Friday night will mark the start of the 2023 WNBA season as the Las Vegas Aces look to defend their 2022 championship.
There are five former Lady Vols that are representing the University of Tennessee on WNBA rosters this season.
Former Tennessee legend Candace Parker is now in Las Vegas after signing with the Aces following the 2022 season. The Tennessee standout will be entering her 16th season in the WNBA after spending the first 13 with Los Angeles and the most recent two with Chicago. Parker is a two-time WNBA Champion, a two-time WNBA MVP, and won two NCAA Championships at Tennessee.
#TeamParker 🥰❤️ pic.twitter.com/HTeEo5Q1uu
— Las Vegas Aces (@LVAces) May 14, 2023
While Parker did leave Chicago in February, the Sky brought in former Lady Vol Isabelle Harrison this past offseason after four years with Dallas. Harrison, who was at Tennessee from 2011-2015, is currently entering her seventh playing season in the league. The former Lady Vol and Nashville native averaged 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists for the Wings last season.
S Q U A D#skytown pic.twitter.com/MkFeKqyGNJ
— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) May 19, 2023
Speaking of Dallas, the Wings made a trade for former Lady Vol Diamond DeShields this offseason after she spent her first four years in the league with Chicago and her most recent season with Phoenix. DeShields was traded from Chicago to Phoenix in 2022 and then traded to Dallas in 2023. DeShields is a one-time WNBA Champion (2021) and was named a WNBA All-Star after her second season in 2019.
No Pressure, No Diamond 💎 pic.twitter.com/SIuXFUV1Qq
— Dallas Wings (@DallasWings) February 27, 2023
The final two Lady Vols in the WNBA land on the Seattle Storm’s roster. Mercedes Russell, a former Lady Vol from 2013-2018, is still with the Storm after four years in Seattle. Russell will be returning to the court in 2023 after only playing in five games last season due to a non-basketball related injury.
A 6'6" center from @LadyVol_Hoops…
⛈ MERCEDES RUSSELL ⛈
#TakeCover pic.twitter.com/x4dzF0yexN— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 19, 2023
After four impactful years at the University of Tennessee, senior guard Jordan Horston was selected with the 9th overall pick by the Storm in the 2022-2023 WNBA Draft. In her final season at Tennessee, helping lead the Lady Vols to the Sweet 16, Horston averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over the span of 35 games. The Ohio native will now look to make an impression on the Storm this season during the course of her rookie year.
#LVFL 🤝 #TakeCover pic.twitter.com/K5fN0LNFuw
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) May 12, 2023
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Opening Games for Lady Vol WNBA Players:
Candace Parker: Sat, May 20, 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC – Las Vegas Aces @ Seattle Storm
Isabelle Harrison: Fri, May 19, 8:00 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass – Chicago Sky @ Minnesota Lynx
Diamond DeShields: Sat, May 20, 1:00 p.m. ET on ABC – Atlanta Dream @ Dallas Wings
Mercedes Russell & Jordan Horston: Sat, May 20, 3:00 p.m. ET on ABC – Las Vegas Aces @ Seattle Storm
