Should College Basketball Players Have the Option to Declare Early for the WNBA Draft?
Should College Basketball Players Have the Option to Declare Early for the WNBA Draft?
by: Aurelia Swift
The current WNBA draft eligibility rule is clear: players can only declare for the draft if they turn 22 years old in the same calendar year or graduate college in three years. While the rule has shaped women’s college basketball for years, it has also sparked significant debate. USC sophomore JuJu Watkins, one of the sport’s rising stars, weighed in on the topic during her recent appearance on Good Game With Sarah Spain alongside her coach Lindsay Gottlieb. 
JuJu Watkins on the WNBA Draft Eligibility Rule
Watkins shared her thoughts on the controversial rule, highlighting the unique opportunities college basketball offers players to develop both on and off the court.
“I want to say personally, I am enjoying my experience,” Watkins said. “I definitely think we should have the option. There’s been such a growth in college basketball where it’s like, why would you want to leave? Because you’re able to have that experience and build your brand here in college as well. I would definitely say we should have the option, but I think college is a way to prepare us for the pros as well. So, I don’t know. It’s a touchy subject, but I’m for it.”
Her remarks reflect the dual perspectives many players share: the desire for professional freedom and the benefits of staying in college.
The NIL Factor: A New Game-Changer
Coach Lindsay Gottlieb also weighed in, emphasizing how the rise of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals has shifted the landscape of women’s basketball. Players now have the potential to build significant financial and personal brands while still competing in college.
“If you look at someone like Caitlin Clark, the platform of women’s college basketball remains bigger, the eyes on the game remain bigger,” Gottlieb explained. “So the deals that she gets coming into the W [WNBA] and the financial power she has is greater because of the platform she had those last two years in college. If she had left after her sophomore year, she would have been ready, basketball-wise, but she wouldn’t have brought what she brings.”
Watkins herself won’t be eligible for the WNBA draft until 2027, despite her immense talent. If the draft rules were altered, it’s likely she could have declared as early as 2025. Instead, she has additional years to grow her platform, hone her game, and take full advantage of the collegiate spotlight.
Balancing Growth and Professional Readiness
The debate over WNBA draft eligibility isn’t just about basketball; it’s about preparing young athletes for the professional world while respecting their individual timelines. Should players be allowed to declare early if they feel ready? Or does the current system help ensure they are well-prepared for the transition?
The answer might lie somewhere in the middle, but one thing is clear: stars like JuJu Watkins are using their time in college to not only dominate on the court but also to shape the future of women’s basketball.
What do you think? Should the WNBA lower the draft age, or does the current rule strike the right balance?
