The WNBA Draft has officially wrapped, and the Las Vegas Aces have selected a pair of rookies for the 2026 season.
Janiah Barker was selected in the second round at No. 29, and Jordan Obi was selected in the third round at No. 44. These wildcards look to make their presence known on the court and show what it takes to be an Ace.
Barker, a 6’4 forward, played her final collegiate season at Tennessee, where she averaged 14.3 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks per game. Before her run as a Lady Vol, she played at UCLA for the 2024-25 season, where she earned Big Ten Sixth Player of the Year honors. She also played at Texas A&M from 2022-24.
Alongside her collegiate accolades, Barker played with USA Basketball in the 2019 FIBA Americas Women’s U16 championship, and in the 2021 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Championship, winning gold at both events.
At the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, she averaged 6.4 points per game, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 12 minutes. In those seven games, she helped Team USA secure a silver medal.
With the addition of Barker, the Aces currently have six forwards on the roster. The team lost Megan Gustafson in free agency to the Portland Fire, and Kiah Stokes to the Golden State Valkyries.
Still, Barker will be surrounded by veteran forwards Brianna Turner, NaLyssa Smith and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus. She will have the opportunity to learn what it takes to survive in the WNBA, advance her game and embrace the Aces’ “never fold” mindset.
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Obi, a 6’1 guard, finished her collegiate career at Kentucky, which ended in this year’s Sweet 16. In her senior season, she averaged nine points per game, six rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game.
Before her final season at Kentucky, she spent three seasons at Penn. At Penn, she amassed multiple All-Ivy League team spots on both first and second teams. Obi sat out of the 2024-25 season after suffering a lower leg injury. In her career, she’s averaged 12.3 points per game, 7.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists.
Obi is the fifth guard to join the Aces ahead of the 2026 season. She’ll have the chance to learn from Las Vegas’ championship-caliber guards, Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray. At training camp, the Aces will evaluate her style to see how she could fit within their system, with the ultimate goal of becoming the first WNBA team to earn four titles in just five seasons.
Next up for the Aces is training camp, which begins April 19. Each team is expected to bring in extra talent to curate their roster and potentially sign undrafted talent.
With the Aces, everything rests in the hands of GM and president Nikki Fargas, and head coach Becky Hammon. After signing Stephanie Talbot and Brianna Turner, and drafting Barker and Obi, the final touches and curation of the roster begins.