The transition from college star to professional prospect is rarely seamless, and for Ta’Niya Latson, the early chapters of her WNBA career are unfolding exactly the way the Los Angeles Sparks envisioned — deliberately, patiently, and with the long game firmly in mind.
A Steal at No. 20 — But Adjustments Take Time
When the Sparks selected Latson with the 20th pick in the second round of the WNBA Draft, head coach Lynne Roberts did not mince words. She called Latson a steal — repeatedly, on draft night and throughout training camp — because most analysts had projected the guard as an early first-round selection. The gap between where she was picked and where she was valued told a story about opportunity, and Roberts made clear she expected Latson to be a meaningful part of the rotation.
The early regular season numbers, however, reflect reality of what it means to be a rookie point guard in the most competitive women’s basketball league in the world. Latson has averaged just 2.9 minutes and 0.7 points across her first three regular-season games — a sharp contrast to the seven points, six assists, five rebounds, and a block she posted in her preseason debut against Nigeria on April 25. The preseason flash was encouraging. The regular season has brought a different kind of education.
The Speed of the Game Is Real
Those closest to the Sparks are watching Latson’s adjustment with measured optimism. Marisa Ingemi, who covers the team for the Los Angeles Times, offered an honest assessment of where the rookie currently stands.
“They’ve been pretty clear they want to bring her along slowly,” Ingemi said. “Roberts has said a few times it’s really hard to be a rookie point guard in this league. She’s looked a little bit like the speed of the game has caught up with her at times… but you see the talent there, her court vision, her ability, and she’s somebody that’s going to be a good player for them long term but definitely taking her a minute to get adjusted.”
That framing matters. The WNBA does not offer the kind of ramp-up time that college basketball affords young players. Opponents are faster, smarter, and more disciplined than anything Latson faced at Florida State or South Carolina. The fact that the coaching staff is being deliberate about her development — rather than throwing her into the fire unprepared — is a sign of investment in her future, not a dismissal of her present potential.
Playing in the Shadow of Stars — By Design
To understand Latson’s current role, you have to understand the roster she walked into. The Sparks are not asking her to carry anything — they have Kelsey Plum for that. Plum, who arrived via trade from the Las Vegas Aces, has established herself as one of the most dominant scorers in the league, currently averaging 26.8 points on 16 shot attempts per game. She has already taken notice of Latson, calling her a “phenomenal” player who made a “transformational jump” after transferring to South Carolina — a move Plum described as a mature, self-aware decision about the kind of player Latson wanted to become.
Beyond Plum, Latson shares a backcourt with Ariel Atkins and Erica Wheeler, both of whom bring at least nine seasons of WNBA experience to the floor. This is not a team in rebuild mode handing keys to rookies. This is a team trying to win now — and Latson’s role, at this stage, is to absorb, compete, and earn her minutes.
“I think they would like to get her minutes up, I think they like her as a reliable bench option,” Ingemi said. “I think for Latson to get more playing time, upping her defense a little bit — which she did last year at South Carolina — she just needs to take that next step.”
The South Carolina Blueprint Is Paying Dividends
Latson’s decision to transfer from Florida State to South Carolina for her final college season was widely viewed as unconventional at the time. She had averaged over 21 points per game for three straight years with the Seminoles — why willingly walk away from a starring role? The answer, in hindsight, was vision.
At Florida State, Latson was the engine, the focal point, and the safety valve — all at once. She was exceptional in that role, but it was not preparing her for what the professional game demands. At South Carolina under Dawn Staley, she learned to play without the ball, to move within a system built around multiple threats, and to elevate her defense as a condition of playing time. Playing alongside Raven Johnson sharpened her off-ball movement and forced her to find production in new ways.
That foundation is now exactly what the Sparks are building on. “The Sparks play so positionless generally, they have people moving all over the place,” Ingemi explained. “I think it will be a good opportunity for Latson to just kind of fit in whenever they need somebody in the back court.”
The Bigger Picture
Latson’s rookie season is not a disappointment — it is a process. The Sparks knew what they were acquiring: a high-ceiling guard with elite playmaking instincts who needed time to sync with the pace and physicality of professional basketball. Roberts said as much from the moment the pick was made. The preseason performance against Nigeria offered a genuine glimpse of what she is capable of when the moment slows down for her.
The question is not whether Latson can play at this level. The talent and the court vision are not in question. The question is how quickly she can close the gap between what she showed in the preseason and what is required of her to hold down meaningful minutes in a competitive playoff push. If her South Carolina year taught her anything, it is that the work — quiet, unglamorous, defensive-minded work — is what earns trust from elite coaches.
Dawn Staley prepared her for this moment. Now it is up to Latson to take it.
