Lady Vols Basketball Forward, Two Former Players Slotted in Updated WNBA Mock Draft

Janiah Barker, Marta Suarez, and Justin Pissott all projected to be selected in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 9:52pm

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The 2025-26 women's basketball season is over, and attention has turned to the WNBA draft. In a recent CBS Sports mock draft, Lady Vols basketball forward Janiah Barker is projected to be the 16th overall pick, going to the Seattle Storm. Additionally, two former Tennessee players, Marta Suarez and Justin Pissott, are also slotted to be selected in the second round.

Why it matters

The WNBA draft is an important event for college basketball players looking to take the next step in their careers. Having multiple Lady Vols players projected to be drafted, including a potential second-round pick, showcases the talent that has come through the Tennessee program under head coach Kellie Harper.

The details

Janiah Barker, a forward for the Lady Vols, is projected to be the 16th overall pick, going to the Seattle Storm. CBS Sports' Jack Maloney noted that Barker is a 'clear first-round talent' but has struggled with consistency throughout her college career. Former Lady Vols players Marta Suarez (pick 17, Portland Fire) and Justin Pissott (pick 25) are also projected to be selected in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft.

  • The 2025-26 women's basketball season concluded on Sunday, April 6, 2026 with the national championship game.
  • The 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled for later this spring.

The players

Janiah Barker

A forward for the Lady Vols basketball team who is projected to be the 16th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, going to the Seattle Storm.

Marta Suarez

A former Lady Vols player who transferred to Cal and then TCU, and is now projected to be the 17th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, going to the Portland Fire.

Justin Pissott

A former Lady Vols player who transferred to Vanderbilt, and is now projected to be the 25th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft.

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What they’re saying

“Barker is a clear first-round talent, but she just hasn't shown enough consistency throughout her college career, which ended in strange circumstances with a suspension in February and a DNP — Illness in Tennessee's NCAA Tournament defeat. She's certainly worth a flier for the Storm with their third pick of the night.”

— Jack Maloney, CBS Sports Writer

What’s next

The 2026 WNBA Draft is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks, where Janiah Barker, Marta Suarez, and Justin Pissott will look to hear their names called and take the next step in their professional basketball careers.

The takeaway

The Lady Vols program continues to produce talented players who are attracting interest from WNBA teams. The projected second-round selections of Barker, Suarez, and Pissott demonstrate the depth of quality that has come through the Tennessee women's basketball program in recent years.