The WNBA season is roughly one-fourth of the way through (with every team playing between 7 and 10 games of their 40 game season), which I think makes it a perfect time to look at how the former SEC women’s basketball players are doing across the league.
There were 21 former SEC women’s basketball players who were named to the opening day WNBA rosters last month. There are now 22 SEC products who are currently on rosters (with Texas A&M alum Khaalia Hillsman being signed to a hardship contract by the Chicago Sky in recent days). Moving forward, we will have more updates on how the former SEC players are doing in the WNBA as the season progresses. Our round up has the player’s split up by their WNBA team’s, with the team’s ordered by record.
Let’s jump right in:
SEC Women’s Basketball in the WNBA Roundup
Las Vegas Aces (8-1 record)
A’ja Wilson (South Carolina) – The reigning league MVP and Defensive Player of the Year continues to shine for the dominant defending league champs. Wilson is averaging 20.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.4 APG, 2.1 BPG, and 1.6 SPG across the first nine games this season for the Aces. Wilson has also been one of the most efficient players in the league this year, shooting 55.8% from the field. Wilson ranks in the top ten of the WNBA right now in both points (8th) and rebounds per game (10th). Wilson also leads all former SEC players in scoring, and ranks second in rebounding so far this season.
Candace Parker (Tennessee) – The 2x WNBA MVP has turned into more of a role player this season for the Aces, however has still been a productive and important player. The Vol legend is currently averaging 8.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.9 APG, and 1.7 SPG. Parker is shooting 39.1% from the field, but has also been one of the best players in the league from the line so far this year shooting 94.4%. Parker also leads all former SEC players in steals this season.
Sydney Colson (Texas A&M) – Colson has played limited minutes so far this season for the Aces. Colson has scored a total of 5 points with 4 rebounds and 5 assists across 5 games (5.4 minutes per game). Colson has played in two games in a row as the former Aggie looks to carve out a more steady place in the Aces rotation.
Connecticut Sun (8-2)
DeWanna Bonner (Auburn) – The 35-year old Bonner is enjoying another very strong season for the Sun, who currently sit second in the league standings (and are the only team to beat the Aces so far). Bonner is currently averaging 17.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 2.2 APG this season. The former Tiger is shooting 41.3% from the field, 31% from deep, and 78.7% from the line. Bonner is also the leading scorer for the Sun, as well as being second in scoring among all former SEC players.
Tyasha Harris (South Carolina) – Harris is currently averaging 4.2 PPG, 1.0 RPG, and 0.8 APG. While the counting stats won’t blow you away, Harris has played in every game so far for the Sun, and is shooting 37.5% from three. Harris is shooting 41% from the field overall, and is averaging 11.3 minutes per game.
New York Liberty (6-2)
The Liberty are currently the only team in the WNBA without a former SEC player.
Washington Mystics (5-3)
Shakira Austin (Ole Miss) – Last year’s No. 3 overall pick is having a bit of a breakout season after a solid rookie year. Austin is averaging 13.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 1.1 APG, 1.1 SPG, and 1.0 BPG on the year so far. Austin is also shooting 52.4% from the field. Austin leads all former SEC players in rebounding so far this year, and ranks sixth in points per game.
Dallas Wings (5-4)
Teaira McCowan (Mississippi State) – McCowan has played just one game this season (the first one) due to a couple of reasons. McCowan started on opening night for the Wings, scoring 4 points and grabbing 9 points across 16 minutes before suffering an injury. Before McCowan could return to the Wings from the injury, the former No. 3 overall pick left for national team duty to play for Turkey at EuroBasket (where McCowan will remain for a while longer).
Diamond DeShields (Tennessee) – DeShields has yet to play this season, and is expected to miss another 2.5 months, due to injury.
Chicago Sky (5-5)
Isabelle Harrison (Tennessee) – Harrison has missed the entire season so far (and remains out indefinitely) due to injury.
Khaalia Hillsman (Texas A&M) – As previously mentioned, Hillsman was recently signed by the Sky due to a slew of injuries. Hillsman has played in one game so far, playing three minutes (although not recording any stats).
Los Angeles Sparks (4-4)
Zia Cooke (South Carolina) – The No. 10 overall pick in this year’s draft, Cooke is averaging 4.5 PPG, 1.5 RPG, and 1.1 APG this season while averaging 13 minutes per contest (has played in all eight games for the Sparks so far this year).
Phoenix Mercury (2-5)
Sophie Cunningham (Missouri) – The lone former Missouri Tiger in the WNBA is averaging 11.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, and 1.0 SPG so far this season. Cunningham is shooting 40.4% from the field, 31.4% 3P from deep, and 92.9% from the line. The usually strong 3-point shooter started the slow from deep (started 3-for-15), but has shot 8-of-20 from three since.
Atlanta Dream (2-5)
Rhyne Howard (Kentucky) – The reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year is having a season very comparable to that award winning (and all-star) season a year ago. Howard is currently averaging 16.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG, and 2.7 APG. Howard is shooting 38.1% from the field while playing 31.9 minutes per contest.
Allisha Gray (South Carolina) – The big offseason addition for the Dream is currently averaging 17.0 PPG, 5.9 RPG, and 3.1 APG on the season. Gray is shooting 44.3% from the field, 34.8% from deep, and 84.6% from the line. It hasn’t been the start to the season that the Dream have wanted, however they have the third and fourth leading scorers among all former SEC players in Howard and Gray.
Laeticia Amihere (South Carolina) – Amihere has only played in three games on the year, averaging 4.3 PPG across 5.7 minutes per game in those contests. Amihere has appeared in the last two games for the Dream, after only playing in one of the first five of the year.
Indiana Fever (2-6)
Aliyah Boston (South Carolina) – The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA draft has had a strong rookie season so far, even if the Fever have struggled up to this point. Boston is currently averaging 13.6 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 1.5 BPG. Boston is currently second in the league in FG% (training first by just 0.1%), shooting a fantastic 64.7% from the field.
Victoria Vivians (Mississippi State) – Vivians is averaging 4.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG, and 1.5 APG this season. Vivians has appeared in every game so far (playing 15.9 minutes per).
Maya Caldwell (Georgia) – The former Georgia standout is currently averaging 1.7 PPG and 1.1 APG. Caldwell has played in 7 games so far, playing 10.4 minutes per contest.
Victaria Saxton (South Carolina) – The rookie out of South Carolina has appeared in just two games so far this year for the Fever, grabbing one rebound so far.
Minnesota Lynx (2-7)
Tiffany Mitchell (South Carolina) – In year eight, this is arguably the best start to a year of Mitchell’s career. Mitchell is currently averaging 12.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 2.9 APG. It’s been an efficient season for the 28-year old as well; shooting 50% from the field, 35.7% from three, and 89.7% from the line.
Seattle Storm (1-6)
Jordan Horston (Tennessee) – The No. 9 overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Tennessee is currently averaging 7.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.0 BPG in seven games this season (while playing 20.7 minutes per game).
Mercedes Russell (Tennessee) – Russell is currently averaging 4.6 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.4 APG, while shooting 44.4% from the field. Russell is playing 18 minutes per, and has appeared in every game so far for the Storm.