​Ta’Niya Latson has started a fresh chapter in the WNBA with the Las Vegas Aces after being waived by the Los Angeles Sparks just 48 hours earlier. The Aces announced on Wednesday night that Latson had signed a development player contract, bringing a talented guard into their offseason mix as they refine their roster for the upcoming season. Latson stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and plays the guard position with versatility and a steady scoring instinct that teams have admired since her college days.
Latson entered the WNBA with ample promise after being selected 20th overall in the 2026 draft by the Sparks. She appeared in 10 games for Los Angeles, delivering a season-best performance of six points, three rebounds, and two assists in a loss to the Minnesota Lynx on June 17. The Miami native had arrived in the league carrying a track record of prolific scoring and playmaking from her college career, which began at Florida State.
At Florida State, Latson quickly established herself as a dynamic scorer and a high-energy guard. In her rookie season with the Seminoles, she earned the Tamika Catchings Award, presented by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association to the nation’s top freshman. As a junior under coach Brooke Wyckoff, Latson led the nation in scoring, posting an impressive 25.2 points per game. Her consistency and offensive creativity helped her earn three All-ACC selections during her time in Tallahassee and an All-American nod, underscoring her impact at the collegiate level.
Seeking bigger challenges and meaningful postseason experiences, Latson transferred to South Carolina for her senior season, reuniting with a former high school teammate, Raven Johnson, and joining Dawn Staley’s program with the goal of competing on the sport’s biggest stages. Staley spoke highly of Latson in April, highlighting the maturity and sacrifice she demonstrated throughout her development: “You know some players you have questions about whether they’re ready. I didn’t have any of that with Ta’Niya. I think that Ta’Niya just made huge sacrifices, individual sacrifices.” Latson’s move to South Carolina paid dividends, as she helped the Gamecocks reach the national championship game this past season, averaging 14.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting a career-best 48.6 percent from the floor.
Her performance at South Carolina elevated her profile as a pro prospect, and many analysts projected that Latson would be a first-round pick. Instead, she landed with the Sparks in the second round, a selection that came with high expectations but also with the challenge of carving out a consistent role on a competitive roster. Sparks star Kelsey Plum expressed strong belief in Latson’s potential after watching her up-close at the invite-only Dawg Class, describing Latson as “a phenomenal basketball player” who had made a significant developmental leap. Plum noted Latson’s maturity, defensive progress, and overall readiness to make an immediate impact, suggesting she could be a core piece for Los Angeles’ future.
Despite the optimism surrounding Latson, securing a steady role with the Sparks proved elusive. The changes in the Sparks’ lineup and Latson’s development trajectory led to a shift, and the Aces saw an opportunity to add a guard with Latson’s pedigree and potential to their rotation. Las Vegas recently made several roster adjustments, including parting ways with high-scoring guard Chennedy Carter and adding Justine Pissott from the Indiana Fever, signaling an aggressive approach to strengthening depth and versatility for the upcoming season. Latson’s addition to the Aces’ development player pool provides her with a closer look at their system and another pathway to contribute at the highest level.
As Latson begins this new chapter with the Aces, her path illustrates the dynamic nature of the WNBA’s rosterbuilding landscape, where teams continually seek young, high-upside players who can grow into larger roles through development contracts and hands-on coaching. The Aces’ decision to sign Latson reflects a strategic bet on her continuous improvement and on her ability to adapt and excel within a championship-focused environment.
Latson’s continued progress will be watched closely as she works to earn a more permanent spot in Las Vegas’ rotation. Her combination of scoring acumen, guard versatility, and defensive potential aligns with the Aces’ culture of aggressive, competitive play. For Latson, this development contract represents an important opportunity to showcase her talents, refine her game—especially in a system that prioritizes both offense and defense—and position herself for a more prominent role in the near future.
In summary, Ta’Niya Latson’s transition from the Sparks to the Aces marks a notable moment in her professional journey. With a fresh start in Las Vegas, she has the chance to leverage her elite scoring background, her defensive potential, and her matured understanding of the game to contribute to a team aiming for postseason success. As the WNBA season progresses, Latson will aim to demonstrate that she can become a reliable, impactful guard within the Aces’ competitive lineup, turning development into a breakout opportunity.