WNBA Mock Draft 2027: Projecting where Hannah Hidalgo, Madison Booker land after JuJu Watkins goes No. 1 image

JuJu Watkins Tops 2026 WNBA Mock Draft According to Sporting News

November 15, 2026 Alex Carter - Sports Editor Sport

USC guard JuJu Watkins sits at the top of the 2026 WNBA mock draft as the undisputed No. 1 prospect heading into the draft lottery, according to Sporting News.

Watkins projects as a perennial MVP candidate despite missing her junior season due to a torn ACL. Through her first three games back on the floor, she is averaging 24.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 3.7 steals on 48.1% shooting, Sporting News reported.

Behind Watkins, a clear top tier has emerged in the early evaluation window. Texas forward Madison Booker and Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo round out the top three picks in the current projection.

JuJu Watkins Sweepstakes Who Will Land the No. 1 Pick in the WNBA Draft? — ESPN

Booker draws frequent comparisons to Kevin Durant through a mid-range scoring profile that ranks in the 82nd percentile among Division 1 players at 0.92 points per play, per Hooper Explorer data cited by Sporting News. Hidalgo enters the league discussion as a defensive force after breaking the single-season steals record as a junior with nearly six takeaways per contest.

Further down the lottery board, LSU forward Mikaylah Williams lands at No. 4 as one of the class’s top shooters. South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson and LSU guard MiLaysia Fulwiley occupy the fifth and sixth spots, respectively. Kansas guard S’Mya Nichols follows at No. 7 with a historic 79.9 percent free-throw rate among high-usage creators.

The New York Liberty hold the No. 8 selection and are projected to take South Carolina center Ashlyn Watkins. The Dallas Wings hold the ninth pick and are slated to select French center Sarah Cisse from BLMA.

Indiana holds the No. 10 selection to secure rim protection behind Aliyah Boston by taking Kentucky center Clara Strack. The Chicago Sky round out the next tier with Virginia guard Kymora Johnson at No. 11 and South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts at No. 12.

Dallas returns at No. 13 to select Maryland guard/wing Oluchi Okananwa, while the Golden State Valkyries land Ole Miss guard Talaysia Cooper at No. 14. The Minnesota Lynx close out the lottery projections at No. 15 with French forward Ainhoa Risacher from LDLC ASVEL.

Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.

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