Former Lady Vols Set to Make Their Mark as 2025 WNBA Season Begins

As the regular season approaches, all eyes are on the final cuts and depth chart battles as teams trim rosters in advance of opening night.

Mar 25, 2024; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Tennessee Lady Vols forward Rickea Jackson (2) locks up with NC State Wolfpack guard Madison Hayes (21) for position in the second round of the 2024 NCAA Women's Tournament at James T. Valvano Arena at William Neal Reynolds. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

The 2025 WNBA season is officially underway, with training camps beginning on April 27 and preseason action wrapping up this week. This year’s campaign brings an exciting new era to the league, including the debut of the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s 13th franchise—marking the league’s first expansion since 2008.

With expansion comes opportunity—but also heightened competition.

Each of the 13 teams is allowed a maximum of 12 roster spots, making for a total of 156 players across the league. However, due to salary cap limitations, most teams will carry only 11 active players, making it notoriously difficult to crack a final roster—even for top collegiate talent. As a result, every training camp and preseason minute counts.

The final preseason game of the 2025 slate tips off Sunday, May 12, with the Toyota Antelopes taking on the New York Liberty at 10 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass.

Former Tennessee Stars Across the League

Tennessee continues to be one of the premier pipelines to the WNBA, and several former Lady Vols are expected to play meaningful roles this season:

• Rickea Jackson – Los Angeles Sparks (2022–24)

• Jordan Horston – Seattle Storm (2019–23)

• Rae Burrell – Los Angeles Sparks (2018–22)

• Diamond DeShields – Connecticut Sun (2015–17)

• Isabelle Harrison – New York Liberty (2011–15)

• Mercedes Russell – Los Angeles Sparks (2013–18)

Leading the new wave is Rickea Jackson, the Sparks’ 2025 first-round pick who’s already making headlines following her electric preseason debut. Jackson led L.A. with 13 points in a win over Golden State and appears poised to take on a prominent role in her rookie year.

Tennessee’s legacy in the WNBA continues to grow, and with more talent emerging from Rocky Top, the program remains one of the sport’s strongest pipelines.

As the regular season approaches, all eyes are on the final cuts and depth chart battles as teams trim rosters in advance of opening night.

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