Top Plays 2026

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Top Plays of the Day, 5/21/26

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Top Plays of the Day, 05/21/2026

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Toronto Tempo Top Plays vs. Minnesota Lynx

Top Performer

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Kia Nurse with 23 Points vs. Minnesota Lynx

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Game Highlights: Toronto Tempo vs. Los Angeles Sparks (5/17/26)

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Final 03:30 WILD ENDING Los Angeles Sparks vs. Toronto Tempo 05/15/2026

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Game Highlights: Toronto Tempo vs. Los Angeles Sparks (5/15/26)

Draft 2026

Which collegiate program has produced the most players drafted into the WNBA over the league’s 30 years? What about first-round picks? What about No. 1 overall picks? What about players who went on to become league MVPs? How about Finals MVPs?
If you ever see any of those trivia questions, don’t worry. We have the answers to all of them and more!
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools that have produced the most overall WNBA Draft picks</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-183309 aligncenter" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1.png" alt="" width="960" height="688" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1-300x215.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Geno-1-768x550.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
The two schools at the top of this list should come as no surprise as they have been the preeminent collegiate programs over the 30-year history of the WNBA – the University of Connecticut and the University of Tennessee each with over 45 players drafted into the WNBA.
Geno Auriemma has been at the helm at UConn for the entirety of the WNBA’s existence, beginning his tenure in 1985 and leading the Huskies to 12 NCAA championships. The Connecticut program has sent 52 players to the league and produced some of the best players in WNBA history, highlighted by No. 1 overall draft picks Sue Bird (2002), Diana Taurasi (2004), Tina Charles (2010), Maya Moore (2011), and Breanna Stewart (2016).
The late Pat Summitt led Tennessee until 2012, winning eight national championships and sending plenty of Lady Volunteers to the WNBA. Of the 46 WNBA players drafted out of Tennessee, 29 came during Summitt’s tenure, including a pair of No. 1 overall picks in Chamique Holdsclaw (1999) and Candace Parker (2008).
Below is the list of the top nine schools and one country that have sent the most players to the WNBA via the draft (excluding the 1997 WNBA Elite Draft.)
<ul>
<li>UConn: 52 players</li>
<li>Tennessee: 46 players</li>
<li>Stanford: 31 players</li>
<li>Duke: 28 players</li>
<li>Baylor: 26 players</li>
<li>Australia: 26 players</li>
<li>South Carolina: 25 players</li>
<li>LSU: 25 players</li>
<li>Notre Dame: 24 players</li>
<li>Georgia: 24 players</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools producing the most first-round draft picks</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258773" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2270764897-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
When looking at schools that have delivered the most first-round draft picks, there&#8217;s a change from the list of most overall draft picks.
UConn, Tennessee and Stanford remain in first, second and third place, respectively. South Carolina enters the conversation after touting two players in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, bringing their total to 15 to round out the top four. Duke and Baylor are tied for fifth place with 11 players.
<ul>
<li>Connecticut: 29 players (last in 2026 – Azzi Fudd, No. 1, DAL)</li>
<li>Tennessee: 21 players (last in 2024 – Rickea Jackson, No. 4, LAS)</li>
<li>Stanford: 15 players (last in 2024 – Cameron Brink, No. 2, LAS)</li>
<li>South Carolina: 15 players (last in 2026 – Madina Okot, No. 13, ATL)</li>
<li>Duke: 11 players (last in 2018 – Lexie Brown, No. 9, CON)</li>
<li>Baylor: 11 players (last in 2022 – Queen Egbo, No. 10, IND)</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools producing the most No. 1 overall picks</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183311 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1.png" alt="Maya Moore, Breanna Stewart, Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi and Sue Bird pictured during a WNBA All-Star game" width="940" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1.png 940w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1-300x204.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Top-picks-1-768x523.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" />
UConn holds a commanding lead with seven first-overall picks. South Carolina joins Notre Dame, Stanford, and Tennessee, with two players going first overall and holding a four-way tie for second place.
<table style="height: 120px;width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px;text-align: center">SCHOOL</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px;text-align: center">NO.</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px;text-align: center">NAME</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px;text-align: center">YEAR</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px;text-align: center">TEAM</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">UConn</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">7</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Sue Bird 
Diana Taurasi 
Tina Charles 
Maya Moore 
Breanna Stewart 
Paige Bueckers 
Azzi Fudd</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">2002 
2004 
2010 
2011 
2016 
2025 
2026</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Seattle 
Phoenix 
Connecticut 
Minnesota 
Seattle 
Dallas 
Dallas</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 19.9782%">South Carolina</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%">Aliyah Boston 
A&#8217;ja Wilson</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%">2023 
2018</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%">Indiana 
Las Vegas</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Notre Dame</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Jewell Loyd 
Jackie Young</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">2015 
2019</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Seattle 
Las Vegas</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Stanford</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Nneka Ogwumike 
Chiney Ogwumike</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">2012 
2014</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Los Angeles 
Connecticut</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 24px">
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Tennessee</td>
<td style="width: 7.20528%;height: 24px">2</td>
<td style="width: 34.4978%;height: 24px">Chamique Holdsclaw 
Candace Parker</td>
<td style="width: 18.2314%;height: 24px">1999 
2008</td>
<td style="width: 19.9782%;height: 24px">Washington 
Los Angeles</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools with multiple players selected in the first round</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258740" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="642" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-300x201.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-1024x685.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-768x514.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-1536x1027.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2271210009-1-2048x1369.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
Back to trivia time. What was the only occasion in which a school had three players taken with the first three overall picks (1-2-3) in the WNBA Draft?
The answer is the 2016 Draft when UConn teammates Breanna Stewart (No. 1, Seattle), Moriah Jefferson (No. 2, San Antonio), and Morgan Tuck (No. 3, Connecticut) were the first three names called to the stage that night.
There have been four occasions in which the first two players selected came from the same school:
<ul>
<li>USC (1997): Tina Thompson (1 / Houston), Pam McGee (2 / Sacramento)</li>
<li>UConn (2002): Sue Bird (1 / Seattle), Swin Cash (2 / Detroit)</li>
<li>UConn (2016): Breanna Stewart (1 / Seattle), Moriah Jefferson (2 / San Antonio)</li>
<li>Oregon (2020): Sabrina Ionescu (1 / New York), Satou Sabally (2 / Dallas)</li>
</ul>
Just a week after winning the program&#8217;s first National Championship, UCLA made history in the 2026 WNBA Draft as the first team to have five first-round selections, and the first with six players selected in one draft. Lauren Betts (No. 4), Gabriela Jaquez (No. 5) and Kiki Rice (No. 6) were taken in a three-pick run, with Gianna Kneepkens (No. 15) closing out the First Round and Charlise Leger-Walker (No. 18) rounding out the Lady Bruins&#8217; six selections in the Second Round.
In 2002, UConn produced four first-round picks when Sue Bird led four Huskies selected with the first six picks in the draft – Bird (No. 1, Seattle), Swin Cash (No. 2, Detroit), Asjha Jones (No. 4, Washington) and Tamika Williams (No. 6, Minnesota).
Seven schools and one country have seen three players selected in the first round of a single WNBA Draft. UConn and South Carolina have seen three players drafted in the first round twice.
<ul>
<li>South Carolina
<ul>
<li> (2023) Aliyah Boston (No. 1, Indiana), Laeticia Amihere (No. 8, Atlanta), Zia Cooke (No. 11, Los Angeles)</li>
<li>(2017) Alaina Coates (No. 2, Chicago), Allisha Davis (No. 4, Dallas), Kaela Davis (No. 10, Dallas)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Oregon 
<ul>
<li>(2020): Sabrina Ionescu (No. 1, New York), Satou Sabally (No. 2, Dallas), Ruthy Hebard (No. 8, Chicago)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Notre Dame 
<ul>
<li>(2019): Jackie Young (No. 1, Las Vegas), Arike Ogunbowale (No. 5, Dallas), Brianna Turner (No. 11, Atlanta)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>UConn:
<ul>
<li>(2018): Gabby Williams (No. 4, Chicago), Azurá Stevens (No. 6, Dallas), Kia Nurse (No. 10, New York)</li>
<li> (2016): Breanna Stewart (No. 1, Seattle), Moriah Jefferson (No. 2, San Antonio), Morgan Tuck (No. 3, Connecticut)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Tennessee 
<ul>
<li>(2012): Shekinna Stricklen (No. 2, Seattle), Glory Johnson (No. 4, Tulsa), Kelly Cain (No. 7, New York)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Oklahoma 
<ul>
<li>(2002): Stacey Dales-Schuman (No. 3, Washington), LaNeishea Caufield (No. 14, Utah), Rosalind Ross (No. 16, Los Angeles)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Australia 
<ul>
<li>(2001): Lauren Jackson (No. 1, Seattle), Penny Taylor (No. 11, Cleveland), Kristen Veal (No. 13, Phoenix)</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Georgia 
<ul>
<li>(2001): Kelly Miller (No. 2, Charlotte), Deanna Nolan (No. 6, Detroit), Coco Miller (No. 9, Washington)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">The NCAA Title / No. 1 WNBA Pick Double</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-258772" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-2209779457-3-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
With the WNBA Draft being held just days after the conclusion of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, prospects have a chance to pull off an incredible double – finish their collegiate career by winning the NCAA national championship, then begin their professional career as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft.
That feat has been accomplished six times in WNBA history, most recently by Paige Bueckers, who won her collegiate championship at Connecticut on April 6, 2025, and was drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings just eight days later.
<ul>
<li>Sue Bird (UConn, 2002) – drafted first overall by Seattle</li>
<li>Diana Taurasi (UConn, 2004) – drafted first overall by Phoenix</li>
<li>Candace Parker (Tennessee, 2008) – drafted first overall by Los Angeles</li>
<li>Tina Charles (UConn, 2010) – drafted first overall by Connecticut</li>
<li>Breanna Stewart (UConn, 2016) – drafted first overall by Seattle</li>
<li>Paige Bueckers (UConn, 2025) – drafted first overall by Dallas</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools that have produced the most WNBA league MVPs</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183314 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa.png" alt="three-time WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie representing USC" width="940" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa.png 940w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa-300x204.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/Lisa-768x523.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" />
Three schools have produced multiple players to win the WNBA League Most Valuable Player honors. Connecticut leads the way with four players winning MVP, but UConn and USC are tied with 5 total MVP awards.
<ul>
<li>USC: 2 players, 5 MVPs – Cynthia Cooper (1997, 1998), Lisa Leslie (2001, 2004, 2006)</li>
<li>Connecticut: 4 players, 5 MVPs – Diana Taurasi (2009), Tina Charles (2012), Maya Moore (2014), Breanna Stewart (2018, 2023)</li>
<li>Tennessee: 2 players, 3 MVPs – Candace Parker (2008, 2013), Tamika Catchings (2011)</li>
<li>South Carolina: 1 player, 4 MVPs &#8211; A&#8217;ja Wilson (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025)</li>
</ul>
<hr />
<h3 style="text-align: center">Schools that have produced the most WNBA Finals MVPs</h3>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-183317 size-full" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP.png" alt="2x WNBA Finals MVP Lisa Leslie representing USC" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP.png 960w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP-300x200.png 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2022/03/FMVP-768x512.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />
USC, UConn, and Tennessee are all represented on this list of MVPs as well, but they get some company from LSU and Rutgers, who each produced a pair of Finals MVPs. USC holds the mark for the most Finals MVPs as Cynthia Cooper (1997-2000) and Lisa Leslie (2001-02) combined to win the first six in WNBA history.
<ul>
<li>USC: 2 players, 6 Finals MVPs – Cynthia Cooper (1997-2000), Lisa Leslie (2001-02)</li>
<li>Connecticut: 3 players, 5 Finals MVPs – Diana Taurasi (2009, 2014), Maya Moore (2013), Breanna Stewart (2018, 2020)</li>
<li>LSU: 2 players, 3 Finals MVPs – Seimone Augustus (2011), Sylvia Fowles (2015, 2017)</li>
<li>Tennessee: 2 players, 2 Finals MVPs – Tamika Catchings (2012), Candace Parker (2016)</li>
<li>Rutgers: 2 players, 2 Finals MVPs – Cappie Pondexter (2007), Kahleah Copper (2021)</li>
<li>South Carolina: 1 player, 2 Finals MVPs – A&#8217;ja Wilson (2023, 2025)</li>
</ul>

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college-draft-pick-history-2026

From College to the W: Which Schools Make History in the League?

Editorial

The WNBA’s new expansion team, the Tempo, has made one thing clear: They aren’t just Toronto’s team, they’re Canada’s team. A new era of women’s basketball across the northern border is set to tip off its inaugural season on May 8 against the Washington Mystics. And with the Tempo ushering in fresh WNBA fans, it feels ideal to remind everyone of the long line of Canadians who have hooped in the league since its early years. 
We know hockey runs through the country’s veins, but women’s pro hoops have entered the chat. Players like Kia Nurse, Bridget Carleton, Laeticia Amihere, and Aaliyah Edwards are actively repping their home turf in the WNBA. But get to know the Canucks who paved the way. 
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center">Kelly Boucher (Sudbury, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257970" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257970" class="wp-image-257970" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="755" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-scaled.jpg 1695w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-199x300.jpg 199w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-678x1024.jpg 678w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-768x1160.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-1017x1536.jpg 1017w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1367205-1356x2048.jpg 1356w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Kelly Boucher #13 of Canada cheers on the sideline during the game against France at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics</div>
In the WNBA’s inaugural season, 15 international players dotted rosters around the league, but it wasn’t until the following season in 1998 that the first Canadian suited up. Boucher signed with the Charlotte Sting after a week-long open tryout. She bested over 350 WNBA hopefuls, through what she described as “the most intense, chaotic, grueling, difficult experience.” 
Her dream of playing pro hoops close to home became a reality. In a <a href="https://toronto.citynews.ca/2021/05/14/meet-kelly-boucher-the-canadian-who-broke-the-wnba-barrier/">2021 interview</a>, Boucher recalls having visa issues because it was so unheard of for Canadians to go to the States to play hoops. “They didn’t even know what category of visa to give us,” she said then.
Boucher had competed in two Olympics for Canada and a World Championship, but in her lone WNBA season, she grew accustomed to playing in front of a roaring crowd of 25,000 at the Charlotte Coliseum. Playing in Madison Square Garden, though, was her “pinch-me” moment. “That was a highlight…you walk in there, and you can just smell the history,” she reminisced. “Patrick Ewing was there, chatting with him on the side, taking pictures with people. You’re supposed to be warming up, of course…but you just look around, and I think, ‘We’re playing in Madison Square Garden.’”
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center">Tammy Sutton-Brown (Markham, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257971" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257971" class="wp-image-257971" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="771" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-scaled.jpg 1661w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-195x300.jpg 195w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-664x1024.jpg 664w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-768x1184.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-997x1536.jpg 997w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-599384-1329x2048.jpg 1329w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Tammy Sutton-Brown #55 of the Charlotte Sting looking to pass the ball against the New York Liberty</div>
Twelve years, two All-Star selections, a WNBA championship — Sutton-Brown’s 388 games played are the most by a Canadian to date. 
The Markham, Ontario native decided to come to the States first to play under iconic coach C. Vivian Stringer at Rutgers in 1997. As a freshman, she led the Scarlet Knights in field goal percentage and blocks. As a junior, she led them to their first-ever Final Four appearance. It was clear that her efficiency at the rim was going to translate to the league. She was then drafted as the 18th pick to the Charlotte Sting in 2001.
The six-foot-four Sutton-Brown received her first All-Star nod after averaging 11.9 points and 6 rebounds in only her second season with the Sting. She was the first Canadian to be named to an All-Star team. Once the Sting folded in 2006, she was signed as a free agent by the Indiana Fever, earning her second All-Star spot that same year. She became a key member of the Fever alongside Tamika Catchings and Katie Douglas, and was the starting center for the 2012 championship team. Sutton-Brown is fifth in franchise history in total rebounds, and her<a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/wnba/teams/IND/players.html"> 267 franchise blocks</a> rank behind only Catchings.
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center">Stacey Dales (Collingwood, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257972" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257972" class="wp-image-257972" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="762" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-scaled.jpg 1680w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-197x300.jpg 197w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-672x1024.jpg 672w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-768x1170.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-1008x1536.jpg 1008w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-730660-1344x2048.jpg 1344w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Stacey Dales-Schuman #21 of the Washington Mystics looks to pass during the game against the Indiana Fever</div>
The six-foot sharpshooter is the highest Canadian to be drafted to the WNBA at third overall in 2002—just behind Sue Bird and Swin Cash. Dales was coming off a stellar college career. She had two All-American seasons at Oklahoma and was a two-time Big 12 Conference Player of the Year. In her senior season, her 17 points per-game led the Sooners to their one and only National Championship game. 
In Dales’ rookie season with the Washington Mystics, she made an immediate impact, starting 28 of 31 games. She was second on the team in scoring (9.8 ppg) and even earned an All-Star spot. She played five seasons in the league and officially retired in 2007 after two seasons with the Chicago Sky. 
<hr />
<h2 style="text-align: center">Natalie Achonwa (Guelph, ON)</h2>
<div id="attachment_257973" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257973" class="wp-image-257973" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="750" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-scaled.jpg 1707w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-1427576372-1365x2048.jpg 1365w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Natalie Achonwa of Canada shoots during the 2022 FIBA Women&#8217;s Basketball World Cup Group B match between Australia and Canada</div>
Before dominating the paint in the WNBA, Achonwa made history in college and on the world stage. At 16, she became the youngest player ever to play for the Canadian national team in 2009. Then, she was the first international player to suit up for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish; in her tenure there from 2010 to 2014, she made four Final Fours and three title games. 
In 2014, Achonwa was drafted ninth overall by the Indiana Fever and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team. The six-foot-three power forward played 8 total seasons with both the Fever and Minnesota Lynx.
Achonwa appeared in her fourth Olympic Games for Team Canada in 2024, the most by a Canadian basketball player ever.  
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<h2 style="text-align: center">Kayla Alexander (Milton, ON) </h2>
<div id="attachment_257975" style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-257975" class="wp-image-257975" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-scaled.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="753" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-scaled.jpg 1700w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-199x300.jpg 199w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-680x1024.jpg 680w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-768x1156.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-1020x1536.jpg 1020w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/04/GettyImages-450516148-1360x2048.jpg 1360w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" />Kayla Alexander #40 of the San Antonio Stars attempts a free throw against the Phoenix Mercury</div>
When the San Antonio Silver Stars drafted Alexander with their 8th pick in 2013, they knew they were getting an athletic big who was a force at the rim on both ends of the court. Alexander hailed from Syracuse University and completed her collegiate career as one of the best ever to don the Orange. When she left, she was the all-time leader in points, blocks, field goals, free throws made, free throws attempted, and games played.
She played five of her eight seasons in San Antonio, with stops in Indiana, Chicago, and Minnesota.  Even after back-to-back knee surgeries in 2018 and 2019, she didn’t give up on her WNBA or Olympic dreams. “I feel like sports are a great setup for life,” she <a href="https://www.syracuse.com/orangewomen/2021/07/perseverance-pays-off-former-syracuse-player-kayla-alexander-to-represent-canada-in-olympics.html?outputType=amp">said</a>. “Life isn’t perfect. Things aren’t always going to go according to your plan, but you have to find the ways to persevere and push through and find the positive in everything, or try to.” She went on to compete for Team Canada at the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Games. 
Jordan Robinson is a freelance journalist, author, host, analyst, and content creator based in Los Angeles, CA and writes columns on <a href="http://wnba.com/">WNBA.com</a> throughout the season. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its teams.

before-toronto-these-canadians-made-their-mark

Before Toronto, These Canadians Made Their Mark on the WNBA

Player News

Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball brings 40 world-class athletes to the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, for four weeks of playoff intensity competition. All games will be available to stream for free on the WNBA App!
Players will be drafted to their Week 1 teams on Sunday, February 1, at 1 pm ET.
Check out a rundown of WNBA players participating in this year’s AU action!
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<h2>The Veterans</h2>
<div id="attachment_205830" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205830" class="wp-image-205830" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2234396956-scaled.jpg" alt="Tina Charles #31 of the Connecticut Sun looks on against Atlanta Dream during first quarter at Gateway Center Arena on September 08, 2025 in College Park, Georgia" width="960" height="633" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2234396956-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2234396956-300x198.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2234396956-1024x675.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2234396956-768x506.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2234396956-1536x1012.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2234396956-2048x1349.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />Tina Charles #31 of the Connecticut Sun</div>
Tina Charles, league leader in FGM and rebounds, highlights the veteran WNBA presence on the 2026 AU roster. Alysha Clark, Odyssey Sims, and Bria Hartley also each bring over 10 years of W experience to the roster. Nine-year veteran Aerial Powers, along with eight-year vets Ariel Atkins, Lexie Brown, and Kiah Stokes, are set to hit the floor as well. Emma Cannon, Isabelle Harrison, and Kia Nurse bring seven years of league experience, alongside six-year veterans Shey Peddy and Brianna Turner.
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<h2>The Next Generation</h2>
<div id="attachment_205831" style="width: 970px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-205831" class="wp-image-205831" src="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2232055092-scaled.jpg" alt="Te-Hina Paopao #2 of the Atlanta Dream smiles during the game against the Dallas Wings on August 29, 2025 at Gateway Center Arena at College Park in Atlanta, Georgia" width="960" height="640" srcset="https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2232055092-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2232055092-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2232055092-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2232055092-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2232055092-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cdn.wnba.com/sites/4/2026/01/GettyImages-2232055092-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px" />Te-Hina Paopao #2 of the Atlanta Dream</div>
The 2025 WNBA Draft class highlights the wave of next-generation players set to hit the floor for 2026 AU action, including Aneesah Morrow, Te-Hina Paopao, Aaliyah Nye, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Kaitlyn Chen, and Bree Hall. Two-year veterans Jacy Sheldon and Jaylyn Sherrod are also on the roster alongside Zia Cooke and Grace Berger, who are both finishing up their respective third-year campaigns. NaLyssa Smith, Natasha Mack and Kierstan Bell round out the next generation on the roster, with four years of WNBA experience.
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The AU Pro Basketball season tips off Wednesday, February 4. Stream all games for FREE on the WNBA App!

2026-athletes-unlimited-roster

2026 Athletes Unlimited: The W Roster

Latest

Kia Nurse

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
<ul>
<li>Drafted to the Liberty 10th Overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft</li>
<li>Made her WNBA debut on May 20, 2018, scoring 17 points against the Chicago Sky</li>
<li>Voted to be a starter in the 2019 WNBA All-Star game during her second year in the league</li>
<li>Her selection made her just the third Canadian to play in the All-Star Game.</li>
<li>Selected to participate the WNBA All-Star 3-Point Contest</li>
<li>Scored a career-high 34 points during her rookie campaign on June 2, 2018 against the Indiana Fever</li>
</ul>
2020: Appeared in 21 of the Liberty’s 22-game slate in her third WNBA season, starting in 18… Averaged a team-best 12.2 points per game, 2.9 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game over a team-high 27.5 minutes per game… Recorded season-highs of 21 points twice, 7 rebounds three times, and 7 assists (DAL &#8211; 9/13) which was a career-high.
2019: Started in all 34 games for the Liberty… As second-leading scorer, averaged 13.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG and 2.3 APG… Voted as WNBA All-star starter for first time in career…Her selection made her just the third Canadian to play in the All-Star Game… Also selected to participate in the 3-point contest at WNBA All-Star game…Eclipsed 100 career three-pointers made in her second WNBA season… Posted season highs of 26 points vs Phoenix Mercury, 26 points vs Los Angeles Sparks, 26 vs Minnesota Lynx, 7 Rebounds vs Phoenix Mercury, 6 Assists vs Phoenix Mercury… Averaged 87.2% from the free throw line and 35.3% from beyond the arc.
2018: Drafted 10th overall in 2018 WNBA Draft…Played in all 34 games of the 2018 season…Shot 40.2% in field goals…Made 87% of her free throws…Scored a career-high of 34 points on the road against Indiana, setting the Liberty single-game rookie scoring record (6/2)…Grabbed 7 rebounds for a season high at Phoenix (8/19)&#8230;Recorded 17 points in her WNBA debut against the Chicago Sky (5/20).
College: Played guard at the University of Connecticut…Started in all 33 games of the season 2016-17…Average 12.7 PPG… Led the league in free throw percentage making 85.5% of her free throws…Scored double figures in 20 games…2016-17 Conference Preseason Player of the Year…Won back-to-back championship with UConn in 2015 and 2016…Only player to start in every game of the season (2015-16)…Averaged 12.3 PPG and shot 56.4 3P%&#8230;Earned over 100 assists…Played in all 39 games as a Freshman (2014-15)…Scored 399 points to rank her 10th for UConn Freshmen…Made 55 steals ranking her 9th in all-time steals for UConn freshmen…2015 American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year…2015 American Athletic Conference All-Freshman Team
Personal: Kia Nurse (born February 22, 1996) is a guard for the New York Liberty. She played college basketball at Connecticut. Daughter of Richard and Kathy Nurse…Older brother Darnell and older sister Tamika…Graduated from St. Thomas More Catholic Secondary School… Led St. Thomas More to gold at the AAAA OFSAA Championship in 2012 and 2013…Selected as St. Thomas More Athlete of the year during her freshman and sophomore year…Won two National Championships for team Ontario…Won two Player of the Year honors for Basketball Ontario…Averaged 10.0 PPG to help Team Canada finished second in the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship and earn a spot in the World Championship in 2014.

Kia Nurse signed a Contract with the  Toronto Tempo.

Tallies 23 points off bench

Logs seven minutes

Starting Wednesday

Inks deal with Tempo

Scores in double figures as starter

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