A side-by-side image of Destanni Henderson playing for the Indiana Fever and DiDi Richards playing for the New York Liberty. — Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports (Henderson, Richards)

Building a WNBA Superteam of Waived Players

With fan favorites like DiDi Richards and Destanni Henderson cut this week, there is plenty of talent left out there to build an entire roster.

Author:
Clare Brennan
Publish date:
May 19, 2023

In this story:

Roster spots are hard to come by in the WNBA, which makes securing a place in the 12-team league one of the most competitive feats in sports. Even first-round draft picks have difficulty sticking it out, with top talent often slipping through the cracks.

There is a maximum of 144 roster spots league-wide (12 per team), offering limited opportunity for players to find a home. WNBA expansion, a move that has the vocal support of many players and coaches, has been offered as a solution to these heartbreaking cuts, adding more spots to a cutthroat league. Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, however, has not provided a concrete timeline for adding teams but has assured that the league is in the process of doing so in the coming years, narrowing the search to 10 potential markets.

With expansion kicked down the road, front offices across the WNBA must make tough decisions in the here and now. The 2023 preseason, much like recent years, saw plenty of skilled athletes cut. Considering the level of talent left on the cutting room floor, here is Sports Illustrated’s superteam of waived players.

STARTING FIVE

Charli Collier, Dallas Wings, C

It’s a big deal for a team to waive a No. 1 draft pick. That’s just what the Wings did when they cut Collier, the top pick in 2021. Given the current state of the league, the move wasn’t entirely shocking, although disheartening.

The former Texas star averaged 2.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 9.4 minutes in her 45 games with Dallas over two seasons, earning herself a place on the WNBA All-Rookie team in her debut campaign with the Wings. Collier also shined overseas this WNBA offseason, averaging 13.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game for Israel’s Ramat Hasharon.

A 6'5" center, Collier provides a dominant presence around the rim and is particularly gifted at finding space in the paint. With a compelling face-up game and elite court vision, Collier is a solid solution for teams still shopping around for a big. Unfortunately for Collier, that team wasn’t Dallas, with the Wings relying on Teaira McCowan and signing Natasha Howard ahead of the 2023 season.

DiDi Richards, New York Liberty, G

Another player on the 2021 All-Rookie team, Richards was waived from the Liberty after two seasons with the team. She averaged just over 11 minutes in her 45 games with New York, averaging up 2.3 points and 1.4 rebounds per game.

Richards is a top-tier defender, particularly skilled on the perimeter. A disruptive force, the 24-year-old’s hard-nosed defense often spurs offensive breaks. Off the court, Richards’s charisma has connected her with the New York fan base, providing the franchise, and any future team, with a magnetic face.

Destanni Henderson, Indiana Fever, G

Henderson earned herself a second-round pick in the 2022 draft after a lights-out performance that helped her South Carolina team win a national championship that year. Selected by the Fever, she averaged 5.3 points, 2.5 assists and 1.6 rebounds in 36 games during her rookie season.

On a team filled with young talent, Henderson stood out as a relief point guard. The 24-year-old showed her explosiveness with the ball, while dictating the game’s tempo with poise. With playmaking ability, finesse in the paint and a solid jumper, she has the skill set to develop into a convincing floor general.

Known for her fashion sense and charm, Henderson is another fan favorite, drawing eyeballs to the Fever and the league.

Emily Engstler, Washington Mystics, F

After being cut from the Fever in April, Engstler signed a training camp deal with the Mystics at the start of May, but was ultimately waived this week. Picked by Indiana at No. 4 in the 2022 draft, Engstler had a promising rookie season, averaging 5.2 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.1 blocks per game.

The former Cardinal star can play at the three or the four but is particularly lethal on the glass, pulling down 181 boards in her first year with the Fever. A tenacious defender, Engstler is an engine on both sides of the floor and could provide a team with some zeal off the bench—although with time could be a starter in her own right.

Brea Beal, Minnesota Lynx, G

A part of the Gamecocks “freshies,” the national-title-winning 2019 recruiting class, Beal has an illustrious collegiate career to her name. Despite her résumé, the South Carolina star surprisingly slipped down the ’23 draft, selected by the Lynx with the No. 24 pick.

She may be overlooked by GMs, but there’s still plenty to like about Beal. She is a defensive specialist, hammering guards on the perimeter. At 6'1", Beal has considerable size for a guard, and if she can continue to develop her outside shot, the 22-year-old is an alluring prospect.

OFF THE BENCH

Abby Meyers, Dallas Wings, G

The Wings were always going to have to make tough cuts after bulking up their roster with four first-round picks this year. Dallas bid adieu to one of those first-rounders in Meyers, who was the No. 11 pick.

The 6'0" guard has pro-ready athleticism, and takes care of the ball. Shooting 38.8% from beyond the arc last season with Maryland, Meyers’s shot has some serious upside. Working under the right veteran guard, and given time, she has the ability to evolve into a perimeter threat.

Alexis Morris, Connecticut Sun, G

Fresh off winning a national championship with LSU, Morris was selected by the Sun with the No. 22 pick, before being waived by Connecticut. The 23-year-old took to Twitter after being cut, writing, “The vets gotta know when to cut the net, and pass the torch, bro.” While her candor may turn off teams, maybe a squad looking to mold an up-and-coming guard can chalk the incident up to youthful inexperience.

Averaging 15.4 points, shooting 43.3% from the field in her final season with LSU, Morris is good at creating her own midrange shot, with the instinct to grow into a pro-ready floor general who can step up in big moments. With time to develop her shot, she is a solid point guard option.

LaDazhia Williams, Indiana Fever, F

Another member of the LSU championship squad, Williams finds herself without a WNBA team after being drafted No. 17 by the Fever.

Shooting 54.2% from the field in her year in Baton Rouge, Williams has proved she can put the ball in the basket—something the WNBA prioritizes. The 24-year-old has a healthy collegiate career behind her, playing at South Carolina and Missouri before LSU, and knows how to show up in big moments, dropping 20 points, five rebounds and three steals in the national championship game.

Elena Tsineke, Washington Mystics, G

The Mystics snagged a crafty guard in Tsineke with the No. 20 pick in the 2023 draft before waiving the former South Florida star. Averaging 17.9 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists, she had a career-best season in ’22–23. She continued to impress in camp for Washington, with her tenacity earning the praise of her teammates.

“She’s just a dog, like she’s gonna yell at everyone, she’s gonna be up guarding at half court waiting for you,” Mystics guard Natasha Cloud told NBC Sports. “Those are all exciting things, especially as a point guard, too, right? I appreciate it.”

Taylor Mikesell, Indiana Fever, G

High on many big boards, Mikesell was selected No. 13 (the Fever’s third pick) in the 2023 draft, before being waived by Indiana. She made one preseason appearance with the Fever, coming off the bench in the team’s loss to the Sky. The Ohio State star logged five points—draining a three—and one rebound in her 14 minutes on the court, but finding a permanent spot on Indiana’s crowded roster was always going to be a tall order.

Averaging 41.3% from beyond the arc during her last season with the Buckeyes, Mikesell has the makings of a punishing perimeter shot. Known as a physical and locked-in player, she has a lot of upside if given the opportunity.

Theresa Plaisance, Seattle Storm, F

League veteran Plaisance was cut from the Storm, making way for a youth-heavy roster in Seattle.

Plaisance has been with four teams (not including the Storm) in her nine seasons in the WNBA, winning a title last year with the Aces. Her career-high points average (7.7 per game) came back in 2017 when she was with Dallas, and she hasn’t been as impactful in recent years. However, Plaisance provides size at 6'5" and is a seasoned presence off the bench.