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SEC Women’s Basketball: SEC Players in the WNBA Roundup, Post-Regular Season Edition

By Elliot Reeder

COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA - JUNE 11: Tyasha Harris #52 of the Connecticut Sun dribbles against the Atlanta Dream during the second half at Gateway Center Arena on June 11, 2023 in College Park, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, GEORGIA - JUNE 11: Tyasha Harris #52 of the Connecticut Sun dribbles against the Atlanta Dream during the second half at Gateway Center Arena on June 11, 2023 in College Park, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) /
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SEC Women's Basketball
Chicago Sky forward Azura Stevens (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

As the WNBA heads into the playoffs after their 40 game regular season, now is a good time to do our third roundup of how former SEC players have done in the WNBA this season. It was another strong season in the WNBA by former SEC women’s basketball players, some of whom will now try to lead their respective teams to a WNBA title. I’ll do the fourth and final update of the 2023 season following the conclusion of the playoffs in roughly a month.

At the end of the WNBA season, 23 SEC former players are on WNBA rosters, the same number as our All-Star break update. However, the exact group of players has changed slightly. Destanni Henderson was released by the Sparks and later signed to a 7-day contract by the Mercury (but only stayed with the team for two weeks), and the Aces signed former Gamecock Alaina Coates to a a rest-of-season hardship contract. More details on those later. Nevertheless, let’s jump in and see how former SEC women’s basketball players did this regular season in the WNBA.

SEC Women’s Basketball in the WNBA Roundup, Post-Regular Season Edition

Las Vegas Aces (34-6 record, #1 seed in Playoffs)

A’ja Wilson (South Carolina) – It was another stellar season for the former South Carolina star, even if it might not result in Wilson’s second straight MVP Award. Wilson was edged out by one vote in the AP MVP race by Breanna Stewart, but the two will have to wait two more weeks to see who the official winner is from the WNBA. Boston helped lead the Aces to the #1 seed in the WNBA playoffs in a season where she averaged 22.8 PPG, 9.5 RPG, and 2.2 BPG while shooting a whopping 55.7% from the field. Wilson finished with career highs in points per game, rebounds per game, and field goal percentage. Wilson ranked third in the WNBA in points per game, second in rebounds per game, and led the league in blocks per game. Boston is also one of two front-runners for the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award which will be announced in a couple of weeks as well. As you can see it was quite the season for Wilson, who will now hope to lead the Aces to a second consecutive WNBA title.

Candace Parker (Tennessee) – As I’ve referenced in the past, while Parker is not the player of the early 2010’s, the former Vol was a key piece for the Aces this season. The bad news however is that the season was cut short for Parker. Parker played just 18 games this season before a foot injury eventually required surgery and ended her regular season. Before the injury, Parker averaged 9.0 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.7 APG, and 1.5 SPG on 46.5% FG%, 33.3% 3P%, and 89.3% FT%. Again, Parker was not putting the numbers of the past, her absence could hurt the Aces eventually in the playoffs.

Sydney Colson (Texas A&M) – Another veteran, Colson played in a majority of the Aces’ games this season (28), although the minutes and stats were not too high. Colson did not play much early in the season, but played more down the stretch (averaging 4.8 minutes per appearance total). Overall, Colson averaged 1.3 PPG, 0.4 RPG, and 0.8 APG on the season with 44.4%/37.5%/83.3% shooting splits. Colson will now hope to carve out a role in the Aces playoff rotation.

Alaina Coates (South Carolina) – Our newest addition to the list, Coates joins the Aces as a hardship signing (after signing a couple of 7-day contracts). Coates has played in 10 games on the year for the Aces, averaging 3 minutes per appearance. Coates has season totals of 9 points and 10 rebounds spread across the 10 appearances. Coates also shot 4-of-5 from the field on the year. Coates also played 2 games with the Mercury earlier in the year where the former Gamecock scored 2 points total.

New York Liberty (32-8 record, #2 seed in Playoffs)

The Liberty played the whole WNBA season without a former SEC player.

Connecticut Sun (27-13 record, #3 seed in Playoffs)

DeWanna Bonner (Auburn) – It was another fantastic year for the veteran out of Auburn, who helped lead the Sun to a top-3 seed (and keep them several games ahead of the rest of the pack). Bonner averaged 17.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, and 2.2 APG on the year. The former Tiger shot 42.5% from the field, 32.9% from three, and 86.2% from the line. Bonner ranked third among former SEC players in scoring this season. Bonner is also one of 35 WNBA players who played in every game this season. If the Sun is going to take down one of the top 2 teams and/or win the WNBA title, they will need a big playoff run from Bonner.

Tyasha Harris (South Carolina) – Harris also played all 40 games this season for the Sun as a key bench piece (came off the bench in every game). Harris is a key piece for the 3-seed, serving in the 6th woman role for the Sun. Harris averaged 5.8 PPG and 1.7 APG on the year. The key value from Harris however is the 3-pointer where Harris shot 46.4% from deep, which ranked second in the WNBA this season. Harris shot 39-of-84 total this season from three. The former Gamecock also shot 41.6% from the field and 68% from the line. Harris will also be a key piece to the Sun in the playoffs.

Dallas Wings (22-18 record, #4 seed in Playoffs)

Teaira McCowan (Mississippi State) – McCowan remained one of the best post players in the league this season after a return from EuroBasket, having arguably the best year of her five year career. McCowan averaged 11.9 PPG and 9.1 RPG on the year (across 30 games), while shooting 55.1% from the field. Those numbers marked a career high in points per game, and the second highest rebounding and shooting numbers of the former Bulldogs career. As the Wings head into a big first round matchup with several former SEC stars, they’ll need a big series from McCowan.

Diamond DeShields (Tennessee) – DeShields missed the entire regular season with a knee injury, and will remain out for the playoffs. An unfortunate season for the former Vol who was coming off a strong 2022 season.

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