USC's JuJu Watkins Says Players Should Have 'Option' to Leave School Early for WNBA

[RandySF]

In order for a WNBA prospect to declare for the draft, the player has to be turning 22 years old in the same calendar year as the draft. This has limited women's college basketball players for years as they often cannot declare for the WNBA Draft until their senior seasons.

USC star and sophomore JuJu Watkins was asked about this controversial topic while appearing on Good Game With Sarah Spain alongside her coach Lindsay Gottlieb this week. Watkins sees both sides of the situation, where some people want the draft age to be lowered and others want it to stay the same because of the ever-growing college basketball landscape and NIL opportunities.

"I want to say personally I am enjoying my experience, Coach [Gottlieb]," Watkins said. "I definitely think we should have the option. There's just 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."

Gottlieb followed up Watkins's answer by explaining how the financial benefits in college basketball now with NIL deals would help many players still remain in college and not declare early if given the option. She used Caitlin Clark as an example.



https://www.si.com/college-basketball/usc-s-juju-watkins-says-players-should-have-option-to-leave-school-early-for-wnba

[rurallib]

1. With NIL money and the low salaries for WNBA players currently

many may be better off staying on the collegiate level

[RandySF]

2. They also build a following while in college.

[rurallib]

3. for sure - Clark's last two years really built the brand

[questionseverything]

4. Shouldn't the rules be the same as whatever the men's rules are?

[ProfessorGAC]

5. Perhaps

But, that would be similar to requiring all companies in a specific industrial segment to operate under the same policies.
These are different owners, in a different league, that governs itself.
The WNBA is also not powerful enough on their own to alienate the college game.
So, while your proposal seems fair on its face, I'm not sure it's practical.