The Las Vegas Aces have added another young talent to their roster by signing guard Ta’Niya Latson to a developmental player contract. The move gives the rookie a fresh opportunity to continue her professional career after being waived by the Los Angeles Sparks earlier this month.
Latson entered the WNBA with considerable expectations after an outstanding collegiate career, but her transition to the professional level proved challenging. Limited playing time with the Sparks prevented her from carving out a consistent role before the team decided to move in a different direction.
Now, the Aces are giving the former standout scorer another chance to develop her game within one of the league’s most successful organizations. Developmental contracts are designed to help promising young players continue their growth while adapting to the demands of the WNBA.
Although Latson’s first stop in the league was brief, her résumé suggests she has the talent to earn another opportunity. Her impressive college production and scoring ability made her one of the most accomplished guards available in the 2026 draft class.
1. New Opportunity in Las Vegas
The Aces officially announced the signing on Wednesday, bringing Latson into the organization after her release from Los Angeles. She had originally been selected with the 20th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 WNBA Draft by the Sparks.
During her time in Los Angeles, Latson appeared in 10 games while averaging 1.8 points and 1.0 rebounds. Although her role was limited, the experience allowed her to gain valuable exposure to the speed and physicality of the professional game.
The Sparks waived Latson on July 6 as they continued making roster adjustments. With limited roster spots available across the WNBA, many young players often move between organizations before finding the right situation to continue their development.
Las Vegas now becomes the next chapter in Latson’s career. Joining an experienced championship-caliber organization could provide valuable learning opportunities as she works toward earning a more permanent role in the league.
2. Outstanding College Career
Before reaching the WNBA, Latson established herself as one of the nation’s most dynamic offensive players during her collegiate career. She spent three seasons at Florida State before transferring to South Carolina for her senior year.
Her best individual season came in 2025 while playing for the Seminoles. Latson led all Division I players in scoring with an average of 25.2 points per game, earning second-team All-America recognition from both the Associated Press and the United States Basketball Writers Association.
Her success began almost immediately after arriving in college. As a freshman, she was recognized as both the USBWA and WBCA National Freshman of the Year, while also collecting the first of three consecutive First-Team All-ACC selections during her time at Florida State.
Across four collegiate seasons, Latson averaged 20.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. Her combination of scoring, playmaking, and consistency made her one of the most accomplished guards in recent women’s college basketball.
3. Building Toward the Future
Latson’s transfer to South Carolina for her final collegiate season added another important chapter to her basketball journey. Starting all 35 games, she averaged 14.1 points and 3.6 assists while helping the Gamecocks compile a 36-4 record.
South Carolina captured a 15-1 record in Southeastern Conference play and advanced to the NCAA championship game before finishing as national runner-up. Although her scoring average declined within a deeper roster, Latson demonstrated her ability to contribute to a championship-caliber program.
Her basketball accomplishments extend beyond college as well. Before entering the NCAA ranks, she starred at American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where she earned McDonald’s All-American honors and was named Florida Miss Basketball in 2022.
The Aces will now hope that Latson’s proven scoring ability and extensive winning experience can translate to the professional level. While she may need time to continue developing, Las Vegas is providing an opportunity for one of the country’s most accomplished young guards to take the next step in her WNBA career.