2027 WNBA Mock Draft Predictions for JuJu Watkins, Every 1st-Round Pick After Finals

With the 2026 WNBA Finals coming to a close, it is officially time to kick off the offseason. Luckily for hoops fans, this is a year-round sport with plenty of intrigue and action to scratch that basketball itch while W teams are dormant.

The NCAA season tipped off Sunday, while international competition is in full swing. Throughout all this basketball, 2027 WNBA draft hopefuls will look to showcase their skills and raise their stock.

This projects as a deep class behind a clear No. 1, with a handful of star bets alongside a stable of potential rotation players.

Though the NCAA's new five-year eligibility rules could mess with the crop of declarees (and we won't know who's actually in the draft for months), we're going to assume that all eligible players are fair game.

The order here is based on lottery odds, with Toronto and Houston tied for the best chance at No. 1. Picks 1-7 will be determined at the Nov. 15 draft lottery. Everything post-lottery is set, barring trades.

There will be no suspense at No. 1. If JuJu Watkins declares, she will be selected first in the 2027 WNBA draft. Watkins is one of the greatest prospects we've ever seen, a 6'2, do-it-all wing who impacts the game on both ends of the floor.

Watkins burst onto the college basketball scene as a freshman, quickly establishing herself as the best scorer in the sport. Her rare combination of size, athleticism, strength, handle, and basketball IQ made her a superstar almost immediately. Watkins averaged an astounding 27 points per game as a freshman while posting a historic 42.7% usage rate.

That usage rate was scaled back to human levels in her sophomore season (32.8%) as Watkins improved her efficiency and defensive impact. Watkins was the best player in the country in 2024-25, cementing her status as the can't-miss No. 1 prospect for 2027. Sadly, Watkins tore her ACL during the NCAA tournament that year and faced a lengthy absence.

That changes this year, as Watkins is officially back. This is a near-perfect prospect, a genuine impact defender who can legitimately protect the rim as a perimeter player while scoring an easy 25 on the other end. Watkins could improve as a playmaker and pull-up three-point shooter, but even if those areas stagnate, superstardom is a certainty. She also fits perfectly with what Toronto is building around Kiki Rice and Marina Mabrey.

2. Houston Comets: Madison Booker, Texas

After Watkins, Madison Booker is the next most complete prospect. Booker is a long, athletic wing who can function as both a No. 1 scoring option and defensive stopper.

The strongest part of Booker's offensive profile is her otherworldly two-point scoring. Booker is one of the best mid-range scoring prospects ever; last year at Texas, she hit 47.7% of her pull-up jumpers from two (per Synergy). When she isn't canning 15-footers, Booker is a very adept driver who finishes at a high level. There is also plus playmaking potential, as Booker should be able to operate as a secondary creator in the W.

On the defensive end, Booker is a legitimate force who leverages her size, length, and athleticism to effectively guard up and down the lineup. Her near 6'6 wingspan allows her to envelop ball handlers and generate a ton of deflections. If Booker hits her ceiling, there are multiple All-Defensive teams in her future.

The biggest question with Booker is her three-point shooting. Texas coach Vic Schaefer is famously averse to taking threes, so Booker just hasn't attempted many in her college career. Her jumper is great, though. Any smart WNBA coach should be able to turn her into a threat from distance.

The Comets need a true franchise player as they kick off year one back in Houston. Booker fits the bill and should form an exciting, synergistic duo with third-year guard Leila Lacan.

3. Washington Mystics (from Chicago): Mikaylah Williams, LSU

Position: Shooting Guard/Wing, Size: 6'0, Age: 21

The Mystics are in desperate need of shooting after finishing 2026 dead last in three-point attempts and 12th in percentage. Enter Mikaylah Williams, the best shooter in this draft. The LSU product boasts a career 39% mark from three on over four attempts per game. She has good touch from everywhere on the floor.

In addition to the shooting prowess, Williams has a strong handle with legitimate creation chops. Her feel for playmaking in ball screens is excellent. It's easy to envision Williams playing a point-forward role in the league.

The things holding Williams back are middling athleticism and generally poor defense. She doesn't generate much rim pressure and struggles to create advantages without a ball screen. Defensively, it's an adventure. Williams gets blown by too easily, as she often gets lost off-ball.

The fit with Washington is fantastic, though—Williams could form a dynamic one-two punch with Sonia Citron on the perimeter. The Mystics would greatly benefit from Williams' shooting and playmaking while insulating her on defense.

Dream Unrivaled Trios We'd Like to See 🤩

4. Seattle Storm: Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame

Position: Combo Guard, Size: 5'6, Age: 21

Hannah Hidalgo is sure to be a divisive prospect this draft cycle. That said, she is one of the most electric players in recent college basketball history, an explosive agent of chaos with a relentless motor on both ends.

Hidalgo is likely the greatest point-of-attack disruptor of all time, and her absurd 4.7 steals-per-game average reflects this. On offense, she's a wrecking ball toward the rim who finishes well (especially going right) and draws free throws.

But Hidalgo also struggles as a jump shooter and isn't a good enough playmaker to play point guard at the WNBA level. At her size, she might struggle to finish at the rim or get fouled against pros. If that happens, how does she add value on offense? And if the same size concerns render her even a bit less impactful on defense, how good can she be?

These are all legitimate questions that teams at the top of the draft need to grapple with when considering Hidalgo. However, the Storm badly needs better guard play and point-of-attack defense. Hidalgo would be a perfect addition to the young core of Dominique Malonga, Awa Fam, and Flau'jae Johnson. That potential quartet has so much explosiveness and could raise hell on both ends of the floor.

5. Portland Fire: Clara Strack, Kentucky

Clara Strack is an incredibly intriguing prospect with a wide range of outcomes. Her draft position will likely be determined by which organization trusts its internal development most, which is why she's slotted to the Portland Fire here. Strack immediately fills a huge need for Portland, which lacks size and rim protection.

Those are Strack's strongest attributes, and she moves pretty well at her imposing size. It's easy to squint and see an impact defender at the next level. Strack also has projectable offensive tools, armed with a strong post fadeaway and a willingness to take threes.

Those threes haven't started going in yet, but if they do, Strack could be incredibly valuable. She doesn't do a whole lot else on offense, though, and needs to improve as a passer and pick-and-roll big.

6. Los Angeles Sparks: S'Mya Nichols, Kansas

Position: Guard/Wing, Size: 6'0, Age: 22

The Sparks are dealing with a Kelsey Plum-sized void and could use a new offensive engine. That's the perfect opportunity for S'Mya Nichols, who has been carrying the Kansas offense for the better part of three years.

Nichols' chief skill is her ability to attack the rim and draw fouls. Her .799 free-throw rate last year defied all logic and comprehension, and that kind of grifting prowess puts tremendous pressure on a defense. Nichols is also a very functional ball-screen operator with good vision and playmaking ability.

Though Nichols has made threes at an impressive clip, she doesn't take many. And despite getting to the line at will, she doesn't finish at the rim at a high level.

How good of a shooter is she? And what does it look like when she's scaled down with WNBA teammates?

Nichols always has the ball in her hands at Kansas, and she hasn't faced very good NCAA competition, either. It's fair to wonder how effective she can be against the best of the best. But she's a good fit with Los Angeles and should complement Monique Akoa Makani and Rae Burrell nicely in the backcourt.

7. Los Angeles Sparks (from Phoenix): MiLaysia Fulwiley, LSU

Position: Shooting Guard, Size: 5'10, Age: 21

MiLaysia Fulwiley might have the most upside of any non-Watkins prospect in this draft class. She is an explosive athlete with strong ball skills and tantalizing creation upside. A terror in the open floor, Fulwiley can ignite the break by blocking a shot and charging ahead in transition. Her rim-protecting ability at 5'10 is unheard of; Fulwiley has averaged a full block per game over her college career.

The issue with Fulwiley is her processing, especially in the halfcourt. Fulwiley always plays sped up and consistently makes poor decisions. She leaves a lot to be desired as a passer and struggles to finish at the rim; her left hand is virtually non-existent. There are also serious questions about Fulwiley's shooting, and it's tough to project her as an off-ball player in the W.

But at pick No. 7, the Sparks would love to swing on Fulwiley's upside. At the very least, you probably get an impact defender who offers some change-of-pace creation off the bench. If the soft skills develop, Fulwiley could become a star.

8. New York Liberty: Oluchi Okananwa, Maryland

Position: Guard/Wing, Size: 5'10, Age: 22

New York is egregiously unathletic on the perimeter and struggled to defend consistently in 2026. Oluchi Okananwa immediately helps in both areas as a plug-and-play rotation member for the win-now Liberty.

Okananwa is the best (non-Hidalgo) point-of-attack defender in this class and can guard up and down the lineup. Though a bit undersized for a WNBA wing, Okananwa makes up for that with strength, motor, and positioning. She has potential to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

Offensively, Okananwa adds value as a driver and improved greatly as both a finisher and a foul drawer last season. Okananwa is also a great offensive rebounder, utilizing her motor and athleticism to create extra possessions. She can't shoot at all and isn't much of a playmaker, but New York has plenty of other options in those areas.

9. Dallas Wings: Chloe Kitts, South Carolina

Chloe Kitts doesn't have crazy upside or physical tools, but she's a strong bet to enjoy a solid, impactful WNBA career. The Wings need a ton of help at the forward spots, and Kitts could assume a rotation role on day one.

At 6'2", Kitts has middling size for a WNBA four but can likely slide up and down the lineup as needed. She's a strong team defender with impressive strength, mobility, and competitiveness. You can deploy Kitts in any defensive scheme and feel pretty good about it.

Offensively, Kitts is a perfect connective piece. She moves the ball well, scores against smaller players, and has some shooting potential. Though Kitts doesn't take many threes (Dawn Staley discourages her frontcourt players from doing so), she has nice touch from midrange. There's reason to believe the right WNBA team could get her to step out.

Kitts is also returning from an ACL tear after missing last season, so it remains to be seen how much that will affect her play. But if she's close to the player we saw before, Kitts could step into the Maddy Siegrist role and give the Wings better feel, quicker decisions, and stronger frontcourt defense.

10. Indiana Fever: Tessa Johnson, South Carolina

Position: Shooting Guard, Size: 6'0, Age: 21

Pro Comp: Azzi Fudd without magnets in her hands

Tessa Johnson is the best pure three-point shooter in the draft and would be a no-brainer selection if she makes it to Indiana at pick 10. With Kelsey Mitchell's looming free agency and possible departure, Johnson could fill a bit of the void at guard. Even if Mitchell returns, more shooting around Caitlin Clark and Aliyah Boston is always a plus.

There isn't a whole lot to Johnson's game outside of her terrific off-ball shooting, but she plays that role extremely well. She's gotten very good at attacking closeouts and utilizes her pull-up mid-range jumper as a proper counter. Johnson won't ever be confused with an on-ball creator, but a team like Indiana doesn't really need her to be.

While Johnson isn't the defensive playmaker that Azzi Fudd is, she holds her own on that end. Her plus positional size and spatial awareness allow her to defend competently both on and off ball. This is the ultimate high-floor, low-ceiling guard. The shooting will play in any lineup, and Johnson has just enough juice in other areas to avoid being one-dimensional.

11. Chicago Sky (from Washington): Talaysia Cooper, Ole Miss

If Talaysia Cooper hits her high-end outcome, she'll be an incredibly valuable player. In a league woefully short on athletic wings, Cooper has the tools to stand out; her length, explosiveness, and sneaky playmaking chops give teams a ton to dream on. And though the three-point shot is a question mark, she took over six per game last year and hit them at a respectable 34% clip.

The issue with Cooper is that her athleticism doesn't translate to rim pressure or foul drawing. She's a poor finisher, she doesn't get to the line, and she turns the ball over too much. Her overall processing leaves a lot to be desired, and it's easy to see the bottom falling out if she can't shoot in the W. Still, Chicago would be happy to bet on her athletic tools and shooting potential here, especially if they lose Natasha Cloud and DiJonai Carrington.

12. Chicago Sky (from Atlanta): Ashlyn Watkins, South Carolina

Ashlyn Watkins is the best athlete in this draft class and one of the best athletes to ever play women's basketball, period. Or at least she was before she tore her ACL in January 2025. Watkins hasn't played basketball since, and it remains to be seen if she still has the same level of explosiveness.

It's easy to envision Watkins as a fearsome rim protector who can effectively play any ball screen coverage. Her defensive potential is off the charts with a rare combination of size, bounce, and fluid movement.

But what does Watkins do on offense? Apart from cutting and offensive rebounding, there aren't a whole lot of projectable skills. Can she improve her pick-and-roll game? Is there any post bag to speak of? Will she ever be able to shoot, even from midrange?

If Watkins shows any of these things this season, she'll go a lot higher than this. If not, Chicago would love to deploy her as a replacement for Elizabeth Williams behind Kamilla Cardoso.

13. Dallas Wings (from Las Vegas): Sarah Cisse, France

Sarah Cisse is a superb athlete and has flashed compelling upside as a teenager in the top French league. Though undersized at 6'2, Cisse is best playing the five as the primary screener. There is some shooting potential here, but until that comes along, Cisse doesn't do enough with the ball in her hands to play the four for long stretches.

Defensively, Cisse is legitimately switchable one through five. She has unreal lateral movement ability and enough strength and length to hang with bigger players. Cisse might not ever anchor a defense, but her versatility is incredibly rare.

Dallas is short on athletic, defensive-minded players in the frontcourt, making Cisse an appealing option late in the first round. Cisse is also a draft-and-stash candidate, which could help with the Wings' potential cap crunch.

14. Golden State Valkyries: Kymora Johnson, Virginia

Position: Point Guard, Size: 5'7, Age: 21

Kymora Johnson is a strong ball screen operator who loves to shoot threes. Though undersized and not very athletic, she has good feel and playmaking ability. The shot is legit, too; any primary ball handler chucking over eight a game and hitting at a decent clip raises eyebrows.

Golden State could use more creation and shooting in the backcourt, especially if Juste Jocyte fails to come along. The Valkyries are also well-suited to cover Johnson's defensive shortcomings, which are numerous. At her size and athletic level, she'll be a target for opposing teams. But Golden State can scheme around that with their stockpile of rangy frontcourt defenders, making Johnson an ideal candidate for a late-round flier.

Position: Point Guard, Size: 5'9, Age: 21

KK Arnold has played her role perfectly at UConn—she defends the point of attack, sets the table for her teammates, and picks her spots to attack the rim. Her statistical output is a bit underwhelming (career 7.1 points per game), but Arnold does the little things that help teams win.

When she decides to attack and gets to the basket, Arnold is a strong finisher. Apart from that, she's not much of a threat on offense. Adding a reliable three-point shot would be massive for Arnold's WNBA prospects; she needs to force defenses to close out, opening up driving lanes and playmaking opportunities.

At the very least, you can rely on Arnold for strong guard defense and sound decision-making. With the last pick in the first round, Cheryl Reeve and the Lynx would be thrilled with that.