Parker Picks USC to Win Women's Title
Candace Parker named USC as her 2027 women's national champion pick on the Post Moves podcast, drawing a reply from Aliyah Boston.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Basketball
Candace Parker picked USC to win the 2027 women's NCAA national championship on the Post Moves podcast. Aliyah Boston responded by calling USC "the fake one."
Why it matters
Parker said she picked USC because she is a renegade who does not like picking with everybody, and that JuJu Watkins has her eyes set on a national championship. The pick and the exchange with Boston put USC's title ambitions in the national conversation as the team returns its star guard.
JuJu Watkins has not played in a college game for 588 days, and USC has not won a national title in 42 years. In her return, Watkins scored 21 points on 9-of-22 shooting in a 100-68 win over UNLV on Nov. 2.
The players
Candace Parker
A former WNBA star and college champion who now works as a basketball analyst and podcast host.
Aliyah Boston
A former South Carolina star and WNBA player who responded to Parker's pick on social media.
JuJu Watkins
USC's star guard, who was a national scoring leader in 2024-25 and is returning from a long injury absence.
The details
Parker made her picks on the Post Moves podcast, selecting Duke to win the men's national championship and USC for the women's title. Boston replied to the pick with the words "The fake one?" The exchange came as USC is ranked No. 3 and is preparing for games against South Carolina and Notre Dame.
Timeline
Nov. 2, 2026: USC beat UNLV 100-68 in Watkins' return.
Nov. 15, 2026: USC visits South Carolina in Greenville, SC.
Mid-December 2026: USC plays No. 13 Notre Dame and No. 4 Duke in Las Vegas.
Season Trajectory
USC's last national title came 42 years ago, and the program has been trying to break through in the modern era of women's college basketball. Parker's pick adds to the national attention on whether Watkins' return can carry the Trojans deep into the postseason.
Watkins' return and USC's ranking make the Trojans a key team to track for bracket and fantasy purposes this season. The schedule ahead, including road games and marquee matchups, will show whether the team can sustain its early form.
The takeaway
Parker's pick is a bold public bet on USC, and the answer will depend on whether Watkins returns to her 2024-25 level after more than a year away. Readers tracking the season should watch how the Trojans handle their November and December tests.
What happens next
USC visits South Carolina in Greenville, SC on Nov. 15, and faces No. 13 Notre Dame and No. 4 Duke in Las Vegas in mid-December.
Further reading
For more on the women's college game, see Basketball coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EssentiallySports.
