Former Gamecock among early cuts during WNBA training camp
Former South Carolina women’s basketball player Sakima Walker was waived during WNBA training camp this week.
The Minnesota Lynx cut Walker and two other players — Amaya Battle and Ra Shaya Kyle — on Wednesday, the organization announced. Walker went undrafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft but signed a training camp deal with the Lynx on April 16.
Walker spent just under two weeks with the Lynx and made appearances in two preseason games. The 6-foot-4 forward played 13 minutes in a win over the Washington Mystics on April 25 and tallied four points, two rebounds, two blocks and an assist. Walker’s playing time dropped in Minnesota’s preseason game against the Nigerian National Team on Monday. She played just four minutes in the matchup and logged one rebound.
The transaction doesn’t mean Walker’s pro career is over. WNBA training camp will last for a bit longer before the regular season starts on May 8. Walker could earn a shot with another team in training camp; she could be signed to a developmental roster spot at any point in the year; or she could take her talents overseas.
Walker had a solid college career. She started off at Rutgers and spent two seasons with the Scarlett Knights, where she averaged four points and 2.5 rebounds in 32 games. She spent the 2022-23 season at Northwest Florida State, won a JUCO national title there and was named the D1 Player of the Year.
Walker’s playing time was limited in her two season at South Carolina, but she won a national title with the Gamecocks in 2024. Walker finished her career at Cal this past season where she started in all 36 games she played and averaged a career-high 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds.
Former Gamecocks currently on WNBA rosters
- Madina Okot (Atlanta Dream)
- Te-Hina Paopao (Atlanta Dream)
- Allisha Gray (Atlanta Dream)
- Kamilla Cardoso (Chicago Sky)
- Saniya Rivers (Connecticut Sun)
- Raven Johnson (Indiana Fever)
- Aliyah Boston (Indiana Fever)
- Tyasha Harris (Indiana Fever)
- Laeticia Amihere (Golden State Valkyries)
- A’ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces)
- Ta’Niya Latson (Los Angeles Sparks)
- Sania Feagin (Los Angeles Sparks)
- Zia Cooke (Seattle Storm)
This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 9:54 AM.
