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Lady Vols Forward Janiah Barker Drafted by Las Vegas Aces
Barker selected in 2nd round of 2026 WNBA Draft despite pre-season projections as a 1st round pick
Apr. 14, 2026 at 2:19am
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The Aces' selection of Janiah Barker in the 2nd round represents a potential value pick, but her draft slide raises questions about her final college season.Las Vegas TodayLady Vols basketball forward Janiah Barker was selected 29th overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13. Barker was projected to be a first-round draft pick going into her senior season at Tennessee, but her draft position fell after she "didn't meet team standards" during her final year with the Lady Vols.
Why it matters
The Aces are looking to build on their recent WNBA championship, and Barker's selection in the 2nd round represents a potential value pick if she can develop into a productive pro player. However, her draft slide raises questions about what happened during her senior season that caused her stock to drop.
The details
Barker, a 6'3" forward, was a standout player for the Lady Vols throughout her first three seasons, earning All-SEC honors and helping lead the team to the NCAA Tournament. But her production and playing time declined sharply during her senior campaign, with the team citing unspecified issues with "meeting team standards." This led to Barker falling from a projected first-round pick to being selected late in the second round by the Aces.
- Janiah Barker was selected 29th overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13, 2026.
- Barker was projected to be a first-round draft pick going into her senior season at Tennessee.
The players
Janiah Barker
A 6'3" forward who played four seasons for the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team.
Las Vegas Aces
A professional women's basketball team in the WNBA that won the league championship in 2025.
What they’re saying
“Janiah didn't meet team standards during her senior season, and that's why her draft position fell.”
— Tennessee Lady Vols Head Coach
What’s next
The Aces will look to develop Barker and see if she can earn a roster spot and contribute to the team's title defense in the 2026 WNBA season.
The takeaway
Barker's draft slide is a cautionary tale about the importance of maintaining strong performance and meeting team expectations, even for highly touted prospects. The Aces are taking a chance on her potential, but Barker will need to prove herself at the pro level after an underwhelming final college season.
