Stanford's Transfer Problem Impacts WNBA Draft

For the second straight year, the Washington Mystics selected a Stanford transfer in the WNBA Draft.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:52pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented, overlapping forms of basketball players in motion, with vibrant colors and no recognizable faces or logos, conceptually representing the disruption and uncertainty facing the Stanford women's basketball program.The WNBA Draft's selection of Stanford transfers highlights the program's ongoing roster churn and challenges in developing elite talent.Washington Today

In the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Washington Mystics selected former Stanford player Lauren Betts, who transferred to UCLA. This marks the second consecutive year the Mystics have drafted a Stanford transfer, after selecting Kiki Iriafen in 2025. Stanford has seen a number of its top players leave the program in recent years, leading to the school not having a single player drafted in the past two WNBA drafts despite having a talented roster just a couple seasons ago.

Why it matters

Stanford's inability to retain its top talent is a concerning trend for the prestigious women's basketball program. The school's lack of representation in the WNBA Draft over the past two years underscores the program's current struggles, as it has traditionally been a pipeline to the professional ranks. This exodus of talent raises questions about the program's direction under new leadership following the retirement of legendary coach Tara VanDerveer.

The details

In the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Washington Mystics selected former Stanford center Lauren Betts with the fourth overall pick. Betts spent her freshman season at Stanford in 2022-23 before transferring to UCLA, where she won a national championship this past season. The Mystics also selected another former Stanford player, Sonia Citron, in the 2025 draft. Meanwhile, Stanford did not have a single player drafted in either the 2025 or 2026 WNBA Drafts, a stark contrast from just a couple years ago when they had a roster featuring future pros like Cameron Brink, Haley Jones, and Kiki Iriafen.

  • The 2026 WNBA Draft took place on April 10, 2026.
  • The 2025 WNBA Draft took place on April 11, 2025.

The players

Lauren Betts

A 6-foot-7 center who spent her freshman season at Stanford in 2022-23 before transferring to UCLA, where she won a national championship this past season. She was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Kiki Iriafen

A former Stanford player who transferred to USC and was selected fourth overall by the Washington Mystics in the 2025 WNBA Draft, where she became an All-Star as a rookie.

Sonia Citron

Another former Stanford player who was selected by the Washington Mystics in the 2025 WNBA Draft, one pick before Iriafen, and also became an All-Star rookie.

Cameron Brink

A former Stanford player who was selected second overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft, leading Kiki Iriafen to transfer to USC for her final season.

Haley Jones

A former Stanford player who was part of the talented roster in 2022-23 that included Brink, Iriafen, and Nunu Agara.

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What’s next

Stanford will need to address the ongoing transfer issues and find a way to retain its top talent if the program wants to regain its status as a pipeline to the WNBA. The school's lack of representation in the past two drafts is a concerning trend that new head coach must work to reverse.

The takeaway

Stanford's inability to keep its top players from transferring to other programs has had a significant impact on the school's WNBA Draft representation, with the Washington Mystics selecting Stanford transfers in the past two drafts. This exodus of talent raises questions about the direction of the once-dominant women's basketball program as it navigates a new era under different leadership.