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The next generation of professional women's basketball players was announced on Monday (April 11) during the 2022 WNBA Draft in NYC.
Among those selected was Ameshya Williams-Holliday, who became the first HBCU player drafted by the league in 20 years. Williams-Holliday is now the six player from a Historically Black College and University ever to be selected by the WNBA. In 2002, three HBCU players were drafted by the league: Howard University's Andrea Gardner, Amba Kongolo from North Carolina Central University, and Jacklyn Winfield from Southern University and A&M College.
Since then, there haven't been any other HBCU players picked up by the WNBA, until now.
"It's an honor, a dream come true and a blessing to be able to be part of history and to be able to open doors for our HBCU community," Williams-Holliday told CNN. "Being a trail blazer feels amazing, but there is so much more to accomplish."
The 24-year-old has played center for the Jackson State University's Women's Basketball team since 2019. In her tenure at JSU, Williams-Holliday helped get the Tigers to its first NCAA tournament since 2008.
The Gulfport, Mississippi native was selected as No. 25 in the Draft, picked up in the third round by the Indiana Fever.
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