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The world will be blessed with watching JuJu Watkins play in March Madness this Saturday when the USC Trojans take on the UNC Greensboro Spartans in the first round. The 6′2″ guard is in her sophomore year at USC and has already made such a name for herself that there are articles out there titled “players to watch who aren’t named JuJu Watkins” because you don’t have to tell people to watch her.
In her freshman season, she shattered the record books, putting up 920 points, more than any other freshman in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history. She helped lead the team to the Elite Eight in last year’s tournament, their first time getting that far in 30 years.
She’s one of the top players predicted to win the NCAA Women’s College Basketball National Player of the Year award and would definitely be a top three pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft…if she were eligible.
JuJu Watkins ineligible for 2025 WNBA Draft
Due to the WNBA’s eligibility rules, Watkins won’t be able to declare for the draft until 2027. While the men’s NBA has allowed players to declare after their freshman year for the last 50 years, the WNBA makes its players in the U.S. wait a little longer.
WNBA Draft eligibility rules
To be eligible to enter the WNBA Draft, players in the United States must meet at least one of these requirements:
NCAA players who are enrolled in a four-year college must have graduated within three months of the draft Be at least 22 years old in the same calendar year that the draft takes placeBe at least four years removed from high school
For international players, they must be at least 20 years old when the draft takes place.
Watkins’ thoughts on the WNBA Draft
Watkins will turn 20 years old on July 15 and therefore won’t be eligible until 2027. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Duke freshman Cooper Flagg is already projected to be the top pick in the 2025 men’s NBA Draft.
Still, this doesn’t bother Watkins. In fact, she thinks that the WNBA league has improvements to make before they allow younger, less developed players to enter.
“I think eventually that would be nice to have that option,” Watkins said at a press conference in January. “But I think the league isn’t necessarily where it needs to be. There needs to be more roster spots, more teams. So it’s definitely developing and it’s continuing to grow.”
“I’m having fun in college and I can’t wait to get to the pros, so in terms of that, for me personally, I don’t see the benefit,” said Watkins. “But definitely down the line.”
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The 2025 WNBA Draft will take place on April 14. The Dallas Wings have the first overall pick and UCONN Huskies guard Paige Bueckers is projected to be the No. 1 selection.
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