According to The Athletic, the broader 2027 draft class has commanded widespread focus since its members first stepped onto the court as freshmen during the 2023-24 college basketball season.
Early-Career Benchmarks and National Attention
According to The Athletic, guard Hannah Hidalgo recorded 31 points against the eventual national champion South Carolina Gamecocks, while South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley delivered a performance so striking that she earned direct acknowledgment from Earvin “Magic” Johnson. Simultaneously, across the country, JuJu Watkins contributed 32 points to guide USC to an upset victory over the No. 7-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes.
By the conclusion of that rigorous opening campaign, individual accolades cemented the high expectations surrounding these athletes. The Athletic reports that both Hidalgo and Watkins earned first-team All-America honors as freshmen, setting a competitive baseline that continues to shape the outlook for subsequent seasons and future WNBA draft classes.
Roster Continuity and Program Expectations
Frequently Asked Questions
- When did the prominent 2027 draft class members begin their college careers? According to The Athletic, these players debuted as freshmen on the first day of the 2023-24 college basketball season.
- Which players earned major freshman accolades during the 2023-24 season? The Athletic notes that Hannah Hidalgo and JuJu Watkins finished that year as first-team All-Americans.
- Who acknowledged MiLaysia Fulwiley’s standout performance? According to The Athletic, Magic Johnson acknowledged Fulwiley following her dazzling debut performance.