Pros, cons of Dallas Wings picking Lady Vols forward Zee Spearman in 2026 WNBA Draft

Pros, cons of Dallas Wings picking Lady Vols forward Zee Spearman in 2026 WNBA Draft

Lady Vols basketball forward Zee Spearman was selected No. 31 overall by the Dallas Wings in the third round of the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13.

Spearman transferred to Tennessee ahead of Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell's first season and excelled in her system.

Spearman joins senior forward Janiah Barker as the first WNBA draftees under Caldwell. She's the 48th WNBA draft pick in program history. The Lady Vols' last WNBA draft pick before this year was former star forward Rickea Jackson, who was the fourth-straight first-round pick for Tennessee under former coach Kellie Harper in 2024.

Here's what Spearman brings to the Wings.

Mar 5, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell reacts during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell walks off the court after the loss to Vanderbilt in an NCAA college basketball game on Mar. 1, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell throws her hands up during a NCAA basketball game at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Feb. 19, 2026.

Ole Miss vs. Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell in a NCAA women's college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell yells instructions to her team during an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri on Feb 12, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Feb 8, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell comforts guard Mya Pauldo (12) after Pauldo was poked in the eye against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Feb 1, 2026; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell watches from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies in the first half at PeoplesBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell during a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and Mississippi State held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 29, 2026.

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell huddles with players on the court during a game between the Lady Vols and Kentucky at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., Jan. 22, 2026. Tennessee defeated Kentucky.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell talks to guard Mya Pauldo (12) during an NCAA college basketball game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Jan. 11, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell reacts to a foul call against the Lady Vols during an NCAA college basketball game against the Florida Gators on January 1, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell yells out instructions to the team during anNCAA college basketball game against Southern Indiana on Dec. 22, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell calls out instructions to the team during the NCAA college basketball game against Winthrop on Dec. 14, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: Head Coach Kim Caldwell of the Tennessee Lady Vols reacts during the second half of their game against the UCLA Bruins at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on November 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images)

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell during a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and Coppin State held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 23, 2025.

Tennessee Lady Volunteers coach Kim Caldwell on the sideline with Tennessee Lady Volunteers forward Janiah Barker (0) during the NCAA women's basketball game against Middle Tennessee on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at Middle Tennessee.

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell gestures as she looks back on the shot clock during a NCAA women's basketball between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Belmont Bruins at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee on Nov. 13, 2025.

Tennessee Head Coach Kim Caldwell speaks with Tennessee's Janiah Barker (0) during the Pat Summitt Classic between Tennessee versus UT-Martin inside Kathleen and Tom Elan Center in Martin. Tenn., on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell gives instructions to forward Zee Spearman (11) during the NCAA college basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and East Tennessee State Buccaneers on November 7, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell calls out to her players during a NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game between the Lady Vols and Texas at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell talks with her team as Tennessee Volunteers face off with Texas Longhorns during the Sweet 16 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Texas Longhorns defeated Tennessee Volunteers 67-59 to advance to the Elite 8.

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell motions to her team during the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena in Columbus on March 23, 2025. Ohio State lost 82-67.

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell talks to her players during the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament against the South Florida Bulls at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 21, 2025.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell yells directions to her players during an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee Head Coach Kim Caldwell looks at Tennessee forward Jillian Hollingshead (53) celebrating during the fourth quarter of the Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Tournament game with Texas A&M Mar 5, 2025; Greenville, South Carolina, USA; at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Tennessee Head Coach Kim Caldwell talks with Tennessee forward Zee Spearman (11) during the first quarter of the Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Tournament game with Texas A&M Mar 5, 2025; Greenville, South Carolina, USA; at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell talks with an official during the NCAA college basketball game against Georgia on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell puts her arms up while talking about a foul to a referee during a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and Auburn at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville on Thursday, February 13, 2025.

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma have a lengthy chat before a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and UConn at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell works with the team during the first quarter against Vanderbilt at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell high-fives Tennessee guard Samara Spencer (7) before a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and Mississippi State at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell yells out to her players during a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and LSU at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey, right, hands Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell a baby gift before a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and LSU at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the NCAA college basketball game against Winthrop on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 in in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the NCAA college basketball game against Winthrop on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 in in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell talks with her players during an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina Central on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell before the start of the NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina Central on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell during flinches during a play during a NCAA college basketball game at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell talks with Talaysia Cooper (55) during an NCAA college basketball game against Middle Tennessee State University on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. Saul Young/USA TODAY Network

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the NCAA college basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Middle Tennessee State University on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell during a basketball game between the Lady Vols and Samford held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Brianna Paciorka/USA TODAY Network

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell on the sidelines during an exhibition game between the Lady Vols and Carson-Newman at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell laughs with Tennessee forward Zee Spearman (11) and forward Jillian Hollingshead (53) during the Lady Vols' media day at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell smiles during the Lady Vols' media day at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell speaks during SEC Media Day at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2024.

Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell poses for a picture with Sierra during the annual Hoops for Hope event at Farragut High School on Saturday, August 24, 2024. Hoops for Hope is an East Tennessee organization for Down Syndrome.

Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell greets fans during the Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

Lady Vols head basketball coach Kim Caldwell waves to the crowd after throwing the first pitch before a NCAA baseball game at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Friday, April 12, 2024. Tennessee won 6-3 against LSU.

Kim Caldwell stands with her mother (left) and husband Justin Caldwell (right), a former assistant coach for Marshall men's basketball, after being welcomed as the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols coach in Knoxville, Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

Kim Caldwell, the new head coach for Lady Vols, is welcomed by the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

1 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Mar 5, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell reacts during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

1 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Mar 5, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell reacts during the first half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

2 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell walks off the court after the loss to Vanderbilt in an NCAA college basketball game on Mar. 1, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

3 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell throws her hands up during a NCAA basketball game at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Feb. 19, 2026.

4 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Ole Miss vs. Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell in a NCAA women's college basketball game at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion at Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss. on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026.

5 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell yells instructions to her team during an NCAA college basketball game against Missouri on Feb 12, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

6 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Feb 8, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell comforts guard Mya Pauldo (12) after Pauldo was poked in the eye against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

7 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Feb 1, 2026; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell watches from the sideline as they take on the UConn Huskies in the first half at PeoplesBank Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images

8 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell during a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and Mississippi State held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 29, 2026.

9 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell huddles with players on the court during a game between the Lady Vols and Kentucky at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., Jan. 22, 2026. Tennessee defeated Kentucky.

10 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell talks to guard Mya Pauldo (12) during an NCAA college basketball game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on Jan. 11, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

11 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell reacts to a foul call against the Lady Vols during an NCAA college basketball game against the Florida Gators on January 1, 2026, in Knoxville, Tenn.

12 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell yells out instructions to the team during anNCAA college basketball game against Southern Indiana on Dec. 22, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

13 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell calls out instructions to the team during the NCAA college basketball game against Winthrop on Dec. 14, 2025, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

14 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 30: Head Coach Kim Caldwell of the Tennessee Lady Vols reacts during the second half of their game against the UCLA Bruins at UCLA Pauley Pavilion on November 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images)

15 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell during a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and Coppin State held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tenn., on Nov. 23, 2025.

16 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Lady Volunteers coach Kim Caldwell on the sideline with Tennessee Lady Volunteers forward Janiah Barker (0) during the NCAA women's basketball game against Middle Tennessee on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, at Middle Tennessee.

17 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee coach Kim Caldwell gestures as she looks back on the shot clock during a NCAA women's basketball between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Belmont Bruins at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville, Tennessee on Nov. 13, 2025.

18 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Head Coach Kim Caldwell speaks with Tennessee's Janiah Barker (0) during the Pat Summitt Classic between Tennessee versus UT-Martin inside Kathleen and Tom Elan Center in Martin. Tenn., on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025.

19 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell gives instructions to forward Zee Spearman (11) during the NCAA college basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and East Tennessee State Buccaneers on November 7, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

20 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell calls out to her players during a NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game between the Lady Vols and Texas at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, March 29, 2025.

21 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Kim Caldwell talks with her team as Tennessee Volunteers face off with Texas Longhorns during the Sweet 16 at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Ala., on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Texas Longhorns defeated Tennessee Volunteers 67-59 to advance to the Elite 8.

22 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell motions to her team during the second round of the women's NCAA Tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Value City Arena in Columbus on March 23, 2025. Ohio State lost 82-67.

23 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell talks to her players during the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament against the South Florida Bulls at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio on March 21, 2025.

24 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell yells directions to her players during an NCAA college basketball game against Georgia on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

25 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Head Coach Kim Caldwell looks at Tennessee forward Jillian Hollingshead (53) celebrating during the fourth quarter of the Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Tournament game with Texas A&M Mar 5, 2025; Greenville, South Carolina, USA; at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

26 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Head Coach Kim Caldwell talks with Tennessee forward Zee Spearman (11) during the first quarter of the Southeastern Conference Women's Basketball Tournament game with Texas A&M Mar 5, 2025; Greenville, South Carolina, USA; at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

27 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell talks with an official during the NCAA college basketball game against Georgia on Sunday, March 2, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

28 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell puts her arms up while talking about a foul to a referee during a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and Auburn at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville on Thursday, February 13, 2025.

29 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell and UConn head coach Geno Auriemma have a lengthy chat before a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and UConn at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville on Thursday, February 6, 2025.

30 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

31 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell works with the team during the first quarter against Vanderbilt at Memorial Gym in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.

32 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell high-fives Tennessee guard Samara Spencer (7) before a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and Mississippi State at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.

33 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell yells out to her players during a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and LSU at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.

34 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey, right, hands Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell a baby gift before a women's college basketball game between the Lady Vols and LSU at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.

35 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the NCAA college basketball game against Winthrop on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 in in Knoxville, Tenn.

36 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the NCAA college basketball game against Winthrop on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 in in Knoxville, Tenn.

37 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell talks with her players during an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina Central on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

38 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell before the start of the NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina Central on Saturday, December 14, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

39 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell during flinches during a play during a NCAA college basketball game at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

40 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell talks with Talaysia Cooper (55) during an NCAA college basketball game against Middle Tennessee State University on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn. Saul Young/USA TODAY Network

41 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee basketball coach Kim Caldwell during the NCAA college basketball game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and Middle Tennessee State University on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Knoxville, Tenn.

42 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell during a basketball game between the Lady Vols and Samford held at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center in Knoxville on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. Brianna Paciorka/USA TODAY Network

43 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell on the sidelines during an exhibition game between the Lady Vols and Carson-Newman at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024.

44 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell laughs with Tennessee forward Zee Spearman (11) and forward Jillian Hollingshead (53) during the Lady Vols' media day at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

45 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell smiles during the Lady Vols' media day at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024.

46 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell speaks during SEC Media Day at the Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2024.

47 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Lady Vols head coach Kim Caldwell poses for a picture with Sierra during the annual Hoops for Hope event at Farragut High School on Saturday, August 24, 2024. Hoops for Hope is an East Tennessee organization for Down Syndrome.

48 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell greets fans during the Big Orange Caravan event at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, April 30, 2024.

49 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Lady Vols head basketball coach Kim Caldwell waves to the crowd after throwing the first pitch before a NCAA baseball game at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on Friday, April 12, 2024. Tennessee won 6-3 against LSU.

50 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Kim Caldwell stands with her mother (left) and husband Justin Caldwell (right), a former assistant coach for Marshall men's basketball, after being welcomed as the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols coach in Knoxville, Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

51 / 51

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee women's basketball coach in second season with Lady Vols

Kim Caldwell, the new head coach for Lady Vols, is welcomed by the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tuesday, April 9, 2024.

What Zee Spearman brings to Dallas Wings in 2026 WNBA Draft

Spearman blossomed into a versatile stretch forward playing for Caldwell. She immediately improved her scoring at Tennessee and increased her playmaking.

Spearman thrived playing as a guard and isn't afraid to shoot from deep, although her shooting from range was more consistent as a junior.

Spearman is a solid rebounder and can handle physicality in the post, and has great potential as a rim protector. Her efficiency took a hit as a senior as Tennessee's season spiraled, but she was a career 50% shooter in her first three seasons.

Zee Spearman's highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Tennessee

Spearman at her best was the top performer in Tennessee's upset of UConn her junior season. She led the team with 16 points and seven rebounds, including the game-clinching bucket.

Spearman can put pressure on the rim with her drives, and her 3-point shot forces opponents to guard her on the perimeter. She also runs the floor in transition and plays well in a two-man game.

However, her regression as a senior could be cause for concern, although part of it was likely due to Tennessee's overall spiral as a team. But Spearman's shooting percentage dropped from a career-high 51.5% as a junior to 38.4% this season.

Her 3-point shooting also got worse, from 30% on 2.4 attempts as a junior to 23.3% on 3.4 attempts as a senior. Spearman's turnovers also increased from 1.8 to 2.4 per game.

Zee Spearman career stats at Miami, Tennessee

• 2025-26 (Tennessee): Started 27 of 30 games, averaged 10.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 blocks, 38.4% shooting percentage, 23.3% on 3.4 attempts from 3-point range
• 2024-25 (Tennessee): Started 23 of 34 games, averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 26.2 minutes, 51.5% shooting percentage, 30% on 2.4 attempts from 3-point range
• 2023-24 (Miami): Started 10 of 30 games, averaged 6.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 18.7 minutes, 50% shooting percentage
• 2022-23 (Miami): Appeared in 30 games, averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 13 minutes, 51.2% shooting percentage

Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social‬. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dallas Wings draft Lady Vols forward Zee Spearman in 2026 WNBA Draft