JuJu Watkins expected to be top 2027 WNBA pick, but lottery details pending

JuJu Watkins is projected as the top selection in the 2027 WNBA Draft, but the official lottery has not yet been held to determine the exact order. The USC guard, who is 6-foot-2, missed the 2025-26 season after tearing an ACL in March 2025. She returns to the court when the 2026-27 college season begins Sunday. If she regains her previous form, she is expected to be chosen first.

The path to the top pick is complicated by a tie in the draft odds. The Houston Comets, formerly the Connecticut Sun, hold a .250 winning percentage over the last two seasons. The Toronto Tempo, a 2026 expansion team, also finished its only season with a .250 record. Because they are tied, the two teams split the best odds for the first overall pick. A tiebreaker rule favors the Comets if the number of lottery combinations is odd, which places Houston ahead of Toronto in current projections.

The 2026 WNBA season concluded recently, setting the stage for the next draft cycle. Watkins’ injury in 2025 made her eligible for the 2027 draft. Her performance this coming season will be the primary factor in her selection. The Comets have a history of selecting elite guards, as they chose USC alumna Cynthia Cooper when the franchise launched in 1997.

Other top prospects include Texas forward Kayla Booker and Notre Dame guard Aaliyah Hidalgo. Booker averages 17.1 points and 6.7 rebounds but has inconsistent three-point shooting, ranging from 28.4% to 40.3% over her career. Hidalgo is a defensive specialist with 481 career steals and averages 23.9 points. The Washington Mystics are projected to select her third. Seattle Storm guard Ariel Johnson is also in the mix, having averaged 19.5 points and 5.9 assists as a junior.

The draft class includes players from France, such as Sarah Cissé and Ainhoa Risacher. Cissé, a 6-foot-2 forward, won the U20 European Championship MVP this summer. Risacher is a versatile wing who also played on that winning team. Both turn 20 in 2027, making them eligible for the WNBA.

Teams will evaluate these players as the college season progresses. The Houston Comets and Toronto Tempo will await the lottery to confirm their pick order. Watkins’ ability to return to her pre-injury level will determine if she maintains her status as the clear number one choice.

The 2026-27 season opens Sunday. Watkins will lead her USC Trojans team, while Booker, Hidalgo, and other prospects begin their senior or draft-eligible seasons. The draft lottery details have not been released by the WNBA, leaving the exact selection order uncertain until the event takes place.