE, Charlisse Leger-Walker’s Jordan Heir Series PE

Kiki Rice’s arrival at UCLA was monumental not only because she was the top point guard in the country coming out of high school, but because she became Jordan Brand’s first NIL athlete. Her sneaker run has been legendary with Air Jordan exclusives that she can call her own, including the women's exclusive Jordan Heir, a stunning Air Jordan 38 Cherry Blossom PE, and now, as he prepares for her last run, an Air Jordan 4028 PE.

Alongside Rice are center and potential top 5 pick in the WNBA Draft Lauren Betts and guard Charlisse Leger-Walker, rocking PE colorways of the Jordan Tatum 4 and Jordan Luka 5, respectively. These very Westwood-specific PEs are only in the colors of the Bruins, but it features plenty of imagery and logos that represent the school on their respective upper.

South Carolina (Under Armour)

Top 3: Agot Makeer’s Curry D. Fox 2, Joyce Edwards’ Under Armour Spawn, Raven Johnson’s Under Armour Curry 7 Floral

South Carolina’s sneaker lineup is going to look very different come next season, but this last season with Under Armour is going to include some of the best from the brand. De’Aaron Fox’s signature D. Fox 2 was on the feet of freshman Agot Makeer during her big game in the Elite 8 against TCU, solidifying her spot as a critical role player off the bench for Coach Staley. Second-year star Joyce Edwards could earn her a spot among the Lady Gamecocks greats if she is able to deliver the team’s fourth championship in ten seasons while wearing a white-out colorway of the Under Armour Spawn. Sacramento Region’s Most Outstanding Player Raven Johnson could close out her career with another national championship while rocking the Under Armour Curry 7 in the Floral colorway.

UConn (Nike)

Top 3: Azzi Fudd’s Nike Sabrina 1 PE, Blanca Quiñonez’s Nike Sabrina 2 PE, Sarah Strong’s Nike KD 17 PE

Last year’s champs are set to defend their crown with a Final Four matchup against their opponents in last year’s championship game, South Carolina. This will be one of the last times we see Jordan Brand NIL athlete and likely #1 overall pick in this year’s WNBA draft Azzi Fudd in Nikes, and she’s closing out her college career with a Nike Sabrina 1 PE. Despite Fudd’s impending departure, UConn will be in good hands with sophomore Sarah Strong and freshman Blanca Quiñonez. Strong has worn the Nike KD 17 UConn throughout the tournament, while Quiñonez has been showing why she’s the program’s future with a Nike Sabrina 2 PE.

Juan Martinez

From video game journalism to veteran of the sneaker blog era to podcasting about well, everything, Juan is smiling through it all and can't believe this is his life. After recently getting into Formula 1, he now has hot takes about who the greatest driver of all time is. Email: juan@soleretriever.com