As the 2018 WNBA season enters its third week of competition, several former Lady Vols are seeing significant action for their respective teams. Candace Parker posted the top performance by an LVFL last week, logging a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Minnesota on June 3. Diamond DeShields also had a solid outing on June 3, posting a team-high 25 points in the Sky’s 95-90 win over Las Vegas.
Other former Lady Vols currently on WNBA rosters are Isabelle Harrison (San Antonio), Glory Johnson (Dallas), Jaime Nared (Las Vegas), Mercedes Russell (Seattle), and Shekinna Stricklen (Connecticut).
In upcoming WNBA action, Parker will face off against fellow LVFL Russell as the Sparks host Seattle on Thursday, June 7, at 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Stricklen and the Connecticut Sun will also be in action Thursday, coming off a three-game road swing to host the Liberty at 7 p.m. ET (League Pass, MSG+, NBCSB).
On Friday, Nared and the Las Vegas Aces will host the Atlanta Dream at 3 p.m. ET(League Pass), Johnson will be in action as the Wings play at Indiana at 7 p.m. ET(League Pass), and DeShields will take to the court at 10 p.m. ET at Phoenix (League Pass, The U Too).
Stricklen will be back in action for her third game of the week on Saturday in the lone WNBA game of the day, playing Minnesota at 2 p.m. ET (NBA TV, NBCSB).
Diamond DeShields
Chicago Sky | G | 1st Season
DeShields has made an immediate impact for Chicago, starting all six games in her rookie season and averaging 15.3 ppg. She logged a career-high 25 points on June 3 while leading the Sky to a win over Las Vegas, 95-90.
Isabelle Harrison
Las Vegas Aces | F/C | 3rd Season
Harrison remains on the Aces’ roster but is taking a personal leave of absence due to medical reasons, per an April 28 report from the franchise.
Glory Johnson
Dallas Wings | F | 6th Season
Johnson scored 12 points and snagged eight rebounds before suffering a hamstring injury in the Wings’ season-opening loss to Phoenix. Per a May 20 report from the franchise, she is expected to be out for approximately four weeks.
Jaime Nared
Las Vegas Aces | G/F | 1st Season
Nared has seen action in five games for the Aces, averaging 3.8 ppg while playing 12.4 minutes per contest.
Candace Parker
Los Angeles Sparks | F/C | 11th Season
After missing three games due to injury, Parker returned to action on Sunday, May 27, coming off the bench to score 10 points in the Sparks’ 80-72 home win over Phoenix. Parker followed that up with a double-double against Minnesota, tallying 19 points and 10 rebounds while logging her first start of the 2018 season.
Mercedes Russell
Seattle Storm | C | 1st Season
Originally drafted 22nd overall by the New York, Russell saw action in two games for the Liberty before signing with Seattle. Through a total of four WNBA appearances she is averaging 13.0 mpg, 2.8 rpg and 1.8 ppg.
Shekinna Stricklen
Connecticut Sun | G/F | 7th Season
Stricklen has started all six games for the Sun, averaging 17.9 mpg and 6.0 ppg. In her most recent outing, Connecticut suffered its first loss of the season, falling to Atlanta, 82-77. She played 22 minutes in the game, accounting for six points and two rebounds.
-UT Athletics
