Jordan Horston declares for 2023 WNBA Draft, won't return for fifth season with Lady Vols
Jordan Horston will not join her fellow seniors in returning for a fifth year with Lady Vols basketball. Horston, now a projected lottery pick, has declared for the 2023 WNBA Draft.
The 6-foot-2 guard came in as a freshman in Tennessee coach Kellie Harper's first season, playing a key role in rebuilding the program. Horston made the announcement on Tuesday on Instagram that she wouldn't be using her COVID-19 year of eligibility to return.
"Going to the WNBA has been a dream I've had for as long as I can remember, and it is time for me to pursue that dream," Horston wrote. "This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, but one thing I know is I will always be a #LVFL and Rocky Top will always be home sweet home to me."
With the number of players returning for a fifth season – like Tennessee teammates Rickea Jackson and Tamari Key – Horston's draft stock has risen over the last few weeks. ESPN, which previously projected her at No. 6, now has her projected at No. 3. Before a number of seniors announced they wouldn't enter this year's draft, Winsidr has her projected to go No. 7.
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In her last game with the Lady Vols, Horston had a team-high 17 points against Virginia Tech in the Sweet 16, adding four rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block.
If drafted higher than No. 9 overall, Horston will be the highest-drafted player in Harper's tenure. She would also be the third straight first-round pick out of Tennessee after Rae Burrell was drafted No. 9 in 2022 and Rennia Davis was selected No. 9 in 2021.
Horston helped lead Tennessee to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances for the first time since 2015 and 2016. She averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals this season, while shooting a career-high 43.8% from the field and 73.9% from the free-throw line.
Horston became the only second player in school history, joining Alexis Hornbuckle to reach 1,000 points, 700 rebounds and 400 assists in her career. Horston also made the Naismith Trophy midseason list as a senior. She leaves Tennessee with an incredible career statline: 1,445 points, 731 rebounds, 455 assists, 163 steals and 109 blocks in 114 games played.
The Columbus, Ohio, native was a First Team All-SEC selection and made the SEC All-Tournament team after helping lead Tennessee to its first SEC Tournament final since 2015. Horston had 57 points, 26 rebounds, 11 assists, seven blocks and three steals in three games while shooting 44.6%.
She was a First Team All-SEC selection and AP All-America honorable mention after her career-best junior season. Horston averaged 16.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, four assists and 1.4 steals before her junior season was cut short by an elbow injury.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Jordan Horston declares for 2023 WNBA Draft, won't return for fifth season
