Aces pick up two SEC players from WNBA Draft
Tennessee forward Janiah Barker (0) celebrates after scoring against Vanderbilt in an NCAA college basketball game on Mar. 1, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Las Vegas Aces have made moves to continue bolstering their frontcourt.
During Monday’s WNBA Draft, the Aces selected Tennessee power forward Janiah Barker with the 29th overall pick and Kentucky guard Jordan Obi with the 44th overall pick. Prior to heading to Tennessee, Barker spent two seasons at Texas A&M (2022-24) and one at UCLA (2024-25). Known for her smooth shooting ability, Barker averaged 11.
2 points per game in her four seasons at the collegiate level, including a career-high 14. 3 PPG this season. She also averaged 6.
5 rebounds per game in her four seasons as well. “As a stretch four and all-around scorer, Janiah will add depth to our post rotation and her growth throughout her college career has been exciting to witness,” Aces team president and general manager Nikki Fargas said in a statement. Obi joined the Kentucky Wildcats after three seasons at Penn (2021-24) before sitting out her senior year due to a lower leg injury.
Starting 25 of Kentucky’s 36 games, Obi averaged nine points and six rebounds per game en route to the Wildcats’ run to the Sweet 16. “Jordan is a versatile guard/forward whose skillset can translate into the WNBA,” Fargas said about Obi. “She is a high motor player who gives maximum effort every night and sets the tone with her energy and hustle.