Sarah Ashlee Barker Selected as the No. 9 Pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft

NEW YORK CITY - On Monday, former Alabama elite guard Sarah Ashlee Baker made history. She was selected No. 9 overall in the first-round by the Los Angeles Sparks, making her the Crimson Tide's highest draft pick since Jasmine Walker, who was selected  No. 7 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2021.

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With her selection, Barker not only solidified her status as one of the most dynamic players to come through Alabama in recent memory;  she became just the 13th Alabama  women's basketball player ever to be drafted into the WNBA.

Barker's name now joins a prestigious list that includes Linda Burgess, Cassandra Crumpton Moorer, Dominique Canty, Shalonda Enis, Niesa Johnson, Tausha Mills, LaNisha Cartwell, Shondra Johnson, Monique Bivins, Navonda Moore, Walker, and the most recent draftee before her, Brittany Davis, who was picked by the Las Vegas Aces in 2023.

Like Walker before her, Barker's pro journey begins with the Sparks, a franchise known for spotlighting elite talent. The 6-foot guard made her mark at Alabama with a fierce  competitive edge, a high basketball IQ, and the versatility to impact both ends of the floor.

Whether she was slicing through defenders, locking down opponents, or stepping up in clutch moments, Barker was the engine that kept the Crimson Tide rolling. Her leadership and two-way play drew attention from scouts throughout her senior season, and by the time the draft came around, it was clear she was ready for the next level.

Being selected in the first round puts Barker in elite company - not just in the WNBA, but in Alabama history. The Sparks now gain a tough, skilled guard who isn't afraid of big moments, and Barker gets the opportunity to bring her trademark grit and energy to the professional stage.