Ta’Niya Latson’s professional career begins on the West Coast, after the South Carolina guard was selected 20th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks on Monday night — becoming the 25th Gamecock ever chosen in the WNBA Draft.
A Slide in Round, Not in Fit
Latson had entered draft night widely projected as a first-round selection, but slipped into the second round before the Sparks made their move. Despite the later-than-expected selection, the destination shapes up as a strong match. Los Angeles has a clear need for perimeter playmaking, and Latson arrives as precisely that kind of player.
Perhaps most valuably, she will have the chance to learn from Kelsey Plum — a guard who followed a remarkably similar trajectory, establishing herself as a prolific college scorer before having to expand and evolve her game at the professional level. The parallel is hard to ignore, and the mentorship opportunity could prove significant.
A Journey Built on Growth
Latson attended the draft in New York alongside South Carolina teammates Raven Johnson and Madina Okot, all three having been projected as first-round picks heading into the evening.
Her path to the draft spans two programs and a deliberate act of sacrifice. She spent her first three collegiate seasons at Florida State, where she led the entire nation in scoring during her junior year. Rather than return as the focal point of the Seminoles’ offense, she chose to transfer to South Carolina for her senior season — motivated in large part by the chance to play alongside her high school teammate and close friend Raven Johnson, and by a desire to better prepare herself for life as a professional.
The transition came at a statistical cost that Latson embraced willingly. Her scoring average dropped by roughly 10 points from her peak at Florida State, but what she gained in return was arguably more valuable — improved defensive habits, a sharper understanding of running an offense, and the experience of thriving within a system rather than carrying one.
Even so, she never lost her instinct for putting the ball in the basket. She closed her South Carolina season averaging 14.1 points, 3.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game.
Saving Her Best for the Biggest Moments
Latson’s most compelling performances came when the stakes were highest. In the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16, she poured in 28 points against Oklahoma. She followed that with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double against UConn in the Final Four. In both games, she was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line — a display of composure that did not go unnoticed by professional scouts.
A New Financial Landscape for WNBA Rookies
Latson enters the league under the new collective bargaining agreement that has transformed rookie compensation across the board. Under the previous CBA, first-round picks earned roughly $78,000 annually, with second and third-round selections taking home even less.
Under the new structure, even second-round picks benefit from significantly improved terms. As the fifth pick of the second round, Latson is set to sign a four-year contract valued at $1,234,790, beginning at $270,000 in her first season and increasing each year through the life of the deal.
Latson is the third and final South Carolina player selected in Monday’s 2026 WNBA Draft, joining Raven Johnson (10th overall, Indiana Fever) and Madina Okot (12th overall, Atlanta Dream) in making the leap to the professional game.
