Former FSU Star Latson Drops to Second Round in WNBA Draft

Standout point guard's transfer to South Carolina hurt her draft stock, experts say.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:25am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball game, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes representing the complex dynamics of Latson's transfer and draft slide.Latson's draft slide highlights the risks players take when transferring to new programs, even if they seem like a better opportunity.Tallahassee Today

Former Florida State standout point guard Ta'Niya Latson, who led the nation in scoring in her first three seasons, saw her draft stock plummet after transferring to South Carolina for her final year. Latson fell to the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, where she was selected 20th overall by the LA Sparks.

Why it matters

Latson's drop in the draft highlights the risks players take when transferring to a new program, even if it's perceived as a 'better' team. Her production and stats declined at South Carolina, hurting her draft position despite her previous dominance at Florida State.

The details

Latson went from leading the nation in scoring at 25.2 points per game at FSU to averaging only 14.1 points per game in her final season at South Carolina. Her rebounds, steals, and assists also declined, and her team failed to win the SEC Tournament and was blown out in the NCAA title game.

  • Latson led FSU in scoring in each of her first three seasons from 2022-2025.
  • Latson transferred to South Carolina for the 2025-26 season.
  • Latson was selected 20th overall by the LA Sparks in the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 14, 2026.

The players

Ta'Niya Latson

A former standout point guard who led the nation in scoring at Florida State before transferring to South Carolina for her final season, where her production declined.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina women's basketball team, who Latson transferred to play for in her final collegiate season.

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What they’re saying

“Latson at No. 20 is a steal for the LA Sparks, and I'm sure she'll make the most of her opportunity if she's allowed to play to her strengths. However, this should be a prime example for players in the transfer portal era. It's cool to chase the bag, but you must pay attention to what's best for your game, because transferring somewhere else doesn't guarantee better success.”

— Kelvin Hunt, Author

What’s next

The LA Sparks will look to integrate Latson into their roster and see if she can regain the form that made her a national scoring leader at Florida State.

The takeaway

Latson's drop in the WNBA Draft serves as a cautionary tale for players considering transferring to seemingly 'better' programs, as the change in environment and system can negatively impact their production and draft stock, even if they were previously dominant at their original school.