Five former Louisville women's basketball players are on WNBA rosters for the 2026 season, including Dana Evans, who is recovering from a leg injury. Evans played a significant role in the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 championship win but will be out indefinitely as the new season begins.
Key points
Five Louisville women's basketball alums in WNBA for 2026
Dana Evans recovering from a left leg injury
Evans helped Las Vegas Aces win 2025 championship
Aces season starts with a rematch against Phoenix Mercury
Evans to receive championship ring despite injury
Las Vegas AcesDana EvansWNBAPhoenix Mercury
Dana Evans’ road to her second WNBA championship was anything but easy.
The former Louisville women’s basketball guard fought through adversity and played a key role in helping the Las Vegas Aces win their third title in four years in 2025. Her offseason included knee surgery and participating in the Unrivaled 3x3 basketball league, totaling five points and two rebounds over seven minutes for the Phantom.
Evans also re-signed with the Aces, though it’ll be a while before she hits the court. The same left leg injury that caused Evans to miss the Phantom’s playoffs is also why she will be out indefinitely when the WNBA regular season starts for the Aces on Saturday afternoon. But she’ll still receive her championship ring during a celebratory ceremony before Las Vegas hosts the Phoenix Mercury in a 2025 WNBA Finals rematch to start the 2026 campaign.
Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans dribbles the ball against the Indiana Fever during the third quarter in Game 1 of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans dribbles the ball against the Indiana Fever during the third quarter in Game 1 of the second round for the 2025 WNBA Playoffs on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at Michelob Ultra Arena.
Q&A
Which Louisville women's basketball players are in the WNBA for 2026?
Five alums from Louisville women's basketball are on WNBA rosters for the 2026 season.
What injury is Dana Evans recovering from for the 2026 WNBA season?
Dana Evans is recovering from a left leg injury that will keep her out indefinitely at the start of the 2026 season.
How did Dana Evans contribute to the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 championship?
Dana Evans played a key role in the Las Vegas Aces' 2025 championship win, despite facing adversity and undergoing knee surgery during the offseason.
When does the WNBA regular season start for the Las Vegas Aces in 2026?
The WNBA regular season for the Las Vegas Aces starts on Saturday afternoon.
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With the WNBA regular season set to start Friday, here’s a look at the other former Cardinals who made a roster:
Myisha Hines-Allen, forward, Indiana Fever
Indiana Fever guard Jessica Timmons (23) and Indiana Fever forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) celebrate a play Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second half of a preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated Nigeria, 105-57.
Indiana Fever guard Jessica Timmons (23) and Indiana Fever forward Myisha Hines-Allen (2) celebrate a play Saturday, May 2, 2026, during the second half of a preseason game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated Nigeria, 105-57.
After spending most of her career with the Washington Mystics, Hines-Allen was traded to the Minnesota Lynx in 2024 before spending the 2025 season with the Dallas Wings. She averaged 7.6 points on 45% shooting, 6.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists during her lone season with the Wings. During the offseason, Hines-Allen signed with the Indiana Fever, citing her desire to play with guard Caitlin Clark as one of the reasons for her decision to return to the Midwest.
The Fever open the regular season by hosting the Wings on Saturday afternoon.
Emily Engstler, forward, Portland Fire
Jun 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Mystics forward Emily Engstler (21) catches her breath during a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Dream at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Jun 15, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Mystics forward Emily Engstler (21) catches her breath during a free throw during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Dream at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-Imagn Images
Engstler, who was the No. 4 pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, is now on her fourth team in five years after joining the Fire via the WNBA’s expansion draft last month. Heading into the 2026 campaign, she’s averaged 4.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists during her first four seasons in the league. Engstler totaled five points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals over 17 minutes in the Fire’s preseason game against the Seattle Storm on April 29.
The Fire play host to the Chicago Sky on Saturday night to get the regular season started.
Sydney Taylor, guard, Chicago Sky
Two years after her lone season at Louisville, Taylor signed with the Sky last month. She’d previously played in Poland and averaged 22.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals over 34 games played for MB Zaglebie Sosnowiec. The former Cardinal opened the preseason with 23 points against the Atlanta Dream.
Taylor and the Sky travel to Portland on Saturday night to open their regular season against Engstler and the Fire.
Laura Ziegler, forward, LA Sparks
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 23: Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates after her team's 69-68 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 23, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - MARCH 23: Laura Ziegler #0 of the Louisville Cardinals celebrates after her team's 69-68 victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament at KFC YUM! Center on March 23, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
After tallying 11.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in her only season with UofL, Ziegler signed with the Sparks as part of the player developmental pool the day after the WNBA Draft. She played a combined 23 minutes during LA’s two preseason games and totaled two points and two rebounds. The Sparks open their regular season by hosting the Aces on Sunday.
Reach Louisville football, women's basketball and baseball beat writer Alexis Cubit atacubit@gannett.comand follow her on X at @Alexis_Cubit.
