Former Lady Vols Stars Shine in the WNBA: A Look at the 30th Season
The upcoming 30th season of the WNBA will feature five former Lady Vols basketball stars. Four of these players were first-round draft picks, with a total of 48 Lady Vols being drafted to the WNBA since its establishment in 1996. Rennia Davis and Zee Spearman, who were both invited to training camps for the Seattle Storm and the Dallas Wings, respectively, will not be on the final rosters for the upcoming season.
Rickea Jackson, a 6-foot-2 forward, was traded from the Sparks to the Chicago Sky in a significant offseason trade. She averaged 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 assists last season. Jackson will be playing her first game of the season against the Portland Fire on May 9.
Jordan Horston, a 6-2 guard, is set to return from a torn ACL that kept her out of the 2025 season. She was drafted No. 9 overall by the Storm in 2023 and will be playing against Golden State in the season opener on May 8.
Isabelle Harrison, a 6-3 forward, is the only active player in the WNBA to have played under legendary coach Pat Summitt. She signed with the Toronto Tempo as a free agent and will face the Washington Mystics in the season opener on May 8.
Rae Burrell, a 6-2 guard, re-signed with the Los Angeles Sparks in free agency. She averaged 7.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists last season. Burrell will be playing against the Las Vegas Aces on May 10.
Janiah Barker, a 6-4 rookie forward, was the first WNBA draft pick for Kim Caldwell. She started in 20 of 27 games for Tennessee this season and will be facing the Phoenix Mercury in the season opener on May 9.