Sparks Draft South Carolina's Latson in 2026 WNBA Draft

The Los Angeles WNBA team selects the Gamecocks guard in the second round.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:19am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented movements and perspectives of a women's basketball game, with sharp planes of royal blue, crimson red, and bright yellow.The Sparks' selection of South Carolina's Latson in the 2026 WNBA Draft reflects the team's desire to add young, dynamic talent to their backcourt.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Sparks selected South Carolina women's basketball guard Ta'Niya Latson with the 20th pick in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft. Latson, a 5-foot-8 guard, spent one season playing for coach Dawn Staley after transferring from another program.

Why it matters

The Sparks are looking to bolster their backcourt with young talent, and Latson's scoring ability and potential to develop other aspects of her game made her an attractive draft choice. South Carolina has become a pipeline for WNBA talent under Staley's leadership.

The details

Latson was chosen by the Sparks with the 20th pick in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, which took place at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City. She spent one season with the Gamecocks after transferring from another program, showcasing her scoring skills under coach Dawn Staley.

  • The 2026 WNBA Draft took place on April 13, 2026.
  • Latson was selected by the Sparks with the 20th pick in the second round.

The players

Ta'Niya Latson

A 5-foot-8 guard who spent one season playing for the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team after transferring from another program.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, who has helped develop the program into a pipeline for WNBA talent.

Los Angeles Sparks

A professional women's basketball team in the WNBA that selected Ta'Niya Latson in the 2026 draft.

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The takeaway

The Sparks' selection of Latson in the 2026 WNBA Draft reflects their desire to add young, talented guards to their roster. Latson's scoring ability and potential for growth under the tutelage of coach Dawn Staley at South Carolina make her an intriguing prospect for the Sparks as they look to build for the future.