Why LA Sparks coach expects Ta'Niya Latson to 'surprise people' in rookie WNBA season

Lulu Kesin, Greenville NewsTue, May 5, 2026 at 6:41 PM UTC

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The Los Angeles Sparks and coach Lynne Roberts are reaping the benefits of other WNBA teams passing on South Carolina women's basketball guard Ta'Niya Latson.

Latson was widely projected as a first-round pick, but in the 2026 WNBA Draft she fell to the second round, taken by the Sparks with their first selection of the night.

"We did not anticipate her to be on the board at No. 20 so we were thrilled with that," Roberts said via Zoom on May 5. "It was not a hard decision in the draft room ... we were excited, we felt like we stole one there and so our expectations are that she's going to surprise people."

Latson, a 5-foot-8 guard played, one season with coach Dawn Staley after playing three for Florida State. She averaged 14.1 points per game for the Gamecocks.

She scored seven points with six assists, five rebounds and a block in her WNBA preseason debut against Nigeria on April 25. She followed it up with seven more points, two assists and one rebound against the Portland Fire on May 3.

"Ta'Niya's been good," Roberts said. "For a rookie in this league, the hardest position is that lead guard. She can play the one, she can play the two, she can bring it up, she can fill a wing so not only are you learning two spots but you're also having to learn the point guard spot and that's a learning curve. She's done a really good job with it."

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Roberts added that Latson's work ethic and coachability are good, and that she wants to learn.

The 30th WNBA season begins May 8, which means rosters have to be finalized by May 7. The Sparks open the 2026 season against the Las Vegas Aces on May 10. The Aces are the defending champions, led by South Carolina great and four-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson.

"Ta'Niya, what I love about her is she has the ability to really put pressure at the rim," Roberts said. "She's fearless getting to the bucket, her first step is as quick as anybody's and so now it just becomes working on her decision-making ... she's been good defensively."

The Sparks drafted Chance Gray from Ohio State and Amelia Hassett from Kentucky after Latson. Hassett, a guard, was waived on April 28. Two more guards - Sevgi Uzun and Julie Vanloo - were waived May 5. Under the new CBA, teams can have 12 active players and two developmental (14 total) per roster.

"I anticipate (Latson) to play, be in the rotation," Roberts said. "I think for us to be at our best, we need that. She's got to continue to work, stay hungry and learn but I've been very impressed with her readiness since she got here."

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Ta'Niya Latson, LA Sparks' expectations for South Carolina guard

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