The WNBA Roster Debacle

As new fans discover the WNBA, we have to deal with the conversation of rosters. And since we are in the middle of training camp season, it's getting worse. So, I am gonna break it all down, including a discussion the complications presented when players are openly Queer.

First: let's look at the numbers:

There are exactly 156 full time roster spots in the WNBA, 12 per team. This year, 38 players got drafted. That is 24% of available roster spots. Now, it is unrealistic to think that every single year a quarter of the league is going to leave. So, there will always be players who do not make final rosters. Typically, only about 4 non-first rounders make final rosters. In 2024, only 13 of the 36 players made a final roster (and there were only 144 spots then), meaning 9% of the league were recently drafted rookies. Mathematically, that means 14.08 players will make final rosters. There were 12 first round picks, and we know at least one of them will miss the 2025 season. Sending Georgia Amoore healing vibes! So let's assume all other first round picks make their respective rosters, and the trend continues, meaning there are 3-4 spots left for the 25 remaining picks. The reality is, the numbers are not on your favorite draftee's side. There are draftees who never even make the training camp roster, and all players who do, have a legitimate chance to make that team's roster.

The other thing that needs to be considered is who drafted them. In 2025, the three teams where rookies have the best chance of making rosters: Connecticut, Washington, and Atlanta. The worst chance, Las Vegas, New York, and Indiana.

Now, that we understand how stacked the odds are, let's talk players getting waived. Every year, there is a fan favorite player who doesn't make a roster. Last year, Dayshia Fair fit this role. She was drafted by Vegas but waived. She didn't get picked up by another team & has not returned to the WNBA. But she was the 3rd leading scorer in NCAAW history. Clearly she had the talent to play, but things just didn't work out.

This year, it's been all about Shyanne Sellers. Sellers was projected to be a first round pick but fell 17th to the Golden State Valkyries. On Saturday, she was waived - before playing a preseason game. Fans immediately were outraged, but not for the right reasons. I was shocked & a bit upset at the news myself, because I recognize Sellers's incredible potential and talent. I thought with an expansion club, like the Valkyries, there would be plenty of space for a player like her.

Head Coach Natalie Nakase answered the question in the best way possible when asked by ESPN's Kendra Andrews saying: “She picked up everything we asked her to, did everything that we asked. It’s just that I have to choose the best 12 that are going to fit. Doesn’t mean it’s the most talented, it means it’s the best 12.” This quote encapsulates the reality of the WNBA.

The issue with fan reactions is the reason they're so upset. My social media feeds are full of WNBA content, and TikTok is frequently the most controversial. It's a very frustrating space to be a part of. It is full of individuals who only care if a player is Queer or not and love to discuss their relationships & existence in the WNBA based only on that identity. I have seen many TikToks essentially saying the Valkyries shouldn't have waived Sellers because she is just got engaged to a woman & has a wedding to plan. Now, there is nothing wrong with being Queer. That's not the issue here. The issue is they're saying Sellers is deserving of a roster spot because she is Queer, not becuase she is a skilled basketball player. These fans treat a player's Queerness as a requirement for playing in the WNBA. If, we followed these fan's logic, then the reigning unanimous MVP, A'ja Wilson wouldn't be playing. Neither would the reigning DPOY (Napheesa Collier), ROY (Caitlin Clark), and Player's Association President (Nneka Ogwumike). Now, there are a lot of prominent, publicly Queer players in the league - Chelsea Gray, Brittney Griner, and Breanna Stewart are great examples. They earned their spots by playing incredible basketball and winning championships, not because they are Queer.

This frustration, then turns even more problematic when it is targeted at other players. The Valkyries have built their roster with a more international focus, and the Sellers fans have directed their anger at the international players, in a not so subtly xenophobic manner. And a lot of times, these are the same fans who are the first to jump at the Caitlin Clark fans attacking Angel Reese and other Black players. The double standard is obvious and unhealthy. Fans have every right to be disappointed when a player gets cut, waived, or traded. However, they do not have the right to attack other players for it.

I think this is a growing pain of the WNBA, that needs to be contended with. I know this isn't the most objective or coherent content, but stream of consciousness commentary is more important for a piece like this. I am happy to hear what other people think about this issue too! There's always room for discussion and conversation on topics like this.

I believe the WNBA needs to expand their rosters, to 15 players (like the MNBA), which will help alleviate some of the issue of so many players getting cut. Until that happens, fans need to remember what the WNBA is about: great basketball by great players.