How this former USC guard could make an impact as an LA Sparks rookie in the WNBA
The Los Angeles Sparks didn’t have a first round pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft last month. Head coach Lynne Roberts and the rest of the Sparks’ leadership had to wait patiently for their pick in the second round.
When the Sparks were finally on the clock with the No. 20 overall pick, South Carolina guard Ta’Niya Latson was still available. Latson’s presence on the draft board make the decision easy for Roberts and LA’s general manager Raegan Pebley.
“We did not anticipate her to be on the board at 20,” Roberts told reporters on a Zoom call on Tuesday. “So we were thrilled with that. It was not a hard decision in the draft room there.”
The Sparks ended up selected Latson with that pick. Latson was the third Gamecock drafted that night, joining Raven Johnson and Madina Okot.
“We were excited, and we felt like we stole one there, and so our expectations are that she’s going to surprise people,” Roberts said. “She’s got to continue to work, which she will. Her work ethic is good. Her coachability is good. She wants to learn.”
What Ta’Niya Latson learned at training camp
Latson has been in training camp with the Sparks since being drafted last month. Camps are winding down this week, and the WNBA’s regular season will open on Friday.
Roberts said a key point of training camp has been teaching Latson to be a “lead guard” who can effectively be a bit of a Swiss army knife at the position.
During her lone season with South Carolina, Latson was predominantly a shooting guard who complimented point guard Johnson in an off-ball role. That being said, Latson does have experience bringing the ball up the court and is capable of being slotted into the point guard position.
“Ta’Niya has been good,” Roberts said. “I’ve said this before, but I think for a rookie in this league, the hardest position is that lead guard. When I say lead guard, she can play the one, she can play the two, she can bring it up, she can fill a wing. So you know, not only are you learning two spots, but you’re also having to learn the point guard spot, and that’s a learning curve, and she’s done a really good job with it.”
Latson and the LA Sparks in the preseason
Latson has helped the Sparks find some success in their preseason games. Los Angeles went 2-0 in the preseason with wins over the Portland Fire and the Nigerian National Team.
In Latson’s preseason debut against the Nigerian National team last month she recorded seven counts, five rebounds and six assists in her 22 minutes off the bench. She followed that performance up with seven points and two assists in 14 minutes during the Sparks’ win over the Fire.
Roberts praised Latson’s ability and production on both sides of the ball Tuesday.
“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 just working on her decision making and when to go up with it, when to kick it out.”
The Sparks will open their regular season on Sunday, May 10 against the reigning WNBA champions, the Las Vegas Aces.
Los Angeles, one of the league’s most historic franchises, is looking to get back to the WNBA playoffs for the first time since 2020. Roberts hopes, and expects, Latson to be a piece of the puzzle that achieves that goal.
“I anticipate her to play, to 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 and stay hungry and learn. But I’ve been very impressed with her readiness since she got here.”
