As the WNBA season approaches, which is now less than a week away, teams are starting to finalize their rosters. Following three preseason games this Tuesday, several exemptions were announced on Wednesday. It looks like teams are narrowing down their squads to meet the goal of having 11 to 12 players ready for the start of the season.
A notable cut was Harmonier from the Las Vegas Aces. Turner, who recently led Harvard to an Ivy League Championship, also snagged the Becky Hammon Mid Major Player of the Year Award and was selected 35th overall in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
From the Indiana Fever, they released the Olympian Yvonne Ezim. She represented Canada in the 2024 Paris Olympics while still attending Gonzaga. She had been recognized with the Becky Hammon Award in 2024 and is a two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year, drafted 33rd overall amidst the competitive 2025 draft.
The Minnesota Lynx made several cuts, letting go of Dalaya Daniels, Diana Johnson, Camlyn Taylor, and Ajee Petty. The Phoenix Mercury also moved on from Shyla Heel and Anna Macratt. Along with Turner, Queen Egbo was also released by the Aces. By Thursday morning, the Connecticut Sun announced they had cut Kaitlyn Bickle and Camilla Volkowska.
Here’s the updated list of exempt players since training camp began:
- Mya Hollingshed (Connecticut Sun)
- Monastery HSU (Connecticut Sun)
- Jordyn Jenkins (Las Vegas Aces)
- Caitlin Davis (New York Liberty)
- Alyssa Utzby (Los Angeles Sparks)
- Anneli Maley (Los Angeles Sparks)
- Shyanne Sellers (Golden State Valkyries)
- Arera Guilantes (Chicago Sky)
- Tilly Bowler (Chicago Sky)
- Sammi Puis (Chicago Sky)
- Mackenzie Forbes (Dallas Wings)
- Mikiya Herbert Honeygan (Dallas Wings)
- Morgan Jones (Washington Mystics)
- JoJo Lacy (Washington Mystics)
- Bree Hall (Indiana Fever)
- Gillian Allane (Indiana Fever)
- Deyona Gaston (Atlanta Dream)
- Christine Williams (Minnesota Lynx)
- Chiara Leslie (Minnesota Lynx)
- Aaronette Vonleh (Dallas Wings)
- Jordan Hobbs (Seattle Storm)
- Madison Connor (Seattle Storm)
- Harmonier (Las Vegas Aces)
- Queen Egbo (Las Vegas Aces)
- Yvonne Ezim (Indiana Fever)
- Dalaya Daniels (Minnesota Lynx)
- Diamond Johnson (Minnesota Lynx)
- Camryn Taylor (Minnesota Lynx)
- Ajae Petty (Minnesota Lynx)
- Shyla Heel (Phoenix Mercury)
- Anna Macratt (Phoenix Mercury)
- Kaitlyn Bickle (Connecticut Sun)
- Kamila Borkowska (Connecticut Sun)
Even with this long list of cuts, not all teams have reached the maximum of 11 to 12 players. Some squads have committed to keeping 14 to 15, while a few still have as many as 18 players in training camp. This is likely to change over the weekend as more cuts are anticipated.
While adding more WNBA teams would be beneficial, there’s a need for expanded rosters too. In the end, many teams will likely settle on keeping 11 players, even with a limit of 12, just to manage their budget better. Some roster spots end up occupied by players who don’t play, given that there isn’t much room for injury replacements. Yes, it’s great those players have guaranteed contracts, but it complicates things for healthier players seeking spots. Why can’t we find a way for both? Perhaps you could sign some of these training camp players while covering costs for any injured teammates.
The WNBA season officially kicks off on Friday, May 16th, with teams expected to finalize their rosters by early next week.
