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Important update on 1476AMCharlisse Leger-Walker selected by Connecticut Sun in 2026 WNBA Draft
Sport Nation • April 14th, 2026 12:41 pm
Charlisse Leger-Walker | Photo: Basketball NZ
Kiwi hooper Charlisse Leger-Walker's WNBA dream has come true.
On Tuesday (NZ time), the freshly crowned NCAA champion was selected by the Connecticut Sun with the 18th pick of the 2026 draft - the first New Zealander to be drafted to the world's premier women's basketball competition.
The selection caps a remarkable month for the 24-year-old Hamiltonian, who just finished celebrating last week's NCAA women's basketball championship with the UCLA Bruins.
The Tall Ferns guard will become the second Kiwi to play in the WNBA after Megan Compain, who played for the Utah Starzz back in 1997.
"I'm the first from New Zealand to ever be drafted, so it's a big moment," Leger-Walker told ESPN in her on-stage interview.
"I think it means a lot and I'm just really humbled that I can be that role model. I hope that everyone watching from New Zealand knows that they belong here, and if they set their sights here, they can be limitless."
Charlisse Leger-Walker on inspiring the next generation of Kiwi ballers | The Fast Break Podcast
When asked how she could best impact the Sun, Leger-Walker added: "I think it's just going in, going in with an open mind, taking in a lot from he vets and just being the best teammate I can."
Leger-Walker began her college career with Washington State, where she starred en route to being named the PAC-10 Freshman of the Year in 2021.
An ACL tear forced her to suspend her WNBA ambitions, resulting in one final year with UCLA after entering the transfer portal.
Leger-Walker was one of six UCLA players selected in the draft. Five of her teammates were taken in the first round, setting a new record for players from a single school.
Sun general manager Morgan Tuck believes the St Peters Cambridge product will be a seamless fit with the team's style of play.
"Given how critical the point guard position is, we’re thrilled to welcome Charlisse to our team,” said Tuck in a staement.
"Her ability to push the pace while also running the offense and leading her teammates is something we truly value.
"She comes from a winning program, and her skill set, poise and basketball IQ position her game to translate seamlessly to the professional level.”
How Charlisse Leger-Walker celebrated her NCAA triumph | The Fast Break Podcast
