Former Syracuse women's basketball standout guard Laila Phelia, an All-ACC performer in her lone season on the Hill, has signed a training camp contract with the WNBA's Atlanta Dream, according to a press release from SU Athletics.
This is an important first step for Phelia as she pursues a professional hoops career. A huge congrats from Orange Nation to Laila!
One step closer to the Dream for @LailaPhelia
— Syracuse Women's Basketball (@CuseWBB) April 16, 2026
Laila has signed to attend Atlanta Dream preseason training camp.
Read More: https://t.co/pwlkYHR3u3 pic.twitter.com/kZe3NzL8et
The 6-foot Phelia, who hails from Cincinnati, came to the 'Cuse for the 2025-26 season, after previously suiting up at Michigan and then Texas. Phelia was instrumental in helping lead SU to a 24-9 overall record this past term, with Syracuse women's basketball reaching the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
You're getting a good one @AtlantaDream @Lailaphelia can hoop 🏀 pic.twitter.com/xckTpXtBDI
— Syracuse Women's Basketball (@CuseWBB) April 16, 2026
As a senior, Phelia appeared in 32 games, averaging 31.6 minutes, 13.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.0 steals per contest while making 39.5 percent from the field, 35.9 percent from 3-point land and 85.4 percent from the free-throw line. She was named to the All-ACC second team.
Former Syracuse women's basketball guard Laila Phelia is headed to a WNBA training camp.
Welcome to the A!
— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 16, 2026
We have signed Laila Phelia to a Training Camp contract. pic.twitter.com/LgfTfLQW4F
The Dream, in the 2025 regular season, went 30-14 overall, earning the No. 3 seed in the WNBA playoffs, where Atlanta would fall, 2-1, to No. 6 seed Indiana in the first round.
Earlier this week, at the 2026 WNBA Draft, the Dream selected South Carolina center Madina Okot with the 13th pick, North Carolina guard Indya Nivar with the 28th pick and CBA Beijing guard Kejia Ran with the 43rd pick.
On April 6, Atlanta announced that it had acquired Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese in exchange for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028. As part of this deal, Atlanta also received the right to swap second-round selections with Chicago in 2028.
Reese is a two-time WNBA All-Star and won a national championship at LSU in 2023, when she was named the most outstanding player of that season's Final Four.
Phelia becomes the second former Syracuse women's basketball player during Felisha Legette-Jack's tenure as SU's head coach to continue to the WNBA. Former 'Cuse star point guard Dyaisha Fair was picked in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces.
Add us as a preferred source on Google