WNBA rookie mysteriously retires after just one successful season
WNBA rookie mysteriously retires after just one successful season
Jarrod Castillo Wed, September 30, 2026 at 8:11 PM UTC
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Jordan Harrison abruptly announced her retirement from the WNBA after just one season -Credit:Photo by Amanda Loman/Getty Images
Promising WNBA rookie Jordan Harrison announced her retirement after just one season in the league.
On Sept. 29, Harrison took to social media to announce she was stepping away from the sport at just 22 years old after averaging 5.1 points, 4.2 assists and 1.8 rebounds in her lone campaign with the Portland Fire. In two of her final five games, the diminutive guard eclipsed 10 assists twice, against the Phoenix Mercury and Golden State Valkyries.
In her retirement letter, Harrison did not reveal what she planned to do next, but she believed a higher power was calling her to a life outside the WNBA. It comes after Sophie Cunningham revealed how alarmingly inappropriate the WNBA is behind the scenes.
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Fans on social media were left stunned by Harrison's decision to retire after just one season, with one writing, "I'm confused. She put in all that work to quit after 1 year????? Of course wishing her the best and I hope she succeeds in whatever she does next. But what was the deciding factor to just give up on it????"
Another added, "Too bad; I like her game and potential but she has already reached more than abt 99.99% of hoopers in the world. Wish her the best and peace with her decision." A third commented, "wow wish her the best but dang work so hard to get there to let it go early."
"I'm shocked and confused. But wishing her the best!" wrote one fan on Instagram upon hearing the news.
Jordan Harrison only played one season in the WNBA before calling it a career -Credit:Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images
Along with celebrating her accomplishment of simply making it to the league, the general consensus among fans was shock, knowing that Harrison was already retiring despite playing only one season in the league.
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Her journey to the WNBA encapsulated what it meant to fight for a spot in the world's most competitive women's basketball league. Going undrafted in the 2026 WNBA Draft, Harrison originally signed a training camp contract with the Fire before the season started.
She then parlayed that into a developmental contract with the team though was waived in the early parts of the season.
Harrison was then brought back on yet another developmental contract, which was then upgraded to a standard contract to end the season, playing in a total of 16 games in her lone season in the WNBA.
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Harrison's Full Statement
"SO GRATEFUL!
"Thank you, Portland, for such an amazing year. Coming into this, I really had no expectations. I just wanted to give myself a chance and prove myself right. I'm so glad I did because I met so many amazing people and made connections that will last a lifetime.
"With that being said, I have decided to step away from playing basketball. This decision was not easy, but I have so much peace in it. I truly feel like God is calling me into a new season and has something bigger in store for my life. I trust Him and the plans He has for me, and I couldn't be more excited for what's next!
"'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.' - Jeremiah 1:5."
Meanwhile, the WNBA was urged to fine an "embarrassing" superstar after her interaction with a fan courtside during the playoffs.
Source: “AOL Sports”
