Former Tennessee Lady Vol Rae Burrell made a strong impression in her WNBA preseason debut, starting for the Los Angeles Sparks in their 85-75 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center on Sunday.

Burrell, a 6-foot-2 guard, logged 18 minutes of playing time and contributed across the stat sheet with four points, two rebounds, two steals, and one block. Her all-around performance showcased the versatility that made her a first-round pick in the 2022 WNBA draft, where she was selected ninth overall by the Sparks.

During her collegiate career at Tennessee from 2018 to 2022, Burrell appeared in 110 games and made 47 starts. She averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game while playing 22.6 minutes. Her career-high scoring performance came against Arkansas on Jan. 7, 2021, when she dropped 26 points.

Burrell's journey to the WNBA began at Liberty High School in Henderson, Nevada. She made history as the 44th Lady Vol to be drafted into the league and completed her degree in communication studies at Tennessee in May 2022. Her preseason recognition as a 2021-22 USA TODAY Preseason All-America Third Team selection foreshadowed her transition to the professional level.

With the Sparks looking to build a competitive roster, Burrell's early contributions in the preseason suggest she could be a valuable asset for Los Angeles in the upcoming season. Fans can look forward to seeing how this former Lady Vol continues to develop and make her mark in the WNBA.