WNBA DRAFT: Zags' Ejim picked in third round by Indiana Fever

From news services

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Yvonne Ejim became the ninth player in Gonzaga history to be drafted by the WNBA on Monday night, as the Indiana Fever took her in the third round with the 33rd overall pick.

She will become the 11th player from the Zags to sign with an WNBA team. She joins former Zags Courtney Vandersloot, Vivian Frieson, Kayla Standish, Katelan Redmon, Haiden Palmer, Jill Barta, Kaylynne Truong and Brynna Maxwell as players who have been drafted into the WNBA. This is the second-straight season that GU has had at least one player drafted in the WNBA.

"I couldn't be more grateful to my teammates and all my staff here at Gonzaga for putting me in the position I am at today," Ejim said. "To say that I would be able to be in the WNBA draft looking ahead to the start of my professional career is a dream come true. I'm proud of myself and the people that have supported me, my family, friends, and my team. The work is only about to begin and I am excited for what is to come next!"

Ejim, an Olympian from Canada, holds the record for most points scored (2,385), most rebounds (1,140) and most field goals (970) scored in Gonzaga history. She is the first player in WCC history to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. She is the back-to-back WCC Player and WCC Defensive Player of the Year after breaking the single season scoring record with 726 points this season. Last season, she was named GU's first women's basketball player to be named an Academic All-American and the Becky Hammon Player of the Year. She was also tabbed with AP All-American Honors for the second-straight season. 

"Yvonne is ready for a career in the WNBA," Gonzaga coach Lisa Fortier said. "It's not hard to see when you look at her stats, film, and the way she has performed head to head with other quality payers, that she is going to thrive at the next level. She is a worker, and knows how to receive coaching and apply it to the game. She is a three-level scorer, who can guard every position on the court. I can't way to cheer for her on the Fever."

The Fever open their season on May 17 against the Chicago Sky.