JuJu Watkins is widely expected to be the top overall pick in the 2027 WNBA Draft, a fact that would be a slam dunk if not for one gut-wrenching detail: she is recovering from a torn ACL she suffered near the end of her sophomore year. It is the only real question mark hanging over the crown jewel of the class, whose talent brings back memories of all-time great wing players like Maya Moore and Sheryl Swoopes.
The Lottery Is About To Be Pure Chaos
This ain’t your grandma’s lottery, folks! The WNBA confirmed the Draft Lottery rules are staying the same, but with seven teams now missing the playoffs, this year’s lottery is going to be pure chaos. There are five games separating the No. 8-seed Dallas Wings and No. 9-seed Portland Fire, so the playoff picture is pretty much set, meaning seven teams are lining up for a shot at a franchise player. Toronto and Portland will use their 2026 records to determine odds, while every other team goes by their 2025-2026 records. We are still waiting on the actual date for this lottery madness, but trust me, it is going to be a frenzy with more teams than ever vying for those top picks.
Watkins And Booker Are Set To Dominate
Let us talk about JuJu Watkins, because man, this kid is special. She is the undisputed crown jewel of the 2027 class. Watching her play is insane, she scores effortlessly from all three levels, hitting tough shots most players cannot even dream of creating. Her athleticism and relentless downhill attacking means she practically lives at the free throw line, attempting a whopping 549 free throws across her freshman and sophomore seasons, cashing in on 83.6 percent of them. And if 25.5 points per game was not enough, she also averages 2.2 steals and 1.7 blocks per game as an off-guard! The *only* real question is how she recovers from that ACL injury. If she is back to her old self, whichever WNBA team lucks into that top spot is getting a generational talent.
Then there is Madison Booker from Texas, who is going to feel like a consolation prize, which is just unfair. In almost any other draft class, she is the obvious No. 1 overall pick. Her midrange game is absolutely deadly, a true masterclass. She has this uncanny ability to get to her spots, rise above defenses, and just drain contested shots. Do not sleep on her athleticism either; at a lithe 6-foot-1, she can tear it up in transition and dissect defenses in the halfcourt. Plus, playing for Vic Schaefer her whole college career means she is bringing that defensive intensity from day one. Any team outside the top pick would be stoked to get her.
So while we are all waiting for that lottery date, the anticipation is real. Seven teams are about to have their futures defined by ping-pong balls, hoping to bring in the next big thing. Whichever players hear their names called from this deep class will be ready to make an immediate impact. It is going to be wild to watch unfold.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Swish Appeal.
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