Michael Voepel projects JuJu Watkins as the No. 1 pick in the 2027 WNBA draft. The USC Trojans guard, recovering from an ACL injury suffered in March 2025, is eligible for the draft this year. If Watkins returns to her previous form, she figures to be the top selection. The Houston Comets, formerly the Connecticut Sun, hold the best odds due to a tiebreaker with the expansion Toronto Tempo, both sporting a .250 winning percentage over recent seasons. Watkins drawing the top pick would be a full-circle moment, reminiscent of former USC star Cynthia Cooper when the franchise launched in 1997.
The draft order continues with Toronto selecting Madison Booker from Texas. Booker is praised for her length and defensive skills but raised concerns about inconsistent 3-point shooting, ranging from 30.6% as a freshman to just 28.4% as a junior. Washington Mystics would likely target Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo for her elite defense and scoring ability, averaging 23.9 points per game despite career 33.3% shooting from deep. Seattle Storm needs a point guard, eyeing Virginia's Kymora Johnson, who had her best season as a junior with 19.5 points and 5.9 assists.
The article highlights the early projections for the 2027 class, noting that the actual lottery order will depend on the tiebreaker procedure and player development over the coming season.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing