Seven HBCU women’s basketball players have been selected in WNBA history, with Jackson State’s Angel Jackson being the latest after her third-round selection in 2024.
Howard’s Denique Graves was the first HBCU women’s basketball player drafted to the WNBA back in the inaugural WNBA draft in 1997. Graves remains the highest HBCU WNBA draft selection, going 15th overall. Graves is one of three Bison to be selected in WNBA draft history, giving Howard the most WNBA draft selections of any HBCU.
The Phoenix Mercury and Utah Starzz are the only WNBA franchises to select multiple HBCU players in their history. The Starzz made history in 2002 by selecting two HBCU women’s basketball players in the same draft.
Check out the complete history of WNBA draft picks from HBCUs below.
| Year Drafted | Player | College | RD-Pick-OVR | WNBA Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Angel Jackson | Jackson State | 3rd-12-36 | Las Vegas Aces |
| 2022 | Ameshya Williams-Holliday | Jackson State | 3rd-1-25 | Indiana Fever |
| 2002 | Andrea Gardner | Howard | 2nd-11-27 | Utah Starzz |
| 2002 | Amba Kongolo | North Carolina Central | 4th-8-56 | Phoenix Mercury |
| 2002 | Jaclyn Winfield | Southern | 4th-11-59 | Utah Starzz |
| 1998 | Karen Wilkins | Howard | 4th-8-38 | Phoenix Mercury |
| 1997 | Denique Graves | Howard | 2nd-7-15 | Sacramento Monarchs |
