There’s a lot more opportunity in the WNBA than there was a few years ago; the league has increased from 12 to 15 teams, and added two developmental spots per roster.
Still, making — and staying — on a roster is difficult, and Tuesday’s transactions were the latest example of just how difficult it remains.
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The Dallas Wings released Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, a 26-year-old forward from Cameroon who was selected 21st overall in the 2023 WNBA draft after a collegiate career at South Florida. Mendjiadeu spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with the Seattle Storm, where she was drafted, and has since been overseas. She signed a player developmental contract with the Dallas Wings last month, before being cut on Tuesday.
The Washington Mystics, meanwhile, waived Alex Wilson, the 32-year-old guard from Australia who made her WNBA debut this season. Wilson averaged 3 points and 1.8 rebounds in 14.5 minutes off the bench in 4 games for the Mystics. She’s spent most of her professional career playing in the Women’s National Basketball League in Australia, and in 2024 and 2025, she was named to the All-WNBL First Team.
Last February, she signed a training camp deal with the Chicago Sky, but was waived in May. She joined the Mystics for training camp in April.
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Tuesday’s roster moves mean that the Wings have an open player development spot, and the Mystics have an open roster spot. Who will replace Mendjiadeu and Wilson remains to be seen.
Roster cuts continue on an almost-daily basis in the WNBA. In the last week alone, six players were cut. Some, like Connecticut Sun guard Hailey Van Lith, immediately found another opportunity with the same organization (Van Lith is now on a developmental contract with the Sun).
Others found opportunities with a different franchise; guard Lexi Held was waived by the Toronto Tempo and rejoined the Phoenix Mercury, where she spent her rookie season. But most are still waiting for their next chance. Such is life for the significant portion of WNBA players fighting to remain in the league.
