Ta'Niya Latson wasn't selected as high as many expected in the 2026 WNBA Draft — but she still walked away with strong support from one of the league's most respected voices.
The former South Carolina guard fell to No. 20 overall, where the Los Angeles Sparks selected her in the second round. The pick marked a notable slide from earlier projections that had Latson going higher in the night's opening round.
Draft Night didn't unfold as expected — something Latson acknowledged herself.
“It was shocking to everybody; I mean, I was kind of shocked,” she said. “It’s about fit, I feel like. Fit over pick. I flipped my mentality immediately when I found out I was going to LA.”
Even so, her value hasn't gone unnoticed.
Longtime Sparks icon and future Hall of Famer Nneka Ogwumike praised Latson during her own (re)introductory press conference.
“I absolutely love her,” Ogwumike said Monday. “I think she is the biggest steal [in the WNBA draft] this year. You can tell who's somebody that's locked in. She is someone who does not like to lose, and she's quite mature for her age.”
Latson entered the draft after a standout season at South Carolina, where she adjusted her role on a loaded roster. After finishing 2024/25 at Florida State as DI basketball's leading scorer, she transfered to a more balanced system under coach Dawn Staley. There, she showed she could contribute beyond just putting up points.
And that versatility subsequently helped shape her fit in Los Angeles.
The Sparks are currently rebuilding, and Latson arrives with proven scoring instincts and heightened adaptability to different roles and systems.
With veteran support and clear opportunity ahead, Latson enters the WNBA with both motivation and belief. And the combination that could quickly redefine how the league's remembers her selection.
