Lady Vols basketball forward Zee Spearman was selected No. 31 overall by the Dallas Wings in the third round of the 2026 WNBA Draft on April 13.
Spearman transferred to Tennessee ahead of Lady Vols coach Kim Caldwell’s first season and excelled in her system.
Spearman joins senior forward Janiah Barker as the first WNBA draftees under Caldwell. She’s the 48th WNBA draft pick in program history. The Lady Vols’ last WNBA draft pick before this year was former star forward Rickea Jackson, who was the fourth-straight first-round pick for Tennessee under former coach Kellie Harper in 2024.
Here’s what Spearman brings to the Wings.
What Zee Spearman brings to Dallas Wings in 2026 WNBA Draft
Spearman blossomed into a versatile stretch forward playing for Caldwell. She immediately improved her scoring at Tennessee and increased her playmaking.
Spearman thrived playing as a guard and isn’t afraid to shoot from deep, although her shooting from range was more consistent as a junior.
Spearman is a solid rebounder and can handle physicality in the post, and has great potential as a rim protector. Her efficiency took a hit as a senior as Tennessee’s season spiraled, but she was a career 50% shooter in her first three seasons.
Zee Spearman’s highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Tennessee
Spearman at her best was the top performer in Tennessee’s upset of UConn her junior season. She led the team with 16 points and seven rebounds, including the game-clinching bucket.
Spearman can put pressure on the rim with her drives, and her 3-point shot forces opponents to guard her on the perimeter. She also runs the floor in transition and plays well in a two-man game.
However, her regression as a senior could be cause for concern, although part of it was likely due to Tennessee’s overall spiral as a team. But Spearman’s shooting percentage dropped from a career-high 51.5% as a junior to 38.4% this season.
Her 3-point shooting also got worse, from 30% on 2.4 attempts as a junior to 23.3% on 3.4 attempts as a senior. Spearman’s turnovers also increased from 1.8 to 2.4 per game.
Zee Spearman career stats at Miami, Tennessee
- 2025-26 (Tennessee): Started 27 of 30 games, averaged 10.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 1.3 blocks, 38.4% shooting percentage, 23.3% on 3.4 attempts from 3-point range
- 2024-25 (Tennessee): Started 23 of 34 games, averaged 11.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 26.2 minutes, 51.5% shooting percentage, 30% on 2.4 attempts from 3-point range
- 2023-24 (Miami): Started 10 of 30 games, averaged 6.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 18.7 minutes, 50% shooting percentage
- 2022-23 (Miami): Appeared in 30 games, averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, 13 minutes, 51.2% shooting percentage
Cora Hall is the University of Tennessee women’s athletics reporter for Knox News. Email: cora.hall@knoxnews.com; X: @corahalll; Bluesky: @corahall.bsky.social. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks:knoxnews.com/subscribe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Dallas Wings draft Lady Vols forward Zee Spearman in 2026 WNBA Draft
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