The Minnesota Lynx waived Cal women's basketball product Sakima Walker on Wednesday, as teams continue to trim rosters ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.

The Lynx announced they were releasing Walker along with former University of Minnesota guard Amaya Battle and ex-Miami forward Ra Shaya Kyle as part of early preseason cuts.

Walker signed a training camp contract with Minnesota shortly after going undrafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

While her time with the Lynx was brief, Walker appeared in two exhibition games. She logged 13 minutes in a win over the Washington Mystics on April 25th, recording four points, two rebounds, two blocks, and an assist. Her role was smaller in Minnesota's win over Nigeria, registering just four minutes while grabbing one rebound.

The 6-foot-4 forward finished her college career at Cal, starting all 36 games in her final season while averaging 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds. She previously spent time at South Carolina, where she was part of the 2024 NCAA championship team, after beginning her collegiate career at Rutgers.

Like many training camp moves, the transaction reflects the WNBA's roster limits more than a player's final evaluation. WNBA teams must reduce rosters to 12 players and two developmental players ahead of regular-season tipoff, making early cuts a routine factor.

However, Walker could still land another professional opportunity — whether that's via a late roster opening, a developmental spot, or playing overseas.

South Carolina basketball has a new look for the 2023-24 season.

The Gamecocks graduated all five of their starters, including the quartet often dubbed “The Freshies.” WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, alongside Zia Cooke and Brea Beal, started in nearly every game since their freshman seasons, and they leave big holes to fill in their absence.

Still, head coach Dawn Staley is excited for the next group to step into the starting roles.

“It’s a totally new starting five starting from scratch, so I’m excited,” she said. “I’m excited to see how they come out and play, and what they can do when they’re put under that pressure.”

Leading the new starting five are senior center Kamilla Cardoso and junior Raven Johnson. The Gamecocks also added two key transfers in the offseason in Te-Hina Paopao and Sakima Walker.

Young talent, including Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins, also could factor in, as both have shown promise during preseason. Either way, Cardoso has been tasked with becoming a bigger leader on the team.

“Kamilla has to step into the role of being our dominant post on the inside,” Staley said. “She’s very very unselfish, and at times, much like Aliyah, she’ll pass out to people who shoot half her field goal percentage, and you can’t do that. You have to bet on yourself sometimes … We want Kamilla to be a leader.”