With the WNBA Finals still showcasing the league's best teams of 2026, attention is starting to turn to the college players who could join the league next year. The 2026-27 women's college basketball season opens this Sunday, giving the top seniors and draft-eligible juniors a chance to build their professional cases.

The biggest name is USC guard JuJu Watkins. Her sophomore season ended early when she tore her ACL on March 24, 2025, in the second round of the NCAA tournament, and she sat out last season. Because of her age, she is eligible for the 2027 draft. If she plays at the level she showed in her first two seasons with the Trojans, she is expected to be the No. 1 selection.

The WNBA has not yet released details of the 2027 draft lottery. Teams receive odds based on their records over the previous two seasons. The Houston Comets, the former Connecticut Sun, went 22-66 (.250) over that span. That ties them with the 2026 expansion team Toronto Tempo, who went 11-33 (.250) in their only season so far. The two teams technically share the best odds, but a tiebreaker for an odd number of lottery combinations goes to the Comets, so Houston is listed first and Toronto second until the lottery is held.

In this early projection, Houston takes Watkins, which would bring things full circle. When the franchise launched in 1997, another USC guard, Cynthia Cooper, was its star, and Watkins is described as a taller version of the smooth-scoring Cooper. The Comets folded in 2008 with four titles, and their return is seen as special for the league.

Several other seniors are mentioned as likely high picks. Texas forward Booker has averaged 17.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists in her career and is prized for her length, quickness and defense, though her 3-point shooting has been inconsistent. She shot 30.6% from deep as a freshman, 40.3% as a sophomore and 28.4% as a junior. Notre Dame guard Hidalgo, projected to the Mystics, has 481 career steals and averaged 23.9 points over three seasons, with 4.8 assists, though she is 148 of 444 (33.3%) from behind the arc. Virginia guard Johnson, linked to the Storm, averaged 19.5 points and 5.9 assists last season and led the Cavaliers to their first Sweet 16 since 2000.

LSU guard Williams shot 50.7% from the field and 42% on 3-pointers last season, though the piece notes she must improve defensively. Kansas guard Nichols led Division I with 243 free throws made and 287 attempts last season. LSU's Fulwiley has averaged double-figure scoring in all three of her college seasons, including a career-best 14.6 points last year, but has started only four of 112 games. South Carolina guard Johnson hit 44.8% of her 3-pointers last season, making 90 of 201.

NC State forward Pierre led the ACC in rebounding at 11.9 per game last season while averaging 16.7 points. Maryland guard Okananwa averaged a career-best 17.8 points and earned all-Big Ten first team and all-defensive team honors. Two South Carolina forwards, Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts, are both coming back from knee injuries. Watkins did not play last season, and Kitts missed 2025-26 after tearing her ACL in practice. Kitts was the 2025 SEC tournament MVP. Ole Miss guard Cooper, who spent time at South Carolina and Tennessee, led the SEC in steals as a sophomore at 3.1 per game.

The projection also includes two international prospects from France, both forwards who played on the team that won this summer's U20 European Championships. Sarah Cissé, projected to the Sparks at No. 7, was the tournament MVP and turns 20 in January. Ainhoa Risacher, a versatile wing projected to the Lynx at No. 15, turns 20 next July. Both will be eligible for the draft.