USC’s Kadi Sissoko And Okako Adika Selected Back-to-Back In WNBA Draft

USC grad students Kadi Sissoko and Okako Adika both have scored themselves selection in the WNBA draft, picked back-to-back in the Third Round as the 29th and 30th overall players chosen, respectively. A 6-2 forward from Paris, France, Sissoko was the Trojans' top scorer this season and has been selected by the Phoenix Mercury. A full-time starter from Holstebro, Denmark, Adika — a 6-0 guard — was a defensive lock who came up big for the Trojans and has been picked by the New York Liberty.

This is the first time since 2012 and just the third time ever that USC has had two players selected in a WNBA Draft. They follow 2012 picks for Jacki Gemelos and Briana Gilbreath, and 1997 draftees Pam McGee and Tina Thompson. Both respected veterans on and off the court, Sissoko and Adika were instrumental in helping USC to a 21-10 overall record and getting the Trojans back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2014.

Prior to her 2022-23 season at USC, Sissoko played two seasons at Minnesota and one at Syracuse. Her time at USC was certainly her most impactful. In her one season as a Trojan, Sissoko was named to the All-Pac-12 team and finished out the year having averaged 15.4 points per game, shooting 45.5 percent from the floor. She recorded four double-doubles and scored in double digits in 21 of her 26 games played, including a 30-point outing at Cal. In addition to her 15.4 points per game, she provided 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

.@PhoenixMercury fans, you're getting a good one in Kadi Sissoko! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/GX2EQtTJot
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) April 11, 2023

Adika, who came to USC this season by way of TCU and Butler, started all 31 games for the Trojans while averaging 7.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. She nailed 43 threes this season — second most on the team — while going 38.7 percent from beyond the arc. She notched two double-doubles, with each coming in big USC victories. She had 11 points and 11 rebounds in USC's upset win over then-No-2 Stanford, and delivered 18 points and 11 boards in a win over Oregon. Her defensive prowess also earned her Pac-12 All-Defensive Honorable Mention for her work with the Trojans in 2022-23.

A sneak peek at what @nyliberty fans are getting in Okako Adika! 👀✌️ pic.twitter.com/VicjZqSZtK
— USC Women's Basketball (@USCWBB) April 11, 2023

Sissoko and Adika join a star-studded list of Trojans in the WNBA. The last player to be drafted was Temi Fagbenle, who was picked 35th in the 2016 draft by the Minnesota Lynx. She'd go on to win the 2017 WNBA Championship with the Lynx. In 2014, Cassie Harberts was a second-round selection by the Atlanta Dream. Before that, Jacki Gemelos and Briana Gilbreath both were picked up in the 2012 draft and went on to roster spots in the WNBA. Prior to them, Camille LeNoir was selected in the 2009 second round, preceded by 2007 second-rounder Shay Murphy, who would go on to win a WNBA Championship with the Phoenix Mercury in 2014. In addition to 1997 Inaugural Elite Selections Cynthia Cooper and Lisa Leslie, USC now has had 14 players drafted in the WNBA. The first draft in 1997 also saw two Women of Troy taken —Pam McGee and Tina Thompson.

USC's WNBA SELECTIONS
1997 Inaugural Elite Selection
Cynthia Cooper (Houston Comets)
Lisa Leslie (Los Angeles Sparks)

First Round
Ebony Hoffman (2004, Indiana Fever)
Pam McGee (1997, Sacramento Monarchs)
Tina Thompson (1997, Houston Comets)

Second Round
Adrain Williams (2000, Phoenix Mercury)
Shay Murphy (2007, Minnesota Lynx)
Camille LeNoir (2009, Washington Mystics)
Cassie Harberts (2014, Atlanta Dream)

Third Round
Jacki Gemelos (2012, Minnesota Lynx)
Briana Gilbreath (2012, Washington Mystics)
Temi Fagbenle (2016, Minnesota Lynx)
Okako Adika (2023, New York Liberty)
Kadi Sissoko (2023, Phoenix Mercury)

Fourth Round
Monica Lamb (1998, Houston Comets)
Nicky McCrimmon (2000, Los Angeles Sparks)

Players Mentioned

Okako Adika

Kadi Sissoko