The WNBA has specific age eligibility requirements for players entering the league, which vary based on whether a player is a domestic or international prospect.
WNBA Draft Eligibility Requirements
Under the current collective bargaining agreement, the minimum age for draft eligibility in the WNBA depends on the player's origin:
- Domestic Players: Must be at least 22 years old in the calendar year in which the draft takes place. This generally means players must complete their college eligibility or be a certain number of years removed from high school.
- International Players: Are eligible at a younger age, needing only to be at least 20 years old.
This distinction allows international prospects to turn professional earlier than their domestic counterparts. For example, a promising young talent like JuJu Watkins, a domestic player, would have to wait until she turns 22 to be eligible for the WNBA draft, regardless of her collegiate performance.
Breakdown of Age Limits
To summarize the age requirements for WNBA draft eligibility:
| Player Type | Minimum Age Requirement |
|---|---|
| Domestic | 22 years old (in the calendar year of the draft) |
| International | 20 years old (in the calendar year of the draft) |
These age limits are part of the league's rules governing player entry, aiming to ensure players have reached a certain level of maturity and experience before entering the professional league.
