Victory Lap: HBCU Talent and the WNBA

With the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury being the final two teams in the WNBA Finals, you might be surprised to learn that there are only seven HBCU graduates who have ever been drafted to the WNBA. Not only that, but there are currently no HBCU alumni playing in the league. While some believe it’s due to lack of exposure, it honestly comes down to tight rosters with limited spots.

However, the WNBA recently announced the addition of three new franchises in Cleveland, Detroit, and Philadelphia beginning in 2028. This ultimately creates more opportunities for HBCU players to break through. As we patiently await that change, here are a few women who have already broken barriers and made it to the league.

Angel Jackson – Jackson State University

Hailing from Richmond, California, Angel Jackson had a stint at the University of Southern California before finishing her collegiate career at Jackson State University. She was drafted to the Las Vegas Aces in 2024 and was the second HBCU player in twenty years to do so. Despite her accomplishment, Jackson was one of the Aces’ final cuts and never had the opportunity to play a regular-season game. She eventually found herself playing overseas in Italy, but that didn’t last long. This year, Jackson became the first HBCU player to compete in the professional women’s basketball league, Athletes Unlimited (AU). While AU is structured differently, with only 40 players on 4 rotating teams each week, the 6-foot-5 star had a strong first season and scored over 2,000 points.

Denique Graves – Howard University

A Howard University alumna from Philly, Denique Graves was the first woman from an HBCU to be drafted to the WNBA. In fact, she remains the highest HBCU WNBA draft selection, going 15th overall. At HU, she’s the fifth all-time leading scorer and fourth all-time leading rebounder. Graves played for the Sacramento Monarchs for two seasons and eventually signed with the Orlando Miracles as a free agent in 2001. Beyond playing, she also coached internationally in China, Austria, and Sweden. With a degree in Health & Human Performance and a lengthy professional resume, Graves is now the owner of DMG Finances, where she consults and advises professional investors.

Ameshya Williams-Holliday – Jackson State University

Also a Jackson State alumna, Ameshya Williams-Holliday met a fate similar to Angel Jackson. The Mississippi-bred player was drafted to the Indiana Fever in 2022, going 25th overall. She was the first player from an HBCU to be drafted in 20 years and is the second-highest drafted HBCU player in league history. Despite her accolades and multiple SWAC titles, Williams-Holliday was waived from the team before the season began. This would mark the end of her professional career, but she remains involved in basketball—organizing camps and coaching a girls’ youth team.

Andrea Gardner – Howard University

Andrea Gardner is a D.C. native and graduate of Howard University. During her college career, Gardner earned multiple MEAC titles, and in 2001, she led the entire nation in rebounding with 14.2 per game. Her skills and accomplishments led to her being drafted in the second round (27th overall) by the Utah Starzz in 2002. After her rookie season, the Starzz released her, and she went on to play overseas in ten different countries. Gardner eventually returned to the WNBA in 2008 to play for the Washington Mystics. After her playing career, she transitioned into coaching at both the professional and collegiate levels. She remains active in the sport and is currently enrolled in the 2025 NBA Coaching Development Program.