The NBA is famous for its unique players. It’s one of the most talked about parts of the college basketball system over the years. However, the WNBA does not allow the same.
For players to be eligible for the draft, domestic players must be at least 22 years old during the calendar year of the event or graduate from a four-year university before or within three months of the draft. With this rule, the league missed out on many talented players forced to wait to enter the league.
USC Trojans assistant coach Chris Koclanes believes the WNBA should change the rules to allow players in sooner. They could even apply the “one-and-done” rule, similar to the NBA.
“If these players are ready and they don’t want to be in school and they want to continue their education [the WNBA], I don’t see why you should hold them back,” said USC assistant coach Chris Koclanes, who spent the previous eight years working for the Connecticut Sun and the WNBA Sparks. “Give them a choice.”
Players like USC’s JuJu Watkins have shown they can thrive against their competition. But they have been stuck at the college level for several years when they could be entering the professional leagues.
However, with the new wave of talent in women’s college basketball, we could see a change. Watkins is one of the new players who could help change the rules for everyone. The WNBA would be wise to consider and ultimately adopt this rule change, in order to continue to grow the league through its biggest product, players.