38 Big Ten Conference Alums on 2025 WNBA Opening Day Rosters

ROSEMONT, Ill. – A total of 31 standouts from current Big Ten Conference institutions earned spots on 2025 WNBA Opening Day rosters, with seven additional alums serving on WNBA coaching staffs (including three head coaches), as the league begins its 29th season Friday night. The combined total of 38 Big Ten representatives in the WNBA includes former student-athletes from 13 of the conference’s 18 member institutions, with Maryland (5) and UCLA (5) leading the way.

Atlanta Dream
Naz Hillmon (Michigan)
Jordin Canada (UCLA)
Taylor Thierry (Ohio State)
Nia Coffey (Northwestern)
Brionna Jones (Maryland)
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (Maryland)

Chicago Sky
Michaela Onyenwere (UCLA)
Rachel Banham (Minnesota)
Tanisha Wright – Assistant Coach (Penn State)

Connecticut Sun
Jacy Sheldon (Ohio State)
Rayah Marshall (USC)

Dallas Wings
Kaila Charles (Maryland)

Golden State Valkyries
Temi Fágbénlé (USC)
Kate Martin (Iowa)
Veronica Burton (Northwestern)
Monique Billings (UCLA)
Natalie Nakase – Head Coach (UCLA)

Indiana Fever
Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio State)
Caitlin Clark (Iowa)
Stephanie White – Head Coach (Purdue)

Las Vegas Aces
Megan Gustafson (Iowa)

Los Angeles Sparks
Kesley Plum (Washington)

Minnesota Lynx
Diamond Miller (Maryland)
Lindsay Whalen – Assistant Coach (Minnesota)

New York Liberty
Rebekah Gardner (UCLA)
Nyara Sabally (Oregon)
Sabrina Ionescu (Oregon)
Kennedy Burke (UCLA)

Phoenix Mercury
Satou Sabally (Oregon)
Kahleah Copper (Rutgers)
Alyssa Thomas (Maryland)
Sami Whitcomb (Washington)
Kristi Toliver – Associate Head Coach (Maryland)

Seattle Storm
Erica Wheeler (Rutgers)
Noelle Quinn – Head Coach (UCLA)
Ebony Hoffman – Assistant Coach (USC)

Washington Mystics
Lucy Olsen (Iowa)
Kiki Iriafen (USC)