Roster moves shake-up pro careers for multiple former WVU women's basketball stars

With the WNBA season operating in the summer and fall, it's prime time for roster moves at the highest level of the sport.

And over the past couple of days, a pair of roster moves in two different professional leagues have affected former West Virginia Mountaineers and their careers – one positively, and one negatively.

Jordan Harrison loses her spot with Portland Fire

On Monday evening, the Portland Fire of the WNBA waived Jordan Harrison. Harrison had signed with the expansion franchise as an undrafted free agent, and made the final roster this past week after a strong performance in two preseason games.

She played in just one regular season game with the franchise, scoring four points and seeing 11 minutes of action. The move occurred simultaneously with a decision by the franchise to activate guard Kamiah Smalls, who had previously had her contract suspended due to injury.

Sydney Shaw earns first pro opportunity

Shaw went undrafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft despite a stellar season which saw her set the WVU record for single-season made three-pointers. She didn't land a contract with a WNBA team, but she is going to have the option to play professionally in the states this summer.

The Upshot League is a new professional league in the US that is tipping off their first season this summer, and one of the four league teams – the Savannah Steel – have released their opening night roster, which includes Shaw.

What's it mean for the Mountaineers?

Well, obviously, there are mixed feelings here. It's not great to see Harrison get waived, and hopefully she finds a new home soon, whether it be in the WNBA or elsewhere. But overall, it has been a successful couple of month post-NCAA Tournament for the program at the pro level.

JJ Quinerly also made the regular season roster for the Wings for the second straight season, and with Harrison making her brief appearance on the roster, the Mountaineers had two WNBA players on opening day rosters this year. And with a new emerging women's pro basketball league taking shape, a third Mountaineer alum may soon be making noise professionally this summer.

That 100% is a good thing, and something to be excited about for West Virginia fans. The Mountaineers are not a historical powerhose program, and don't have a big brand name image. As Mark Kellogg can continue to get players opprtunities at the professional level, it's good marketing to continue to attract top level talent to Morgantown.

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