Angel Jackson, the lone HBCU player selected in the WNBA draft this spring was waived today by the Las Vegas Aces. General manager Natalie Williams made the announcement that the team was parting ways with Jackson and fellow rookie guard Kamaria McDaniel. Jackson played collegiately at Jackson State University.
Selected by the Aces at No. 36 in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Jackson is a two-time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year while playing for Jackson State. She averaged 9.6 points and 7.0 rebounds in her two seasons at JSU, while blocking 171 shots in 64 games. Jackson transferred to JSU after playing her first three seasons at the University of Southern California.
The competition for a roster spot in the WNBA is one of the toughest in professional sports. It’s a regular occurrence for players who are drafted to not make the opening day roster. Even veterans consider each training camp as a tryout to make the team, something that has to be done every year.
The last HBCU product to be drafted prior to Jackson was also a Jackson State player. Ameshya Williams-Holliday was drafted by the Indiana Fever in 2022 but was also waived during training camp. There was some excitement building for Jackson after she survived cuts last week and was one of the final 13 players on the roster. The WNBA can have a maximum of 12 players per team.
Earlier in the day the Aces waived Bria Hartley, a nine year veteran and former first round draft pick. As other teams were making cuts across the league the Aces had their eyes set on 6-2 free agent forward Emma Cannon. The team announced her signing shortly after waiving Jackson. Cannon returns to the Aces after playing games for Las Vegas in 2020 and 2021, including all six of the Aces’ 2020 playoff contests.
Cannon was waived by the Dallas Wings during the 2024 training camp. Angel Jackson is now eligible to be signed by another team as a free agent.