The WNBA didn’t invite Charlisse Leger-Walker to its draft?
Too bad. The UCLA point guard joined her teammates in New York anyway — and she might just make league officials look foolish.
Five Bruins — Lauren Betts, Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Gianna Kneepkens and Angela Dugalic — received official invitations to attend what could be a historic WNBA draft on Monday.
While most mock drafts project four Bruins to be taken in a first round that includes 15 picks — matching the record for a school set by UConn in 2002 — Dugalic and Leger-Walker are fringe first-round selections who could help UCLA topple that mark.
“I think Char is predicted to go anywhere between 13 and 17, probably, which is late first round to early second,” UCLA coach Cori Close told The California Post, “but she might be one of the most pro-ready players on our team — basketball IQ-wise, how she processes, how she connects the team, what she understands.
“Like, her ability to take what I’m asking for and then translate it to the team in a way that really brings them together, she’s one of the top-five locker room players I’ve ever coached, so whatever WNBA team gets her, they’re very, very smart. I think she’s going to be the steal of the draft.”
UCLA hosted a team party for players and their families in New York ahead of the draft. Close invited her entire staff — with the exception of assistant general manager Sam Skinner, who needed to remain in Los Angeles to coordinate the team’s efforts in the transfer portal — to be part of the festivities.
“No one’s ever done this before, and so we want to be there to support it,” Close said. “I wanted to make it a reward for our staff; every person played a role to help these women get to this place. Obviously, the biggest role was played by the women themselves and their choices, but I really wanted to have this as a thank-you for the staff as well.”
Here’s a look at the UCLA players expected to be drafted alongside USC guard Kara Dunn, who is projected to be selected in the second or third round:
Projected draft range: Early first round
Stats last season: 17.1 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 3.2 apg, 2.1 bpg
Strengths: One of the most dominant players in the college game, Betts projects as an immediate impact rookie because of her unique combination of size and skill. She can score around the basket in a variety of ways, possesses a knockdown midrange jumper and is an elite defender, not to mention a smart passer out of the post. Some mock drafts have the NCAA Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player going as high as the second selection overall. The top pick is likely to be UConn’s Azzi Fudd or Awa Fam of Spain.
Projected draft range: Early first round
Stats last season: 14.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.5 spg
Strengths: Rice can do so much more than just run an offense. Among other things, she possesses a nearly automatic pull-up jumper and is an exceptional rebounder for a point guard. Her ability to finish at the rim in transition thanks to an unstoppable Euro step adds another dimension to her game. Multiple mock drafts project the Sky to take Rice with the fifth pick.
Projected draft range: Mid-to-late first round
Stats last season: 13.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.1 apg
Strengths: Jaquez plays a lot like her older brother, Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., in that she is a popular, unselfish teammate who does many things well. She’s a versatile scorer who can slash to the basket and shoot the 3 (making 39% of her shots from long range as a senior) while also fighting for rebounds and making the right pass. Gabriela showed a glimpse of her all-around game in the championship against South Carolina when she tallied 21 points, 10 rebounds and five assists.
Projected draft range: Mid-to-late first round
Stats last season: 12.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.9 apg
Strengths: A sharpshooter who features many other elements to her game, Kneepkens happily traded in elite scoring for a different role on a championship team after joining the Bruins for her final college season. She remained one of the top shooters in the country, making 42.9% of her 3-pointers, while also showing unselfishness and the sort of veteran savvy that could help her earn early minutes in the WNBA.
Projected draft range: Late first round to early second round
Stats last season: 9.9 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.2 apg
Strengths: Dugalic’s willingness to come off the bench for her final college season despite her exceptional talent may have not only endeared her to teammates but also WNBA executives seeking a selfless presence. She boosted her draft stock with two double-doubles in the NCAA Tournament, showing her ability to excel on the perimeter and around the basket. Her age — she’ll turn 25 in December — and experience with the Serbian national team could make her ready to contribute immediately.
Projected draft range: Late first round to early second round
Stats last season: 8.4 ppg, 5.6 apg, 4 rpg, 1.6 spg
Strengths: Labeled “The Connector” by Close, Leger-Walker pulled everyone on her team together with her steadying presence on the court and guidance off it. The New Zealand native was someone her teammates trusted because of her patience, listening skills and basketball IQ, traits that will also serve her well at the next level. Might the Sparks take Leger-Walker with their pick early in the second round?
