KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – An SEC-leading seven LVFLs have been members of WNBA rosters this season, with six players continuing to hold down positions with teams through the first month of play in 2021.
Thus far, Diamond DeShields and Isabelle Harrison have shined the brightest. Below are summaries of each Lady Vol alum’s results through June 7.
Rennia Davis
6-2 / G-F / Minnesota Lynx / 1st Season
Due to a stress fracture in her left foot, Davis remains sidelined in her first season in the WNBA and has yet to see action…She was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2021 draft by the Lynx.
Next Game: June 8 at Washington (7 p.m. ET, Twitter, NBC Sports Washington, NBA TV Canada)
Diamond DeShields
6-1 / G / Chicago Sky / 4th Season
Starting all nine games thus far, DeShields is averaging 13.2 ppg., 3.9 rpg.. 2.9 apg. and 1.4 spg. for the Sky while seeing 33.9 minutes of duty per contest…With six games of double-figure scoring under her belt in 2021, she tossed in a season-best 26 vs. Phoenix on June 1…The LVFL ranks No. 3 in scoring on the team behind Candace Parker (16.0) and Kahleah Copper (14.6).
Next Game: June 9 vs. Indiana (8 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network, WCIU, Fever.WNBA.com)
Isabelle Harrison
6-3 / F / Dallas Wings / 5th Season
Has played in eight games after returning from postseason play overseas…Has two starts and is averaging 8.9 ppg. and 6.5 rpg. while playing 25.5 minutes per contest for the Wings…Has scored in double figures four times and is coming off a game vs. Seattle on June 6 in which she tallied 14 points and eight rebounds in her team’s victory…Harrison also had a 16-point, 11-rebound effort vs. the Storm on May 22, carding season highs in each category.
Next Game: June 8 at Phoenix (10 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network, Bally Sports AZ, Bally Sports SW)
Candace Parker
6-4 / F-C / Chicago Sky / 14th Season
Due to an ankle injury, she has played only one game this season, firing in 16 points and pulling down eight rebounds on May 15 vs. Washington…In that contest, her debut with her hometown Chicago Sky, Parker hit five of 10 shots from the field and had 3-for-4 efforts from behind the arc and the free-throw line. She also added four assists, two blocks and a steal in 25 minutes during the victory over the Mystics…The Sky staff is hopeful of having their star player back soon.
Next Game: June 9 vs. Indiana (8 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network, WCIU, Fever.WNBA.com)
Mercedes Russell
6-6 / C / Seattle Storm / 4th Season
After concluding play overseas, Russell rejoined the Storm and has started five of seven contests this season in helping the four-time WNBA champs to second place in the league standings at 7-2 through June 7…She is putting up 4.9 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 1.9 apg. and 1.1 spg. while playing 22.3 minutes per game…She had season bests of 12 points vs. Dallas on June 4 and 11 rebounds vs. Indiana on June 1.
Next Game: June 9 at Atlanta (7 p.m. ET, Bally Sports SE-ATL, JOETV, TSN)
Shekinna Stricklen
6-2 / G-F / Atlanta Dream / 10th Season
Has seen action in four games for the Dream…She is averaging 2.3 ppg. and 0.8 rpg. over 9.5 minutes per contest…Her best outing came against Indiana on May 21, when she connected on all but one of her four three-point attempts en route to nine points in five minutes of action…Most recently, she logged a season-most 13 minutes of duty vs. Minnesota, recording three boards and two assists vs. the Lynx.
Next Game: June 9 vs. Seattle (7 p.m. ET, Bally Sports SE-ATL, JOETV, TSN)
Cierra Burdick
6-2 / F / Phoenix Mercury / 5th Season / Currently Inactive
Signed a temporary contract with Phoenix during training camp…Played four games for the Mercury before being released on May 26…Saw 4.8 minutes of action per game during that span, averaging 1.0 points and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 50 percent from the field…Hit field goals vs. Minnesota on May 14 and Washington on May 18…Had a season-best four rebounds vs. Connecticut on May 21 in her final game before leaving the roster.
-UT Athletics
