The LA Sparks selected South Carolina guard Ta'Niya Latson with the fifth pick in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft, surprising many as she was projected to go earlier. General manager Raegan Pebley expressed excitement over Latson's availability.
LA Sparks surprised Ta'Niya Latson available, 'excited' to draft South Carolina guard
South Carolina women's basketball shooting guard Ta'Niya Latson was widely projected to be selected early in the first round of the 2026 WNBA Draft.
So when Los Angeles Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley Latson she was still available, she capitalized.
With the fifth pick in the second round, Latson was selected by the Sparks, the third player from coach Dawn Staley's program chosen on April 13.
"Surprising to us that Ta'Niya was able to be available at the 20th pick for so really excited about the chance to bring her into this org," Pebley told reporters.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Ta’Niya Latson of South Carolina arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 13: Madina Okot of Kenya arrives prior to the 2026 WNBA Draft at The Shed on April 13, 2026 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Latson averaged 21 or more points per game in three seasons at Florida State including a nation-best 25.2 in 2024-25, then came to South Carolina to get WNBA ready, and polish other elements of her game.
"I love a good scoring guard," said Sparks coach Lynne Roberts. "A lot of pressure on her at Florida State to carry the load then we saw her transfer to South Carolina for her final year and take on a different role ... we watched her closely, our draft model and everything had her a lot higher than No. 20 and so we were excited that she was still there."
Latson averaged 14.1 points, 3.6 assists, 1.7 steals and shot a career-high 48.6% from the floor this season.
"She can shoot it, she can get to the basket, she's great in transition and I think something that we really needed that we're really excited about is her defense," Roberts said. "She's a winner ... her scoring ability, athleticism, quickness, explosiveness, all those things."
This was the second straight year a former Staley player was drafted by the Sparks. Sania Feagin was drafted last year, also in the second round.
"With Ta'Niya, she's an elite scorer, playmaker, and watching how she carried that over from Florida State to South Carolina not just within Coach Staley's program but in a power-house conference like the SEC, especially the guards in that league, it was impressive watching her adapt her game as the season went on," Pebley said.
Latson said it was a "full-circle" moment getting to learn from Sparks star guard Kelsey Plum. In 2024, Latson participated in Plum's "Dawg Class" basketball camp which was created with the intention of helping college players transition to the pro level.
"Having vets like Kelsey Plum and Erica Wheeler around a young guard like that is a tremendous opportunity for her," Pebley said. "This is a great offense for her to excel in, to be great in and shine so I think the table is set for Latson to have some success her rookie year."
Latson marked the 21st player under Staley selected in the WNBA draft.
"You look at South Carolina players, they succeed in the W, they're ready, they know what it means to be a pro," Roberts said. "I think Dawn does a tremendous job getting them ready and making them realistic about how hard this league is, how hard it is to come in. Doesn't matter how good you are in college, it's a huge jump so you know we're getting that already. We talked to Ta'Niya, she's already saying the right things ... that does matter, when they've been coached like that."
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: LA Sparks surprised Ta'Niya Latson was available in second round of WNBA draft
Ta'Niya Latson was widely projected to be selected early in the draft, but she remained available, surprising many teams, including the LA Sparks.
The LA Sparks selected Ta'Niya Latson with the fifth pick in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft.
The coach of the South Carolina women's basketball team is Dawn Staley.
Ta'Niya Latson was the third player from South Carolina's program to be drafted by the LA Sparks in the 2026 WNBA Draft.
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