Six former Tennessee Lady Volunteers are rostered for the start of the WNBA season on Tuesday night. Those six players are spread across three teams with two at each.
Fourth overall pick Rickea Jackson is set to make her WNBA debut on Wednesday night along with LVFL Rae Burrell for Los Angeles. The Sparks will host the Atlanta Dream to kick off the season, which can be seen exclusively through WNBA League Pass. Jackson was a dynamic player at Tennessee while Burrell looks to turn a corner in year three.
WNBA veterans Diamond DeShields and Isabelle Harrison are both with the Chicago Sky this year. Both players were sidelined with injuries during the 2023 season and are looking to bounce back in a big way with the Sky.
And, lastly, Jordan Horston and Mercedes Russell will run things back with Seattle this season. Horston emerged as a solid player for the Storm during her rookie season while Russell saw a big return to the court in 2023 after an injury cut her 2022 season down to just five games. The Storm project to be one of the league’s top teams this season.
LVFL Candace Parker announced her retirement this past April and soon found a new job as the President of Adidas women’s basketball. Former Top 10 pick Rennia Davis spent training camp with the Connecticut Sun but will be a free agent as the season begins on Tuesday night.
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Here’s a look at Tennessee’s six rostered WNBA players this season and when their season-opening game will be:
Rae Burrell
- Team: Los Angeles Sparks
- Year: 3
- 2023 Stats: 29 GP, 3 GS, 11.1 MPG, 38.7 FG%, 1.2 RPG, 0.6 APG, 3.6 PPG
- Final Tennessee Stats: 22 GP, 36.4 FG%, 3.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, 12.3 PPG
- Opening Game: Wednesday at 10:00 p.m. ET – Atlanta Dream at LA Sparks – WNBA League Pass
Rickea Jackson
- Team: Los Angeles Sparks
- Year: Rookie
- 2023 Stats: N/A (Fourth overall pick)
- Final Tennessee Stats: 25 GP, 24 GS, 31.5 MPG, 48.5 FG%, 8.2 RPG, 2.3 APG, 20.2 PPG
- Opening Game: Wednesday at 10:00 p.m. ET – Atlanta Dream at LA Sparks – WNBA League Pass
Diamond DeShields
- Team: Chicago Sky
- Year: 6
- 2023 Stats: DNP (Knee Injury)
- Final Tennessee Stats: 29 GP, 28 GS, 33.5 MPG, 42.3 FG%, 6.4 RPG, 3.8 APG, 17.4 PPG
- Opening Game: Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. ET – Chicago Sky at Dallas Wings – WNBA League Pass
Isabelle Harrison
- Team: Chicago Sky
- Year: 7
- 2022 Stats: 35 GP, 18 GS, 18.4 MPG, 46.6 FG%, 4.3 RPG, 1.3 APG, 8.7 PPG
- Final Tennessee Stats: 21 GP, 47.1 FG%, 8.6 RPG, 0.7 APG, 12.2 PPG
- Opening Game: Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. ET – Chicago Sky at Dallas Wings – WNBA League Pass
Mercedes Russell
- Team: Seattle Storm
- Year: 7
- 2023 Stats: 37 GP, 13 GS, 19.1 MPG, 51.6 FG%, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 5.0 PPG
- Final Tennessee Stats: 33 GP, 33 GS, 32.7 MPG, 58.3 FG%, 9.2 RPG, 0.8 APG, 15.3 PPG
- Opening Game: Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. ET – Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm – ESPN3
Jordan Horston
- Team: Seattle Storm
- Year: 2
- 2023 Stats: 36 GP, 17 GS, 22.4 MPG, 36.7 FG%, 5.1 RPG, 1.6 APG, 6.9 PPG
- Final Tennessee Stats: 35 GP, 33 GS, 26.8 MPG, 43.8 FG%, 7.1 RPG, 3.3 APG, 15.6 PPG
- Opening Game: Tuesday at 10:00 p.m. ET – Minnesota Lynx at Seattle Storm – ESPN3
Time to update the bio!!!
Congratulations @iamthathooper 💜#GoLadyVols x #WNBA https://t.co/dfUqOqOHaf pic.twitter.com/q4CduOWagr
— Lady Vols Basketball (@LadyVol_Hoops) May 14, 2024
