Mitchell Northam
May 11, 2024 5:02 pm ET
Expansion for the WNBA can’t come soon enough.
We’ll get a team in California’s Bay Area in 2025, and another franchise in Toronto – apparently – in 2026, but until then the WNBA continues to be one of the toughest leagues to make a roster in. With just 12 teams and 12 full-time roster spots, it’s a league made up of just 144 players – the best of the best in the world of women’s basketball. Those roster spots are treasured, cherished and hard to come by. Super talented players get pushed out all the time.
And so, with the WNBA season starting in a few days, rosters have been crunched in recent days. Among the casualties were players drafted this year – as high as the second round – former champions and other big names.
Here’s a closer look at the players squeezed out this season, a group that wouldn’t be a bad starter set for one of the future expansion teams.
Taylor Mikesell
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 10: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert and Taylor Mikesell pose for photos after Mikesell was drafted 13th overall by the Indiana Fever during the 2023 WNBA Draft at Spring Studios on April 10, 2023 in New York City. 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 Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The first pick of the second round – 13th overall – in 2023, Mikesell has yet to find a long term home in the WNBA despite establishing herself as one of the best 3-point shooters over five collegiate seasons at Maryland, Oregon and Ohio State. Mikesell shot 42 percent from behind the arc in her college career, and made 42.9 percent of her looks from deep range in six games with the Atlanta Dream last season.
On May 6, the Los Angeles Sparks waived her, marking the third team to cut her loose in two seasons.
Bria Hartley
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 03: Bria Hartley #14 of the Las Vegas Aces poses for a portrait during the team’s media day at Vu Studios on May 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Candice Ward/Getty Images)
The UConn product – who helped the Huskies win two national championships – has piled up trophies as a professional player, winning the Turkish Super League twice and helping the Team USA 3×3 team win gold in the 2012 World Championships.
Despite making the WNBA All-Rookie Team in 2014 and starting in 99 of the 207 games she’s appeared in over her career, the 5-foot-9 guard has had trouble sticking in the league lately. Hartley played in just six games in 2021, 13 in 2022 and none in 2023.
She was waived by the Aces on May 6.
Alaina Coates
Aug 15, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces centre Alaina Coates battles for the ball with New York Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) during the fourth quarter at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports
The second overall pick out of South Carolina in the 2017 draft, Coates has bounced around the WNBA since then, spending time with seven different franchises. She played in 10 games last season with the Las Vegas Aces – including six appearances in playoff games as they won the WNBA Finals.
Coates was waived by the Seattle Storm on May 8.
Brea Beal
Apr 1, 2022; Minneapolis, MN, USA; South Carolina Gameco*cks guard Brea Beal (12) dribbles the ball as UConn Huskies guard Nika Muhl (10) defends during the second half in the Final Four semifinals of the women’s college basketball NCAA Tournament at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
A key piece of South Carolina’s national championship team in 2022, Beal was the 24th overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, but was waived by the Minnesota Lynx. This preseason, she was signed by the Las Vegas Aces, but waived on May 2. Beal has yet to make her WNBA debut in a regular season game.
Shey Peddy
Oct 17, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) and Phoenix Mercury guard Shey Peddy (5) during the second half of game four of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: IMAGN-471226 ORIG FILE ID: 20211017_jrs_bm5_0250.JPG
Initially drafted in 2012, Peddy finally caught on in the WNBA in 2021, playing 32 games with the Phoenix Mercury. The following season, the 5-foot-7 Temple product averaged 9.9 points per game and started in 24 games for Phoenix.
Peddy was waived by the Connecticut Sun on May 5.
Ruthy Hebard
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 11: Ruthy Hebard #24 of the Chicago Sky warms up before a game against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena on August 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Hebard was waived by the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday. She signed a training camp contract with the team back in February after spending the previous four seasons with the Chicago Sky.
The Oregon product – who twice won the McClain award in college – helped the Sky win a WNBA title in 2021 by averaging 5.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game off the bench. As a rookie in 2020, Hebard led the WNBA in field goal percentage with a 68.2 percent mark.
More WNBA
