Key Players Missing from 2026 WNBA Draft: JuJu Watkins, Madison Booker, and Sarah Strong
WNBA Draft: JuJu Watkins, Madison Booker, Sarah Strong at front of college basketball minds
Yahoo! NewsImage: Yahoo! News
The 2026 WNBA Draft saw notable absences, including JuJu Watkins, Madison Booker, and Sarah Strong, who are not part of this year's draft class. With their return to college basketball, they are expected to shine in the upcoming NCAA season, particularly Watkins, who aims to recover from injury and become a standout player.
- 01JuJu Watkins missed the entire 2025-26 season due to injury but is set to return for the USC Trojans.
- 02Madison Booker, star of the Texas Longhorns, is looking to bounce back after a disappointing Final Four performance.
- 03Sarah Strong will take on a more prominent role with the UConn Huskies following Azzi Fudd's departure.
- 04All three players are expected to be top prospects in the next WNBA Draft.
- 05Watkins has the potential to become a standout in women's college basketball, comparable to Caitlin Clark and Paige Bueckers.
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The 2026 WNBA Draft featured prominent names like Azzi Fudd and Olivia Miles, but notable absences included JuJu Watkins, Madison Booker, and Sarah Strong, who are not participating this year. JuJu Watkins, anticipated to be a major player in women's college basketball, missed the previous season due to injury but is set to return for the USC Trojans. Madison Booker, coming off a challenging performance in the Final Four against UCLA, aims to lead the Texas Longhorns to success next season. Meanwhile, Sarah Strong is expected to shine for the UConn Huskies, especially after Azzi Fudd's departure. The absence of these stars from the draft highlights their potential impact on the upcoming NCAA season, with Watkins particularly poised to make a significant mark if her recovery goes well. Their return could result in a highly competitive 2026 WNBA Draft class.
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