ROSEMONT, Ill. — A total of 22 standouts from current Big Ten Conference schools earned a spot on 2022 WNBA Opening Day rosters, with two other Big Ten alums serving on WNBA coaching staffs, as the league tips off its 26th season this weekend. The combined total of 24 Big Ten representatives in the WNBA features former players from 10 of the conference's 14 member institutions, with Maryland (7) and Rutgers (5) leading the way. No fewer than 11 of the 12 WNBA franchises (all but Las Vegas) have at least one former Big Ten player on their rosters.
This year's Big Ten alums on WNBA Opening Day rosters and coaching staffs is as follows:
Atlanta Dream
Nia Coffey (Northwestern)
Naz Hillmon (Michigan)
Kia Vaughn (Rutgers)
Erica Wheeler (Rutgers)
Tanisha Wright - Head Coach (Penn State)
Chicago Sky
Kahleah Copper (Rutgers)
Connecticut Sun
Nia Clouden (Michigan State)
Brionna Jones (Maryland)
Alyssa Thomas (Maryland)
Dallas Wings
Veronica Burton (Northwestern)
Indiana Fever
Kelsey Mitchell (Ohio State)
Los Angeles Sparks
Kristi Toliver (Maryland)
Minnesota Lynx
Rachel Banham (Minnesota)
Aerial Powers (Michigan State)
Yvonne Turner (Nebraska)
Katie Smith - Associate Head Coach (Ohio State)
New York Liberty
Kaila Charles (Maryland)
Betnijah Laney (Rutgers)
Phoenix Mercury
Megan Gustafson (Iowa)
Seattle Storm
Jantel Lavender (Ohio State)
Epiphanny Prince (Rutgers)
Washington Mystics
Tianna Hawkins (Maryland)
Stephanie Jones (Maryland)
Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (Maryland)
