Sarah Ashlee Barker goes to the LA Sparks with the ninth overall pick, while Aaliyah Nye (Las Vegas Aces, No. 13 overall) and Zaay Green (Washington Mystics, No. 32 overall) are also drafted on a historic night for the Crimson Tide
NEW YORK | For the first time in program history, the Alabama women's basketball program had three student-athletes hear their names called during the Women's National Basketball Association Draft on Monday night at The Shed at Hudson Yards. Sarah Ashlee Barker was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks with the ninth overall pick, followed by Aaliyah Nye who was the first pick of the second round, No. 13 overall, by the Las Vegas Aces and Zaay Green, who was drafted by the Washington Mystics with the 32ndoverall selection (third round).
Barker, Nye and Green are the ninth, 10th and 11th players to be drafted in program history, respectfully. The Crimson Tide has now had five players in the last three years selected in the WNBA Draft under head coach Kristy Curry, joining Jasmine Walker (2021) and Brittany Davis (2023), who were selected by the Los Angeles Sparks and Las Vegas Aces, respectfully.
From Alabama Head Coach Kristy Curry
"We couldn't be more proud of Sarah Ashlee, Aaliyah and Zaay. Each of their basketball journeys are uniquely inspiring and a true reflection of their character, relentless work ethic and their team-first mindset. At Alabama, we often say 'Built by Bama'—but these three brought something even more powerful: unwavering belief and a will to win that set them apart. We can't wait to see what the next chapter holds for each of them!"
Sarah Ashlee Barker – Guard
Round 1 | Pick 9 (9th Overall) | Los Angeles Sparks
Became Alabama's ninth overall draft pick in program history
Accumulated 1,642 career points across her five seasons
Became the fifth player in UA history to surpass 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 250 assists while at The Capstone
Two-time First Team All-SEC honoree (2024, 2025)
Alabama's leader on the floor who started 27 games this past year, missing five due to injury, and led Alabama in scoring average with 18.2 points per game
Her performance in the 2025 NCAA Tournament Second Round contest at Maryland, when she posted a program single-game scoring record and tied for the fourth-most points ever scored in an NCAA Women's Tournament game with 45 points in the losing effort
Also set the school's mark for most field goals made in a game after going 17-of-25 from the field vs. the Terrapins
Recorded back-to-back double-doubles in Alabama's road wins over Florida (Feb. 6 - 18 pts, 10 rebs) and at Mississippi State (Feb. 9 - 19 pts, 12 rebs)
Named to the SEC All-Freshman Team (2021)
Aaliyah Nye – Guard
Round 2 | Pick 1 (13th Overall) | Las Vegas Aces
- Became Alabama's 10th overall draft pick in program history
- Accumulated 1,739 career points throughout her five seasons
- Named All-SEC Second Team in 2024
- One of the top offensive players in the SEC
- Averaged 15.2 points per game and was considered one of the most prolific three-point shooters in the country
- Set the Alabama record for three-pointers made in a single season (111) this past year, after she initially broke the record in 2023-24 (108)
- Ranks as the program's all-time leader in three-pointers with 293 for her career
- Set the program single-game record with nine made three pointers at Florida (Feb. 6)
- Had a career-high 32-point performance in the Crimson Tide's win at Ole Miss (Jan. 12)
- Became Alabama's career leader in made three pointers during the Crimson Tide's comeback win over Auburn (Feb. 23)
- Led the SEC three-pointers made (111) and three pointers per game (3.4)
- Ranked fourth in the NCAA for made three pointers (111)
Zaay Green – Guard
Round 3 | Pick 7 (32nd Overall) | Washington Mystics
- Became the program's 11th overall draft pick
- Collected 1,796 career points over her six seasons, that last of which was spent at Alabama
- Appeared and started in all 33 games for the Tide, averaging 31.6 minutes per game
- Led UA in total points scored in 2024-25 (519), while averaging 15.7 points a game, and in assists, averaging 4.5 per contest
- Scored 20-or-more points in 10 different contests
- Scored a season-high 28 points at California (Dec. 5)
- Posted double-digit scoring in 29 of the 33 games she played
- Dished out a season-high eight assists in a win at Ole Miss (Jan. 12)
- Grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds against Georgia State (Dec. 2, 2024)
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-- By James W. Thomas
© Copyright 2025 JWT Communications. All rights reserved. This article cannot be republished, rebroadcast, rewritten, or distributed in any form without written permission.
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