As Sarah Strong dominated the South Carolina frontcourt during UConn’s national championship victory, gobbling up rebounds, protecting the rim and scoring from everywhere on the court, it was easy to imagine her also doing so at the next level. WNBA executives had to be drooling over the idea of drafting the next Huskies star.
But they’ll have to wait another three years. Under the collective bargaining agreement, which expires at the end of the 2025 season, American-born players are eligible to be drafted after completing four years of college. The one exception is that players can declare after their junior seasons if they turn 22 during the calendar year of the WNBA Draft. Since Strong has a February birthday, that won’t be an option.
As women’s basketball booms, players have more choices in shaping their careers, whether that’s in college via the transfer portal or professionally with new leagues. However, this is one decision that remains out of their control.
“I definitely think we should have the option,” USC star JuJu Watkins said on the “Good Game with Sarah Spain” podcast. “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…
