Why Can’t JuJu Watkins Enter the WNBA Draft? What Are WNBA Draft Eligibility Rules?

The WNBA 2025 season draft is set to take place on Sunday, April 14. Franchises will have the opportunity to select players who can make valuable contributions to their rosters and help shape a successful future.

While there are 13 teams participating in the WNBA this season, only 12 teams will participate in the first round of the draft, set to take place at The Shed in Manhattan. This is because the Las Vegas Aces were stripped of a draft pick for violating WNBA policy. The franchise violated league rules regarding impermissible player benefits and workplace policies. 

During the draft, attention will be on several college stars and promising prospects, including Paige Bueckers, Olivia Miles, and Kiki Iriafen. However, one of the most talked-about names in women’s college basketball, JuJu Watkins, will not be eligible for the draft.

Why Didn’t JuJu Watkins Enter the 2025 WNBA Draft?

JuJu Watkins has become a household name because of her scoring prowess. The USC Trojans guard was named the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2025 and earned a spot on the First-Team All-Big Ten. She was also selected as an AP Preseason All-American and the Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year.

Apart from being the fastest USC player to reach 1,000 career points in November, she created history with a unique stat line earlier this year.

But why didn’t the rising basketball sensation enter the 2025 WNBA Draft? Unlike the NBA, the WNBA requires players to be at least 22 years old in the draft year or graduate early to be eligible.

In short, the player must either graduate college or turn 22 years old in the same calendar year as the draft and they are going to declare. 

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What Are the WNBA’s Draft Eligibility Rules?

According to the WNBA, a player must meet the following eligibility requirements to enter the draft:

• Be a graduating senior, or turn 22 years old in the draft year. 
• For international players, they must be at least 20 years old during the year in which the draft is taking place. 

The WNBA website states, “The league requires domestic draft entrants to be at least 22 years old during the year in which the draft takes place and to have no remaining college eligibility or to renounce any future college eligibility. International draftees must be at least 20 years old during the year in which the draft takes place.”

When Will JuJu Watkins Be Eligible for the WNBA Draft?

JuJu was born on July 15, 2005, and will turn 20 this year. Being a U.S. citizen, she will be able to enter the draft in 2027 as per the WNBA’s current regulations.