Did you know that Iowa has been a powerhouse for WNBA talent, with a remarkable 17 players hailing from the state since 1997? It’s a story of grit, determination, and the rise of women’s basketball that often goes unnoticed. Let’s dive into how these athletes, including the iconic Tangela Smith, have left their mark on the league—and why Iowa’s influence is only growing.
It all began with Toni Foster, the trailblazer who became Iowa’s first WNBA player when the Phoenix Mercury drafted her in 1997. But here’s where it gets interesting: Foster wasn’t just any player. She dominated in college, averaging 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.2 assists, and 1.2 blocks per game, capping her career by winning the Big Ten Player of the Year award. In her rookie WNBA season, she continued to impress with 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and an assist per game. Foster’s journey set the stage for future Iowa stars, though her WNBA career spanned just 54 games over three seasons.
Next up was Tia Jackson, drafted by the Mercury in the second round. Jackson’s college stats—10.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 assists—hinted at her potential, but her WNBA career was brief, averaging 2.8 points and 2.2 rebounds in a single season. And this is the part most people miss: Jackson’s real impact came off the court. Today, she’s a respected coach at Duke, after years as an assistant at Stanford and UCLA. Talk about a career pivot!
Tangela Smith, however, is the name that truly stands out. Drafted in 1998, Smith averaged an impressive 13.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2 blocks, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals in college. She started with the Sacramento Monarchs but found her stride with the Mercury, helping them win championships in 2007 and 2009. Here’s the controversial part: Was Smith underappreciated during her career? Despite her contributions to Phoenix’s success, her name isn’t always the first mentioned in WNBA history. What do you think?
The Mercury’s Iowa connection didn’t stop there. Crystal Smith played 22 games for them in 2006, and Megan Gustafson joined the team in 2021 after starting with the Dallas Wings. Fast forward to 2025, and Lucy Olsen became the latest Iowa player to enter the league, following in the footsteps of Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin, who were drafted in 2024.
Iowa’s pipeline to the WNBA shows no signs of slowing. With players like Clark and Martin making waves, the future looks bright. But here’s a thought-provoking question: Is Iowa’s success a result of its basketball programs, or is there something unique about the state’s culture that fosters such talent? Let us know in the comments!
To explore more about the Mercury’s ties to Iowa, follow us on X right here: https://x.com/MercuryOnSI. The story’s far from over—and you won’t want to miss what’s next.
