Get ready, WNBA fans. The 2027 draft class is shaping up to be a historic one, a group of players who have been turning heads since their very first college games. The hype began immediately: on opening night of the 2023-24 season, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo announced her arrival by dropping 31 points on the eventual national champion, South Carolina. That same night, MiLaysia Fulwiley's electric play earned praise from the legendary Magic Johnson, while on the West Coast, USC's JuJu Watkins scored 32 points to lead an upset over No. 7 Ohio State.
By the end of that freshman campaign, the message was clear. Hidalgo and Watkins were both First-Team All-Americans, with Texas's Madison Booker also in the mix. Booker has since solidified her superstar status, leading the Longhorns to consecutive Final Fours and earning First-Team honors as a sophomore. The collective talent in this rising senior class is as deep and dazzling as any in WNBA history, offering a gleaming silver lining for teams looking toward the future.
At the very top of the board sits USC's JuJu Watkins, a generational talent who would be the undisputed first overall pick if she declares. Watkins is a pure, explosive scorer who ranked second nationally as a freshman and third as a sophomore. She's a nightmare matchup—a freight train in transition, a tenacious rebounder for her guard position, and a disruptive defender who thrives in passing lanes. While her jumper can be streaky, when she's in rhythm, she's virtually unguardable, with a proven clutch gene she's displayed in epic battles against rivals like UCLA.
Should Watkins choose to stay for a fourth year, the mantle falls to Texas's Madison Booker. Booker brings a dominant, old-school power game to the wing, anchored by a beautiful and reliable mid-range jumper. Her leadership and consistent excellence make her a franchise cornerstone in waiting. This is just the beginning of a class brimming with future stars, setting the stage for a draft that could reshape the WNBA.
