PHILADELPHIA – Fifth-year WSU senior Mykiaa Minniss was selected by the Kansas City Current in the third round of the 2023 NWSL Draft, Thursday evening in Philadelphia. Minniss was selected 11th in the third round and 35th overall in the Draft, to become the ninth Cougar soccer student-athlete to be drafted into the NWSL.
 
Minniss, a fifth-year senior defender, concluded her career as one of the most decorated and experienced players in WSU soccer history with 92 career starts, the most all-time in program history for matches started by a field player. The Colorado Springs native started all 92 matches in her college career, finishing with over 8,300 minutes played. Minniss finished her collegiate career with four Pac-12 All-Conference honors and two United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Region recognitions for her play as a starting center back. Over five seasons, she led WSU to the 2019 College Cup, and scored three goals while tallying eight assists from the back line.
 
"I'm so excited that Mykiaa has been given this opportunity with Kansas City Current," WSU Head Coach Todd Shulenberger said. "This is well deserved, and Mykiaa is prepared and ready for the next step in the NWSL. Her selection is a testament to her hard work, dedication to this program, and to the game of soccer."
 
With Minniss' selection, a WSU Cougar has been selected by an NWSL side each of the last four Drafts. Washington State has become a prominent feature in the Draft, with a Cougar taken in the top-10 each of the last three years. In 2020, Morgan Weaver was selected No. 2 overall by the Portland Thorns, followed by Trinity Rodman in 2021 as the second overall pick to the Washington Spirit. Last year, Elyse Bennett continued the streak, being selected No. 7 to Kansas City Current.
 
The NWSL season begins March 25, 2023.