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Two standout players who rose through Texas high school programs were selected in this week’s WNBA draft, underscoring the state’s continued role as a talent pipeline for the professional game. The Golden State Valkyries added sharpshooter and facilitator Ashlon Jackson in the second round, while the Washington Mystics took Texas’ floor general Rori Harmon in the third round — picks that could reshape each team’s backcourt depth this season.
Ashlon Jackson — from Hardin‑Jefferson to Golden State
The 6‑foot guard, taken with the 23rd overall pick, arrives in Golden State with a resume built on scoring and floor vision. Jackson exploded at Hardin‑Jefferson High School in Sour Lake, graduating as one of the most prolific scorers in state play and earning McDonald’s All‑American honors before joining Duke.
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At Duke she left a clear mark: over 1,200 points, a long list of three‑point seasons among the program’s best, and one of the top single‑season assist totals in school history. Those numbers helped position her as a two‑way backcourt option — a shooter who can also make plays for others.
Golden State’s front office emphasized her competitiveness and team focus as reasons for the pick, signaling they see Jackson fitting into a role that values basketball IQ and versatility on both ends.
- Draft slot: 23rd overall (2nd round)
- High school: Hardin‑Jefferson (Sour Lake), McDonald’s All‑American
- College: Duke — 1,272 points; among program leaders in 3‑pointers and assists
- Profile: Offense‑first guard with playmaking and perimeter range
Rori Harmon — a Texas playmaker lands in Washington
Selected 34th overall by the Mystics, Rori Harmon leaves Texas with program records and national resume pieces that make her one of the most decorated collegiate point guards to enter the draft this year.
Harmon’s numbers speak to consistency and impact: more than 1,600 career points for the Longhorns, nearly 1,000 assists — a total that ranks among the top in NCAA Division I history — and school records in both assists and steals. She started a program‑record 155 games and was at the center of two Final Four runs, earning All‑American recognition multiple times and postseason defensive awards.
Her college coach described Harmon as an exceptional leader on both ends of the floor, a player who manages game tempo, defends relentlessly and elevates teammates — traits that translate directly to the WNBA’s guard‑driven pace.
- Draft slot: 34th overall (3rd round)
- High school: Cypress Creek (Houston) — Texas Gatorade Player of the Year, McDonald’s All‑American
- College: Texas — 1,616 points; 977 assists (program record); 388 steals (program record)
- Profile: Defensive-minded point guard with elite facilitating skills
What this means for the WNBA: both clubs are adding young, NCAA‑tested guards who can contribute in specialized roles right away. Jackson offers perimeter shooting and secondary playmaking that can unlock spacing, while Harmon provides immediate defensive intensity and ball‑handling stability.
For the players, the selections mark the next step in careers rooted in Texas high school basketball — a reminder that the state remains a fertile ground for WNBA prospects. How quickly they convert collegiate success to professional minutes will depend on team needs, summer development and how each coaching staff deploys their strengths.
Quick takeaways:
- Both players combine high‑school pedigree with sustained college production, a combination that tends to shorten the transition to pro roles.
- Golden State’s pick leans toward shooting and spacing; Washington’s pick strengthens backcourt defense and playmaking.
- Expect both teams to integrate the rookies into rotation spots where their specific skills — shooting for Jackson, game management and defense for Harmon — are needed most.
