History was made at the WNBA draft in New York City, and Washington State alum Charlisse Leger-Walker was at the heart of it. Selected 18th overall by the Connecticut Sun, Leger-Walker became the first player from New Zealand ever drafted into the league, marking a monumental moment for international basketball.

Her selection was part of an unprecedented night for UCLA, which saw a staggering six of its seniors drafted within the first 18 picks. This set a new WNBA record for the most players selected from one school in a single draft, a testament to the powerhouse program's dominance. Leger-Walker joined Bruins teammates Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic, and Gianna Kneepkens in a truly historic class.

This group, which Leger-Walker aptly nicknamed "The Pac-12 Avengers," was virtually unstoppable. They compiled a phenomenal 37-1 record, sweeping the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles before storming through the NCAA Tournament to claim the national championship.

Before her championship run with UCLA, Leger-Walker had already built a legendary legacy at Washington State. Over three and a half remarkable seasons, she led the Cougars to three consecutive NCAA Tournaments and etched her name all over the program's record books. She finished her WSU career ranked third in all-time scoring with 1,743 points and second in made three-pointers, solidifying her status as one of the greatest to ever wear the Cougar uniform.

Her final season in Pullman was tragically cut short by a knee injury suffered during a game against UCLA, but her resilience shone through. After transferring, she helped engineer a perfect championship season, proving that the heart of a competitor always finds a way to win. As she prepares to bring her dynamic playmaking and sharpshooting to the professional stage, the WNBA is gaining a proven winner and a trailblazer for New Zealand basketball.