Sooners in the Pros

OU Women's Basketball History & Tradition

A graphic that has several former OU women's basketball players on it and the WNBA team they play or played for.

Here's your shot. If you want to make a name for yourself as an elite player, you come to the University of Oklahoma. The Sooners have littered the WNBA draft board, no more evident than in 2010 when the entire senior class was selected by teams. Want a chance? Oklahoma players are respected by the league's coaches. When it comes time to pick the final members of their teams, they choose players with leadership and character on and off the court.

And OU's talent has gone global: Over 35 players have gone on to successful professional careers overseas.

First-Round Draft Picks

Oklahoma has produced six first-round WNBA Draft picks — Stacey Dales, Rosalind Ross, LaNeishea Caufield, Dionnah Jackson, Courtney Paris and Danielle Robinson — the second-most among all programs during their time in the Big 12.

16 WNBA Players

A total of 16 Sooners – Raegan Beers, LaNeishea Caufield, Stacey Dales, Whitney Hand, Dionnah Jackson, Abi Olajuwon, Ashley Paris, Courtney Paris, Danielle Robinson, Rosalind Ross, Leah Rush, Nyeshia Stevenson, Amanda Thompson, Maria Villarroel, Phylesha Whaley and Madi Williams – have been drafted or played in the league.

Lasting Legacies

OU's longest-tenured WNBA Sooners, Courtney Paris and Danielle Robinson, have carved their names into the league's record books.

Paris was part of the Seattle Storm's 2018 Championship team. She was named a Peak Performer in 2014 and 2015 as the league's leading rebounder both seasons. Paris also scored over 1,000 career points and pulled down more than 1,500 career boards in her 11 years in the WNBA before retiring in 2020.

Robinson earned 2011 WNBA All-Rookie team honors after her first season and has built an impressive career on that foundation. Robinson made three consecutive WNBA All-Star appearances from 2013–15 and in 2013 led the league in assists as a Peak Performer.

A Global Game

Over 30 players have represented OU in overseas leagues. OU alums have played in 29 countries, most notably in Spain, Turkey, Israel and China. Additionally, Sooners have played on six different continents.

Sooners in the Pros, 2026

WNBA Players

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Phylesha Whaley

Drafted: 2000 | Rd. 3 | Pick 38 | Minnesota

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Stacey Dales

Drafted: 2002 | Rd. 1 | Pick 3 | Washington
Career: Washington Mystics (2002–04), Chicago Sky (2006–07)

OU's highest draft pick and the highest-drafted Canadian in WNBA history.
With a 43.0 percent three-point field goal percentage, Dales ranked ninth in the league for the 2002 season.

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LaNeishea Caufield

Drafted: 2002 | Rd. 1 | Pick 13 | Utah
Career: Utah Starzz (2002)

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Rosalind Ross

Drafted: 2002 | Rd. 1 | Pick 16 | Los Angeles

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Dionnah Jackson

Drafted: 2005 | Rd. 1 | Pick 13 | Detroit

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Maria Villarroel

Drafted: 2005 | Rd. 3 | Pick 27 | Phoenix

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Leah Rush

Drafted: 2007 | Rd. 3 | Pick 28 | Phoenix
Career: Chicago Sky (2008)

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Courtney Paris

Drafted: 2009 | Rd. 1 | Pick 7 | Sacramento
Career: Sacramento Monarchs (2009), Atlanta Dream (2011), Tulsa Shock/Dallas Wings (2012–17), Seattle Storm (2018–20)

2014 and 2015 WNBA Peak Performer as the league's top rebounder both seasons
2018 WNBA champion with the Seattle Storm
Over 1,000 career points and 1,500 career rebounds in the WNBA
Currently an assistant coach with New York Liberty. Previously coached for Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky.

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Ashley Paris

Drafted: 2009 | Rd. 2 | Pick 22 | Los Angeles

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Amanda Thompson

Drafted: 2010 | Rd. 2 | Pick 16 | Tulsa
Career: Tulsa Shock (2010), Atlanta Dream (2014)

Olajuwon

Abi Olajuwon

Drafted: 2010 | Rd. 3 | Pick 28 | Chicago

Coached for the Connecticut Sun (2023–25)
Currently assistant coach at Arizona State (2025–present)

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Nyeshia Stevenson

Drafted: 2010 | Rd. 3 | Pick 36 | Phoenix

Danielle Robinson, WNBA headshot

Danielle Robinson

Drafted: 2011 | Rd. 1 | Pick 6 | San Antonio
Career: San Antonio Stars (2011–16), Phoenix Mercury (2017), Minnesota Lynx (2018–19), Las Vegas Aces (2020), Indiana Fever (2021–23), Atlanta Dream (2023)

Currently coaches for the Los Angeles Sparks
Made three consecutive All-Star appearances from 2013–15
2013 WNBA Peak Performer - led the league in assists
2011 WNBA All-Rookie team
Posted her best statistical season in 2014, averaging career highs in scoring (12.9 PPG), rebounding (3.5 RPG) and steals (1.7), while handing out 5.3 assists per game.
Career averages of 8.8 ppg, 4.1 apg, 2.8 rpg, 1.1 spg, 382 games played

Hand