Seven HBCU women's basketball players have been selected in WNBA history, with Jackson State's Angel Jackson becoming the latest since a third-round pick in 2024.
Howard's Denique Graves was the first women's basketball player from an HBCU to be drafted into the WNBA in the first WNBA Draft in 1997. Graves remains the highest-ranked HBCU WNBA draft pick, taking her 15th overall. She said Graves is one of three Bison selections in WNBA draft history, giving Howard the most WNBA draft picks of any HBCU.
The Phoenix Mercury and Utah Stars are the only WNBA franchises in history to select multiple HBCU players. Starzz made history by drafting her two HBCU women's basketball players in the same draft in 2002.
Check out the complete history of WNBA draft picks from HBCUs below.
draft year | player | college | RD-Pick-OVR | WNBA team |
---|---|---|---|---|
2024 | angel jackson | jackson state university | 3rd place-12-36 | Las Vegas Aces |
2022 | Amesha Williams Holiday | jackson state university | 3rd-1-25 | indiana fever |
2002 | andrea gardner | howard | 2-11-27 | Utah Stars |
2002 | amba kongolo | central north carolina | 4-8-56 | phoenix mercury |
2002 | Jaclyn Winfield | southern | 4-11-59 | Utah Stars |
1998 | Karen Wilkins | howard | 4-8-38 | phoenix mercury |
1997 | Denique Graves | howard | 2-7-15 | sacramento monarchs |