Alabama standout Sarah Ashlee Barker was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks as the ninth overall pick in the first round of the WNBA Draft on Monday night.
Barker becomes the ninth player in Alabama program history to be drafted into the WNBA, and just the third to be taken in the first round. The 6-foot guard capped off a stellar collegiate career with a record-setting 45-point performance in a double-overtime loss to Maryland during the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 24.
In the 2024–25 season, Barker led the Crimson Tide with an average of 18.2 points over 28 games. She also recorded 6.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.0 steals per game. A first-team All-SEC honoree in each of the last two seasons, Barker transferred to Alabama after spending two years at Georgia.
Over 147 career games, she posted averages of 13.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.8 steals per game.
Before her college career, Barker earned Alabama’s Miss Basketball honor for the 2019–20 season while leading Spain Park High School to a Class 7A state title. She also helped Spain Park capture the 2018 championship, finishing her high school career averaging 23.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
Here’s a look at other Alabama players drafted into the WNBA:
- Brittany Davis, No. 36 – Las Vegas Aces (2023)
- Jasmine Walker, No. 7 – Los Angeles Sparks (2021)
- Monique Bivins, No. 37 – Minnesota Lynx (2005)
- LaNisha Cartwell, No. 33 – Washington Mystics (2002)
- Shondra Johnson, No. 42 – Houston Comets (2002)
- Tausha Mills, No. 2 – Washington Mystics (2000)
- Shalonda Enis, No. 13 – Washington Mystics (1999)
- Dominique Canty, No. 29 – Detroit Shock (1999)
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