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North Florida News
WNBA Bound: Jacksonville Waves Guard Shyanne Sellers Signs With Los Angeles Sparks
Former Maryland standout becomes the first Jacksonville Waves player to earn a WNBA opportunity after helping lead the team to the UPSHOT League championship game.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Jacksonville Waves guard Shyanne Sellers has signed a Player Development Pool contract with the Los Angeles Sparks after a standout 2026 season in the UPSHOT League.
Sellers averaged 13.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game for Jacksonville while ranking third in the league in assists. Her performance helped the Waves reach the UPSHOT League’s inaugural championship game and earned Sellers another opportunity in the WNBA.
From Maryland Standout to the Pros
A former University of Maryland standout and member of a basketball family from Ohio, Sellers has continued building her own professional career.
She was selected No. 17 overall by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2025 WNBA Draft and later spent time with the Dallas Wings before joining the Jacksonville Waves.
The UPSHOT League’s inaugural season gave players such as Sellers another opportunity to compete at a high level, develop their games and position themselves for additional professional opportunities.
Jacksonville Waves guard Shyanne Sellers drives to the basket against a Charlotte defender during UPSHOT League action. Photo: Nisey Spruill/Florida National News
First Jacksonville Waves Player to Earn WNBA Opportunity
Sellers’ performance in Jacksonville ultimately put her back into the WNBA pipeline, making her the first Waves player to receive a WNBA opportunity.
Her Player Development Pool contract with Los Angeles represents another significant step in her professional career and an early milestone for the Jacksonville Waves organization.
A Jacksonville Waves player drives to the basket for a layup while being defended by a Charlotte player during UPSHOT League action. Photo: Nisey Spruill/Florida National News
Jacksonville-to-WNBA Pipeline Takes Shape
Sellers’ signing also highlights the potential role of the UPSHOT League and Jacksonville Waves as a pathway for players seeking to remain competitive and earn opportunities at the highest level of women’s professional basketball.
For Jacksonville, Sellers becomes the franchise’s first player to make the jump from the Waves to a WNBA organization.
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– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact Sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Bulls kicker scores 13 points as Brian Hartline earns his first victory as USF head coach
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Nico Gramatica delivered a big opening-night performance for South Florida, accounting for 13 points as the Bulls defeated FIU 19-9 and gave first-year head coach Brian Hartline his first victory at USF.
Gramatica connected on four field goals — from 37, 53, 30 and 29 yards — and converted an extra point. His 53-yarder highlighted a performance that provided the Bulls with points when drives stalled and helped USF maintain control of the season opener.
USF kicker No. 7 Nico Gramatica prepares for a play during the Bulls’ 2026 Spring Game in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Nisey Spruill/Florida National News)
Gramatica Gives USF an Early Boost
Gramatica’s performance adds another chapter to a familiar football name in Tampa.
The USF kicker is the son of former Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Martin Gramatica, but Nico continues to establish his own identity with the Bulls. His four-field-goal performance provided a strong start to the season and demonstrated his ability to convert from long range.
His 13 points accounted for more than two-thirds of USF’s scoring against FIU.
Bulls Defense Forces Three Turnovers
USF’s defense also played a major role in the victory, forcing three FIU turnovers while the Bulls finished the game without committing a turnover.
That combination helped USF protect its lead and gave Hartline a victory in his first game leading the program.
For a team beginning a new era, winning the turnover battle and limiting mistakes provided an encouraging foundation.
Brian Hartline Era Begins With a Win
The 19-9 victory marked Hartline’s first win as USF’s head coach and gave the Bulls early momentum as they begin the 2026 season.
While Gramatica provided much of the scoring and the defense created turnovers, USF now faces a different challenge: taking that formula on the road.
USF Turns Its Attention to Army
The Bulls travel to West Point, New York, to face Army on Saturday, Sept. 12, at noon in USF’s first road game and first American Conference matchup of the season.
After opening the Hartline era with a victory in Tampa, the Army matchup will provide an early test of how the Bulls respond away from home and against a conference opponent.
For USF, the objective is straightforward: build on the opener and keep the early-season momentum moving.
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– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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