Forget the 580 days she was out. Forget the entire season she missed with that ACL tear. USC Trojans star JuJu Watkins is STILL the projected first overall pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft, and that’s just wild. This isn’t some hopeful guess either, even after missing the entire 2025-26 season, her stock hasn’t dipped one bit. She’s expected to be the face of whatever franchise is lucky enough to snag her at number one, assuming she lights up her junior year, of course.
ACL Tear? Doesn’t Matter, She’s The Face
This kid is the real deal. Watkins is a dominant scorer, sure, but she’s also a defensive force. Missing 580 days and a whole season with an ACL tear usually tanks a player’s draft stock, but not for JuJu. Her talent is just that undeniable. The hype around her is immense, and for good reason. Whoever drafts her is getting a foundational player, someone they can build a franchise around for years. She has that rare combination of size, length, and scoring ability that makes her an absolute nightmare for opponents.
Houston Comets Are Eyeing a Legendary Rebirth
The draft lottery hasn’t even happened yet, but the Houston Comets and the Toronto Tempo are currently sitting pretty with the joint-best odds for that coveted first pick. Now, if Watkins were to land in Houston, for the Comets’ return to Texas after their relocation from Connecticut, ESPN’s Michael Voepel called it a “full-circle moment.” And you know what? He’s absolutely right. Think about it: when the Comets first launched in 1997, another USC guard, Cynthia Cooper, was their star. Voepel even sees similarities in their games, noting Watkins is basically a taller version of the smooth-scoring Cooper.
It’s a bittersweet thing, seeing Connecticut lose its team, but the Comets coming back is huge for the WNBA. Having Watkins as the new face of that franchise would be massive, setting them up for a rebuild that could quickly turn into something special. Imagine building out the backcourt with Watkins and Leila Lacan? That’s a superb foundation for 2027 and beyond.
It all boils down to how those lottery balls bounce, and of course, Watkins needs to put together the junior year everyone knows she’s capable of. But if the Comets get her, teamed up with Leila Lacan in the backcourt? That’s not just a rebuild, that’s a whole new chapter. We’ll be watching those lottery results like hawks, because the WNBA’s next big thing could be headed back to Texas.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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