The WNBA is officially back, with the league tipping off its 2026 season over the weekend. For USC fans, that means another year of following Trojans as they look to make it at the professional level.
This year, just two USC players open the season on active rosters. One of those, of course, is Kiki Iriafen. After earning WNBA All-Star honors as a rookie last season, Iriafen is back for year two with the Washington Mystics.
The other Trojan in the WNBA to start the year is Temi Fagbenle. Fagbenle played one season at USC as a transfer from Harvard in 2015-2016. After playing in the WNBA from 2017-2019, she spent four years with various teams abroad, before returning to the league in 2024. This season, she is with the expansion Toronto Tempo.
A notable name missing from the list is Rayah Marshall. After appearing in 15 games as a rookie with the Connecticut Sun last season, Marshall was traded to the Dallas Wings during the offseason. However, she was waived by Dallas prior to the start of the team’s regular season.
In addition, Kara Dunn, who played for the Women of Troy this past season, signed a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury. Like Marshall, however, she ultimately did not make the team’s roster.
Given the possibilities of injuries and roster movement, there is a chance that Marshall and/or Dunn could get signed by teams at some point during the season. Until then, USC fans can continue to follow Iriafen and Fagbenle as they represent the Trojans in the WNBA.
This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: 2026 WNBA season tips off with two Trojans on active rosters
Reporting by Adam Bradford, Trojans Wire / Trojans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
