JuJu Watkins projected No. 1 WNBA pick in latest 2027 mock draft

JuJu Watkins has been projected as the No. 1 overall pick in ESPN’s latest 2027 WNBA mock draft, putting the USC star at the centre of early attention ahead of another important season in women’s college basketball. Although her decision to enter the professional ranks remains uncertain, Watkins continues to be viewed as a potential franchise-changing talent.

The latest projections arrive on a major day for Women’s Basketball, with No. 1 South Carolina scheduled to face No. 3 USC in Greenville, South Carolina. The matchup, scheduled for Sunday and broadcast on ABC, features several players expected to attract attention from WNBA teams ahead of the 2027 draft.

Watkins leads the projected first-round selections, while three South Carolina players also feature among the expected picks. However, questions surrounding college eligibility and potential declarations mean the draft picture could change considerably before the selection process begins.

JuJu Watkins Leads the 2027 WNBA Mock Draft

ESPN’s latest mock draft places Watkins at No. 1, with the Houston Comets projected to select the USC guard. The 6-foot-2 senior has already made an impressive return to college basketball after missing the previous season because of a knee injury suffered in March 2025.

Watkins is averaging 24.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.7 steals heading into the game against South Carolina. Those numbers highlight her ability to influence games in multiple areas, making her one of the most closely watched prospects in the 2027 WNBA draft conversation.

There is still no confirmation about whether Watkins will declare for the draft or return to USC for another college season. Although she missed last season through injury, her age makes her eligible for the professional draft. ESPN has therefore continued to include her in its projections.

If Watkins decides to turn professional, she could become a major addition for whichever franchise secures the first overall selection. Her scoring ability, defensive impact and all-around production make her a compelling prospect for a team looking to build around a young star.

WNBA Draft Eligibility Creates Uncertainty

Watkins is not the only player whose future remains unclear. Several seniors who have already completed three college seasons could potentially return for the 2027-28 campaign under the NCAA’s new age-based eligibility model, which follows the five-seasons-in-five-years rule.

This uncertainty makes early mock drafts particularly difficult to predict. Players who currently appear among the projected first-round selections may decide to remain in college, while other prospects could become eligible or improve their draft positions during the season.

As a result, both the potential draft pool and the order of selections remain subject to change. The current projections should be viewed as an early assessment rather than a confirmed indication of where players will eventually be selected.

WNBA Draft Lottery: Teams Competing for the No. 1 Pick

The WNBA draft lottery is scheduled for Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The results will determine which franchise receives the coveted first overall selection in the 2027 draft.

In the latest mock draft, the Houston Comets are projected to receive the No. 1 pick, followed by the Toronto Tempo. Both teams have a 32.9% chance of winning the top selection according to the supplied lottery figures.

The lottery odds are calculated using teams’ combined records from the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Expansion franchises Portland and Toronto, which do not have records across both seasons, have their odds determined using last season’s results.

WNBA Draft Lottery Odds

The following teams are competing for the first overall pick, with the Houston Comets and Toronto Tempo holding the highest listed chances.

2027 WNBA Mock Draft: Projected First-Round Picks

1. Houston Comets – JuJu Watkins

College: USC | Position: Guard | Height: 6-foot-2 | Class: Senior

Watkins remains the headline prospect in the latest mock draft. After missing the previous season with a knee injury, she has returned with strong performances for USC. Her averages of 24.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.7 steals demonstrate her impact on both ends of the court.

Her decision about entering the draft will be one of the biggest developments to follow during the season. If she declares, she could give the Houston Comets an opportunity to build around an exciting young guard.

2. Toronto Tempo – Madison Booker

College: Texas | Position: Forward | Height: 6-foot-1 | Class: Senior

Madison Booker is projected to join the Toronto Tempo with the second overall selection. The Texas forward has made a strong start to the season, including a 30-point performance with six assists against Northern Colorado.

Her combination of size, strength and offensive confidence makes her an intriguing professional prospect. Booker also offers defensive versatility, which could help her adjust to the demands of the WNBA.

3. Washington Mystics – Hannah Hidalgo

College: Notre Dame | Position: Guard | Height: 5-foot-6 | Class: Senior

Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo is projected to go third overall to the Washington Mystics. She has continued to carry a major responsibility for her college team, averaging 27.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 5.0 steals across three victories.

Hidalgo’s ability to contribute offensively while creating problems for opponents defensively makes her a valuable prospect. Her potential arrival could also strengthen the Mystics’ young core.

4. Seattle Storm – Kymora Johnson

College: Virginia | Position: Guard | Height: 5-foot-7 | Class: Senior

Kymora Johnson has helped Virginia begin the season with a 4-0 record. She is averaging 19.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.5 steals while shooting 62.2% from the field and 61.1% from three-point range.

Johnson still has important tests ahead, including a matchup against Oklahoma on November 23. Her performances against stronger opponents could provide a clearer picture of her professional potential.

5. Portland Fire – Mikaylah Williams

College: LSU | Position: Guard | Height: 6-foot | Class: Senior

LSU guard Mikaylah Williams is projected to join the Portland Fire with the fifth selection. She is averaging 18.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists while shooting 58.8% from the field.

Williams has shown considerable offensive ability and appears well-equipped to compete at the next level. Improving her defensive consistency could further strengthen her draft prospects.

6. Los Angeles Sparks – S’Mya Nichols

College: Kansas | Position: Guard | Height: 6-foot | Class: Senior

S’Mya Nichols is projected to be the sixth overall selection by the Los Angeles Sparks. She has averaged 12.7 points and 3.7 assists during the early part of the season, below her previous averages of 17.4 points and 4.6 assists.

However, Kansas has not needed her to carry the same offensive workload during its three comfortable victories. Upcoming games against ranked Nebraska and Minnesota could provide a better indication of her current form.

7. Los Angeles Sparks – Sarah Cissé

Country: France | Position: Forward | Height: 6-foot-2

French forward Sarah Cissé is projected to be selected seventh overall. She was named MVP of the U20 European Championships during the summer and is considered another promising young talent from France.

Cissé will turn 20 in January. Her performances at the international level have helped her attract attention as a potential WNBA prospect, although the Sparks still face questions about their future coaching situation following Nneka Ogwumike’s retirement.

8. New York Liberty – Tessa Johnson

College: South Carolina | Position: Guard | Height: 6-foot-1 | Class: Senior

South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson is projected to join the New York Liberty with the eighth pick. Her three-point shooting is one of her biggest strengths and could translate effectively to professional basketball.

Johnson led power-conference players in three-point percentage last season, converting 44.8% of her attempts on 90 makes from 201 shots. She has continued that form early this season, shooting 42.9% from beyond the arc while averaging 13.3 points.

9. Dallas Wings – Chloe Kitts

College: South Carolina | Position: Forward | Height: 6-foot-2 | Class: Senior

Chloe Kitts is another South Carolina player projected to enter the first round, with the Dallas Wings selecting her ninth overall. After missing the previous season because of a knee injury, she has returned with encouraging performances.

Kitts averaged a career-best 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds as a starter during the 2024-25 season. Through three games this season, she has recorded two double-doubles and is averaging 12.3 points and 9.7 rebounds.

10. Indiana Fever – Ashlyn Watkins

College: South Carolina | Position: Forward | Height: 6-foot-3 | Class: Senior

Ashlyn Watkins completes South Carolina’s group of three projected first-round selections. The Indiana Fever are projected to take the 6-foot-3 forward with the tenth pick.

Her professional potential is built around defensive versatility, rebounding and physical strength. Knee problems limited her to 14 games in 2024-25, and she missed the following season while recovering. Although her offensive production has not yet reached its expected level, she is averaging 7.7 rebounds this season.

11. Chicago Sky – Ainhoa Risacher

Country: France | Position: Forward | Height: 6-foot-1

French forward Ainhoa Risacher is projected to be selected 11th overall by the Chicago Sky. She is the younger sister of Zaccharie Risacher, who was selected first overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.

Ainhoa competed alongside Sarah Cissé for France’s U20 European Championships-winning team during the summer. Her size and wing-player profile make her an interesting international prospect ahead of the 2027 draft.

12. Chicago Sky – MiLaysia Fulwiley

College: LSU | Position: Guard | Height: 5-foot-11 | Class: Senior

LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley is projected to join the Chicago Sky with the 12th selection. She is averaging 16.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 4.7 steals during the early part of the season.

Fulwiley’s ability to influence games on both ends of the court makes her an intriguing option. Greater consistency in her role as a starter could help her improve her position in future mock drafts.

13. Dallas Wings – Talaysia Cooper

College: Ole Miss | Position: Guard | Height: 6-foot | Class: Senior

Talaysia Cooper is projected to be selected 13th overall by the Dallas Wings. Playing for her third SEC program, she is averaging 14.3 points and shooting 42.9% from three-point range, making nine of her 21 attempts.

Her improving perimeter shooting could strengthen her professional prospects. Cooper has also demonstrated defensive ability during her college career, particularly in her sophomore season at Tennessee.

14. Golden State Valkyries – Oluchi Okananwa

College: Maryland | Position: Guard | Height: 5-foot-10 | Class: Senior

Maryland guard Oluchi Okananwa is projected to go 14th overall to the Golden State Valkyries. She is averaging 17.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, although the Terrapins have played only two games so far.

Okananwa earned first-team All-Big Ten and All-Defensive honours last season. Her defensive strengths could fit the Valkyries’ approach, but improving her three-point shooting may be important to securing a first-round selection.

15. Minnesota Lynx – Clara Strack

College: Kentucky | Position: Center | Height: 6-foot-5 | Class: Senior

Kentucky center Clara Strack rounds out the first 15 projected selections, with the Minnesota Lynx taking her at No. 15. She is averaging 15.8 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.8 blocks for the undefeated 4-0 Wildcats.

Strack’s ability to shoot from distance could be an important part of her professional game. She has made 42 three-pointers over the past two seasons and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2025. Continuing to develop her outside shooting could help her adapt to the modern WNBA game.

What to Watch Ahead of the 2027 WNBA Draft

The latest mock draft places JuJu Watkins at the top of the projected selection order, but several important questions remain unanswered. Her decision about turning professional, the eligibility situation involving senior players and the results of the draft lottery could all influence the final picture.

The South Carolina-USC matchup also provides an opportunity to watch several projected first-round prospects competing against high-level opposition. Watkins will attract much of the attention, while Tessa Johnson, Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins will represent a South Carolina team with three players currently projected in the first round.

The WNBA draft lottery will determine which franchise receives the first overall pick, with Houston and Toronto currently holding the highest listed odds. For now, Watkins remains the projected No. 1 selection, but the road to the 2027 draft is still long, and the order could change as the college season develops.