WNBA Draft 2025 Biggest Surprise Move STUNS Basketball World

The 2025 WNBA Draft was expected to be historic — and it absolutely delivered. But while fans were tuned in to see names like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, and Angel Reese take their well-earned spots, one move no one saw coming left the entire basketball world stunned. A surprise selection in the top five flipped expectations, shook up mock drafts, and instantly became the most talked-about moment of the night.

The Shocking Pick:

With the No. 4 pick in the draft, instead of going with a high-profile NCAA name or international star, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Juju Watkins, the dynamic USC guard — a full year earlier than most experts expected.

Watkins, who was widely believed to be staying in college for another season, declared for the draft just days before the deadline — a move that flew under the radar until it exploded across headlines on draft night. Her selection threw off nearly every mock draft and sent shockwaves through the league.

Why It’s So Surprising:

Most analysts had pegged Watkins as a 2026 top prospect, assuming she would return to USC for another year of development. Even insiders close to her camp believed she wasn’t ready to make the jump — until she did. What made the Sparks take such a bold swing?

One front office source reportedly said:
“She’s a once-in-a-generation talent. If we waited another year, she wouldn’t be on the board. We had to make our move now.”

Fans and Analysts React:

The internet exploded immediately after the pick. “JUJU?!?!?!?” trended on Twitter (X) within minutes, as fans scrambled to process what just happened.

Some praised the Sparks for their boldness:
“If Juju develops like we’ve seen, LA just secured the future of their franchise. This is big.”

Others were more cautious:
“She’s talented, no doubt. But she’s young, raw, and unproven at the pro level. High risk, high reward.”

Even veteran players reportedly reacted in real-time, with one unnamed WNBA star texting ESPN:
“WOW. That changes everything.”

How This Affects the League:

Juju’s selection shakes up not just the Sparks’ future — but the entire WNBA landscape. Teams that had their eyes on her for 2026 must now pivot, and LA may have just rewritten the timeline for a franchise rebuild. If Juju adapts quickly to the pro level, she could become a cornerstone in one of the league’s most storied franchises.

It also raises a bigger question: Will more underclassmen stars take the leap early now that the door is open?

What’s Next for Juju Watkins?

With expectations now sky-high, all eyes will be on how Watkins adjusts to the pro level. Will she deliver out of the gate? Can she handle the pressure of being the biggest surprise of the draft? She’s shown flashes of brilliance in college — now it’s time to see if she can turn that into WNBA stardom.

For more related stories:

Full 2025 WNBA Draft Results and Instant Grades
Why Juju Watkins Could Be the League’s Next Superstar
Biggest Winners and Losers from the 2025 WNBA Draft