HBCU Women's Basketball: Angel Jackson, Amari Heard, And Ny Langley Declare For The WNBA Draft

Three of the HBCUs best women's basketball players have entered the upcoming WNBA Draft.

Jackson State center Angel Jackson / JSU Athletics

HOUSTON - Three HBCU women's basketball stars have declared for the 2024 WNBA Draft. Angel Jackson (Jackson State), Amari Heard (Savannah State), and Ny Langley (VA Union) will have a chance to hear their names called at the event on Apr. 15 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. ESPN will broadcast it live at 7:30 PM ET.

Angel Jackson, Center - Jackson State / Angel Jackson, Center - Jackson State Athletics

ANGEL JACKSON, CENTER - JACKSON STATE

Jackson State's premier defender, Angel Jackson, will take her talents to the professional ranks. The 6-foot-6 center transferred from USC to JSU in 2022, playing in 31 games with 26 starts the first season.  

During her career at Jackson State, the two-time SWAC Defensive Player of the Year averaged 9.6 points and 7.0 rebounds. Jackson posted 171 blocks and 42 steals in 64 games with the Lady Tigers. 

"I'm extremely excited for Angel," Coach Tomekia Reed told HBCU Legends. "She has always reminded me of a pro athlete with her abilities to score from the outside being 6'6. I totally believe she will have an amazing career at the next level. She has great abilities in protecting the basket as a shot blocker, she runs the floor well and she has done an amazing job playing against P5 opponents. She's versatile being able to play facing the basket and playing with her back to the basket. She's a true pro. I'm excited for her and this opportunity. She's another great representation for our HBCU community and for Jackson State."

Jackson hopes to join another Tomekia Reed disciple, Amesha Williams-Holiday, to be drafted by a WNBA team. Williams-Holiday was selected by the Indiana Fever as the 25th overall selections in the third round of teh 2022 WNBA Draft. She was the first HBCU women's basketball player picked by a WNBA club since 2002.

Projection: 3rd Round or Undrafted 

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Guard, Amari Heard - Savannah State Athletics

AMARI HEARD, GUARD - SAVANNAH STATE

The Savannah State dynamo guard registered career highs this season, averaging 14.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. The 6-foot playmaker was the Lady Tigers' heart and soul, starting 24 of 25 games while playing 31.6 minutes per contest.

Heard was a 2024 All-SIAC First Team selection and third in the conference with a field goal percentage of .465. The West Point, Mississippi native led the Lady Tigers in points (329), made field goals (145) and steals (550), and was second on the squad in rebounds (173).

Projection: Undrafted

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Ny Langley, Forward - VA Union / Virginia Union Athletics

NY LANGLEY, FORWARD - VIRGINIA UNION

The Lady Panthers forward averaged 14.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.4 assists during her career. Ny Langley had season highs in 2022-24 of 27 points versus Augusta and grabbed 19 rebounds against St. Augustine's. The Greenville, North Carolina native was named to the 2024 All-CIAA Team.

Projection: Undrafted

PLAYERS ENTERING THE DRAFT

WNBA has released a list of names of players that have formally filed for inclusion as candidates for the WNBA Draft 2024, scheduled for April 15 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (ESPN, 7:30 p.m. ET). @Winsidr pic.twitter.com/tVIVM5JG6y

— Myles (@MylesEhrlich) April 4, 2024