WNBA rookies often get a ton of attention every year as the new players in the league who are looking to establish themselves.
This was certainly the case last season when Paige Bueckers came in and immediately dominated, and Dominique Malonga showed glimpses of her limitless potential. While Bueckers and Malonga (at least before the concussion that has kept her on the sidelines) picked up where they left off after 2025, a handful of sophomores who were not high-profile top picks are also showing
off to start the 2026 season.
So, here are three second-year players who not only are pleasantly surprising everyone, but also playing in ways that suggest they have long WNBA careers ahead of them. In the comments, add your favorite sophomores who you think have a bright future.
Sarah Ashlee Barker (Portland Fire)
WNBA expansion means more teams and more opportunities for players to make their mark. After a lackluster rookie campaign with the Los Angeles Sparks, Barker is now with the Portland Fire and playing at a very high level.
She is averaging 10 points per game, a huge increase from the 3.1 she averaged last year. Barker has also become an incredibly efficient shooter. She is knocking down 48.4 percent of her 3-point attempts. While her shooting from deep has improved, her conversions at the rim have been even better. She is now able to play through more physically than she could’ve handled last year and is finishing strong at the basket.
On the season, she’s making 53.3 percent of her baskets in the restricted area and is even better in the non-restricted painted area, making 58.8 percent of her attempts.
Barker, in a new environment with a season under her belt, is now turning her potential into production. Plus, she’s a reminder that rookie years are just the opening chapter of what could be a long book of a WNBA career.
Carla Leite (Portland Fire)
Carla Leite, like Barker, went to an expansion team and is excelling.
Her minutes have increased from 17.2 minutes per game to 23.4, but her production has exploded. She is averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists, making her one of the most electrifying offensive weapons in the league.
Leite is also shooting well from deep. She is making 35.7 percent of her 3-point attempts.
With Leite and Barker both elevating their play, Portland has an exciting backcourt and is imitating the success the Golden State Valkyries had last season. The Fire are now 6-5 and looking like a playoff-caliber team. And just because the Valkyries exceeded expectations in their expansion season doesn’t make what the Fire are accomplishing any less impressive.
Portland has taken players that were thought to be disposable and turned them into a formidable team.
Kaitlyn Chen (Golden State Valkyries)
Speaking of the Valkyries, Kaitlyn Chen is progressing well in Year 2.
She has increased her minutes and is averaging 7.3 points per game. Her attempts from beyond the arc are low at 1.2 per game, but she’s taking advantage of those opportunities, knocking down 63.3 percent of those takes. Last year, she only took 15 3s total on the season.
In nine games, Chen has cracked double figures three times, including a career high of 18 points in a loss against the Indiana Fever. Last year, she only reached 10 points once in her 24 appearances.
Progress isn’t always linear. Not everyone will enter the WNBA and automatically excel. Some need more time to get comfortable, understand new roles and even get into the right scenarios.
This trio has found different ways to improve and is making their marks with their respective franchises. Sophomore seasons might not be as interesting to talk about as rookie classes, but they are just as important.
If these players maintain this level of play, they’ll be well on their way to long productive careers.
